New all-rounder Laptop for audio work + some gaming

nickcave

Hi,

Currently in the market for a new laptop. I'm looking for a good all-rounder as I do a good lot of music recording/editing. Following specs:

CPU: Core i5 or maybe one of the lower i7s. 3rd Gen if possible though I've only seen a few of these around...

RAM: At least 6GB

HDD: I'll be transferring my old HDD in so a new one isn't actually necessary at all. I might be swayed by a hybrid though...

GPU: dedicated - I know the integrated chipsets in the new Intel Core i's is generally very useable, but I'd like the option of going hardcore if I ever see fit

Screen: This is actually one of the most important parts - I think a 14'' or 15'' would suit me but it has to be an LED screen of some description (not a LED-backlit LCD). I've had a 1440x900 WLED screen in the past and I just couldn't go back to the blueish sheen of an LCD ever again. The higher the resolution, the better.

Software: None needed

Budget: This is variable - I know I'll pay for what I get - but obviously as low as possible.

I considered this but backed out due to the screen in the end

I also configured one of those DevilTech laptops (the Fire DTX) to have what I wanted but couldn't find any good reviews on the build quality etc. Anyone have any experience of them.

Thanks in advance. I'm also very open to refurbs/outlets or whatever

Jarren

What is your max you can spend ?

nickcave

Let's say €1000.

Jarren

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00829IDLY/ref=mp_s_a_31?qid=1339611701&sr=1-31

www.elara.ie/productdetail.aspx?productcode=RO10PSKACE00Q00SEN

http://www.computeruniverse.net/products/90461779/asus-n56vm-s4032v.asp

The above Asus will come with a German keyboard layout unless stated otherwise.


Or Sony

https://outlet.sony.co.uk/shop/VAIO-Clearance/F-Series-16-4/VPCF24C5104S.CEK?CSRT=13930242949173728962

I think that they are overpriced though.

nickcave

Me likey that ASUS - especially the display

duckysauce

Jarren have you used that asus or know anyone that has ? looks like a nice machine.

duckysauce

nickcave wrote: »

Me likey that ASUS - especially the display

class user name Lord Cave

Jarren

duckysauce wrote: »

Jarren have you used that asus or know anyone that has ? looks like a nice machine.

I haven't had an Asus before however I would say that they are pretty much reliable brand judging by reviews.

Jaafa

Asus N55Sl would do you very well.
1600x900 resolution on 15 inch screen, 1920/1080 is too much for a 15 inch as many people will tell you.
GT635m graphics card, good enough for some pretty decent level gaming.
i5or i7 processor, 6GB or ram and top notch audio, better than the majority of laptops.

And well within budget too http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007DH9TB4/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=computers&psc=1.

I have one myself and would recommend it.

nickcave

Jaafa wrote: »

Asus N55Sl would do you very well.
1600x900 resolution on 15 inch screen, 1920/1080 is too much for a 15 inch as many people will tell you.
GT635m graphics card, good enough for some pretty decent level gaming.
i5or i7 processor, 6GB or ram and top notch audio, better than the majority of laptops.

And well within budget too http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007DH9TB4/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=computers&psc=1.

I have one myself and would recommend it.

Funny. The header says i5 but the description says i3. I think I've got my heart set on the N56VZ (this one) - purely because it's successor to the n55 and has an awesome spec sheet...

Jaafa

nickcave wrote: »

Funny. The header says i5 but the description says i3. I think I've got my heart set on the N56VZ (this one) - purely because it's successor to the n55 and has an awesome spec sheet...

Well I bought it from there and I can assure you its an i5. Anyone the other asus looks like a fine laptop too, excellent CPU and GPU and not a bad price at all, but like I said maybe go into a shop to see what 1920x1080 looks like on a 15 inch, a lot of people say it makes icons and writing far too small, then again some are fine with it.

Also to note, if you buy from that site the keyboard is will be german layout, which isn't a big deal, but the OS may be too, however even that can be sorted by re-installing it.

nickcave

Jaafa wrote: »

Well I bought it from there and I can assure you its an i5. Anyone the other asus looks like a fine laptop too, excellent CPU and GPU and not a bad price at all, but like I said maybe go into a shop to see what 1920x1080 looks like on a 15 inch, a lot of people say it makes icons and writing far too small, then again some are fine with it.

Also to note, if you buy from that site the keyboard is will be german layout, which isn't a big deal, but the OS may be too, however even that can be sorted by re-installing it.

Yeah the German keyboard would be an issue. I can't seem to find any mention of an Irish or even UK release. I guess I'll just have to wait...

LovelyHurlin

Jaafa wrote: »

Asus N55Sl would do you very well.
1600x900 resolution on 15 inch screen, 1920/1080 is too much for a 15 inch as many people will tell you.
GT635m graphics card, good enough for some pretty decent level gaming.
i5or i7 processor, 6GB or ram and top notch audio, better than the majority of laptops.

And well within budget too http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007DH9TB4/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=computers&psc=1.

I have one myself and would recommend it.

Hi Jaffa,

I am very tempted by this Asus laptop! I like everything that I can see about it, but I am finding it hard to get a detailed spec online though.
Could you do me a favour and give me some of the details, such as:
- Number of usb connections (3.0 vs 2.0)?
- hdmi connection?
- webcam resolution?
- internal mic?
- anything else!

