New laptop

shaydun

Full Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2008
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Ireland
Would appreciate any help lads.

Looking for a new laptop with the following:

-Good processor (2.2 ghz minimum)
-Decent RAM
-HDMI output
-Good graphics

Not bothered about the size of the hard drive.

Any recommendations that won't break the bank? Sony and Apple are out of my price range.
 
Dell Inspiron 14R or Studio 15.

Both of them give you anything from an i3 to i5 processor with 4GB DDR3 RAM and a great Radeon 1GB 5470 Graphic card. What's your budget?
 
wr8_utd said:
Dell Inspiron 14R or Studio 15.

Both of them give you anything from an i3 to i5 processor with 4GB DDR3 RAM and a great Radeon 1GB 5470 Graphic card. What's your budget?
Click to expand...

Around €600, give or take a bit.

I heard Dell are unreliable, is that true?

Also, can anyone comment on this laptop?

HP G62-a45SA Core i3 Laptop in Silver XC222EA - Laptops Direct

It says the graphics are

''Intel® HD Graphics, up to 1274 MB total available graphics memory''

I have no idea about this stuff.

1) Is that worse than ATI graphics?

2) Is it possible to get that machine with an ATI card? I have found a website offering that laptop with ''ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4250 Graphics''. Yet when I check the spec on the HP website, it says Intel Graphics, no mention of ATI. It's a bit confusing.

Thanks for the help so far.
 
shaydun said:
Around €600, give or take a bit.

I heard Dell are unreliable, is that true?

Also, can anyone comment on this laptop?

HP G62-a45SA Core i3 Laptop in Silver XC222EA - Laptops Direct

It says the graphics are

''Intel® HD Graphics, up to 1274 MB total available graphics memory''

I have no idea about this stuff.

1) Is that worse than ATI graphics?

2) Is it possible to get that machine with an ATI card? I have found a website offering that laptop with ''ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4250 Graphics''. Yet when I check the spec on the HP website, it says Intel Graphics, no mention of ATI. It's a bit confusing.

Thanks for the help so far.
Click to expand...
If it's just Intel Graphics then they suck quite a bit. That's the integrated graphics and pretty useless. The Radeon is definitely better.

As far as I know Dell is reliable. I've had an Inspiron and have a Studio 15 now and it works great for me.

HP laptops I've always found to be more expensive and lacking some features.

You can definitely get better graphics on a dell or even with some other HP model than the one you found with Intel HD Graphics.
 
I have purchased (700 euros) this HP Pavillon DV6 2145SF and will receive in the next few days.It's got the following characteristics:
Code: 
# Processeur : 	 Processeur Intel Core i5-430M (2,26 GHz / 2,53 GHz Turbo)
# FSB : 1066 MHz
# Mémoire cache : 3 Mo

# Disque dur : 	 320 Go SATA (7200 tours/minute) dont 12 Go pour la récupération du système

# Mémoire vive : 	 6144 Mo DDR3 (4096 Mo + 2048 Mo)
# Supporte jusqu'à 8 Go de mémoire DDR3

# Ecran / résolution : 	 Ecran 15,6" LED HP BrightView Haute Définition
# Résolution : 1366 x 768 pixels

# Carte graphique : 	 Carte graphique NVIDIA GeForce GT 320M 1024 Mo dédiés / 2299 Mo de mémoire graphique totale

# Lecteur optique : 	 Graveur de DVD Dual Double Couche Lightscribe

# Communication filaire / sans fil : 	 Réseau : Gigabit Ethernet
# Réseau sans fil : 802.11bgn

# Alimentation : 	 Adaptateur secteur 90 W
# Batterie Lithium-Ion 6 cellules

Dimensions / poids : 	 378,5 x 258 x 34 - 42 mm / 2,88 Kg
Système d'exploitation : 	 Microsoft Windows 7 Edition Familiale Premium
Caractéristiques techniques étendues - Ordinateur Portable Pavilion DV6-2145SF - Intel Core i5-430M (2,26 GHz / 2,53 GHz Turbo) - Ecran 15,6''
# Clavier : 	 Clavier complet avec pavé numérique intégré
# Pavé tactile avec bouton d'activation/désactivation et pavé de défilement vertical haut/bas dédié

