To Anyone Looking to Buy a New Laptop: Visit this (Updated 12/22/2012) - Computers & Technology - SMW Central

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To Anyone Looking to Buy a New Laptop: Visit this (Updated 12/22/2012)

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edit1754
Swooper

Posts: 589/607
Since: 2007-08-20 11:35:50 AM
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Last seen: 16 hours, 51 minutes and 7 seconds ago

Posted on 2012-03-07 05:22:58 PM

Deciding on which laptop to buy is tricky, and it is even difficult to make a well-educated decision using Google as a research tool.

Before you make a purchase decision, make a post on one of these two websites. Fill out the form with what you're looking for in a laptop.
- http://forum.notebookreview.com/what-notebook-should-i-buy/
- http://www.reddit.com/r/SuggestALaptop/

General tips (may be incomplete, and may not encompass all cases)
- If you don't have a specific need for CPU performance (most people don't), then you shouldn't make it a top priority to get a particularly fast CPU (processor) at the sacrifice of other components. Note: Gaming often does not require a fast CPU, only a fast GPU (graphics).
- You should steer clear of low-resolution displays when it is reasonable to do so. 15.6" 1366x768 and 17.3" 1600x900 displays make things onscreen large and tend to have very poor image quality due to low contrast.
- Don't limit yourself to retail stores, brands, or any particular seller, unless you need to for a specific reason.

----------------------

Some quick picks if you're interested in game performance:

Lenovo IdeaPad Y580 (NVIDIA GTX 660M, 15.6" 1920x1080 glossy display) - $899 + tax
- Sign up and sign in here: http://shoplenovo.i2.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/na/StdAffinityPortal/en_US/Lenovo:EnterStdAffinity?affinity=barnesnoblegold (Barnes and Noble Gold discount page)
- http://shoplenovo.i2.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/barnesnoblegold/StdAffinityPortal/en_US/config.workflow:ConfigureMtmAsItem?mtm-item=:000001C9:0000972B: (1TB 5400RPM + 16GB SSD) - $899 + tax
- Click the green "Activate eCoupon" button in the cart.
- Avoid any models that come with the 1366x768 display and not the 1920x1080 display.1366x768 resolution in a 15.6" display make things onscreen large, and 15.6" displays that have 1366x768 resolution tend to be low-grade LCD panels with very poor image quality due to low contrast. You should make a point to avoid displays like this when it is reasonable to do so, unless you require the larger text for eyesight related reasons.

Sager NP6165 (NVIDIA GT 650M, 15.6" 1920x1080 glossy display) - $899 no tax
- http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np6165-clevo-w150er-p-4344.html?wconfigure=yes
- Select Windows under Operating System if you cannot acquire your own copy for cheaper.

Sager NP6350 (NVIDIA GTX 660M, 15.6" 1920x1080 glossy display) - $999 no tax
- http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np6350-clevo-w350etq-ships-midseptember-p-4897.html?wconfigure=yes
- Select Windows under Operating System if you cannot acquire your own copy for cheaper.
- Recommended: Matte display upgrade.

HP DV6t (NVIDIA GT 650M, 15.6" 1920x1080 display) - $749 + tax
- Saved Configuration: http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/load_configuration.do?destination=review&config_id=7674563
- Apply coupon code NB7453
- Don't downgrade the GPU to the GT 630M or to Intel HD 4000 graphics. The GT 650M is considerably faster than either, and if one of the lower GPU options would work just as well for you then I would probably suggest getting an entirely different laptop.
- Don't downgrade the display to 1366x768. The 1366x768 display makes things onscreen large, and is a low-grade LCD panel with very poor image quality due to low contrast. The availability of the upgraded 1920x1080 display is part of why I'm recommending this laptop; I wouldn't be recommending this laptop if it didn't offer it.

Last edited on 2012-12-22 05:18:15 PM by edit1754.

Freedom isn't free.