Did you consider the Samsung RF511-A01UK Core i5?http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Samsung_RF511_Core_i5_Windows_7_Laptops_NP-RF511-A01UK/version.asp
I was tempted by this one too.

Cheers!
LH

Occono

LovelyHurlin wrote: »

Hi Jaffa,

I am very tempted by this Asus laptop! I like everything that I can see about it, but I am finding it hard to get a detailed spec online though.
Could you do me a favour and give me some of the details, such as:
- Number of usb connections (3.0 vs 2.0)?
- hdmi connection?
- webcam resolution?
- internal mic?
- anything else!

Did you consider the Samsung RF511-A01UK Core i5?http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Samsung_RF511_Core_i5_Windows_7_Laptops_NP-RF511-A01UK/version.asp
I was tempted by this one too.

Cheers!
LH

How much gaming do you plan? You'd really want an AMD or NVIDIA graphics card. Even for "casual" games, if they're 3D and modern, they might not run perfectly.....and it won't cover most games.

LovelyHurlin

Hey Occono,

I won't be using it for gaming at all.
Mostly for browsing/movies/music which is why the 1600x900 resolution on 15 inch screen and the good audio reviews made this a tempting option for me. It fits in with the ball park budget I had in mind too.

There is a chance that I'll use it for work a bit - but that would only be software like visio, project and the likes.

Generally just want a nice all-rounder which will last me for a couple of years (so I was looking at i5 instead of i3).

Any other alternatives would be appreciated too

Occono

LovelyHurlin wrote: »

Hey Occono,

I won't be using it for gaming at all.
Mostly for browsing/movies/music which is why the 1600x900 resolution on 15 inch screen and the good audio reviews made this a tempting option for me. It fits in with the ball park budget I had in mind too.

There is a chance that I'll use it for work a bit - but that would only be software like visio, project and the likes.

Generally just want a nice all-rounder which will last me for a couple of years (so I was looking at i5 instead of i3).

Any other alternatives would be appreciated too

Ah, OK, the OP was so just assumed :P

That should pretty much cover you for anything, I guess. However, I've heard bad things about Laptops Direct.

Jaafa

LovelyHurlin wrote: »

Hi Jaffa,

I am very tempted by this Asus laptop! I like everything that I can see about it, but I am finding it hard to get a detailed spec online though.
Could you do me a favour and give me some of the details, such as:
- Number of usb connections (3.0 vs 2.0)?
- hdmi connection?
- webcam resolution?
- internal mic?
- anything else!

Did you consider the Samsung RF511-A01UK Core i5?http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Samsung_RF511_Core_i5_Windows_7_Laptops_NP-RF511-A01UK/version.asp
I was tempted by this one too.


Cheers!
LH

-2x USB 3.0 and 2x USB2.0
-Yes HDMI
-2MB I believe
-Yes of course, almost any laptop has an internal mic these days.
-If you can think of anything else I'll tell you.

Yes I've seen that Samsung before, it doesn't even compare. The Asus has a much much better GPU(even if you don't need this it'll increase resale value), better screen, better build quality and better audio.

Jarren

There is also brand new Sony from the outlet store.

https://outlet.sony.co.uk/shop/VAIO-Clearance/F-Series-16-4/VPCF24C5085S.CEK?CSRT=17414957336521094178

duckysauce

nickcave wrote: »

Yeah the German keyboard would be an issue. I can't seem to find any mention of an Irish or even UK release. I guess I'll just have to wait...

Any idea of when it will get an Irish / UK release?

nickcave

Nope - been searching everywhere, but there's no information on it at all. Might have to look elsewhere. Shame, cause it looks an awesome machine...

duckysauce

nickcave wrote: »

Nope - been searching everywhere, but there's no information on it at all. Might have to look elsewhere. Shame, cause it looks an awesome machine...

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/asus-n56vm-s3113v-15-6-laptop-silver-12448404-pdt.html


Thanks to Jarren for the link

nickcave

Hmm... that's €1238 before shipping and its the VM model. 1366 x 768 instead of 1080. Also the 630M instead of the 650M. It's quite a lot more than €999 for a less appealing machine.

Gah!

duckysauce

nickcave wrote: »

Hmm... that's €1238 before shipping and its the VM model. 1366 x 768 instead of 1080. Also the 630M instead of the 650M. It's quite a lot more than €999 for a less appealing machine.

Gah!

yep I would put up with the german keyboard for the price etc you are losing :cool:

nickcave

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KB_Germany.svg

Y'know what - if I could swap the z and the y (shouldn't be too difficult :cool:) then it wouldn't be so bad. I've always wanted a μ-key anyway. And I could just carefully paint on the other keys to show what they're actually mapped to.

That'd give it some character anyway, right?

Jaafa

nickcave wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KB_Germany.svg

Y'know what - if I could swap the z and the y (shouldn't be too difficult :cool:) then it wouldn't be so bad. I've always wanted a μ-key anyway. And I could just carefully paint on the other keys to show what they're actually mapped to.

That'd give it some character anyway, right?

I used a Germany keyboard for 2 years. You can set it to English layout and then only a few characters will be swapped around. You get used it to pretty fast, only annoying thing is when friends go to use it I had to show them what was where.