# Audio : 	 Haut-parleurs Altec Lansing avec son SRS Premium

# Lecteur de cartes : 	 Lecteur de cartes 5 en 1 : MMC / SD / MS / MS Pro / xD

# Connecteurs : 	 4 x USB 2.0 (dont 1 partagé eSATA)
# 1 x RJ45
# 1 x VGA
# 1 x HDMI
# 1 x Prise microphone
# 2 x Prises casque
# 1 x IEEE 1394
# 1 x Infrarouge
# 1 x ExpressCard 54

# Logiciels inclus : 	 Microsoft® Works
# Microsoft® Office Famille et Etudiant 2007 (version d’évaluation 60 jours)
# Microsoft® Internet Explorer
# Windows® Live Messenger
# Adobe® Reader
# Adobe® Flash Player
# HP MediaSmart Suite
# HP Total Care Setup
# HP Total CareAdvisor
# HP ProtectSmart
# Cyberlink DVD Suite
# Windows Media center
# Windows Mail
# Console de jeu HP avec plusieurs heures de jeu gratuites
# NortonOnline Backup (version d'essai 30 jours)
# Symantec™ Norton Internet Security™ 2009(mises à jour LiveUpdate pendant 60 jours)

# Spécificités : 	 Webcam HP Pavilion avec microphone numérique intégré
# Télécommande Mobile HP
 
wr8_utd said:
You can definitely get better graphics on a dell or even with some other HP model than the one you found with Intel HD Graphics.
Click to expand...

Thanks wr8.

That's the other thing - I have found that laptop on another site with an ATI card instead of the Intel Graphics.

Is that possible? That the same model would have two different graphics cards?
 
shaydun said:
Thanks wr8.

That's the other thing - I have found that laptop on another site with an ATI card instead of the Intel Graphics.

Is that possible? That the same model would have two different graphics cards?
Click to expand...

It must be a customised version of the same laptop.

The Intel Graphics are just Intergrated Graphics. The Intel Chipset will be in it. If it has the ATI card it's definitely better. Can you give me a link to this site?

Check this out:

Inspiron 14R Laptop Details | Dell

The $619 one comes with Intel HD Graphics while the $799 one comes with the ATI Radeon HD 5470 1 GB graphic card and it's got the bigger hard drive as well.
 
I wanted to buy the Studio 15 wr8.It had a special 24 hours delivery offer but I didn't have money, the next day I was ready to make the purchase but I noticed the offer was gone :(
I couldn't wait for 3 weeks
 
wr8_utd said:
The Intel Graphics are just Intergrated Graphics. The Intel Chipset will be in it. If it has the ATI card it's definitely better. Can you give me a link to this site?
Click to expand...

Yes. Here are two links to the HP with Intel Graphics.

One is from the HP site, the other is from a retailer.

HP G62-a45SA Notebook PC (XC222EA) specifications - HP Home & Home Office products

HP G62-a45SA Core i3 Laptop in Silver XC222EA - Laptops Direct

There are two links to the same model with an ATI card, one from HP and one from a retailer.

HP G62-a45SA Notebook PC Product Specifications HP G62-a45SA Notebook PC - HP technical support (Germany - English)

HP G62-A45SA Notebook PC - b2b.misco.ie
 
kouroux said:
I wanted to buy the Studio 15 wr8.It had a special 24 hours delivery offer but I didn't have money, the next day I was ready to make the purchase but I noticed the offer was gone :(
I couldn't wait for 3 weeks
Click to expand...

Ah bad luck. It's a really good laptop usually at a good price :D
 
shaydun said:
Yes. Here are two links to the HP with Intel Graphics.

One is from the HP site, the other is from a retailer.

HP G62-a45SA Notebook PC (XC222EA) specifications - HP Home & Home Office products

HP G62-a45SA Core i3 Laptop in Silver XC222EA - Laptops Direct

There are two links to the same model with an ATI card, one from HP and one from a retailer.

HP G62-a45SA Notebook PC Product Specifications HP G62-a45SA Notebook PC - HP technical support (Germany - English)

HP G62-A45SA Notebook PC - b2b.misco.ie
Click to expand...

To be honest I would not recommend either of them. The last link, the one with the ATI 4250 card is for 622 Euros including VAT.

The Dell with a far superior Graphic card, better storage and better RAM comes for $799 i.e 592 Euros.

The Dell is better than this HP in every thing.
 
