Best non gaming laptop?

22-09-2012 1:42pm #1

I'm looking for recommendations for a laptop solely for browsing and media. I would like a 17inch screen so basically a desktop replacement. I don't play games at all so can live without a high end graphics card. All the recommended DTRs I've seen are gaming machines unfortunately. Can someone recommend me something please? Thank you!

Torqay · 22-09-2012 2:16pm

17.3" Lenny, Core i7-3612QM, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB HDD, Bluray Combo, €906 at LD

The GPU is a GT 630M, certainly not gaming graphics. Solid Multimedia machine.

22-09-2012 2:27pm

Looks good! Affordable too. Thanks for taking the time to reply!

Torqay · 22-09-2012 2:38pm

This one is even more affordable:

17.3" Tosh, Core i7 3610QM, 4 GB RAM, HD 7670M, 500 GB HDD, €799 at komplett.

Processor is a bit faster, ditto the GPU, but less memory (easy and cheap enough to upgrade) and no Bluray.

22-09-2012 2:40pm

Thanks again!

Decisions decisions! Last I heard though komplett customer service had gone to hell. I couldn't live with only a 500gb hd.

Torqay · 22-09-2012 2:59pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Thanks again! Decisions decisions! Last I heard though komplett customer service had gone to hell. I couldn't live with only a 500gb hd.

Well, HDD and RAM are easy enough to upgrade, not so the CPU and GPU.

The 3612QM (max 35W TDP) is a low power processor and a fair bit slower than the 3610QM (max 45W TDP), power efficiency and battery drain shouldn't be much of an issue with a DTR.

Torqay · 22-09-2012 3:11pm

Same Lenny as above, a lot cheaper at SOL, ~ €795 incl delivery (if you can apply for cashback).

22-09-2012 3:27pm

I think that's wrong....the Lenovo website says the cashback for the G780 is until the 16th Sept. The cashback offer for the G580 runs until the 30th. If I had posted a week earlier I could have saved myself over €100!

By the way is the screen resolution of 1366x768 poor for a 17inch?

Torqay · 22-09-2012 3:57pm

Deleted User wrote: »

By the way is the screen resolution of 1366x768 poor for a 17inch?

Must be a mistake, min resolution for 17" laptops these days is 1600x900

You're talking about a G580, which is a 15" laptop, 1366x768 is normal there.

22-09-2012 4:02pm

I wish I were wrong (which is usually the case). Both LD & SOL say the G780 has 1366x768.

Jarren · 22-09-2012 5:49pm

and there is also 17 Dell laptop

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=n0017r39&model_id=inspiron-17r-5720&c=ie&l=en&s=dhs&cs=iedhs1

No dedicated GPU, comes with a printer

and

Use Voucher Code RR6QMVMM7F8T1T during checkout to get 10% off everything at Dell.

Expires 23 September 2012

Torqay · 22-09-2012 6:08pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I wish I were wrong (which is usually the case). Both LD & SOL say the G780 has 1366x768.

Don't find anything at LD, but at Lenovo. I have never seen a 17" laptop with 1366x768.

22-09-2012 7:13pm

What would you guys opinion of this be please? There's a cashback offer for it too.

areyawell · 22-09-2012 7:16pm

Id think about getting a 15 inch. 17 inch is far too big for a laptop if you want to bring it anywhere or have it on your lap. Anyone I know hates it. You can buy a monitor to hook it up to laptop and a wireless mouse and keyboard. Just my advice!

22-09-2012 7:18pm

I've had a Dell Studio 17 for the last three years and love it!

Torqay · 22-09-2012 9:59pm

Deleted User wrote: »

What would you guys opinion of this be please? There's a cashback offer for it too.

Only a 2nd gen Core i7. When you spend so much money, you want the latest.

22-09-2012 10:05pm

True but it has a second drive bay which many people have used for a SSD. This appeals to me having never used one before. Like to see how fast it could go.

