Time for a new laptop. What to buy?

[Jbrown832]

Okay so I'm finally fed up with my Sony Vaio as I've had for too many issues with it, so I'm looking for a new laptop.

I've done some scouting and came across the following...

http/www.pricerunner.co.uk/pl/27-2712808/Laptop-Computers/Samsung-RV711-A01-Compare-Prices

http/www.pricerunner.co.uk/pl/27-2690910/Laptop-Computers/Samsung-R730-JB09-Intel-Core-i3-380M-2.53GHz-4GB-640GB-LED17.3-DVDRW-Win-7-Home-Premium-Compare-Prices

http/www.pricerunner.co.uk/pl/27-2707042/Laptop-Computers/Acer-Aspire-7741-384G75Mnkk-(LX.PXA02.077)-Compare-Prices

http/www.pricerunner.co.uk/pl/27-2697827/Laptop-Computers/Dell-Vostro-3700-Intel-Core-i3-380M-2.53GHz-3GB-320GB-LED17.3-DVDRW-Win-7-Pro-Compare-Prices

http/www.pricerunner.co.uk/pi/27-2705376/Laptop-Computers/Toshiba-Satellite-L670-1J0-Product-Info


I'm specifically after a 17"+ screen and a HDMI port. They all have very similar specs, it just the prices that are different. I need a solid model, that isn't going to have issues 6 months down the line.

Any opinions/advice is greatly appreciated,

Thanks for your time,

Jason.

 

[Jbrown832]

I'll also throw this in the mix

http/www.bestbuy.co.uk/product/1000143203/Dell-Inspiron-173-Laptop---Intel-Pentium-320GB-4GB-Memory.aspx?ref=google&loc=&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=1000143203

 

[Jbrown832]

Anyone...?

 

[AntiZig]

The prices all look about the same to me, you're in a stable 450-550 pounds range.

the only issue I see with any of your picks

CPU: looks like you want the i3 380M, but I can't tell which CPU is on that last dell... (might be a really old one there, be careful)
HDD: ranged from 320Gb - 750Gb, which one?

the rest is pretty standard as far as I can tell. I'm not going to advise one brand over another as I haven't had any experience with any of those manufacturers.
pick 1 laptop from each manufacturer and see if you can find some reviews on each one. Then go from there. Good luck

 

[Jbrown832]

Thank you.

HDD size doesn't really matter to me. And as for CPU is that good?

My budget is £700 max, I just want 17" screen and a hdmi port.

 

[AntiZig]

well, it's hard to say if the cpu is good or not. it depends what kind of applications you will be using the laptop for. general browsing, internet + movie watching? you will be fine. but any intensive calculation programs you might have issues with.

here's the link to the product page:
http/ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=50178
this is the first generation of i3 CPUs, but it's almost the best in its series (only 2 more models above it and 5 models below)
if you feeling concerned, here's a comparison of similar CPUs you could consider upgrading to if you find them at similar price that fits your budget.
http/ark.intel.com/Compare.aspx?ids=49652,52220,54643,50178,52952,
(overall the only advantage of 2nd generation i3 is that the ram can run at higher speed)

 

[RetiredChief]

If I'm not mistaken the biggest diff beween the i3/i5/i7 xxxm and the i3/i5/i7 xxxxm is the IGP (2000 ver ves 3000 ver). Note: compare i3/xxxm to i3/xxxxm, not a i3 vs an i5. The xxxxm versions are sandybridge and the IGP is improved and the processor performs better on a clock per clock basis.

In the states, I've not seen the SB (ix-xxxxM) laptops, only the i5-xxxxM and the i7-xxxxm. If you can find a i3-xxxxM, that would be the one to get. If i3-380M is what you end up with, look at features, ie USB2, or USB3 - how many.

As to quality, in terms of reliabilty and number of user complaints. (MIND you this is dated, at least a year old)
Asus -> toshibia -> sony (ugh) / dell ....-> HP -> compaq (Went to pot after HP bought). Acer is also toward the bottom.

 

[Jbrown832]

Thanks, think I'll get the Toshiba Satellite L670-1J0

 

[RetiredChief]

I have two Toshiba's the A205 and the A305, Not had a single problem. Bought low end and upgraded (Appox 500 USD each). one 2 gigs Ram -> 4 gigs. the other 3 gigs -> 4 gigs. Replaced the HDD in both and Installed an SSD. Replaced the DVD-RW drive in both for a sony Blu-ray Rom/DVD-RW drive.

Enjoy

 

[Geef]

As long as the outside of the new laptop you buy does NOT have an Apple on it then you should be good to go.

 

[amk-aka-Phantom]

Asus N73 - 17'', great sound, great CPU (i3/i5/i7), good GPU, looks good, good quality, price depends on the config, but is nice.

 

[AntiZig]

Asus N73 - 17'', great sound, great CPU (i3/i5/i7), good GPU, looks good, good quality, price depends on the config, but is nice.

edit: sorry, nvm, wrong thread.

 

[amk-aka-Phantom]

did you even bother to read the first bloody post before posting???

Did you even bother to read it yourself?

17'' screen, HDMI port, solid model... looks like N73 has it all covered What's wrong with you?

 

[Jbrown832]

Sorry one last question. What model do I go for...

http/www.askdirect.co.uk/Laptops-and-Computers/Notebook-Computers/sc1503/p6943.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=GoogleShopping&utm_campaign=googlebase

or

http/www.askdirect.co.uk/Laptops-and-Computers/Notebook-Computers/sc1503/p7321.aspx

 

[lostandwandering]

Sorry one last question. What model do I go for...

http/www.askdirect.co.uk/Laptops-and-Computers/Notebook-Computers/sc1503/p6943.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=GoogleShopping&utm_campaign=googlebase

or

http/www.askdirect.co.uk/Laptops-and-Computers/Notebook-Computers/sc1503/p7321.aspx

The L670 has a larger hard drive compared to the better speakers and Bluetooth in the L775. So it depends on what features are more important.

 

[Jbrown832]

The L670 has a larger hard drive compared to the better speakers and Bluetooth in the L775. So it depends on what features are more important.

I'll take the speakers and bluetooth. I use an external hard drive to store most my stuff.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Jbrown832]

http/www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/20108544/Samsung-R780-Core-i5-480M-4GB-640GB-DVD-SM-17-3-inch-Windows-7-Home-Premium-64-bit-Laptop-Notebook-Red/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518|cat:20108544|prd:20108544

What do you make of this? Better CPU, but is it worth the extra cash?

 

[lostandwandering]

http/www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/20108544/Samsung-R780-Core-i5-480M-4GB-640GB-DVD-SM-17-3-inch-Windows-7-Home-Premium-64-bit-Laptop-Notebook-Red/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518|cat:20108544|prd:20108544

What do you make of this? Better CPU, but is it worth the extra cash?

Depends on what you are using the laptop for. It also has a dedicated graphics card which is better than Intel's HD graphics.

 

[Jbrown832]

Depends on what you are using the laptop for. It also has a dedicated graphics card which is better than Intel's HD graphics.

I do a bit of gaming, nothing too demanding though. I use a PS3 for that lol. But I'll be using it a lot for movies and streaming.

 

[lostandwandering]

The HD 5470 in the Samsung is still a low end card, but it will be a better option than the integrated cards in either of the Toshibas. It would certainly give you the option of playing games more smoothly on the laptop.