My friend has got this ASUS K52JR (he bought it at 650euros), I initially wanted to buy this but couldn't find it anywhere in shops or internet (french sites).
Code: 
Dalle 	15.6’’ WXGA HD LED BackLight ColorShine (1366×768)
Processeur 	Intel Core i3-350M (2.26 GHz)
Mémoire vive installée (max) 	4 Go DDR3 1066 MHz (8 Go max), 2 slots
Espace de stockage 	Un disque dur SATA de 500 Go à 5400 tr/min
Carte graphique 	ATI Radeon Mobility HD5470 1 Go GDDR3 dédié
Lecteur optique 	Graveur DVD
Système audio 	2 haut-parleurs Altec Lansing SRS Premium Sound
Webcam 	0.3 megapixel avec micro
Réseau 	Wi-Fi b/g/n + Ethernet Gigabit
Bluetooth 	Oui
Lecteur de cartes 	5 en 1
Sortie(s) vidéo 	HDMI, VGA
Lecteur d’empreintes digitales 	-
Entrée(s) / Sortie(s) 	Casque, Micro
ExpressCard 	-
Firewire 	-
USB 	3 USB 2.0
Système d’exploitation 	Windows 7 Familiale Premium 64 bits
Batterie 	Li-ion 6 cellules 4400mAh 48Whr
Autonomie annoncée 	-
Dimensions (mm) 	375 x 265 x 34.3-40.6
Poids 	2.62 Kg (avec batterie)
Garantie 	2 ans
Autre 	Pavé numérique; Souris optique et sacoche fournies
 
kouroux said:
My friend has got this ASUS K52JR (he bought it at 650euros), I initially wanted to buy this but couldn't find it anywhere in shops or internet (french sites).
Code: 
Dalle 	15.6’’ WXGA HD LED BackLight ColorShine (1366×768)
Processeur 	Intel Core i3-350M (2.26 GHz)
Mémoire vive installée (max) 	4 Go DDR3 1066 MHz (8 Go max), 2 slots
Espace de stockage 	Un disque dur SATA de 500 Go à 5400 tr/min
Carte graphique 	ATI Radeon Mobility HD5470 1 Go GDDR3 dédié
Lecteur optique 	Graveur DVD
Système audio 	2 haut-parleurs Altec Lansing SRS Premium Sound
Webcam 	0.3 megapixel avec micro
Réseau 	Wi-Fi b/g/n + Ethernet Gigabit
Bluetooth 	Oui
Lecteur de cartes 	5 en 1
Sortie(s) vidéo 	HDMI, VGA
Lecteur d’empreintes digitales 	-
Entrée(s) / Sortie(s) 	Casque, Micro
ExpressCard 	-
Firewire 	-
USB 	3 USB 2.0
Système d’exploitation 	Windows 7 Familiale Premium 64 bits
Batterie 	Li-ion 6 cellules 4400mAh 48Whr
Autonomie annoncée 	-
Dimensions (mm) 	375 x 265 x 34.3-40.6
Poids 	2.62 Kg (avec batterie)
Garantie 	2 ans
Autre 	Pavé numérique; Souris optique et sacoche fournies
Click to expand...
Yes that's pretty much the same as the Dell. It's perfect :D
 
wr8_utd said:
Hmm those specs match up to the Dell but however it's around 150 euros more expensive as Vaio's always are.
Click to expand...

I can't find the dell inspiron 14r anywhere on Dell's Ireland site.

Do you know of any other laptops that come close to that spec?

Thanks for all the help.
 
shaydun said:
Would appreciate any help lads.

Looking for a new laptop with the following:

-Good processor (2.2 ghz minimum)
-Decent RAM
-HDMI output
-Good graphics

Not bothered about the size of the hard drive.

Any recommendations that won't break the bank? Sony and Apple are out of my price range.
Click to expand...

What will you use it for? Gaming/multimedia or work/school?

The myriad of options available can be quite confusing, I have a bachelor in IT but I still spent a week researching what laptop I should buy some months ago. The advertised specs can be quite misleading too, IMO you'd be better off buying a laptop which has been tested by respected magazines like PC World or the likes.

I wouldn't buy that Acer touchscreen PC btw, the processor (the brain of the computer) is quite poor.
 
Red Norse said:
What will you use it for? Gaming/multimedia or work/school?

The myriad of options available can be quite confusing, I have a bachelor in IT but I still spent a week researching what laptop I should buy some months ago. The advertised specs can be quite misleading too, IMO you'd be better off buying a laptop which has been tested by respected magazines like PC World or the likes.

