Laptop suggestions, Help template used!

eire-kp

Budget: Roughly around 700 max, less if possible.

Intended use: college work, internet, e-mail, Using student version of autocad-not sure of spec needed to run it.
Apart from that I have an Asus net book which suits fine for my computer use apart from Autocad and the small screen/keyboard and its getting a bit worn out.

Mobility: Roughly around 15 inch. Aslong as it fits in a backpack. Weight not an issue or battery life as shall have net book for trips away.

Warranty: Standard warranty, I would prefer to pay a bit extra and get a durable laptop and hope for the best.

What Operating System do you use? Windows all the way:D

I would hope this laptop will last four years..if possible!
How good is this model? I couldnt find one for sale on google.
http://ie.asus.com/Notebooks/Business/B53E/

I have a liking for asus from the netbook..but would be open to other brands!

I sure ye will come up with some better suggestions!

Torqay

You can buy the Asus B53E with a Core i5 here for 725 yoyos. They have some cheaper models with a Core i3 as well.

Of course, you'll get less sturdy laptops with the same configuration for less than €500 elsewhere.

eire-kp

Its working out at 840 euros upgraded to 8gb memory and including delivery.

I wonder is it worth that price for the durability? Compared to an equivalent spec Dell or similar.

How would that cope with Autocad?..I dont think its hard to run.

Torqay

eire-kp wrote: »

Its working out at 840 euros upgraded to 8gb memory and including delivery.

I wonder is it worth that price for the durability? Compared to an equivalent spec Dell or similar.

How would that cope with Autocad?..I dont think its hard to run.

Any Core i5 would be perfectly OK for AutoCAD (as would be a Core i3).

A similarly specced Dell business laptop (Latitude series) would still cost you a helluva lot more.

Business laptops can take quite some "abuse" as compared to consumer products and they usually come with an enhanced warranty, hence the price difference.

The Core i3 version with 8GB RAM will cost you 640 Euro, that's roughly 150 Euro more than a comparable consumer laptop. The 2nd Generation Core i3-2330M is by no means a slow CPU (the Core i5-2430M scores 25% better on Passmark).

eire-kp

Torqay wrote: »

The Core i3 version with 8GB RAM will cost you 640 Euro, that's roughly 150 Euro more than a comparable consumer laptop. The 2nd Generation Core i3-2330M is by no means a slow CPU (the Core i5-2430M scores 25% better on Passmark).

I see what your saying. I don't think i5 is 200euro better than i3. It suits my wallet more aswell!

eire-kp

Anyone have any other suggestions of alternatives?

eire-kp

I decided Id rather buy from save on laptops based on their excellent customer service.

How are HP probooks rated? And which of these two models is better their specs seem very similar.

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/HP_ProBook_4530s_1134301.html

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/HP_ProBook_4530s_1164140.html

Torqay

They seem to be identical except for the CPU, same model no too.

Passmark CPU benchmark scores: 3464 and 3639

eire-kp

How would you rate the hp probook compared to the Asus?

A search on this forum about hp isnt great reading!!

Jarren

How about this Lenovo


http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Lenovo_TP_L420_I5-2450_4-500-14-DVDRW-W7PR_NYV5HUK/version.asp#maindesc

If you still looking for durable/sturdy lappy , great at multitasking .

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=6142&review=lenovo+thinkpad+l420

a bit over the budget

Torqay

eire-kp wrote: »

A search on this forum about hp isnt great reading!!

As far as consumer products are concerned, HP is as good (or rather as bad) as any other manufacturer.

Since HP is the #1 in the business, they are likely to sell the most laptops and people who are happy with their product, usually don't write as much about it as people who are not.

It really depends on how people treat their stuff. Believe you me, I have seen plenty laptops that took some serious abuse, even the most ruggedized laptop would have suffered from such treatment.

From experience, the most issues with laptops are broken hard drives and dead batteries. The former can be avoided with a solid state disk (which also greatly improves performance and responsiveness), the latter is largely caused by lazyness. Rule of thumb: remove the battery if you don't need it and it will last a lot longer (everything you should know about batteries can be found here).

eire-kp

Thanks for all the advice.

Just ordered this model:D
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/HP_ProBook_4530s_1164140.html