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Buying a Laptop: The current Generation

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    #92
    Samba
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,476 ✭✭✭Samba


    Quick one, in the market for something like this but I don't think I have a hope of getting it here in Ireland for that price?

    Would prefer to purchase in Ireland if possible.

    They don't sell qwerty keyboards on most sites offering these prices, I can touch type no problem but I have my heart set on qwerty, while they didn't have it in stock, they were willing to check if they could get it for me with the qwerty option, just wondering if any of the German or other € retailers offer this service or stock qwerty?

    Had hoped to get something around that spec for around that price.


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    #93
    Jarren
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,692 ✭✭✭Jarren


    Can you drop the screen size which means in this case resolution ?

    http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/product/15_16_inch/80006537/acer_15_6_v3_571g_53214g50m_i5_3210m_4gb_500gb/details.aspx


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    #94
    Samba
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,476 ✭✭✭Samba


    Jarren wrote: »
    Can you drop the screen size which means in this case resolution ?

    http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/product/15_16_inch/80006537/acer_15_6_v3_571g_53214g50m_i5_3210m_4gb_500gb/details.aspx

    Unfortunately I'll be travelling with this and probably won't have a access to a monitor to work with most of the time, so 16" screen minimum with 1600x900 is ideally what i'm after at a minimum.

    Might have to reconsider the budget or consider a different keyboard layout :(


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    #95
    Jarren
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,692 ✭✭✭Jarren


    Not much difference in CPU performance,GPU would be another story

    https://outlet.sony.co.uk/shop/VAIO-Clearance/E-Series-14-15-17/VPCEJ3C5098B.CEK?CSRT=3897279520126028395


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    #96
    Samba
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,476 ✭✭✭Samba


    Jarren wrote: »
    Not much difference in CPU performance,GPU would be another story

    https://outlet.sony.co.uk/shop/VAIO-Clearance/E-Series-14-15-17/VPCEJ3C5098B.CEK?CSRT=3897279520126028395

    Nice find cheers!

    This might well be an acceptable compromise, had hoped to get something that will run HL2 and possibly even the new CS offensive, then again, having a laptop that won't run games well, might not be such a bad thing, I'll get far more work done!


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    #97
    Monotype
    Registered Users Posts: 6,710 ✭✭✭Monotype


    What about this Lenovo?
    http://komplett.ie/Komplett/product/17_18_inch/80006633/lenovo_17_3_g780_m842ymh_i5_3210m_6gb_500gb/details.aspx

    If you want to save €100, you can get the Acer that you were originally looking at less the graphics card.
    http://komplett.ie/Komplett/product/17_18_inch/80006538/acer_17_3_v3_771_53214g50ma_i5_3210m_4gb_500gb/details.aspx

    Half-life 2 should work without problem on that integrated graphics (HD4000, 3rd generation i5, Ivy Bridge). I'd imagine that the Counterstrike GO won't be a massive step up either.


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    #98
    Samba
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,476 ✭✭✭Samba


    Just goes to show how out of touch I am with PC parts, never thought we'd see the day where onboard gfx runs a game above 10fps!

    Cheers for all the advice folks, greatly appreciated.

    Decided to go with this number and bring a keyboard with me. The Acer are good value but decided to go for better build quality.

    http://www.materiel.net/ordinateur-portable/asus-k73sm-ty048v-76541.html

    Edit: scrap the keyboard, I'll just get one of these keyboard stickers...

    http://www.4keyboard.com/french-qwerty-transparent-keyboard-stickers-p-109.html


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    #99
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Samba wrote: »
    Decided to go with this number and bring a keyboard with me. The Acer are good value but decided to go for better build quality.

    http://www.materiel.net/ordinateur-portable/asus-k73sm-ty048v-76541.html

    For the same money (actually 90c cheaper and free delivery) you'll get a 17.3 Lenovo with an Ivy Bridge Core i5 and 6 GB RAM, same GPU and indeed UK keyboard at komplett.