I wouldn't buy that Acer touchscreen PC btw, the processor (the brain of the computer) is quite poor.
Click to expand...

Not much gaming, maybe a bit of football manager when I feel the need for some transfer muppetry.
Mostly multimedia stuff - movies, tv shows, music and some stuff for work (mostly just word processing).

I'd like to buy a decent machine though. Not top end, but good enough to last a few years.

I'm looking at this one around the €500 mark.

ASUS X5EAE-SX086V Windows 7 Laptop X5EAE-SX086V - Laptops Direct

or this one around 540, but it doesn't have HDMI output.

ASUS K51AE SX040V Laptop K51AE-SX040V - Laptops Direct

What do you think? Or do you have any recommendations?
 
shaydun said:
Not much gaming, maybe a bit of football manager when I feel the need for some transfer muppetry.
Mostly multimedia stuff - movies, tv shows, music and some stuff for work (mostly just word processing).

I'd like to buy a decent machine though. Not top end, but good enough to last a few years.

I'm looking at this one around the €500 mark.

ASUS X5EAE-SX086V Windows 7 Laptop X5EAE-SX086V - Laptops Direct

or this one around 540, but it doesn't have HDMI output.

ASUS K51AE SX040V Laptop K51AE-SX040V - Laptops Direct

What do you think? Or do you have any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Are you able to spend a bit more? Most of the laptops in that price range will age quite fast, i.e they're already a bit dated tbh. Another 300 £ will make quite a difference. Full HD for instance is quite nice if you want to watch a movie on your laptop. IMO there's no good deals in the price range you're thinking of. You might find a PC suited to your needs for a few years, but as said it will age fast no matter what. It's up to you what obviously, but I'd put some more money into it if possible.
 
Red Norse said:
Are you able to spend a bit more? Most of the laptops in that price range will age quite fast, i.e they're already a bit dated tbh. Another 300 £ will make quite a difference. Full HD for instance is quite nice if you want to watch a movie on your laptop. IMO there's no good deals in the price range you're thinking of. You might find a PC suited to your needs for a few years, but as said it will age fast no matter what. It's up to you what obviously, but I'd put some more money into it if possible.
Click to expand...

Ok, I was worried it might be false economy.

What do you think of these Sony Vaio machines?

Sony VAIO E Series VPC-EB2M1E/WI - Core i3 350M / : VPCEB2M1E/WI.NL3 - Komplett

Sony VAIO EB2E9E/BQ Core i3 Laptop VPCEB2E9EBQ - Laptops Direct

SONY VAIO EB2L9E/BQ Core i3 Laptop in Black VPCEB2L9EBQ - Laptops Direct

Which of the three is the best?

Appreciate the help, it's a pain in the ass trying to buy a laptop.:mad:
 
shaydun said:
Ok, I was worried it might be false economy.

What do you think of these Sony Vaio machines?

Sony VAIO E Series VPC-EB2M1E/WI - Core i3 350M / : VPCEB2M1E/WI.NL3 - Komplett

Sony VAIO EB2E9E/BQ Core i3 Laptop VPCEB2E9EBQ - Laptops Direct

SONY VAIO EB2L9E/BQ Core i3 Laptop in Black VPCEB2L9EBQ - Laptops Direct

Which of the three is the best?

Appreciate the help, it's a pain in the ass trying to buy a laptop.:mad:
Click to expand...

Can I get back to you? I'm going offline soon.

What's your max price btw? I'll do some research if you like as it's an area I'm interested in anyway ;)
 
Red Norse said:
Can I get back to you? I'm going offline soon.

What's your max price btw? I'll do some research if you like as it's an area I'm interested in anyway ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks mate. Lets say €750 as a max. I've heard Asus, Toshiba, Sony and Dell are the most reliable brands, so I'll probably be looking towards one of those.
If you can find something to recommend, that would be great. Thanks Red Norse!

I've found this one as well, it's going on my list of considerations

Sony EE2 Series 15.5in AMD laptop | Littlewoodsireland.ie

Looking at Toshiba next!
 
shaydun said:
Ok, I was worried it might be false economy.

What do you think of these Sony Vaio machines?

