Laptop advice needed - E500 budget

Danny2580 · 25-09-2012 10:38am #1

Hi all,

I have a E500 budget, requirements as follows:

- Used mostly for live streaming, usually multiple streams with an extended desktop.

- Relatively portable. 13.3" to 14.1" would be ideal, could stretch to 15.6" if the laptop is light enough.

- Decent processor, core i3 or better.

- Gaming is not a requirement. Not sure if I need a decent graphics card for heavy duty streaming though? My Samsung Q45 handled it well enough until recently.

I had the Samsung Q430 in mind, as a Samsung fan, on offer with Argos but seems to be no longer available anywhere. There's the HP Pavillon DM4 also on offer with Argos. Not sure about it though. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

Dan.

Torqay · 25-09-2012 11:08am

The Q430 seems to be discontinued, some 1st gen Core i3 models are still available at various retailers. Still costs much more than your budget allows for though.

If you want a decent processor, you better get a 15" laptop, you'll find 3rd gen core i5 models for less than 500 yoyos now.

Danny2580 · 25-09-2012 11:20am

Happy to hear some recommendations! Thanks Torqay.

Torqay · 25-09-2012 12:05pm

Fujitsu 15.6, Ivy Core i5, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB HDD, €476 at LD

PB 15.6, Ivy Core i5, 4 GB RAM, 750 GB HDD, €488 at LD

Acer 15.5", Ivy Core i5, 6 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, €498 at LD

Add 10% and you'll get a 3 yrs extended warranty.

Danny2580 · 25-09-2012 11:02pm

Am considering being irresponsible with my budget and going for this:

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Samsung_530U3B_1215397.html

Any thoughts? Not sure what the processor speed means, 1.6ghz with turbo boost? What does this mean in laymans terms?!

Danny2580 · 25-09-2012 11:09pm

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Samsung_530U4B_ULTRA_1166238.html

Or this, v similar, extra usb, much difference in the screens??

Torqay · 25-09-2012 11:59pm

You're spend spending a lot of money for outdated technology, why? Just for the looks? The Core i5 2367M is a ULV processor of the second Core ix generation, even Turbo Boost doesn't help much to speed it up, it is comparable to a Sandy Bridge Pentium mobile CPU, never mind a regular Core i3 2310M. The current Core i5 3210M is almost twice as fast when it comes to "number crunching".

Btw, those prices are in GBP (in Euro they're well outside your budget) and before you buy, make sure that you're eligible for cashback (you'll have to deal with Samsung, not SOL) if you're not resident in the UK.

Edit: just checked, residents of the Republic of Ireland are eligible for cashback, but you must hurry, offer ends on Sunday.

Danny2580 · 26-09-2012 10:06am

It's the fact that it's 14" and a bit more portable. The thoughts of lugging a big 15.6" around doesn't massively appeal the more I think about it. Happy to listen to suggestions though, maybe it is foolish to go for something so expensive that isn't really worth it. Was happy to extend the budget a bit!

Edit: spent a while looking at 14" or less options and there doesn't seem to be much decent out there even for less than E600.

Torqay · 26-09-2012 11:20am

Danny2580 wrote: »

Was happy to extend the budget a bit!

Edit: spent a while looking at 14" or less options and there doesn't seem to be much decent out there even for less than E600.

Lenovo's 13.3" ThinkPad E330 sells for €552 with a Core i3 processor and 4 GB RAM (€638 w a Core i5). You'll get a rock solid laptop with great mobility.

another question · 26-09-2012 11:25am

Of topic but hold (ctrl, Alt and 4) for the € symbol...just incase your wondering op...as your using a BIG E!

beer enigma · 26-09-2012 11:54am

Torqay wrote: »

Lenovo's 13.3" ThinkPad E330 sells for €552 with a Core i3 processor and 4 GB RAM (€638 w a Core i5). You'll get a rock solid laptop with great mobility.

I've been looking at Lenovo recently but know nothing about them - interested to hear you say 'rock solid' - I take it you'd class them as a decent machine ? - certainly seem to get a lot for the money.

I'm uk based at the moment & some great deals on them

Torqay · 26-09-2012 2:27pm

Andip wrote: »

I've been looking at Lenovo recently but know nothing about them - interested to hear you say 'rock solid' - I take it you'd class them as a decent machine ? - certainly seem to get a lot for the money.

ThinkPad is the name of Lenovo's business laptop series. Now, with a Thinkpad E you wouldn't get the legendary build quality of the rather expensive T series (T as in tank

) but you can still expect better than your average consumer laptop.

rickyjb · 26-09-2012 8:52pm

Andip wrote: »

I've been looking at Lenovo recently but know nothing about them - interested to hear you say 'rock solid' - I take it you'd class them as a decent machine ? - certainly seem to get a lot for the money.

I'm uk based at the moment & some great deals on them

This Thinkpad edge is in your budget with a 10% voucher (might only apply to Ireland though). Has a very good processor.

