I need help picking a laptop. PLEASE HELP!!

hau5junkie87

Honorable
Dec 8, 2012
1
0
10,510
Hello Everyone,

I am on the hunt for a new notebook to replace my overheating piece of crap HPg42. So far, the search has come down to a few with only slight differences. I plan on using my notebook mostly for schoolwork, and perhaps movies... but i would also like to play BF3 (only game i really want to play) so I know the graphics card should play a big part in selecting the best model for my needs.

Here are the choices:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=457&Code=59360114&category_id=6716C35E262487E9B548B6298FE58D3B&AID=11247394&PID=227502&SID=F012NC10J0N4A99327200A327200A10A0A81#.UMLRwnfVpTw

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=457&Code=59360242&category_id=5B0116E237099FA0FCA012D9B20ED2FB&AID=11247393&PID=227502&SID=F012NC10J0N5A99327199A327199A10A0A81#.UMLRbHfVpTw

I like the idea of having 1080p for movies and but concerned about the potential strain it could have on my eyes when doing everyday internet browsing/work.

Any of you have a 1080p res 15.6in notebook and what are your thoughts on Lenovo? I have never stepped out of the HP realm...

Thanks guys!
 

Sadamto

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Jan 15, 2010
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18,510



Having 1080p just refers to a resolution of 1920x1080, having a higher resolution should have no effect on eyestrain. Out of the 2 laptops you linked to I would choose the 15.6'' screen, just because it's bigger. Wait for a more experienced user on here to properly answer that, there might be performance downsides to the overall smaller laptop such as underclocked components etc.

As for the graphics card selection here is a performance guide Mobile GPU performance. Once there just select BF3 in the game selector and then click restrict. The fields filled with numbers are actual tests and the blank fields are guesswork. Hope this helps you.

I'm also considering buying a Lenovo ideapad, they seem to be recommended often here.
 

RetiredChief

Distinguished
Feb 22, 2007
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GT 640
Close to the top of class two GPUs.
BF3 is playable with low settings, may do better:
REF: http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-640M.71579.0.html
Scoot to bottom on left side youwill see FPS for BF3.

Resolution:
.. A lot has to do with the quality of the Display panel. I have a 17" in laptop that goes to 1600 x 900 and My 10" inch Ausu TF700 has a 1920 x 1200 Super IPS+ Panel which is MUCH better than most laptop panels (TN).
.. 1080 will display More windows, and yes with smaller print. But you can normally adjust font to compensate, but then this decreases what is displayed in window.
.. Movies. On small screens, not a big difference between say a blu-ray and a DVD - Does become more of an issue with larger screens. PS Love watching Movies when on a plane, or when away from Home.


Bottom line:
Of the two listed, I'd go for the 15.6" display.
Gee they give you a 1080 display, then stick a DVDV±RW drive instead of a Blu-ray Rom/DVDV±RW drive. I'v upgraded two of my laptops with Blu-ray drives, My 17" came ith Blu-ray.

Take a look here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834310660
Look at the comments about screen resolution an quality of panel - seems the 1080 panel is a higher end panel than what is used in the lower resolution Panels. (Different model, Y580, But probably also translates to the Y500.