Korean Job Discussion Forums

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

Alright, I'm going to Yongson with my Korean friend this weekend to pick up a computer, but I can't decide if I should get a laptop or a desktop. I'm not a gamer so I figure I could probably do fine with a p3 or so and 128-256 of ram with a half decent video card. Do you think I could get a decent used laptop for a decent price. What about a brand new lower -end laptop? Now, the thing is I figure I could probably just get a much powerful desktop for a better deal but I've always wanted a laptop....damn conundrums. I really didn't want to spend more than 500,000 but am considering changing that. What is possible for 500,000 or under. what could I do if I changed my budget to about a million? I don't need a powerhouse but I do need something that's reliable and efficient...ie: the typical word-processing, internet, and movies.

p.s. I know that there have been lots of topics on laptops and such but I have searched and read them all and figure I could use some more specific help.

Giant · Joined: 14 May 2003 Location: South Korea

Well, in my travels at Yongsan I have seen some used notebooks going for between W600,000 and W1,000,000 for a used PIII. It all depends on the specs of course.

If you want to play movies alot then do not buy less than a PIII 800Mhz with 256MB RAM. (But try and get something higher)

Do you intend to be mobile alot? Unless you move around alot and and do not want to play recent games then buy a laptop. But otherwise rather get a desktop.

Just my 5 cents.

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

I'm not really sure how mobile I will be. I will of course be using it alot at home but think that I would like to bring it with me to coffee shops and such because I like to go out and away from my apartment when I write. I was thinking it'd be good to have a laptop also for travelling around and when I go back to Canada because I already have a good desktop there. It really depends tho on how much performace I would have to sacrifice vs. cost. I know I can get a reasonable p4 desktop for a good price and a p3 desktop for pretty damn cheap. I'm trying to weigh the various trade-offs. What are some things I should test on a laptop when I go to Yongson? Clarity at different resolutions, sound quality etc?

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

I really only play card games and the odd round of counterstrike and civ II.

Giant · Joined: 14 May 2003 Location: South Korea

Well, if you want a decent gaming experience then you will need to go for a PIV class laptop and those dont come in at W500,000. More to the W1,000,000 price range.

As for testing whats better just make sure its a good VGA card, if you are into CS then you will need a 3D Graphics card. As for specs, I would like I said not go below a 800Mhz CPU and 256MB RAM, and thats even cutting it fine! Even for just writing.

The thing is sooner or later you will need to upgrade (You will trust me!) and then you are stuck, so buy something that exceeds your needs now and then later you wont be dissapointed and stuck with a obsolete laptop.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

It depends on what you do with it and, judging from your description, you don't want to do too much with it.

For my money I'd only ever get a laptop as a secondary computer -- not nearly as powerful as a similarly priced desktop and way more expensive to upgrade.

Giant · Joined: 14 May 2003 Location: South Korea

Thats true.

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

I think I'll just spend the day in Yongson and compare all of my options...

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Also, on old laptops, the battery life may well be measured in minutes, not hours. Battery advancements have moved along hand in hand with mobile CPU enhancements, but not even 2 years ago, laptops were not really that portable due to a short battery life. Add age to this equation and you may be looking at a mobile solution that needs to be plugged into the wall.

For taking your work with you wherever you go, sure...it would still beat a desktop. However, recent price drops in large-size flash memory drives and other portable storage solutions have made this an easy proposition for the desktop market as well. USB hard drives, RW optical media and flash drives are all useful and easy for holding a lot of data.