Sony VAIO E Series VPC-EB2M1E/WI - Core i3 350M / : VPCEB2M1E/WI.NL3 - Komplett

Sony VAIO EB2E9E/BQ Core i3 Laptop VPCEB2E9EBQ - Laptops Direct

SONY VAIO EB2L9E/BQ Core i3 Laptop in Black VPCEB2L9EBQ - Laptops Direct

Which of the three is the best?

Appreciate the help, it's a pain in the ass trying to buy a laptop.:mad:
Click to expand...
Top one has a budget graphics card, while the other two has onboard graphics. Specs-wise, that is best. But it comes with Windows Home rather than Professional.
 
I bought a Sony Vaio (VP series, i3, 3GB) three months ago and had to send it back already. It started showing Disc Read Error during start up, or sometimes even 'Operating System could not be recognized'. Luckily Amazon made no fuss and refunded me the whole amount right away.

Just before the Vaio I bought a HP G62 (in a computer shop) which lasted exactly two weeks. Just wouldnt start up, no error messages nothing. So I returned that one and got my money back because it was within the first 28 days or something.

And before I bought the HP I actually ordered a DELL Inspirion. Dell debited the money the next day after I placed the order and decided to keep me in the dark about the delivery date. Their customer service is Nazi as they would simply lie to you just to get you off their back. I waited around two months and then decided to let my bank handle the issue. After two and half months, on the day I bought the HP, the Dell laptop was delivered. I returned it immediately.

I realize this might not be helpful in your decision which laptop to buy but for me customer service is as important as the purchase of a laptop itself. I cant believe customers are willing to spend £500-600 for a machine and they are selling them such garbage.

Btw I'm also still looking for a new laptop.
 
Thanks Mihajlovic, good to know I'm right to avoid HP.
Surprised to hear about the Sony.
 
shaydun said:
Thanks Mihajlovic, good to know I'm right to avoid HP.
Surprised to hear about the Sony.
Click to expand...

Having said that I will probably buy a Vaio again and I'll buy it from Amazon, just in case anything happens. The Vaio is really a good looking laptop, the specs are good, it's unbelievably quiet, the keyboard feels quailty and not cheap plastic - the only annoying thing is the on/off button placed on the far right edge - imagine you want to lift up your laptop with both hands, they put the button exactly on the spot where your right hand thumb would be. What a design feck up. Another thing I wasnt impressed was the touchpad, it felt a bit erratic and not as smooth as my previous Dell. For example you move the pointer to a certain tab, you take your finger off and try to click or double click but the pointer would just move away slightly so you'll have to readjust again.

I remember googling Vaio touchpad problems, there were loads of people experiencing the same thing. But then again I was in a shop the other day and played around with one of the display Vaio's, and it all felt just normal. You just never know.
 
Tbh it's all about luck.I've been using an HP which has lasted for 4 years without one single problem.I've never contacted the customer service.
Same things for my friends, HP has been reliable for us but it says nothing.
 
kouroux said:
Tbh it's all about luck.I've been using an HP which has lasted for 4 years without one single problem.I've never contacted the customer service.
Same things for my friends, HP has been reliable for us but it says nothing.
Click to expand...

It really is, I agree.
 
I've checked around a bit and found a few laptops in your price range which will handle new games on low graphical settings and have a decent/good processor. I've mainly looked for laptops costing around 700 £. The main gripe with laptops in that pricerange is the graphic card, but as FM doesn't require much in that regard, I've focused on laptops with a decent processor.

In short I've come up with a few suggestions. All of them have the requeriements you specified in this thread, but laptops in this pricerange will always have drawbacks. For instance you can't expect to play FIFA 11 or something similar on high graphical settings.

Anyway, all of the links below have been tested by trusted PC mags and have done well performance wise:

Acer Aspire 5741G-6983 Laptop Computer Review - PCWorld

Go slim, stylish, and light - without giving up - Q530 15.6" Thin and Light Notebook - thin and light - Notebook Computers | SAMSUNG

Acer Aspire 5745G review - PC Advisor

HP Pavilion dv7-4045ea Entertainment Notebook PC - HP technical support (Croatia - English)

All of these are decent PC's, but they all have their minor drawbacks, some have poor batteries, others have lesser graphic cards or graphic memory.

There are lots of similar laptops, so these are just a few suggestions. I'm afraid it might not much help, but as said all the linked laptops have been tested and found to be good within their price range. All have HDMI connectivity.
 
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