I need help knowing what laptop to buy please

[getdj84]

first of all what makes a laptop fast or slow? is it the processor or ram or what? i need a laptop that has 15-16" screen hi def widescreen. and i'm going to college for computer science and i need a computer that is fast and doesn't freeze up. don't have the money for a mac. basically can u find a computer for me just for surfing, music, watching movies, and i'd like to be able to put a game or 2 on it. i would like to be able to download some things without slowing my comp down. and am trying to stay in the range of 500-700 US dollars. please help.

 

[dunklegend]

first of all what makes a laptop fast or slow? is it the processor or ram or what? i need a laptop that has 15-16" screen hi def widescreen. and i'm going to college for computer science and i need a computer that is fast and doesn't freeze up. don't have the money for a mac. basically can u find a computer for me just for surfing, music, watching movies, and i'd like to be able to put a game or 2 on it. i would like to be able to download some things without slowing my comp down. and am trying to stay in the range of 500-700 US dollars. please help.

It depends on the use.

The processor makes it fast overall.
The video card makes it fast when using graphics.
The RAM makes it fast when opening several applications at once.

So all of the above

 

[dunklegend]

For that money try getting at least a Core 2 Duo processor.
At least 2GB of RAM (get 3 or more if you can)
Decent video. (guys please recommend a good video solution for that price)

 

[warmon6]

http://laptops.toshiba.com/laptops/satellite/P500

Well i think these toshiba laptops fit into what you want/need.

Dunklengend already covered what makes laptops fast/slow so im just showing whats out there.

No you dont have to get a Toshiba laptop but they make some good laptops.

Hope this helps.

 

[jimishtar]

first of all what makes a laptop fast or slow? is it the processor or ram or what? i need a laptop that has 15-16" screen hi def widescreen. and i'm going to college for computer science and i need a computer that is fast and doesn't freeze up. don't have the money for a mac. basically can u find a computer for me just for surfing, music, watching movies, and i'd like to be able to put a game or 2 on it. i would like to be able to download some things without slowing my comp down. and am trying to stay in the range of 500-700 US dollars. please help.

and u are going to a computer science college??

 

[reconviperone1]

dell has a lappy with a pentium cpu,320 hd, and 4gb of memory for 649, it has intel 4500hd video, Im thinking of buying it, but those netboos are so temping