Xbox 360 and laptop

Hi guys, I am hoping someone can help me locate a truly good deal on a laptop or desktop.

I am a college student, and dont have a ton of money, so the cheaper the better, but i am realistic as to the cost i am looking at. The current rig i have cost me 400 dollars and quite frankly, its slow as molasses and i dont know how much longer i can tolerate it.

I use a lot of demanding programs for my major such as PS, AI, AUTOCAD, ETC and need to be able to work with these programs free of lag.

My fellow classmate got a laptop ( for a deal) $1300 bucks with the following specs.
Intel Core i7 processor (1.73 GhZ)
8 GB of RAM
720GB Hard Drive
64 Bit Win 7 os
... its a 14 inch but the screen actually is decent sized compared to others.


So if it was a laptop id Like something along those lines. He seems to have NO problems running the programs required in my major.

If it was a desktop Im sure i could do much better as far as over all specs for much less.

As far as price id like to spend $700 and under for a laptop or a desktop, i dont know if thats feasible
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My Xbox 360 just died again, I am tired of getting it repaired, its time to start fresh. I am not looking to pay 400 bucks for it again though. The bare minimum rig should suffice for me. What is the least I can get a new one for?

Thanks to everyone and anyone who helps me out with this. I've been looking around and as far as the xbox goes $188 is the lowest I've seen them for.

Someone from microsoft told me about a deal walmart had last year where if you bought a laptop from them you got a free xbox? Any chance they do that again? that would be perfect!

Quote from SOMTHIN4NOTHIN : As far as price id like to spend $700 and under for a laptop or a desktop, i dont know if thats feasible but it his christmas time and deals seem to be o plenty, i saw this one posted and was pretty interested but it didnt seem like most were that impressed. Can someone tell me if it would perform how i need?

What cpu are you currently using?

If its the 65nm or older, you can get a good deal on a Dell XPS 8300 desktop with i7-2600 at the Dell Outlet from $500-600.


Here are other deals
Refurb Samsung 7 i7, 900p, backlit $603
Computers Deals and Coupons

Current comp specs are as follows
AMD DUAL CORE QL 60 1.90 GHZ
2GIG RAM
32BIT OP SYSTEM

Quote from SOMTHIN4NOTHIN : Current comp specs are as follows AMD DUAL CORE QL 60 1.90 GHZ 2GIG RAM 32BIT OP SYSTEM

Yeah, using an i7 Quad Core desktop or laptop would make a major difference on CAD.

You may also want to backup and reformat your old AMD QL laptop since it still runs fine for web browsing.

What is your opinion regarding AMD vs Pentium>?

fry's is actually doing the free 360 deal with a solid 700$ laptop which looks to fit your needs...

http://www.frys.com/ads/page1

how does this stack up to my computer needs?

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/7...-mid-tower

I don't have a frys in ohio, do they do it online? And I dont see the deal on the ad. Seems best buy is doing it as well, this is perfect. I just need someone to give me the specs i should be looking for and a decent price for it.

Quote from SOMTHIN4NOTHIN : I don't have a frys in ohio, do they do it online? And I dont see the deal on the ad. Seems best buy is doing it as well, this is perfect. I just need someone to give me the specs i should be looking for and a decent price for it.

To get the coupon you have to give an .edu address at: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Globa...6200050001

The laptop has to be $699 or higher to qualify.
Here are some recommendations:
Toshiba 17.3" Satellite - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshi...Id=5710823

Sony Vaio 14" - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+...Id=4700892

Look for something with 6GB or more Ram, Windows 7 upgrade-able to Windows 8, and a 500GB or larger hard drive

Do you think this is the best way to go? Especially since I will have a physical establishment to take these things to should somthing go wrong? Also, I probably wont end up doing it, but ive always been enamored with alienware, does BB ever do discounts on that?

Quote from SOMTHIN4NOTHIN : Do you think this is the best way to go? Especially since I will have a physical establishment to take these things to should somthing go wrong? Also, I probably wont end up doing it, but ive always been enamored with alienware, does BB ever do discounts on that?

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Quote from FAL : Yeah, using an i7 Quad Core desktop or laptop would make a major difference on CAD. Go for a new laptop i7-2675QM or better CPU. Also, a vented laptop stand or 180mm+ cooler will help the keep the high temps. at bay. You may also want to backup and reformat your old AMD QL laptop since it still runs fine for web browsing.

How much ram do I really need to run cad and other programs smoothly at the same time?

save all your stuff on remexternal harddrive,format computer reloAD OS it wll be like new

ok got a quick solution for you on the xbox 360. you can do what I did and it was a cheap solution for those that own an xbox already. you can but an xbox 360 4GB slim system for $199.99. you can get one anywhere heres some places. (first link is because i was already on that site looking at other stuff)

http://www.gamecontinuum.com/inde...duct_id=66
http://www.bestbuy.com
http://www.gamestop.com
http://www.amazon.com

next you can do one of 2 things trade in your old system and buy a new or used harddrive or trade in your system get some credit for something else and keep you harddrive. all you have to do is take it apart, once you take your harddrive out of the old xbox 360 case you can then slide it into your new xbox 360 slim. It should fit just fine, you might have to put a small ring of tape around it so it won't be soo loose but it will work. also note you might want to check some mom and pop game shops because some carry the thin plastic harddrive caddy for the xbox 360 slim. I found them for $9.99 all in all your system upgrade should be $210.00+tax total if you go that route.