[Forkchops]

I am looking to buy my first laptop, but it needs to be able to run games, and or 3d modelling software.

I'm not really looking to spend more than $1800 CAD but if I must, I won't be going much higher than that.

Any advice on what laptop to get would be greatly appreciated.

[Jorsoft]

I'm not even sure what $1800 CAD equals in USD anymore. The exchange rates are all screwy lately...

Rough outline of what you'll want:

Good Dual core Proc (C2D preferably)
2gb of ram
Whatever HD size floats your boat
Geforce 7600/8600 video or x1600/1700 if you prefer ATI

Good brands: Toshiba, HP/Compaq, Sony (spendy!), Gateway.
Avoid Dell and particularly Acer. Cheap but very low quality and support. Acers break all the time and look like hel l after a year or two. They just don't hold up well...

[Kubel]

HP Pavilion DV2500T
-Window Vista Home Premium
-Intel Core 2 Duo T7500
-14.1" WXGA HD BrightView
-2GB DDR2 RAM
-64MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
-HP Imprint Finish
-Webcam
-Microphone
-Fingerprint Reader
-Intel PRO/Wireless 3945/ABG
-120GB 5400RPM SATA
-LightScribe DL 8x DVD+/-RW
-12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

$1,227.99 (USD)


HP Pavilion DV6500Z
-Window Vista Home Premium
-AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-64
-15.4" WXGA HD BrightView
-2GB DDR2 RAM
-128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
-HP Imprint Finish
-Webcam
-Microphone
-Fingerprint Reader
-802.11b/g WLAN and Bluetooth
-160GB 5400RPM HDD
-LightScribe DL 8x DVD+/-RW
-12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

$1,202.99 (USD)


If you have the money and need the workstation graphics, you might want to consider the Compaq 8510w.

Newegg.com - HP Compaq 8510w(RM256UT#ABA) NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo T7300(2.00GHz) 15.4" Wide SXGA+ 2GB DDR2 667 120GB 7200rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M - Retail