Switching from Desktop to laptop

X43

I've been looking for a bit for a laptop as i am going to be moving around for work in the next couple of months...I'm working as a software engineer across 3 different operating systems simultaneously through vmware and also as a sales rep i will also use the laptop for entertainment and casual gaming..the problem is i need a laptop with these multimedia applications for my time off as i'll be staying in hotels most of the time but also with a good battery life for working on the move..i've been looking for a laptop with the following..

Intel core i5/i7 (preferably i7)
DDR3 Ram (4GB min)
Back-lit Keypad (For working in low light)
Nvidia Optimus GPU 1GB pefered (for battery life when not needed)
Screen Size not more than 15.6" (Portability, Not too bothered about resolution ~1300x700 sutible tho backlit led would be good)
HDMI (for connecting to my hdmi projecter)
USB 3.0/eSATA (Not Necessary but would be good)

I've been looking for something like this and was looking at the new ASUS U53jc.. do you think that it would be powerful enough for what i need it for and is there any other latops that would have this specs.

ED E

There's only one configuration of the G73 available now—the G73JH-X1. Specs include:

• 17.3-inch screen (1920x1080, LED-backlit)
• Intel Core i7 720QM
• 8GB DDR3 RAM
• ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 1GB graphics
• 500GB (7200RPM) hard drive(Two Slots!)
• DVD burner
• HDMI/VGA/4 USB
8-cell battery pack (14.8V, 5200mAh, 75Wh)
MSRP: $1,599
HDMI

No Esata, USB 2.0

dazzday

If you are looking for switchable graphics im afraid you are limited to i5 chipsets iirc. The lack of switchable gpus halves the battery life of i7 cpus, you'll be lucky to find +3hrs.
However the i5 have proven to be excellent cpus, with overclocking of the i5-420m to a stable 4Ghz reported regularly.


How about the Asus N82-JV?
http://www.amazon.com/N82JV-X1-14-Inch-Versatile-Entertainment-Laptop/dp/B003VWDQI2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1283514553&sr=8-3

Pretty much fits the bill for your requirements: usb 3.0, Optimus with G335M, 8cell battery etc. The Asus K42JV is similar but lacks USB 3.0/

Other options of the top of my head would be

Lenovo Y460 - Has a mini express card slot and e-sata. 5hrs batery life on intergrated gpu. Has heat issues under heavy load. Pricey when compared to similar config as 4820TG.

Acer 4820TG - Probably your most available option and best bang for buck ratio. Get the version with HD 5650 if you plan to do any gaming etc. Lacks e-sata, firewire and USB 3.0. 6hrs + battery life on intergrated gpu. Has possible heat issues under heavy load.

Acer 3820TG -

best 13 inch on the market outside the sony V series. Has dual fans for temp and noise control, switchable gpus with HD 5650, reported battery life of 6hrs under standard browsing etc, Lacks e-sata and USB 3.0 though.
Requires a keyboard mod to get english keyboard, however a backlight keyboard mod has been successfully done.
http://www.computeruniverse.net/products/e90385136/acer-aspire-timelinex-3820tg-5454g64nks.asp

HP Envy 14 - Best screen of the market if you can locate it with the Radience screen. Otherwise its plain overpriced. Splice battery can give 11+ hours but adds nearly 2kg to weight. HD 5650 is underclocked too.


Now locating these badboys for the irish market is another issue altogether!

abelard

dazzday wrote: »

If you are looking for switchable graphics im afraid you are limited to i5 chipsets iirc. The lack of switchable gpus halves the battery life of i7 cpus, you'll be lucky to find +3hrs.
However the i5 have proven to be excellent cpus, with overclocking of the i5-420m to a stable 4Ghz reported regularly.


How about the Asus N82-JV?
http://www.amazon.com/N82JV-X1-14-Inch-Versatile-Entertainment-Laptop/dp/B003VWDQI2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1283514553&sr=8-3

Pretty much fits the bill for your requirements: usb 3.0, Optimus with G335M, 8cell battery etc. The Asus K42JV is similar but lacks USB 3.0/

Other options of the top of my head would be

Lenovo Y460 - Has a mini express card slot and e-sata. 5hrs batery life on intergrated gpu. Has heat issues under heavy load. Pricey when compared to similar config as 4820TG.

