A new Laptop for the gf

[Master&Puppet]

Hi guys,

My gf is looking for a new laptop and I'm not particularly familiar with the market so it would be great if I could get a few opinions on the subject.

She nominally mentioned £600-£800.

Most likely the most demanding thing it's going to do is playing HD vid.

She is particualrly taken by a Vaio. I admit that they are well built, if more pricey, having owned one myself but alternatives would be welcome.

As a benchmark to search from I'm thinking sony VAIO C Series 15 configured with:

CPU - mid-range processor - like the i5 2430M

Screen - 1080p display

HDD - Large capacity and fast hdd over ssd. Sony have currently got an upgrade deal on for a 500gb 7200rpm hdd.

Graphics- AMD radeon HD6630M 1gb dedicated graphics.

RAM - 4gb is probs enough.

Optical - Blu-ray player

Total from the Sony www is £830.

M&P

 

[Master&Puppet]

There's also this hp laptop which look like an option:

HP Pavilion dv7-6103ea

CPU - AMD Quad-Core A6-3410MX APU processor (1.6ghz turbo 2.3ghz)

RAM - 6gb RAM

HDD - 2x750gb (7200rpm)

GPU - AMD Radeon HD 6545G2 (integrated AMD Radeon HD 6520G APU processor graphics card and a dedicated AMD Radeon HD 6490M graphics card in CrossFire)

Display - 17,3" HD+ High-Definition LED HP BrightView (1600 x 900)

Optical - Blu-ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Double Layer.

For £779 from the HP website. I think the sony is better value, processor, display, graphics look better on it though this has a bigger hdd.

I've also heard you guys talking about lenovo and I've found these 2 on amazon:

Lenovo G770

Lenovo IdeaPad Z570

The g770 probably has my vote there, gpu looks better and i think the i7 is probs overkill? And it's £100 less...

M&P

 

[fcb]

Asus has some great laptops also. Maybe you could give them a try.

Here are some I found, which may interest you.

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...4FE9DDE346268D36E4B64565C8DC&menu-id=products

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...=7BC6ABF1CE6E8122DFA79AA3693E7F06&action=init

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...=1441A668C0DDCB8E94985DA650F27F6F&action=init

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...=443C0BE12B78A92182A45E60446B9086&action=init

I know, Lenovo styles may be a bit bland to most. They've always built solid laptops without being bloated with software that you may never use.

 

[Stryker64]

Have you looked at the ASUS N53SV-XV1. You can get it from Amazon for $900 with converts to around 580 pounds.

http://www.amazon.com/N53SV-XV1-15-...ainment-Aluminum/dp/B004L9M4QY/ref=pd_cp_pc_0

The Specs are as follows.

CPU: Intel i7-2630QM

RAM: 4GB DDR3 at 1333MHz

GPU: Nvidia GT540M (with Optimus I believe)

HDD: 500GB 7200RPM

Disk Drive: DVD Drive :S

Screen: 15.6" at 1080p

Webcam: 2MP

Also comes with 1 USB3.0 port. There are 4 RAM DIMM Slots, so RAM would be easily upgradable. Because it's 15.6" it shouldn't be overly heavy. With regards to the Blu-ray Drive you may need to buy an extra one, but with USB3.0 it will be just as fast as an internal one.

 

[Master&Puppet]

Asus has some great laptops also. Maybe you could give them a try.

Here are some I found, which may interest you.

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...4FE9DDE346268D36E4B64565C8DC&menu-id=products

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...=7BC6ABF1CE6E8122DFA79AA3693E7F06&action=init

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...=1441A668C0DDCB8E94985DA650F27F6F&action=init

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...=443C0BE12B78A92182A45E60446B9086&action=init

I know, Lenovo styles may be a bit bland to most. They've always built solid laptops without being bloated with software that you may never use.

Thanks!

Yea I'm quite taken by Lenovo actually. Good hardware and pricing but better than asus build quality which is a plus!

The hardest part about this is finding laptops with blu-ray drives and full hd displays. She might as well get both to make the most out of what she will use it for, but it does depend on whether she wants to spend the extra £50-100.

I was just looking at Asus actually and the Asus N55sf is another alternative when it gets released.

 

[Stryker64]

ASUS N53SV-B1 might also be worth considering. You can buy one form XoticPC, which I am fairly sure ship to the UK. They will also offer a range of customization and you can get one with i5, 750GB 7200RPM drive and Blu-Ray for around 600 pounds.

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n53svb1-p-3073.html?wconfigure=yes

 

[Master&Puppet]

Have you looked at the ASUS N53SV-XV1. You can get it from Amazon for $900 with converts to around 580 pounds.

http://www.amazon.com/N53SV-XV1-15-...ainment-Aluminum/dp/B004L9M4QY/ref=pd_cp_pc_0

The Specs are as follows.

CPU: Intel i7-2630QM

RAM: 4GB DDR3 at 1333MHz

GPU: Nvidia GT540M (with Optimus I believe)

HDD: 500GB 7200RPM

Disk Drive: DVD Drive :S

Screen: 15.6" at 1080p

Webcam: 2MP

There are 4 RAM DIMM Slots, so RAM would be easily upgradable. Because it's 15.6" it shouldn't be overly heavy.

Wow that's a good deal, thanks for the find!

With regards to the Blu-ray Drive you may need to buy an extra one, but with USB3.0 it will be just as fast as an internal one.

That's a good point, I hadn't considered an external. Will see if she minds that option.