    Edit: I just see this has already been suggested. Anyway, much better value than the ASUS with the old Sandy Bridge CPU and the Lenovo build quality is certainly on par with ASUS if not better.


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    #100
    Samba
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,476 ✭✭✭Samba


    Torqay wrote: »
    For the same money (actually 90c cheaper and free delivery) you'll get a 17.3 Lenovo with an Ivy Bridge Core i5 and 6 GB RAM, same GPU and indeed UK keyboard at komplett.

    Edit: I just see this has already been suggested. Anyway, much better value than the ASUS with the old Sandy Bridge CPU and the Lenovo build quality is certainly on par with ASUS if not better.

    :facepalm:

    I thought I read i3 when I clicked on the link originally, much better value, going to go ahead and get that, cheers!


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    #101
    fitzy180
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭fitzy180


    Im looking for a gaming laptop and I have about 1500 to spend. The alienware brand seem like the best buy but im wondering if they are more style over substance and if i can get a better laptop for gaming round the same price.


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    #102
    Monotype
    Registered Users Posts: 6,710 ✭✭✭Monotype


    Have a look at MSI's laptops. They usually have some good ones aimed at the higher end. They sell them on komplett.ie and a few other places. A good graphics card will be more important in games than a wow amount of RAM or top end processor. If you're talking about serious gaming, you might be better off with a desktop and a cheap laptop as laptops just can't offer the same power as a desktop.


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    #103
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    fitzy180 wrote: »
    Im looking for a gaming laptop and I have about 1500 to spend. The alienware brand seem like the best buy but im wondering if they are more style over substance and if i can get a better laptop for gaming round the same price.

    Configure your own gaming laptop at Schenker and you'll get a far better deal than you'd ever get from Dell/Alienware.


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    #104
    Akarinn
    Registered Users Posts: 412 ✭✭Akarinn


    Configure your own gaming laptop at Schenker and you'll get a far better deal than you'd ever get from Dell/Alienware.

    I for one, would not buy a single thing from MYSN because i cant understand a godamn word on the site..

    just sayin...


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    #105
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Akarinn wrote: »
    I for one, would not buy a single thing from MYSN because i cant understand a godamn word on the site..

    just sayin...

    You do know that translating a website is no longer arcane science, no? :D

    If you have questions, their customer service reps are no strangers to the English language (I have dealt with them before).

    There is a reason why they don't offer their website in English, the official Clevo retailer for the UK is pcspecialist.co.uk. They're selling exactly the same products, however, they are quite expensive compared to Schenker.


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    #106
    GottaGetGatt
    Registered Users Posts: 2,133 ✭✭✭GottaGetGatt


    Hi lads.
    Just wondering can anyone give me any good recommendations on a gaming laptop. Wouldn't mind being able to run Batttlefield 3 and similar but my tbh im not really bothered as long as i can play Arma2(Day z mod).I'd be willing to spend between €700-€800 but wouldn't go over that tbh.My last laptop had a 17" screen so I've gotten used to looking at a bigger screen.
    I did spot this on komplett but im unsure whether bf3 or skyrim etc would run well on it?
    http://komplett.ie/Komplett/product/17_18_inch/80006633/lenovo_17_3_g780_m842ymh_i5_3210m_6gb_500gb/details.aspx

    I have contemplated on a desktop but ive nowhere to put it and the fact that i might be moving abroad before Christmas, means a laptop is a more viable option.

    Thanks.


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    #107
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    This 17.3" Tosh w Ivy Core i7 quad & Radeon HD 7670 is probably as good a deal as it gets from an "Irish" web shop, (€799 at komplett.ie)

    If you go shopping "abroad", you might get a 17" with a GT 640M.


