View Full Version : Mid/high quality laptop advice
I know there's already the other laptop thread, but I'm looking for a higher quality laptop. I don't want a huge laptop, I want a mid-sized one, with about a 14" screen, and I'd like it to be fairly powerful. I want to ditch my desktop and use this as my primary computer, though I'll probably still keep my lcd and fullsize keyboard for when I'm sitting at my desk. It doesn't need to be strong enough to play the latest FPS, but I guess good enough to run photoshop and play some mid-range games (Bloodbowl, WoW, Total War, I guess).
What should I look for in terms of processors, video cards, memory, etc?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=gt627&x=0&y=0
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I'm considering getting this Asus (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172879&type=product&id=1218044029788) from Bestbuy. Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about this laptop or Asus in general? It seems to be getting good reviews online, and I like its relatively small size. The only downside I saw is that the screen looked like it might not be as bright as my old Sony laptop, but it's hard to tell.
Specs and price seem comparable to a mid-range Dell Inspiron 1420, but reviews seem better overall. I'm leaning towards this over the MSI mostly because of size.
Lantz
05-07-2009, 02:00 PM
I'm considering getting this Asus (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172879&type=product&id=1218044029788) from Bestbuy. Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about this laptop or Asus in general? It seems to be getting good reviews online, and I like its relatively small size. The only downside I saw is that the screen looked like it might not be as bright as my old Sony laptop, but it's hard to tell.
Specs and price seem comparable to a mid-range Dell Inspiron 1420, but reviews seem better overall. I'm leaning towards this over the MSI mostly because of size.
No real comments on that model, but I've been very happy with my Asus notebooks solid performance and build quality. One thing to look into is generally Asus is on the lower side battery life-wise.
Dravalen
05-07-2009, 02:57 PM
My ASUS A8JS is possibly the best laptop I've owned. They are awesome performance laptops that aren't obscenely expensive or huge.
tiohn
05-07-2009, 03:40 PM
I've been really happy with my Sager.
krise madsen
05-07-2009, 03:52 PM
I got me an Asus laptop on the recommendation of a friend of mine who does IT support. Well made and reliable.
Respectfully
krise madsen
Cool, thanks for all the advice! One last question--one about Sony laptops? I've heard good things about their screens, touchpad, and general build quality, but was wondering about their performance. In particular I'm looking at the CS and NS series.
Marcus
05-09-2009, 07:29 AM
You should check out this ASUS
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9050279&st=Asus+G50VT-X1&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218012519873
It has the 9800M GS which is much better then the 9600M and is a really decent price for what you get. Its a little larger then you wanted 15 inches vs 14 but I think you get a pretty good bang for your buck.
Ok, so I bought this Asus (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172879&type=product&id=1218044029788) from Bestbuy and thought it was good except that the keyboard was terrible--very low quality, and the left control key worked intermittently, maybe 10% of the time. Thankfully that allowed me to return it with no restocking fee.
Next I got the Dell XPS Studio 16 after playing around with the XPS Studio 13 in the store; it was a little more expensive than most others but the build quality felt great! It has a really sensitive and accurate touchpad and a solid keyboard.
Unfortunately it's HOT! As in, uncomfortable to rest my hands on the edge of the keyboard and impossible to touch the underside with my hands for more than 10 seconds (so forget about resting it on my lap). Hopefully I can prove that this is a defect and I'll be able to avoid another restocking fee.
Ugh. Back to the drawing board.
It's going to be hot with a decent GPU. No way around that.
Sure, but the Asus has a very strong GPU and ran it cool so it can't be just that. My guess is just poor design, but I'm no expert.
So the search continues! Maybe number 3 will be the charm,
Coca Cola Zero
06-03-2009, 07:21 PM
I've been using an Asus M50Vm-A1 for almost a year now and I love it. It is roughly similar to the current model Asus laptops others are suggesting but has the older 9600M.
The build quality and system reliability have been excellent, the screen is great, etc.. the only thing about it I don't absolutely love is the case design is pretty generic, not nearly as sexy as an Apple laptop or even the Dell Studios.
krise madsen
06-04-2009, 02:44 AM
I've been using an Asus M50Vm-A1 for almost a year now and I love it. It is roughly similar to the current model Asus laptops others are suggesting but has the older 9600M.
The build quality and system reliability have been excellent, the screen is great, etc.. the only thing about it I don't absolutely love is the case design is pretty generic, not nearly as sexy as an Apple laptop or even the Dell Studios.
Ditto. I've had an M51 for six months now, and it runs like a dream. Keyboard quality is fine (though I'll always prefer a good quality desktop keyboard). Bill, it sounds like your Asus keyboard was broken. And, for stuff like word processing and surfing, it doesn't get hot at all. Much of the time the fan isn't even needed, and I can comfortably rest it on my lap. And the upper surface never gets too hot to handle.
Respectfully
krise madsen
Ender
06-04-2009, 04:34 AM
Check out the Alienware line up. They aren't as pricey as they were before Dell bought them. I bought mine 3 years ago and it has been a dreamboat.
Dravalen
06-04-2009, 07:50 AM
I would stay away from Alienware personally, had numerous friends that had machines die from them. Not to mention that they start around the $2k range when you can pick up a slightly less powerful Asus for ~$1200.
Bill, it sounds like your Asus keyboard was broken.
That one key definitely was, but in general I found the keyboard to lack responsiveness, especially the touchpad. The middle of the keyboard would flex a bit when I was typing too, like there was nothing supporting it underneath. These flaws seem to be unique to this model though; when I played around with some of the other Asus they felt a lot more responsive and sturdy. Maybe they had to cut some corners to keep the price down.
That Asus M50Vm-A1 unfortunately doesn't seem to be available anymore. I like the looks of this new Dell Studio 14z (http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-studio-14z?c=us&cs=19&l=en&ref=lthp&s=dhs): small, good battery life, decent video card, and really light. The lack of an internal drive actually doesn't bother me because I rarely find that I use them anyway. It is a little on the pricey side, but in my price range.
But I think I'll wait to see if I can get my hands on one in a store or find some reviews...
Oghier
06-05-2009, 09:35 AM
Asus is a fine brand. I have owned several, including the F8SN, which is a solid little gaming machine with a 14.4" screen. It performs fine.
If you're willing to move up to a 15.4" screen, the Sager 8992 is a beast :) After reading its praises in the forum at notebookreview.com, I took delivery of one last week. This is probably the most powerful 15" notebook available.
Alienware's offerings in this range have a reputation for overheating. I would stay away from them.
nixon66
06-05-2009, 10:02 AM
Cool, thanks for all the advice! One last question--one about Sony laptops? I've heard good things about their screens, touchpad, and general build quality, but was wondering about their performance. In particular I'm looking at the CS and NS series.
If you were looking at the Sony's I'd stay away from the NS series. It's more of their budget line and build quality shows on that model. The CS are much better, and you could get pink!
Strato
06-07-2009, 04:19 AM
I've got a Toshiba X300, got it a few weeks ago. Not a bad piece of equipment, especially considering the huge amounts of money I paid for it. Anyway, I just thought I'd say the strangest thing about this laptop is it doesn't seem to get hot. My last laptop I owned (also a Toshiba, a P200) I could feel the heat around the edges, but this one it seems to be non-existent. I'm not sure if it is because the main 'vent' or whatever you would call it is out the back, rather than on the sides.
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