New Laptop Advice

[Kavvy]

Hey everyone, another laptop buying thread, hopefully people are still willing to help after my indecisiveness from my last laptop buying thread… sorry.

This is for my fiancée. Her needs are:

• Smaller computer tasks on MS Word, and Excel
• TV, Music
• Portability – she’s hard on her electronics
• If Windows 8 – must be durable touch screen
• Would prefer to spend less than $750
• No games at all

She wants a keyboard, so I think that eliminates most tablets, but if someone has a tablet in mind, let me know. I have looked at the Dell 15Z but it gets above $850 when you add the touchscreen, so it no longer is cheap. I looked at the CNET buying guide, but it sort of turned me off.

Any suggestions?

Thank you for any.

[PsYcNeT]

The Samsung ATIV 500T is a top-level Ultratablet (removable keyboard like an ASUS Transformer), on sale ATM for $619 w/ keyboard at MemEx. They have 1 left on the online store, be quick!

NCIX has it on for $600 even, but I don't think it comes with the keyboard.

EDIT: I'm an idiot. The keyboard is $150 extra.

The Asus VivoBook X202E is on for $550 and is a full touchscreen Ultrabook.

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

The Samsung ATIV 500T is a top-level Ultratablet (removable keyboard like an ASUS Transformer), on sale ATM for $619 w/ keyboard at MemEx. They have 1 left on the online store, be quick!

NCIX has it on for $600 even, but I don't think it comes with the keyboard.

EDIT: I'm an idiot. The keyboard is $150 extra.

The Asus VivoBook X202E is on for $550 and is a full touchscreen Ultrabook.

Appreciate it, even if the keyboard is extra, thanks for both ides!

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

The Samsung ATIV 500T is a top-level Ultratablet (removable keyboard like an ASUS Transformer), on sale ATM for $619 w/ keyboard at MemEx. They have 1 left on the online store, be quick!

NCIX has it on for $600 even, but I don't think it comes with the keyboard.

EDIT: I'm an idiot. The keyboard is $150 extra.

The Asus VivoBook X202E is on for $550 and is a full touchscreen Ultrabook.

Does anyone have any reccemdations similar to the Vivobook but a bit larger screen? It seems like a better/cheaper computer then the Samsung, as it is probably easier for the manufacture to put stuff in a computer that doesn't disconnect from the keyboard. I really liked the Samsung, but the ability to have a tablet or a laptop doesn't really interest her.

Thanks for any tips,

[Kavvy]

Would anyone mind taking a look at this guy and telling me what they think? I can't seem to find an online review

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX38664

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by Kavy

Would anyone mind taking a look at this guy and telling me what they think? I can't seem to find an online review

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX38664

I have a Win8 HP version with basically the same specs minus a newer A8 version (bought during boxing week for $450). Dual graphics is nice if you're a casual gamer but the A8-3X falls behind a 3rd gen i5.
If you can stretch your budget a bit, either of these look like they could be better value.
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX42318
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX43775 (Matte screen, 14" )

And the ever popular Zenbook is on sale as well. Depending on whether gaming or portability is even a consideration or not should help you pick.
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX42058

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by Anduril

I have a Win8 HP version with basically the same specs minus a newer A8 version (bought during boxing week for $450). Dual graphics is nice if you're a casual gamer but the A8-3X falls behind a 3rd gen i5.
If you can stretch your budget a bit, either of these look like they could be better value.
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX42318
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX43775 (Matte screen, 14")

And the ever popular Zenbook is on sale as well. Depending on whether gaming or portability is even a consideration or not should help you pick.
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX42058

Thank you!

[photon]

I was seriously considering a Zenbook before I got my Macbook Air.

Samsung is also really nice, but the top end ones might be too much:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX42208

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by photon

I was seriously considering a Zenbook before I got my Macbook Air.

Samsung is also really nice, but the top end ones might be too much:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX42208

Thank you,

Zenbook over $1000 is a little much, but that Samsung one looks good, little $$ but not to much

[Kavvy]

After googling the Samsung one apparently that one linked has the sandy bridge processor which makes much worse battery life, but this one has a more efficient processor, can anyone tell me if this is true?

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ.../10227115.aspx

Thank you!

[photon]

Good catch, yeah I think in general Ivy Bridge should be better, apples to apples it probably will have better battery life than a comparable Sandy Bridge CPU, though the laptop itself probably will have just as much if not more impact. I don't think the battery life changed at all on the Macbooks when they switched to Ivy Bridge.

The biggest thing with Ivy Bridge is the video card on it is far better, that alone would make the decision for me.

Anandtech has some Ivy Bridge reviews, but in general getting the newer chips is usually a good thing.

[Flames0910]

This is a little bit outside of the budget you listed, but for a little more, you could get a refurbished Macbook Air. http://store.apple.com/ca/product/FD...-intel-core-i5

It probably won't compare spec-to-spec with some of the ones listed above, but the reviews are solid, and should hold its own for a long time.

[photon]

The most recent airs are nice, my wife's got a 13" one. 11" is pretty small though, make sure and try one out before buying. But that size is great for travel, just requires an external monitor IMO for home use.

[frinkprof]

Maybe I can use this thread to pose the same question. Looking to buy a new laptop within a week or two.

Want:

- Not necessarily a full-on gaming computer but I do want to be able to play the latest games (Sim City, etc.). Games and movies will probably be a big use for this computer though, so graphics, sound, etc. are important. Just don't need to be absolutely top-of-the-line.

- Large-ish screen. 15-17"

- Want a keyboard.

- Large HD not necessary.

- Apple need not apply

- Preferably less than $1000. Can perhaps go a little more for the right unit.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Maybe I can use this thread to pose the same question. Looking to buy a new laptop within a week or two.

Want:

- Not necessarily a full-on gaming computer but I do want to be able to play the latest games (Sim City, etc.). Games and movies will probably be a big use for this computer though, so graphics, sound, etc. are important. Just don't need to be absolutely top-of-the-line.

- Large-ish screen. 15-17"

- Want a keyboard.

- Large HD not necessary.

- Apple need not apply

- Preferably less than $1000. Can perhaps go a little more for the right unit.

I've recommended it before, and I'll keep recommending it:

y580 - $870

Has a great processor, and a 660M video card.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

I've recommended it before, and I'll keep recommending it:

y580 - $870

Has a great processor, and a 660M video card.

Looks like a solid deal on a very powerful device. You should also consider looking at some laptops that aren't 1366x768. There is something like
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX43301

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by Anduril

Looks like a solid deal on a very powerful device. You should also consider looking at some laptops that aren't 1366x768. There is something like
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX43301

There's a 1080 version of the y580 that can be found for ~950, but memex doesn't carry it.

That one you linked however swaps a 660M for an abysmal 635M. If he wants to play games on a laptop, I would never recommend anything less than a 660M.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

There's a 1080 version of the y580 that can be found for ~950, but memex doesn't carry it.

That one you linked however swaps a 660M for an abysmal 635M. If he wants to play games on a laptop, I would never recommend anything less than a 660M.

I'd imagine directly from Lenovo might be the only place then.
Wasn't sure what games he had meant when SimCity was listed as one of them.

[frinkprof]

Sim City, Starcraft 2 and expansions, Bioshock, etc.

Thanks for suggestions thus far.

[Kavvy]

Would anyone reccomdend a laptop to compete with this one?

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ.../10227115.aspx

Has the ivory bridge but little $$$
Thank you!