M&P

 

[Master&Puppet]

ASUS N53SV-B1 might also be worth considering. You can buy one form XoticPC, which I am fairly sure ship to the UK. They will also offer a range of customization and you can get one with i5, 750GB 7200RPM drive for around 600 pounds.

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n53svb1-p-3073.html?wconfigure=yes

Again, a great find thanks. Got to love customising

 

[mrDMxtreme]

Is the laptop going to be for her to keep on her desk? Or is she going to carry it around to class/library? Because if it's just for her desk, a 17" is fine, BUT if she (or you) are goon to end up carrying it around stay far far away from that size.

I had a 17" alienware m17x and it KILLED my back bring to school (just for ur reference I'm 20yr old, 6'3", 200lbs)

And if you get a thick 15" those can be heavy too (my gf has a 15 vaio, and with that and a binder or something else in ur bag, it's not light especially for a girl)

Just my 2cents , but consider size strongly if it's not used as a desktop replacement.

 

[fcb]

Yup, it's true. If you're not going to be carrying a laptop around and want a PC replacement, then 15.6" and up will be great on a desktop with considerable space. Having to carry a heavy laptop is a burden for anyone's back.

 

[Master&Puppet]

Thanks guys, yea I did consider that but she mostly uses it at home on her desk, occassionally taking it on a train back home to her parents, or to friends. It's certainly not an everyday thing, more like the odd weekend once in a while.

 

[fcb]

A decent size 15.6" would probably be good enough. A 17" will be a bit to carry on, even if it's just on the weekends.

 

[Master&Puppet]

A decent size 15.6" would probably be good enough. A 17" will be a bit to carry on, even if it's just on the weekends.

Yea, though I think she has a 17" at the mo! I think she wants to go with that 15.5" C series vaio anyway.

 

[fcb]

Yea, though I think she has a 17" at the mo! I think she wants to go with that 15.5" C series vaio anyway.

That's cool. Will this be as a gift to her or simply just a replacement?

 

[Master&Puppet]

That's cool. Will this be as a gift to her or simply just a replacement?

It's a replacement she's been looking to get since before we were going out (which was only 3 weeks ago

) Her dvd drive has been broken for some months now actually...

Spoke to her last night and we discussed a couple of options on the xoticpc website. These two along with the sony are the three choices we've come up with:

ASUS N55SF-DH71:___i7 - 2670QM_1080p 15.6" screen__GT 555M 2048MB__750gb (7200rpm) hdd___2x4gb 1333 DDR3_blu-ray 6x writer & reader_= ~£776 ($1221.23)

ASUS G53SX-A1:_____i7 - 2630QM_1080p 15.6" screen__GTX 560M 2048MB_2x750gb (7200rpm) hdd_3x4gb 1333 DDR3_blu-ray 4x reader________= ~£794 ($1250.33)

The sony C series 15:_i5 - 2430M__ 1080p 15.5" screen__HD 6630M 1GB____500gb (7200rpm) hdd___1x4gb 1333 DDR3_blu-ray reader__________= £830

The G53sx is obviously overkill performance wise, which isn't necessarily a bad thing given the future proofing. It also has massive hdd space which will be plenty for a good while even with all the photos and ripped vids. However it weighs a ton and isn't the best looking of the three.

The N55 looks like its got decent hardware to see her through for a good while given what she does with it and still has decent hdd space, plus it's good looking and much lighter. Excellent multi-media laptop all round I think, also should come with the subwoofer for sound which could be a big bonus if she is away from home.

The Sony is quite a bit short on hardware given the specs of the other but is still fine. Plus it looks great two but looks great and is light to travel with.

In her situation I'd go for the N55.

Any last thoughts? You guys have been a great help, we do appreciate it!

M&P

 

[Azurite]

Check out asus 18,4". You can have it with 2430, 2630 and 2670 cpu. 1500GB hdd, 540 geforce. Was about to buy this myself until i decided to get a lanrig/android instead.

 

[Master&Puppet]

Check out asus 18,4". You can have it with 2430, 2630 and 2670 cpu. 1500GB hdd, 540 geforce. Was about to buy this myself until i decided to get a lanrig/android instead.

Had a look, the hdd space is nice but on the sites i looked at you really pay for that screen size and it's too big for her to heft around anyway and the graphics aren't as good :/

Thanks though!

 

[fcb]

If I had to choose, I'd probably go with the Asus N55SF-DH71 on your list. With Asus products, you usually get what you pay for and that's a great thing. All my friends have Sony notebooks. Not trying to discourage/persuade you from getting the Vaio for your girlfriend, but from what I've experienced from my friends is that they're built well, looks good, but comes with a lot of bloat software. And, for most of the Sony products they've always paid a bit of a premium to get them. In the end, your girlfriend has the ultimate choice. Hope I'm making some senese?

 

[Master&Puppet]

If I had to choose, I'd probably go with the Asus N55SF-DH71 on your list. With Asus products, you usually get what you pay for and that's a great thing. All my friends have Sony notebooks. Not going to discourage/persuade you not to get the Vaio for your girlfriend, but from what I've experienced from my friends is that they're built well, looks good, but comes with a lot of bloat software. And, for most of the Sony products they've always paid a bit of a premium to get them. In the end, your girlfriend has the ultimate choice. Hope I'm making some senese?

Yea that's a sensible opinion. I'm be sorting out the software when I get down to see her anyway

 

[fcb]

Yea that's a sensible opinion. I'm be sorting out the software when I get down to see her anyway

Cool.