So I am looking for a new laptop, and I was hoping you guys could give me some recommendations. Mostly what I am looking for is a sturdy, well built machine, inside and outside.

other pros:

• discrete graphics[/color]
  
  • decent cooling system[/color]
    
  • decent processor and ram for play some games (nothing too intense)
    
    • webcam (think this is standard these days)[/color]
      
      • two HD slots[/color]
        
        • under $1000[/color]
          
        but like I said, I could give up a couple of those things if i can get a machine that will last me more than a year.
        
        also, don't say mac.
        
        edit: hrm, not sure why i posted this in media...
        

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=8je5Ot4HBnKOdT81

This is the one I got, for pretty much every reason you stated (especially the sturdy and long lasting, it is designed very much like a brick).  But  this is also under the assumption that in order to have discrete graphics that won't become completely outdated for more than a year, you pretty much have to get something with high-end graphics today, and let them adjust to a mediocre status as you own it over a longer period of time. If you want something sturdy inside and outside, you can go with almost any model ASUS and be all right on that end. (What I like about this specific model the most is how logical and effective the cooling system is.)

Asus is a good company, but if you do buy from them be sure to have a copy of windows to throw on it because you're gonna want to do a fresh install after getting it; they load their machines full of garbage.

If you're really looking for something incredibly sturdy from the inside and out I would look into the business notebooks from Dell(Latitude) and Lenovo(Thinkpad). The only thing you'll have to give up is the discreet graphics chip if you want to stay reasonable, but you'll get better battery life so in the case of a laptop I'd say it's probably worth it if videogaming is not a huge part of the time you spend on the computer.

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=8je5Ot4HBnKOdT81

This is the one I got, for pretty much every reason you stated (especially the sturdy and long lasting, it is designed very much like a brick).  But  this is also under the assumption that in order to have discrete graphics that won't become completely outdated for more than a year, you pretty much have to get something with high-end graphics today, and let them adjust to a mediocre status as you own it over a longer period of time. If you want something sturdy inside and outside, you can go with almost any model ASUS and be all right on that end. (What I like about this specific model the most is how logical and effective the cooling system is.)

I wouldn't be caught dead with that in public man... plus that thing probably weighs close to ten pounds, you may as well build a desktop!

actually it's not quite as gaudy as I thought on first glance, but still that thing sticking out the back is pretty awful IMO

Isn't this true for most if not all major manufacturers (to some degree)?

Usually the "business-class" notebooks from companies like Dell, Lenovo, and HP don't have all that crap in them.

speaking of loading crap onto computers, one of my students actually submitted an assignment to me in .wps (Microsoft Works) format...


that dude must have a really old computer

They still make microsoft works ase.

partly as a shitty office suite to put on new computers that people can upgrade to office and partly so people can keep making that "'microsoft works'? yeah right it does" joke

i turn in all my assignments as rtf

i turn in all my assignments as rtf

holy crap, there really still is wordpad

My dell fell apart after 3 years, my mac is still in great condition after 3 years. Just putting it out there.

Give it a few days : )