Laptop Suggestions

[Remmy]

Hey guys,

I've just finished my 3rd (penultimate) year exams, and I have a research placement in Germany this summer. I think taking my desktop setup is a little impractical, so it's time for me to get a laptop. I have little experience or knowledge with them regarding which brands are respected and such.

In a laptop I need:

• 
  An SSD, or a model which allows me to install one myself.

• 
  The ability for light gaming (games like WoW, Portal etc.)

I don't need a touchscreen, and I will be putting Windows 7 on it. My budget is around £800.

So, I'm looking for any suggestions, whether that be for reputable brands or specific models.

Cheers,
Remmy

 

[barnsley]

I'd personally reccomend Lenovo or dell. PC specialist is also pretty decent if you want a specific setup

Heres one I found which might suit you. While it has a SSHD it is light, has a GT 740m and is well built. It has a touch screen as well, which I know isn't what you need but most Ultrabooks have them.

Lenovo U430 You could probably pick it up ffor cheaper if you look on Amazon etc.

I'd also look at the OptimusV from PC specialist. You could get a nice SSD and a i5 with a 765m.

 

[SeekaX]

Lenovo G510. For the specs it's incredibly cheap (500 euros), comes without an OS and Lenovo are pretty open to upgrades.
i7 4700MQ, 4GB RAM, HD8750M
Will do fine for light gaming, incredibly well for work and it looks nice.

 

[barnsley]

Lenovo G510. For the specs it's incredibly cheap (500 euros), comes without an OS and Lenovo are pretty open to upgrades.
i7 4700MQ, 4GB RAM, HD8750M
Will do fine for light gaming, incredibly well for work and it looks nice.

They stopped selling them with that spec in the UK and they sold out practically overnight .

The UK equivalent (z510) has a GT 740m and an i5 2400m instead. £500 still decent price as well.

 

[Remmy]

Thanks for the suggestion Barnsley. I like the look of a few of the Lenovo laptops on their website but I'm unable to customise them when I try to add it to basket. I've checked on the technical specifications and it does say that there are options for some of the components, but the only thing it's letting me choose is the warranty option.

 

[barnsley]

Which laptop?
Also I'd suggest trying amazon as Lenovo's prices sometimes are a bit crap.

 

[Remmy]

This page for example says that each of the U series is available with a 256GB SSD, but I can't access these options after adding to basket.

 

[SeekaX]

They stopped selling them with that spec in the UK and they sold out practically overnight .

The UK equivalent (z510) has a GT 740m and an i5 2400m instead. £500 still decent price as well.

I pity you guys.

 

[barnsley]

I pity you guys.

Its not being made anymore from what I can see so I presume they're not all snapped up in Germany. Its a real shame as they'd have been perfect for many people.

 

[Remmy]

Subject to a bit more research, I may purchase the Lenovo Y510p. It hasn't got a proper SSD, but if I feel that it would benefit from one I might add one afterwards.

Are the majority of laptops compatible with standard SSDs, or do I have to be careful when selecting a laptop/SSD combination?

 

[barnsley]

Subject to a bit more research, I may purchase the Lenovo Y510p. It hasn't got a proper SSD, but if I feel that it would benefit from one I might add one afterwards.

Are the majority of laptops compatible with standard SSDs, or do I have to be careful when selecting a laptop/SSD combination?

That even has an upgradable GPU I believe (one of the GPUs is in the bit where the Disk drive would normally be!). SSD wise it shouldn't stop you choosing what you want. Its an absolute tank IMO.