Buying a Laptop: The current Generation

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

Torqay

Phoenix wrote: »

Any chance ye could recommend a laptop for gaming,watching movies,Internet,study etc.1000 budget.would be great if the screen could be 17'

Configure the PCS Optimus IV with a GTX 660M and full HD display to your likings. A quad Core i7, 8 GB RAM and SSD should match your busget.

Bigron78

Hi,
Sorry for jumping in here but does anyone think this Ultrabook represents good value?

http://www.elara.ie/productdetail.aspx?productcode=ECE2505148

I know it's Windows 7 but it isn't a touch screen and the spec provides me with all I need i.e. browsing, garmin uploads, portablility etc.

Thanks in advance

Torqay

For an Ultrabook it is pretty good value.

If you want Windows 8 + Touchscreen and save 200 yoyos, have a look at the ASUS Vivobook, €503 at LD

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

Torqay

The GTX 660M is a upper mid-range GPU, good enough to play current games decent frame rates. As for future games, I seem to have mislaid my crystal ball, I can't find it at the moment, sorry.

If you're looking for high end, you'll have to extend your budget somewhat, the Vortex II with a HD 7970M costs €250-300 more. The GTX 680M costs even more.

Bigron78

Torqay wrote: »

For an Ultrabook it is pretty good value.

If you want Windows 8 + Touchscreen and save 200 yoyos, have a look at the ASUS Vivobook, €503 at LD

Thanks Torqay. I looked at the Vivobook but it is fairly chunky for such a small laptop. The Zenbook form factor is much more appealing. Didn't think the screen was great on Vivobook either. I wonder is the same screen used on Zenbook? There is another the X31 which is full HD but it's over twice the price!

Torqay

Bigron78 wrote: »

I wonder is the same screen used on Zenbook?

No, one is 11.6", the other 13.3"

Bigron78 wrote: »

There is another the X31 which is full HD but it's over twice the price!

The UX31 is playing in a different league.

Bigron78

Torqay wrote: »

No, one is 11.6", the other 13.3"

Yes I see that but in terms of resolution and display quality - do you know if they use the same panels etc?
Edit: I am coming from a Dell machine which is 4-5 years old :-P

I think Windows 8 is lost without touchscreen and is better suited placed on mobile devices such as tablets. Therefore an happy enough with Window 7 on this laptop. Price is very tempting.....


The X31 is amazing alright

Edit: I am coming from a Dell machine which is 4-5 years old :-P

rayobri

Need some assistance in buying new laptop. Mainly needed for browsing, streaming, some gaming (FM mainly).

Was thinking of processor i3-i5, 6-8 RAM, 500GB HDD.
Is this too high a spec?

Looked at these:
http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Acer_Aspire_V5-571G_Windows_8_Core_i5_Laptop_-_Black_NX.M3NEK.003/version.asp


http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/genesisIV/

Torqay

Define "some gaming".

A GT 620M is not much better than HD 4000 (worse even in some benchmarks).

rayobri

Cheers for the reply. Mainly football manager (very little though!)

Torqay

Football Manager 2013 works just fine on Intel HD 4000.

rayobri

Thanks.

Would you then suggest the better machine in your infinite wisdom? or is there a third alternative I should look at?

Torqay

Any "off the rails" core i3 laptop will suit your needs just fine. Whatever is left of you budget, you may invest in a solid state drive and memory upgrade.

I would only consider the PCS Genesis IV if I wanted a full HD display (which is not common in budget laptops).

Togepi

Should I buy this Acer laptop?

I'm looking for something to see me through college (I'm in 1st Year - doing languages so I don't think there's anything major the laptop needs to be able to do, although I wouldn't mind being able to play the likes of The Sims, Football Manager, Fifa, etc on it), and it has to be very small and light as I will be traveling for the majority of the next 3+ years.

I want a good processor (i5 or i7), but RAM I'm not too bothered about as it can be upgraded. Only problem is, most laptops I've looked at can only be upgraded from 6GB to 8GB, which seems a bit pointless for the price of the laptop.

Not sure if it's all that relevant, but I'll be buying from America in the next month, so I'm looking to get a great value laptop. The budget's around €500, slightly flexible.

3rd Gen Intel® Core™ i7-3517U processor Features a 4MB L3 cache and 1.9GHz processor speed with Turbo Boost up to 3.0GHz.

Intel® Core™ i7 processor

Features 8-way processing for ultimate smart performance. Intel® Turbo Boost Technology delivers extra performance when you need it and increased energy efficiency when you don't.

6GB DDR3 SDRAM

For multitasking power, expandable to 8GB.

Note: Optical drive not included

Compatible with optional external recordable CD/DVD drives (not included).

11.6" LED-backlit high-definition widescreen display

With CineCrystal technology and 1366 x 768 resolution showcases movies and games in stunning clarity.

500GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)

Offers spacious storage and fast read/write times.

Intel® HD Graphics 4000

With 128MB dedicated video memory for vivid detail. HDMI output for flexible connectivity options.