Acer 4820TG - Probably your most available option and best bang for buck ratio. Get the version with HD 5650 if you plan to do any gaming etc. Lacks e-sata, firewire and USB 3.0. 6hrs + battery life on intergrated gpu. Has possible heat issues under heavy load.

Acer 3820TG -

best 13 inch on the market outside the sony V series. Has dual fans for temp and noise control, switchable gpus with HD 5650, reported battery life of 6hrs under standard browsing etc, Lacks e-sata and USB 3.0 though.
Requires a keyboard mod to get english keyboard, however a backlight keyboard mod has been successfully done.
http://www.computeruniverse.net/products/e90385136/acer-aspire-timelinex-3820tg-5454g64nks.asp

HP Envy 14 - Best screen of the market if you can locate it with the Radience screen. Otherwise its plain overpriced. Splice battery can give 11+ hours but adds nearly 2kg to weight. HD 5650 is underclocked too.


Now locating these badboys for the irish market is another issue altogether!

Was going to get the Y460 when I was in America last month, but just couldn't get the money together in time, really regret it now

Any ideas of similar spec laptops that are actually easily available in Ireland (or even the UK)?

X43

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

There's only one configuration of the G73 available now—the G73JH-X1. Specs include:

• 17.3-inch screen (1920x1080, LED-backlit)
• Intel Core i7 720QM
• 8GB DDR3 RAM
• ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 1GB graphics
• 500GB (7200RPM) hard drive(Two Slots!)
• DVD burner
• HDMI/VGA/4 USB
8-cell battery pack (14.8V, 5200mAh, 75Wh)
MSRP: $1,599
HDMI

No Esata, USB 2.0

This isn't really what i'm looking for i need smaller and the battery life would be too small on that

dazzday wrote: »

If you are looking for switchable graphics im afraid you are limited to i5 chipsets iirc. The lack of switchable gpus halves the battery life of i7 cpus, you'll be lucky to find +3hrs.
However the i5 have proven to be excellent cpus, with overclocking of the i5-420m to a stable 4Ghz reported regularly.


How about the Asus N82-JV?
http://www.amazon.com/N82JV-X1-14-Inch-Versatile-Entertainment-Laptop/dp/B003VWDQI2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1283514553&sr=8-3

Pretty much fits the bill for your requirements: usb 3.0, Optimus with G335M, 8cell battery etc. The Asus K42JV is similar but lacks USB 3.0/

Other options of the top of my head would be

Lenovo Y460 - Has a mini express card slot and e-sata. 5hrs batery life on intergrated gpu. Has heat issues under heavy load. Pricey when compared to similar config as 4820TG.

Acer 4820TG - Probably your most available option and best bang for buck ratio. Get the version with HD 5650 if you plan to do any gaming etc. Lacks e-sata, firewire and USB 3.0. 6hrs + battery life on intergrated gpu. Has possible heat issues under heavy load.

Acer 3820TG -

best 13 inch on the market outside the sony V series. Has dual fans for temp and noise control, switchable gpus with HD 5650, reported battery life of 6hrs under standard browsing etc, Lacks e-sata and USB 3.0 though.
Requires a keyboard mod to get english keyboard, however a backlight keyboard mod has been successfully done.
http://www.computeruniverse.net/products/e90385136/acer-aspire-timelinex-3820tg-5454g64nks.asp

HP Envy 14 - Best screen of the market if you can locate it with the Radience screen. Otherwise its plain overpriced. Splice battery can give 11+ hours but adds nearly 2kg to weight. HD 5650 is underclocked too.


Now locating these badboys for the irish market is another issue altogether!

I@ve really been researching over the last few days and the Nvidia optimus is available with the i7 620m clocking at 2.66ghz would be ideal tho the i5 overclocking.. i never reallly considered this but i'd always be an option if needed..i kinda want an asus tho my desktop is Asus and i've had no trouble with it always been a fan of it that make..i think i've narrowed it down to either the ASUS N53jn or the U53jc models..and i found a reseller from the uk so it means i won't have to worry about customs

abelard wrote: »

Was going to get the Y460 when I was in America last month, but just couldn't get the money together in time, really regret it now

Any ideas of similar spec laptops that are actually easily available in Ireland (or even the UK)?

both asus models i've mentioned above are roughly the same for the same price

U53jc-

http://www.asuslaptop.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=U53JC-XX086V

N53jn-

http://www.asuslaptop.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=N53JN-SX033V