some advice on laptop specs please ;)

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 11:37 am

I'm still thinking in terms of pre-Sandy Bridge. I don't understand why they didn't go with a different brand name for Sandy Bridge - it's very confusing.

But yeah, if you can find a Sandy Bridge laptop, there's a lot of nice perks like USB 3.0

KiLLerCloWn · Post by **KiLLerCloWn** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 4:25 pm

Ok, I've been searching through the Dell store, next question: Is a high end i5 at 2.30 Ghz going to serve me better then an i7 at 2.10 Ghz? The latter is remarkably more expensive! And if the hyper threading doesn't really come into play for me ... just wondering

Cheers

Chris

GuardianAsher · Post by **GuardianAsher** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 4:48 pm

What numbers are on those Core i5 and i7 processors? I'm assuming you're looking at Sandy Bridge, the Core i5 2410M, but what about the i7? With that speed it could be either the 2629M or the 2710/2715QE. If it's the former, there's not going to be a huge difference. An extra 1MB of cache, a little higher on the Turbo Boost, but they're both dual-core with hyper threading. The latter is a quad-core variant.

KiLLerCloWn · Post by **KiLLerCloWn** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 5:00 pm

Both Acer and Dell seem to sell the i7-2630QM as the entry level i7. The i5 Indeed is the i5 2410M.

This one goes for just under 1000 Euros:

http://www.acer.es/ac/es/ES/content/model/LX.RH802.008

And it's got all I need if I settle for 1600x900 max res.

But I'm wondering if I should save 200 by going for the i5 and get full HD screen. But I would only do this if the difference is minimal. If there's a huge difference, then I live with the 1600x900 and go for the i7.

The more I investigate the more compliocated it gets, lol

Thanks again

Chris

KiLLerCloWn · Post by **KiLLerCloWn** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 6:55 pm

Ok, several hours of cpmparisons of all big brands and many local shops. Result: Unless you guys tell me not to I think I will opt for the Acer linked to above.

It's got the big screen, it's got a 2GB Radeon, 8BG ram, the i7 (albeit a lower range one) and a TB disk. There's not really much you can argue about here - and it comes in at under 1000 Euros...

Do I get a thumbs up? lol

Cheers

Chris

GuardianAsher · Post by **GuardianAsher** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 8:35 pm

If you're willing to spend the cash, it gets a thumbs up from me. Very good system for the price, but to be completely honest, I'd go for the i5 system myself. With today's applications you're not gonna see too much of a difference, the i5 is -plenty- good to run mostly anything. It basically comes down to do you want the higher res screen, or the slightly faster processor that you won't see used until true multi-core support comes to everyday applications. I've been able to play and do everything I need on my little i5 2410M equipped Dell. But if you want future proofing... I'd go with the i7 in the long run.

I know I'm being more confusing than you really need, but in the end it boils down to higher res screen, or quad-core processor. Plus or minus 200 euros of course

Either gets a GuardianAsher seal of approval. Thumbs up!

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 8:53 pm

Acer's have been very solid for the last couple of years, I have owned a couple of them and have sold a lot of them with very few repair issues. Go for it

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 10:14 pm

I like Acer in general. Should be a nice laptop. They DO load up the crapware though so go through it and uninstall anything you don't need.

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 10:35 pm

on an unrelated note, MBAM blocks the site that KiLLerCloWn's signature pic is linked from:

IP-BLOCK 208.73.210.29 (Type: outgoing, Port: 57028, Process: iexplore.exe)

anyone else seeing that?

KiLLerCloWn · Post by **KiLLerCloWn** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 4:20 am

Wow! That's an ancient domain of mine, I probably haven't renewed that in 10 years! seems like a spammer bought it at some point, I'll have to change my signature gif

I just tried a couple of stores for the Acer and it seems to be completely out of stock, 25 days wait minimum, so unless I can find it by chance I may have to go for another model. That's a real pity because it's the only one at that price with Comparable performance I found here...

Cheers

Chris

KiLLerCloWn · Post by **KiLLerCloWn** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 2:18 pm

okay, we have a result! Damn hard to find anything decent here. Plenty of garbage PCs/laptops around But if you actually look for something nice it was impossible to find, unless you have time to wait of course.

So my main choice would not be available here until August! Minimum wait I was quoted: 25 days. So after visiting just about every computer store in town I found to models:

Toshiba satellite l775-10p
ACER 7750G-2418G75MNBB ASPIRE SERIES

The Acer being the Previous generation of my model of choice. Between the Toshiba and Acer the only real difference are that the Toshiba only has 4 GB of RAM and the Acer has 8 GB.

So I opted for the Acer, should be here the day after tomorrow.

I was even starting to think about simply getting one from Dell, but while the base models are pretty interesting once you start personalising options the price skyrockets. Plus there's no real guarantee it would arrive on time...

So: Pity I had to settle for something less than I wanted, but it will still be a decent work machine. I only really play games on my desktop in any case...

Thanks again for the help everyone!

Cheers

Chris

P.S.: 770 Euros - the price is right I would say. I would gladly have spent another 200 for a better model, but as I said, they simply do not seem to be available unless you are willing to order and wait...

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 2:39 pm

Go for the Acer. Not a fan of Toshiba anymore. Good detailed review here with benchmarks: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Ace ... 861.0.html

KiLLerCloWn · Post by **KiLLerCloWn** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:18 pm

I got the Acer, only the i5 version.

that's a great website, I had that open on my iPhone throughout the day comparing the different processors, graphic cards etc. Great info on that site, clear and easy to grab.

cheers

Chris

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:42 am

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 1:55 pm

So true. What really kills me are the desktop replacement laptops that still have pathetic keyboards (either small or very poor feel). Come on, the friggen laptop cost $2000, you could at least throw another $5 at the keyboard design.