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Can't Decide on a new laptop...

  • 08-11-2010 5:27am
    #1
    U_Fig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 893 ✭✭✭


    I currently have a dell inspiron 6400 and but am looking for a new laptop as it's getting a bit tattered and struggles a bit for what i use it for.

    I was looking at two laptops one being the ASUS N53JN the other being the new Dell Xps 15 configured like this . Although any make will be ok. Feel Free to give your own suggestions heres some details of usage etc.. thanks

    Budget: €1000-1200 (may go a bit higher)

    Intended use: multimedia day to day use HD 1080p video playback music playback casual gaming possibly small bit of photo editing and some use with Vmware and some audio encoding

    Mobility: not too important tho noting over 16" i want to be able to take it from place to place without hiring a crane and a truck


    Warranty: standard warranty would be ok

    What Operating System do you use? Windows 7 / Ubuntu 10.04 dual boot (Would love a mac but a bit too expensive)

    Other Requirements    : would like a laptop with at least 1 usb 3.0 port, must have hdmi, a backlit keyboard would be a bonus, not too pushed on screen resolution, nvidia grpahics card prefered with optimus if possible, intel i5 / i7 processor, min 4gb ram and 1gb graphics preferred..battery not the most important but would like a decent battery life also not too bothered about the HDD.. i'll be most likely be using my current one in it's place it was replaced recently (500gb 7200rmp )


Comments

  • #2
    TheUsual
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,288 ✭✭✭TheUsual


    U_Fig wrote: »
    I was looking at two laptops one being the ASUS N53JN the other being the new Dell Xps 15 configured like this .

    I had an Asus for 2 years and I have to say I was not impressed with it. Bulletproof except for the hardware, it fell to bits after a year, like the USB ports and keyboard. They might be better quality now.

    I have an Acer Aspire 8930 now, beast of a thing - but a bit big to carry around as you said you wanted.
    U_Fig wrote: »
    Although any make will be ok. Feel Free to give your own suggestions heres some details of usage etc.. thanks
    Budget: €1000-1200 (may go a bit higher)

    That's a lot of money for a laptop these days, maybe try for 64-bit Windows if you can.
    U_Fig wrote: »
    Intended use: multimedia day to day use HD 1080p video playback music playback casual gaming possibly small bit of photo editing and some use with Vmware and some audio encoding.

    Buy the quickest you can get because it will last you a few years.
    U_Fig wrote: »
    Warranty: standard warranty would be ok

    PC World have a 1 year or 3 year insurance for general damage and spillage. I got it this time from experience.
    U_Fig wrote: »
    What Operating System do you use? Windows 7 / Ubuntu 10.04 dual boot (Would love a mac but a bit too expensive)

    All the new ones come with Windows 7 installed - if you want to dual boot it then make a backup as soon as you get it, and then format the drive and partition it so you can have one for Windows and one for Ubuntu. You can chooses which when you turn it on.
    U_Fig wrote: »
    Other Requirements: would like a laptop with at least 1 usb 3.0 port, must have hdmi, a backlit keyboard would be a bonus, not too pushed on screen resolution, nvidia grpahics card prefered with optimus if possible, intel i5 / i7 processor, min 4gb ram and 1gb graphics preferred..battery not the most important but would like a decent battery life also not too bothered about the HDD.. i'll be most likely be using my current one in it's place it was replaced recently (500gb 7200rmp )

    Backlit keyboards look nice but I find at night they can be too bright unless you can turn them down of off. 500 Gb is plenty for a hard drive and if you get a 64bit system then you can add more RAM than 4gb.
    If you get an Nvidia graphics card, make sure you register with their website and they send you emails of new graphics drivers to download.
    Great for what I use it for.


  • #3
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Go for a Macbook Pro 13 inch, you get a 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3 Ram and 250 or 300 GB hard drive.

    If you can push to 1400 go for the 15 inch, you get the i5 intel processor & 500GB harddrive.

    Best thing about a mac is it comes with bootcamp so its easy to partition a chunk of your harddrive to install windows. So you can have the best of both worlds.


  • #4
    U_Fig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 893 ✭✭✭U_Fig


    TheUsual wrote: »
    I had an Asus for 2 years and I have to say I was not impressed with it. Bulletproof except for the hardware, it fell to bits after a year, like the USB ports and keyboard. They might be better quality now.

    I've heard off a number of people that Asus laptops are generally good you're the first I've heard against it. i'll take this into account though
    TheUsual wrote: »
    I have an Acer Aspire 8930 now, beast of a thing - but a bit big to carry around as you said you wanted.

    Ya 18.4" is a bit big and also i want one with the new processor architecture. the performance of an i5 compared to core 2, even at the same clock speed is much better

    TheUsual wrote: »
    That's a lot of money for a laptop these days, maybe try for 64-bit Windows if you can.

    yea I'll be definitely getting a 64bit don't want to be limited in the amount of ram. Also ya it is but i don't want something that come 6 months time is going to be completly out of date.. the laptop i want is to last me like 3 years or so, so i dont mind paying a bit extra now for better proformance

    TheUsual wrote: »
    All the new ones come with Windows 7 installed - if you want to dual boot it then make a backup as soon as you get it, and then format the drive and partition it so you can have one for Windows and one for Ubuntu. You can chooses which when you turn it on

    Yea there's no problem with that i have a copy of Win 7 Ultimate at home i got from work so no matter what's installed i'll be prob changing it
    TheUsual wrote: »
    Backlit keyboards look nice but I find at night they can be too bright unless you can turn them down of off. 500 Gb is plenty for a hard drive and if you get a 64bit system then you can add more RAM than 4gb.
    If you get an Nvidia graphics card, make sure you register with their website and they send you emails of new graphics drivers to download.
    Great for what I use it for.

    I'd like a backlit keyboard because i often use it in very low light levels and a regular one i find to be squinting even tho i don't need to look at the keyboard much i still find it hurts my eyes after a while. I have the HDD bought it 2 for €100 in a deal a few weeks ago. Also i don't think i'll need more than 4gb ram i multi task a good bit but it's not too intensive although the option to add more is reassuring. Ya i will register with Nvidia....thanks i'm thinking the XPS then

    Mak_United wrote: »
    Go for a Macbook Pro 13 inch, you get a 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3 Ram and 250 or 300 GB hard drive.

    If you can push to 1400 go for the 15 inch, you get the i5 intel processor & 500GB harddrive.

    Best thing about a mac is it comes with bootcamp so its easy to partition a chunk of your harddrive to install windows. So you can have the best of both worlds.

    I'd love a Macbook Pro but as i said above i'd prefer the new architecture (ie. i5/i7) and to get a 15" for 1400 is ambitious everyone i've seen is 1700 min up to 2300.


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