Torqay · 22-09-2012 10:18pm

Deleted User wrote: »

True but it has a second drive bay which many people have used for a SSD.

€940? If it's a 2nd HDD bay you want, you can always configure your own Schenker XMG A702 for that money:

17.3" 1600x900 (add €30 for full HD if you want), Core i7 3610QM, 8 GB RAM, GT 650M (unfortunately this GPU allows for some serious gaming

), 750 GB HDD, UK keyboard, 947 yoyos (sans OS).

A no brainer really.

Torqay · 22-09-2012 10:24pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I've had a Dell Studio 17 for the last three years and love it!

Believe me, the Dell Inspiron 17 R is nothing like the old Dell Studio 17.

22-09-2012 10:29pm

Bloody hell it's all so confusing....I'd be lost without you Torqay mate! I don't know how you do it. I'm still on that German site with the Schenker. I'll probably reply again in about two hours when I've fully digested it all. Thanks again for sticking with me mate!

Torqay · 22-09-2012 10:32pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm still on that German site with the Schenker. I'll probably reply again in about two hours when I've fully digested it all.

They also have a UK website, prices may be different.

22-09-2012 11:24pm

It seems the UK site is cheaper than the German one. I notice there was no drop down menu for a battery..they do come with a battery don't they? Have to I suppose. Do you think I should add the 256GB SSD or buy it somewhere else?

Thanks again for all the help.....

Torqay · 23-09-2012 10:41am

Deleted User wrote: »

Do you think I should add the 256GB SSD or buy it somewhere else?

Buy elsewhere, it's cheaper.

23-09-2012 10:44am

Do you think so? I see there's a Samsung 256GB on Amazon for €185 while Schenker would charge around €205. Probably not worth the extra hassle for €20? Good morning by the way!

Torqay · 23-09-2012 10:46am

Deleted User wrote: »

It seems the UK site is cheaper than the German one. I notice there was no drop down menu for a battery..they do come with a battery don't they?

I'd say so.

Along with the new 3rd gen. Intel® Core processors provides the XMG A702 with up to 5 hours of battery power for all gaming, business and multimedia applications.

Torqay · 23-09-2012 10:50am

Deleted User wrote: »

Do you think so? I see there's a Samsung 256GB on Amazon for €185 while Schenker would charge around €205. Probably not worth the extra hassle for €20? Good morning by the way!

Top of the morning to you.

256GB Samsung for €180 at komplett.

23-09-2012 10:55am

I did some searching and I'm going to take your advice and install Windows 8 RTM on the Schenker when it arrives. Pity it can't be activated after the 90 days though. I also see a post by you saying Windows 8 Pro will be around €50 as a promotional offer until January....nice!

Torqay · 23-09-2012 11:07am

Mary Jo Foley has the latest rumors re Windows 8 pricing.

23-09-2012 11:35am

Oh bugger it's only the upgrade that is €50...think I'll hold off and order the Schenker after Windows 8 is released then.

Torqay · 23-09-2012 2:58pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Oh bugger it's only the upgrade that is €50...think I'll hold off and order the Schenker after Windows 8 is released then.

I believe you can still buy the OS cheaper aftermarket, whether it's Windows 7 or 8.

23-09-2012 3:09pm

Yes I suppose so. If I install the Windows 8 RTM at least I can see whether it's another Vista before purchasing. You know I can't find a single review of the A702 anywhere! All the links are German but even they seem to be only informational.

Torqay · 23-09-2012 3:25pm

Deleted User wrote: »

You know I can't find a single review of the A702 anywhere!

This review covers the XMG A502 (the 15" variant) in depth. I doubt there's much difference.

23-09-2012 6:10pm

What are people's opinion of this please?

Torqay · 23-09-2012 8:45pm

Pros:

Full HD display
Good sound system
Great battery capacity

Cons:
Low power CPU (slower than the regular Core i7 at 45W max TDP)
only 1 HDD bay
only 1 memory slot
quite pricey

Best non gaming laptop?

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