Laptop Recommendations

lordopus99

lordopus99

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I am the realm of buying a new laptop and am looking for recommendations. I am trying to keep it $1000 or less. I am kind of clueless about how the new graphic cards are.

My main uses are internet and music but I do like the option to play a game here and there (i.e. Battlefield, etc).
 
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I'm on the same page as this person. I was looking at Alienware m11x with the i7 processor and 8 gb of ram. If anyone can tell me a better laptop or a good deal on one of these then please let me know :)
 
@evildeadjedi

Sorry I didn't see your other post about me asking for laptop help in that other blog. I am really liking the aAcer Aspire TimelineX AS4820TG-6847 14-Inch HD Display Laptop http://www.amazon.com/Acer-TimelineX...&n=541966&s=pc.

I'm really looking for a laptop that can handle games like l4d and borderlands and also be able to easily run programs like Microsoft office. I really had my eyes set on an alienware m11x (http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-m11x/fs). If someone could tell me out of these two laptops which would be better
 
[quote name='urmomlikesme']@evildeadjedi

Sorry I didn't see your other post about me asking for laptop help in that other blog. I am really liking the aAcer Aspire TimelineX AS4820TG-6847 14-Inch HD Display Laptop http://www.amazon.com/Acer-TimelineX...&n=541966&s=pc.

I'm really looking for a laptop that can handle games like l4d and borderlands and also be able to easily run programs like Microsoft office. I really had my eyes set on an alienware m11x (http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-m11x/fs). If someone could tell me out of these two laptops which would be better[/QUOTE]

I would personally steer clear of Alienware, I have always found their desktops and laptops to be well over priced for what you get. The thing about the m11x it is only an 11 in screen (which will cause eye strain and possibly headaches). I have heard some good things about that Acer. I've never owned one but, I know friends who have some had great experiences and others not so great.

Here are the specs of the two video cards the Radeoin 6550M in the Acer:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-6550M.41143.0.html

The GT335M in the Dell/Alienware:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-335M.24060.0.html

The 6550M uses Direct X 11 while the 335GT uses 10.1, this means ones games start using the extra bells and whistles it will be required to run them in some cases.

6550M beats the 335GT in all benchmarks and in some by a large margin.

I would also look at this Asus:

http://www.amazon.com/N53SV-XE1-15-...ent-Aluminum/dp/B004KNVK84/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

It's cheaper than the m11x comes with a core I7 4 GB DDR3 ram (however you can pickup cheap laptop ram on newegg all the time) and a 540M GT which is a little better than the 6550M.


http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-540M.41715.0.html

Lately, since they started in the laptop game Asus has been making serious waves.

Here is a good site to reference to determine how each gpu will perform on popular games:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Comparison-of-Laptop-Graphics-Cards.130.0.html
 
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[quote name='evildeadjedi']I would personally steer clear of Alienware, I have always found their desktops and laptops to be well over priced for what you get. The thing about the m11x it is only an 11 in screen. I have heard some good things about that Acer. I've never owned one but, I know friends who have some had great experiences and others not so great.

I would also look at this Asus:

http://www.amazon.com/N53SV-XE1-15-...ent-Aluminum/dp/B004KNVK84/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

Lately, since they started in the laptop game Asus has been making serious waves.

Here is a good site to reference to determine how each gpu will perform on popular games:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Comparison-of-Laptop-Graphics-Cards.130.0.html[/QUOTE]

That ASUS 15 inch does look nice. The thing is I don't need a huge screen as I want a portable laptop that I can take on the go and play some games like left 4 Dead. That is why I was liking the Alienware M11x. It's small yet powerful. Also I need to be able to do homework on it so 13 inch would be the sweet spot. Im also considering a 13' MacBook pro. Can this run a game like left 4 dead via steam?
 