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    #108
    GottaGetGatt
    Registered Users Posts: 2,133 ✭✭✭GottaGetGatt


    Torqay wrote: »
    This 17.3" Tosh w Ivy Core i7 quad & Radeon HD 7670 is probably as good a deal as it gets from an "Irish" web shop, (€799 at komplett.ie)

    If you go shopping "abroad", you might get a 17" with a GT 640M.
    I was looking at some german sites suggested here but im kind of worried about the keyboard layout, sounds stupid bit im finicky lol.What do u make of the lenova in my post?


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    #109
    Monotype
    Registered Users Posts: 6,710 ✭✭✭Monotype


    The most important factor for games is the graphics card.
    http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-630M.63761.0.html

    These numbers come from a variety of setups so some will have better results if there's a better processor too.
    BF3 is playable on low anyway.


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    #110
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    GottaGetGatt wrote: »
    I was looking at some german sites suggested here but im kind of worried about the keyboard layout, sounds stupid bit im finicky lol.

    Well, you will also have to install an English OS (which is perfectly OK with your license key). As for the keyboard, you can buy a replacement for a few quid, use the ever so popular keyboard stickers or simply get on with the QWERTZ layout. ;)
    GottaGetGatt wrote: »
    What do u make of the lenova in my post?

    A good allrounder indeed. The GT 630M benchmarks slightly below the HD 7670M (but keep in mind that some game play better with Nvidia, others better with ATI) and you get 2 GB more RAM.

    The big difference though is the CPU. The Core i7-3610QM quad is vastly superior to the Core i5-3210M (Passmark score 8393 compared to 3970). So if your budget allows for the i7-3610QM and a slightly better GPU, I'd say go for it.


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    #111
    cherryghost
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 17,133 Mod ✭✭✭✭cherryghost


    Just FYI, but Arma 2 is more more demanding than BF3. For Arma 2, you would need a high model i5 or a low i7. The GT630M will get you about 45fps on an i7 on BF3, and about 30-ish on Arma 2.

    The laptop above (toshiba one) will wield better results. The i7 should have no problem with Arma 2 and the 7670M is slightly faster. BF3 would get you about 50fps and Arma 2 a respectable 40fps or so.

    If you shop abroad on German sites, some specifically tell you if there is an English layout keyboard, if not assume its a German layout.


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    #112
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    There's a 17.3" MSI at computeruniverse.net for the same price, only a Core i5 but 8 GB RAM and a GT 640M.

    Now the GT 640M is huge step up, still not high-end of course but way faster than the 630M or 7670M.

    Really a tough call, though in the end I'd still go with the i7 (but that's just me).


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    #113
    thyme
    Registered Users Posts: 553 ✭✭✭thyme


    Hi, could you guy's have a look at these two laptop's and see if there a good buy or no, looking for one that will do me for the next few years or so.

    http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/product/17_18_inch/20162619/sony_17_3_vaio_sve1711x1eb_nl3_i7_3612qm_8g_750/details.aspx.

    http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/optimusIV-17/.

    Thanks.


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    #114
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    thyme wrote: »
    Hi, could you guy's have a look at these two laptop's and see if there a good buy or no, looking for one that will do me for the next few years or so.

    http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/product/17_18_inch/20162619/sony_17_3_vaio_sve1711x1eb_nl3_i7_3612qm_8g_750/details.aspx.

    http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/optimusIV-17/.

    Thanks.

    They are very different machines.

    The SONY has a power efficient processor (at the cost of performance) and an entry level graphics card (also it is overpriced for the specification).

    The Clevo is real gaming laptop with its GT 660M (2GB GDDR5), and yet - even with a Core i7-3610QM, 8 GB RAM and a 750GB HDD - it is still a good bit cheaper than the SONY. Of course you can't expect a battery life anywhere near the SONY, the graphics and CPU power will take its toll.


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    #115
    GottaGetGatt
    Registered Users Posts: 2,133 ✭✭✭GottaGetGatt


    Torqay wrote: »
    There's a 17.3" MSI at computeruniverse.net for the same price, only a Core i5 but 8 GB RAM and a GT 640M.

    Now the GT 640M is huge step up, still not high-end of course but way faster than the 630M or 7670M.