Built-in 1.3MP high-definition webcam

Makes it easy to video chat with family and friends.

1 USB 3.0 port and 2 USB 2.0 ports

For fast digital video, audio and data transfer; 2-in-1 memory card slot supports Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard formats.

Built-in high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n)

Connect to the Internet without wires.

Bluetooth 4.0 + HS interface

Easily link with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as a mobile phone or MP3 player.

Built-in 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN

With RJ-45 connector for quick and easy wired Web connection.

Weighs only 3.1 lbs. and measures just 1.1" thin

For lightweight portability.

Microsoft Windows 8 operating system preinstalled

Provides a stable computing platform.

Software package included

With Evernote, Amazon Kindle, MyWinLocker and more.

ENERGY STAR certified

Designed to use less energy and meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy.
3rd Gen Intel® Core™ i7-3517U processor

Features a 4MB L3 cache and 1.9GHz processor speed with Turbo Boost up to 3.0GHz.

Intel® Core™ i7 processor

Features 8-way processing for ultimate smart performance. Intel® Turbo Boost Technology delivers extra performance when you need it and increased energy efficiency when you don't.

6GB DDR3 SDRAM

For multitasking power, expandable to 8GB.

Note: Optical drive not included

Compatible with optional external recordable CD/DVD drives (not included).

11.6" LED-backlit high-definition widescreen display

With CineCrystal technology and 1366 x 768 resolution showcases movies and games in stunning clarity.

500GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)

Offers spacious storage and fast read/write times.

Intel® HD Graphics 4000

With 128MB dedicated video memory for vivid detail. HDMI output for flexible connectivity options.

Built-in 1.3MP high-definition webcam

Makes it easy to video chat with family and friends.

1 USB 3.0 port and 2 USB 2.0 ports

For fast digital video, audio and data transfer; 2-in-1 memory card slot supports Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard formats.

Built-in high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n)

Connect to the Internet without wires.

Bluetooth 4.0 + HS interface

Easily link with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as a mobile phone or MP3 player.

Built-in 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN

With RJ-45 connector for quick and easy wired Web connection.

Weighs only 3.1 lbs. and measures just 1.1" thin

For lightweight portability.

Microsoft Windows 8 operating system preinstalled

Provides a stable computing platform.

Software package included

With Evernote, Amazon Kindle, MyWinLocker and more.

ENERGY STAR certified

Designed to use less energy and meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy.

Monotype

Looks good and you can get great value when buying laptops in the US, but be aware that some of the keys are changed around. You can change it to UK layout so everything will be in the usual place (apart from the writing on the keyboard itself) and you'll be short the back slash key (the backslash key becomes the # key).

One upgrade that might be nice is an SSD which are about $200 for a good 250GB/256GB one. Best one would be the Samsung 840Pro. Alternatives are the Crucial M500 (new so a little on the dear side), Crucial M4 or the Samsung 840 if you want to save a bit. But that's down to budget and you could thrown one in at a later stage if you wanted to (but a reinstall of Windows would be recommended).

The HD4000 is capable of basic enough games - most games are actually playable if you turn the details way down. If you're series about games and want them to look well or play newer, more resource consuming titles, you'd need a dedicated card.
http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/inferno/
or I suppose since you're getting it from the US, maybe this instead (which is much the same thing) -
http://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=category_browse&selected_cat=5

firefish

Hi,
I guess my query is similar to some posted already so thanks in advance if you take the time to answer!
I would like a new laptop to be used for general surfing and e-mail as well as work purposes - word, excel, e-mail, spreadsheets. Ideally I would like it to look good (!) as well as not be totally overtaken by new technology in the next few years. It will not be used for gaming at all. I would like it to feel comfortable to use - not a cramped stiff keyboard. I'm not sure about budget - I would go up to €750ish if it got me a really nice machine but again if there is no need to spend that much for my fairly limited needs then I obviously don't want to.

It's already been mentioned but I went into PC World and saw this and from my very rough research it seems to be a good spec for the price, also it can be taken home immediately (although I am a little housebound at the moment so buying online is not a real problem either):

http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/ACER-Aspire-V5171-116andquot-Laptop-Silver/313709/301

Owing to Torquay's posts here I have also looked at the 14" ultranote, with either i3 or i5 processor, 4gb RAM, 500gb. It is more expensive though (though has a dvd reader and bigger screen) and do I really need a custom built machine for my limited needs? Er...and also..does it look good in the flesh I wonder? If given the choice should I get an i5 processor to "future-proof" a little? Also someone advised me to stay away from windows 8, windows 7 is fine - true or not? How is the battery life?

Or should I be considering the Asus vivobook linked to earlier with a touchscreen? Is touchscreen just a gimmick, or will it become v standard v soon?

Help! It's all a bit confusing to someone who doesn't know much about computers, but it's also a fair bit of money to spend so want to get it right.