Posts: 5910/6044
Since: 2008-11-28 02:25:19 AM

Last seen: 1 day ago

Posted on 2012-03-09 02:54:37 AM

Is it possible for us to just post in this thread and consult you specifically, too? For a second opinion, or something, after the people over there tell us what we should buy.

edit1754
Swooper

Posts: 590/607
Since: 2007-08-20 11:35:50 AM
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Last seen: 16 hours, 51 minutes and 7 seconds ago

Posted on 2012-03-09 12:31:34 PM

Yes, I would be willing to give direct advice as well.

Last edited on 2012-03-09 05:40:40 PM by edit1754.

Freedom isn't free.

Posts: 5934/6044
Since: 2008-11-28 02:25:19 AM

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Posted on 2012-04-04 06:06:41 AM

edit1754
Swooper

Posts: 591/607
Since: 2007-08-20 11:35:50 AM
From: NC

Last seen: 16 hours, 51 minutes and 7 seconds ago

Posted on 2012-04-05 01:25:57 AM

Quote

If you can go up a little in price, my strong recommendation would be the Lenovo Thinkpad X220 with the IPS display.

- Start here: Link
- Select the IPS display upgrade (listed as "Premium")*
- Select 4GB of RAM (2GB can cause a bottleneck even for daily multitasking) unless you find somewhere to buy an extra 2GB (to upgrade from 2GB to 4GB) stick for less than $49.
- Consider the 9-Cell battery if you want to realize your desire for battery life. Note: sticks out the back.
- Consider the $10 500GB HDD upgrade if it's of benefit to you.
- Don't upgrade the processor past the 2520M. You shouldn't need any higher than the base 2450M unless you need VT-d/AES. Prioritize the IPS display and battery upgrades first.

*The IPS display's availability is part of my strong recommendation for the X220 (other half is build quality). The stock display has rather mediocre contrast and overall image quality, but the IPS display is one of the best displays available for an ultraportable. I would not recommend settling for the stock display.

Late Edit: Wow, the price of the IPS display has shot up dramatically. It is not worth the current price of AU $220.

Last edited on 2012-05-17 10:36:39 PM by edit1754.

SMWiki Sysop

Posts: 567/752
Since: 2010-04-26 04:28:16 PM
From: /dev/urandom

Last seen: 4 months and 17 days ago

Posted on 2012-04-05 05:00:33 AM

Originally posted by edit1754

Quote

If you can go up a little in price, my strong recommendation would be the Lenovo Thinkpad X220 with the IPS display.

- Start here: Link
- Select the IPS display upgrade (listed as "Premium")*
- Select 4GB of RAM (2GB can cause a bottleneck even for daily multitasking) unless you find somewhere to buy an extra 2GB (to upgrade from 2GB to 4GB) stick for less than $49.
- Consider the 9-Cell battery if you want to realize your desire for battery life. Note: sticks out the back.
- Consider the $10 500GB HDD upgrade if it's of benefit to you.
- Don't upgrade the processor past the 2520M. You shouldn't need any higher than the base 2450M unless you need VT-d/AES. Prioritize the IPS display and battery upgrades first.

*The IPS display's availability is part of my strong recommendation for the X220 (other half is build quality). The stock display has rather mediocre contrast and overall image quality, but the IPS display is one of the best displays available for an ultraportable. I would not recommend settling for the stock display.

VT-d is only useful on desktops; PCI passthrough. If you have a second graphics card, you can give the virtual machine a dedicated one for full speed graphics. Or a network card. Or whatever else you want.

Since you can't really add PCIe cards onto a laptop...

edit1754
Swooper

Posts: 593/607
Since: 2007-08-20 11:35:50 AM
From: NC

Last seen: 16 hours, 51 minutes and 7 seconds ago

Posted on 2012-06-05 03:01:12 PM

Updated for the first time in a while. Removed the Sony Vaio F because the discount no longer exists, and added two HP DV6 models.

edit1754
Swooper

Posts: 599/607
Since: 2007-08-20 11:35:50 AM
From: NC

Last seen: 16 hours, 51 minutes and 7 seconds ago

Posted on 2012-12-22 05:17:31 PM

Erased 6-month-outdated list, and updated with a couple of current deals.

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