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/ieweb/LenovoPortal/en_IE/builder.workflow:Enter?sb=%3A000000F0%3A000002AF%3A&smid=7FD2534B6E5CE564EC125A129E819C97

Torqay · 26-09-2012 10:51pm

It's the 15.6" variant... but a 3rd gen Core i7 quad ThinkPad for 600 yoyos is a killer deal.

Danny2580 · 27-09-2012 10:02am

Any reason why the Lenovo seems to have gone up 120 euro overnight torqay?!

rickyjb · 27-09-2012 2:07pm

Danny2580 wrote: »

Any reason why the Lenovo seems to have gone up 120 euro overnight torqay?!

I bought one of these last night so that's strange alright! Having said that though when I looked about a week ago the price was 729, same as it is now. Must go up and down regularly. You can use a code to get 10% off, just google lenovo ireland ecoupon, think it's valid until the end of the month.

Danny2580 · 27-09-2012 2:40pm

Showing up as 679.99 for me. Hmm...

Audioslaven · 27-09-2012 10:35pm

I picked up a Dell Vostro 3rd i5 processor, Windows 7 home, 4gb RAM, 500 gb HD, led display 720 HD with anti glare, HDMI connection, USB 3.0 delivered for 429€ off Dell. Going to get another 4gb RAM and stick it in for 25€

Danny2580 · 02-10-2012 3:11pm

Just as I was about to pull the trigger on the Lenovo, the price shot up. If anyone has any ideas (14" or less, specs as in thread, budget probably a bit over E500) would be glad to hear them. Ta!

Torqay · 02-10-2012 3:35pm

Back to square one, eh?

Have a look at the 14" UltraNote then...

Core i3 2370M
4 GB RAM
250 GB HDD

Ultra slim DVD writer
Win7 HP x64 (OS installation disk included)
3 yrs warranty

£459 (€573), delivery not included. 25 quid more will buy you the 128 GB SSD.

Danny2580 · 02-10-2012 5:41pm

Doesn't quite look as good value as the Lenovo, although it does look the part. Can't find any reviews?

I wonder will the price of the Lenovo ever revert to what it was, bloody gutted at that!!

Thanks for the time and patience Torqay!

Torqay · 02-10-2012 7:32pm

Looks pretty good value to me. Same Core i3 2370M and 600 yoyos with a real SSD makes it a steal.

It's getting really interesting when you spec it with 8 GB RAM and the quad Core i7 3632QM (the fifth fastest mobile processor under the sun, the fastest 35W TDP). 620 sterling with the SSD (€775).

Danny2580 · 03-10-2012 10:58am

Any reviews for it knocking about Torqay?

Torqay · 03-10-2012 11:48am

No, but they have their own forum where you can ask. Mind you, the UltraNote is brand new and they've only started shipping today.

Leslie91 · 03-10-2012 12:25pm

Newbie here. How do these guys prices stack up to an equivalent machine from dell.ie for example?

Have you bought from them before?

Is Clevo the brand of machine?

Torqay · 03-10-2012 12:46pm

Leslie91 wrote: »

How do these guys prices stack up to an equivalent machine from dell.ie for example?

Good look with finding a 14" Ultrabook with a quad Core i7 3632QM, 8 GB RAM a 128 GB SSD and 3 yrs warranty at Dell for 775 yoyos.

Besides, Dell only offers dual core ULV processors in their Ultrabooks.

Leslie91 wrote: »

Is Clevo the brand of machine?

Yes, Clevo is providing the barebones to system builders like PC Specialist, Schenker et al, who then fit processors, memory, hard drives and graphics cards according to their customers' specs.

Leslie91 · 03-10-2012 12:48pm

Torqay wrote: »

Good look with finding a 14" Ultrabook with a quad Core i7 3632QM, 8 GB RAM a 128 GB SSD and 3 yrs warranty at Dell for 775 yoyos.

Besides, Dell only offers dual core ULV processors in their Ultrabooks.

Yes, Clevo is providing the barebones to system builders like PC Specialist, Schenker et al.

Thanks. I'm after a 14" i3 with min 4GB RAM, HD size not important. Hoping to get something good for less than €500. Lenovo seems out of reach.

Torqay · 03-10-2012 1:02pm

Leslie91 wrote: »

Thanks. I'm after a 14" i3 with min 4GB RAM, HD size not important. Hoping to get something good for less than €500. Lenovo seems out of reach.

Not really... 14" Lenovo with a SB Core i3 processor, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD for €449 here.

Caveats: German keyboard, no OS.

Danny2580 · 03-10-2012 7:37pm

As for me, I might wait until our friend Lenovo reverts to its initial price or another bargain comes along, and hope old Sammy Q45 doesn't self destruct in the mean time!

Danny2580 · 24-11-2012 2:43pm

Bump!

Held off, Sammy is still going strong (ish).

The Lenovo suggested above now comes in at E700!

If anyone hears of anything...!

BostonB · 24-11-2012 2:58pm

Torqay wrote: »

...Besides, Dell only offers dual core ULV processors in their Ultrabooks....

How does the battery life compare?

Laptop advice needed - E500 budget

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