[quote name='urmomlikesme']That ASUS 15 inch does look nice. The thing is I don't need a huge screen as I want a portable laptop that I can take on the go and play some games like left 4 Dead. That is why I was liking the Alienware M11x. It's small yet powerful. Also I need to be able to do homework on it so 13 inch would be the sweet spot. Im also considering a 13' MacBook pro. Can this run a game like left 4 dead via steam?[/QUOTE]

A 15.6 screen is still a very portable device and the Asus weighs a mere 5.8 pounds and the Acer Timelex 4.65 pounds! The m11x will vary but, it will probably still be around 4 pounds.

The MacBook Pro even though it has an integrated video card (normally a death sentence for gaming) can play L4D.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Intel-HD-Graphics-3000-graphics-solution.43710.0.html

Here is another review on the m11X:

http://blog.laptopmag.com/hands-on-...worlds-smallest-gaming-rig-verdict-compelling
 
[quote name='evildeadjedi']A 15.6 screen is still a very portable device and the Asus weighs a mere 5.8 pounds and the Acer Timelex 4.65 pounds! The m11x will vary but, it will probably still be around 4 pounds.

The MacBook Pro even though it has an integrated video card (normally a death sentence for gaming) can play L4D.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Intel-HD-Graphics-3000-graphics-solution.43710.0.html

Here is another review on the m11X:

http://blog.laptopmag.com/hands-on-...worlds-smallest-gaming-rig-verdict-compelling[/QUOTE]

The Asus N53SV is really catching my eye. It's a good size screen and not too heavy. I'm not sure but I think it comes with a "Sandy bridge" which I have read about but I'm not really sure what it is. I think it's a good thing to have (right?).
 
A word of warning from a new macbook pro owner (15" version). These things can get pretty hot. Right now I'm running at about 41C just by browsing, and when I watch youtube videos at 720p the machine can easily hit 78C. Just something to consider if you're gonna have it on your lap often.

I'm not 100% sure if the 13" models get just as hot, but you should look into it.

As for gaming, I've read that the 13" macbook pro isn't too shabby and should be able to play L4D, although I'm not sure at what settings.

Lastly, Sandy Bridge just refers to the newest set of processors Intel recently released, so it's a good thing.
 
[quote name='urmomlikesme']The Asus N53SV is really catching my eye. It's a good size screen and not too heavy. I'm not sure but I think it comes with a "Sandy bridge" which I have read about but I'm not really sure what it is. I think it's a good thing to have (right?).[/QUOTE]

Xxfury2XX nailed it the Sandy bridge is just the new Intel processors.

If you heard anything about a Sandy Bridge issue with sata ports here is some info about the issue:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2379241,00.asp

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20030070-64.html

According, to industry experts the recalled laptops should be off the market by April. If you end up with one though, Asus will replace it with a non-recalled unit.

I would definitely recommend the Asus it seems the only issue some people have with it is a minor keyboard issue.


The good thing is the best time to buy a laptop is April so, as long as you can wait till then you'll get the best deal.

http://gizmodo.com/#!5319047/dealhunters-buy-your-laptops-in-august-september-and-april
 
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According to that link it seems prices will fluctuate between $0-$80 more or less in April. And it looks like the models they were looking at didn't have discrete graphic cards. Samsung RF511 is comparable in specs to the Asus.
 
I bought a new laptop in January. If you're looking in the $1000 range, Lenovo has some nice stuff. I bought a Y560 with a core i7, 6gb ram, Radeon mobility 5730, and I love it. If you wait, Lenovo has great deails from time to time. Mine was originally about $1400, and I got it on sale for $800.

You can check out what the 5730 can do here
 
[quote name='BigSpoonyBard']I bought a new laptop in January. If you're looking in the $1000 range, Lenovo has some nice stuff. I bought a Y560 with a core i7, 6gb ram, Radeon mobility 5730, and I love it. If you wait, Lenovo has great deails from time to time. Mine was originally about $1400, and I got it on sale for $800.

You can check out what the 5730 can do here[/QUOTE]

I have my eye on the core i5 version of this Lenovo.

How do you like it overall? Pros and cons?
 
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