Monotype

That's actually pretty good value. I suppose the main thing to be concerned about is whether you want a netbook or a laptop. 11.6'' screens are great for travelling or going around college when you're moving a lot. If you're using it for work - not so much travelling but getting heavier use, you'd want the extra screen space that a larger laptop... maybe like the ASUS UX32A linked earlier affords.

Regarding touchscreen - it has its uses, but in reality, it's only of any use if you have a reversible or detachable screen so that you can use it as a tablet. It's more of a gimmick at the moment, as you say, but it probably will take off a bit more when the hardware and software is more widespread. At the moment, detachable screens like the Surface laptop are steep and just having a touch screen on a laptop has little value as it will be more convenient to use the mousepad and keyboard.

Torqay

Pretty good value, if you need something for travelling. As a workhorse it is probably too small.

firefish

That's a very good point about it maybe being too small for professional purposes. I don't want to have to work at thome at night but I likely will have tvo, and possibly under pressure to turn around documents fast. I also tend to work with a lot of documents and webpages open at the same time.
Would this be another option? I read that it has a good comfortable keyboard:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lenovo-Ideapad-13-inch-Ultrabook-Graphite/dp/B009RGBI6I/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

Thanks all.

Torqay

firefish wrote: »

I don't want to have to work at thome at night but I likely will have to

Then you may find a backlit keyboard very appealing... but they hardly ever come with reasonably priced laptops.

LOI Stats

What can you expect to get from a laptop these days for €500. I'm completely out of the loop.

Buying in a few days when I get a refund on an atrocious laptop that didn't work properly anyway.

Bewildered by the different standards...

Torqay

Not much... Core i5 processor tops, no full HD display, no SSD, no dedicated graphics (at least none worth mentioning).

daithi7

Monotype wrote: »

Regarding touchscreen - it has its uses, but in reality, it's only of any use if you have a reversible or detachable screen so that you can use it as a tablet. It's more of a gimmick at the moment, as you say, but it probably will take off a bit more when the hardware and software is more widespread. At the moment, detachable screens like the Surface laptop are steep and just having a touch screen on a laptop has little value as it will be more convenient to use the mousepad and keyboard.

Hmmmm, this post is giving me a bit of a conundrum... I'm in the market for a laptop at the moment, for general business use (office, email, Web, Skype, etc) looking at the Dell Inspiron 15z,, with a touchscreen display, or a Dell 17 (i7) with a Hd non touchscreen display. I am leaning towards the inspiron 15z with a touchscreen as with windows 8, I thought it would be handy, and its the way tech is trending and reviews hint at productivity increases with this feature. Anyway your post sounds well informed and not too keen on touchscreen displays so now I'm more confused!? (as a rough guide upgrading to a touchscreen costs as much as an upgrade to 1 processor up, 2gb of extra ram and an added 32gb ssd drive so its not a trivial feature to add to a laptop!!)

Anyone got a good recommendation!?
These are the laptops I'm considering at the moment
http://www.dell.com/ie/business/p/configuration-compare.aspx#overrides

Balmed Out

Would I be correct in thinking the intel hd4000 graphics would be inferior to a NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M?

Just considering replacing my dell 2 year old i7 which I spent too much on and has constantly crashed since purchasing due to overheating. Ive always had to use a cooling pad with it but it still overheats and either crashes or spends a week thowing out one BSOD or another.

Performance wise are modern i5's far better then the original i7s and do they produce far less heat?
Are you better off getting a 17 inch as presumably they dont heat up as much if the laptops being used for much of the day?

I use it for excel, word, publishing, internet and some gaming (especially civilization)
I asked a local repair place what they thought the best brand was and they highlighted that you can get unlucky with any but felt lenovo and asus to be best followed by toshiba.
Was thinking of a lenovo as at the aprox 500-600 euro price point they seem to have better specs then the assus.

BostonB

Balmed Out wrote: »

..Just considering replacing my dell 2 year old i7 which I spent too much on and has constantly crashed since purchasing due to overheating. Ive always had to use a cooling pad with it but it still overheats and either crashes or spends a week thowing out one BSOD or another....

Sounds like theres something not right there. If under 2yrs old could you not get it repaired?

Perhaps you could sort that overheating by cleaning off the heatsinks and putting better thermal paste on them. Sometime you can even add some ducting and tape to improve the airflow. Seen mods like that on the web.

Balmed Out

BostonB wrote: »

Sounds like theres something not right there. If under 2yrs old could you not get it repaired?

Perhaps you could sort that overheating by cleaning off the heatsinks and putting better thermal paste on them. Sometime you can even add some ducting and tape to improve the airflow. Seen mods like that on the web.

Ive had it repaired before, its about 2 and a half years old and if you were to google dell studio 1557 you would find that all the earlier ones were crap because of the over heating problems. Its a head wreck and the frequent crashing will cause other problems too.

If I replace it id give it to my wife and it would be fine for occasional internet use when its not going to be turned on for long periods.

BostonB

Seems there a mod to help with this...

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=18655864&postcount=11

Photos here

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1553968&page=3

BostonB

You could even swap the CPU for something cooler (and slower) which would also help.