    Really a tough call, though in the end I'd still go with the i7 (but that's just me).
    Thanks for the help, much appreciated.Im liking the toshiba alot and if it runs arma 2 im pretty happy as i have bf3 on xbox.
    My current laptop is in repairs and am waiting for feedback on whether its worth fixing.If not i'll let, i'll be sure to let ye know and i can ruffle yer brains some more:)


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    #116
    thyme
    Registered Users Posts: 553 ✭✭✭thyme


    Torqay wrote: »
    They are very different machines.

    The SONY has a power efficient processor (at the cost of performance) and an entry level graphics card (also it is overpriced for the specification).

    The Clevo is real gaming laptop with its GT 660M (2GB GDDR5), and yet - even with a Core i7-3610QM, 8 GB RAM and a 750GB HDD - it is still a good bit cheaper than the SONY. Of course you can't expect a battery life anywhere near the SONY, the graphics and CPU power will take its toll.

    Ok, thanks for that, and here is me thinking the Sony is good at that price. I nearly had one at a lot less but did not work out. I might have a look at the Dell 17R SE later and see if I like.
    Not looking for a gaming Pc but one that will run Adobe Photo shop with ease, plus other programs in the background without grinding to a halt.

    Maybe you could recommend one, 17.3" and full HD screen ??.
    Thanks.


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    #117
    mischiefman
    Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭mischiefman


    Any Help appreciated ASAP!!!
    Hi Guys,
    Thinking of buying a laptop for college...been through a lot online and there's a never ending amount of old/new/newer specs and techs. I have about 400-550e and would like at leat 500gig hd 4gb ram and a decent processor. It's your basic notebook with all you'll need. I tend toward going for the best value and currently samsung have initiated a student deal-100e cashback on some laptops. My predicament is this-I have 2 in mind (I could be insane buying either if I don't need the specs) but here they are, with the samsung deal it works out at 540, the toshiba is 520...which one? or any other suggestions suitable for me and the price range? Toshiba are more durable apparently...but i'm tending towards the Samsung with it's better performance storage. Should I also hold off for the new windows OS when laptop prices will drop or not bother?
    http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/SAMSUNG-Series-3-300E5C-156andquot-Laptop-Black/311452/301
    http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/TOSHIBA-Satellite-L850161-156andquot-Laptop-White/310313/301


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    #118
    Jarren
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,692 ✭✭✭Jarren


    Go with the Samsung if you can

    Much better cpu and you'd get decent performance from that laptop.

    I think that the upgrade to new OS will cost only 15 Euros so there is no really point in waiting .

    Go for it :)


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    #119
    Monotype
    Registered Users Posts: 6,710 ✭✭✭Monotype


    A quick look around online and the Samsung looks a good deal, especially for a walk-in shop. I can't find as good a deal from a quick search online anywhere locally apart from this Toshiba @ amazon.
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Satellite-C855-18D-15-6-inch-i5-3210M/dp/B008CO24DC/

    Obvious differences are slightly smaller hard-drive but you get a USB 3 port. It's the same price with exchange rates but it'll be around +2% with Irish VAT.

    The original Toshiba you posted there would be far worse than the Samsung. It's a lower processor and it's a generation older. Graphics power would be a bit worse too.

    Edit: Forgot to mention that Windows 8 is quite bad overall and not worth the wait.


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    #120
    mischiefman
    Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭mischiefman


    THANKS GUYS!
    I'm now either between the Samsung or the Amazon Toshiba. If I buy from amazon do I still have warranty in Ireland?-how does that work-is it as safe as buying in-store in Ireland? The amazon toshiba is better overall but drawbacks in its battery, where samsug has 6.5 hours it has 4. How much would the Toshiba cost all inclusive, P&P, taxes &charges?? Final question to put this to bed! thanks again, great help!


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    #121
    mischiefman
    Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭mischiefman


    So i'm edging towards the Amazon Toshiba...any other suggestions as to equally priced better quality options or should I go with this??


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