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Budget laptop suggestions?

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  • 20-11-2014 4:07pm
    #1
    Billy86
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,495 ✭✭✭✭


    My old laptop has recently gone to computer heaven, so I'm looking around but struggling to find any particular standouts, so just wondering if anyone has any recommendations? I'm not too picky, but since I play the odd game here or there (closet Civ nerd :p ) and will be travelling after New Years, there are a few specs I am quite particular about - at least 4 GB RAM and a good, solid amount of battery life.

    Otherwise I would strongly lean towards a laptop with actual, physical left/right mouse buttons (had a terrible experience with my old one, a Lenovo that would click itself a lot and would make it's own mind up on if I left or right clicked, even if I went to the very, very corner of the pad to click it), and if it has a detachable touchscreen that would be nice but it's not really a big priority. Likewise, built in Office would be nice but I found some decent, free alternatives that convert without any issues on my old Lenovo so again it's far from a top priority - really just focused on RAM, battery life, and preferably physical keyboard buttons.

    In a perfect world I would be looking around €400 or as low as can go since I don't want to eat into my travel budget any more than I have to, but if something is worth it I would be willing to go a little bit higher. Though let me know if I'm being unrealistic here since I've only bought two before this and have less patience shopping for them than I do for shoes! :D


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    #2
    notmymark
    Registered Users Posts: 104 ✭✭notmymark


    Like always on a budget, compromise is going to be key!!!

    There are some nice portable laptops and 2-in1 in your price range but with lower specs. There are also loads of "desktop replacement" laptops that meet most of your requirements but are not very portable.

    What is most important to you?


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    #3
    Billy86
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,495 ✭✭✭✭Billy86


    I've done more checking and come across some decent options. This would have been ideal from what I can tell of it (having to do a lot of Googling for graphics/processor specs) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834318252 - but kind of infuriatingly they refuse to sell it to Irish customers, despite shipping various other laptops here.

    I've a few free hours ahead of me now so I'll be doing a look over the 10 or so I've narrowed it down to, mainly variations of the Lenovo G505S and Acer Aspire v5 models. What I'm looking at is minimum Intel I-3 processor at least close to 2.5GHz, 8GB ram (or at least with the capacity to be upgraded to it) and around Intel 4000 HD graphics or better, and ideally good battery life. I'm not overly bothered about appearance or size (13"-17" is grand), HD size since I'll likely be getting a 2-3TB external one to ram full of stuff before heading off or an SSD reader since a USB ported one can be got fairly cheap.

    I've noticed the 2-in-1 option is looking less likely given what I'm looking for so it's likely leaning towards more "desktop replacement", HD, SSD, etc are not high priority since they're easy and fairly cheap to add after the fact. Really the main priorities seem to be processor type and speed being good, graphics card being pretty solid, either 6-8 GB RAM or the ability to go up to it, and preferably under €450 or thereabouts.


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    #4
    Ballyv24
    Registered Users Posts: 1,144 ✭✭✭Ballyv24


    Give these guys a call (http://www.adverts.ie/shops/atlanticit/) You will find their number in the comments section of some of the adverts.

    They mostly have 2nd hand enterprise computers (well built). I ordered a desktop and laptop off them separately and both were in great condition. Better off calling them too to see what they have in stock.


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    #5
    Billy86
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,495 ✭✭✭✭Billy86


    Billy86 wrote: »
    I've done more checking and come across some decent options. This would have been ideal from what I can tell of it (having to do a lot of Googling for graphics/processor specs) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834318252 - but kind of infuriatingly they refuse to sell it to Irish customers, despite shipping various other laptops here.
    Funny little anecdote - I stumbled on a website called MyUS who specialise for these situations. You ship the item to their US address if companies do not ship internationally, and they ship it on to you you from there. So I gave them a call just to ensure that was their exact role, since there is a $10 sign up fee, and likely another small fee for the shipping.

    Apparently certain computers are protected from international shipping due to the hardware/programming in them as a security issue, when it was discovered that old SNES consoles from certain parts of the world could be rigged to mess with the controls of warheads and the like in other parts of the world somehow!? The guy explained it better than I am here, but surely he was pulling my leg? That is bloody insane!! :D


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    #6
    TerrorFirmer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    Billy86 wrote: »
    I've done more checking and come across some decent options. This would have been ideal from what I can tell of it (having to do a lot of Googling for graphics/processor specs) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834318252 - but kind of infuriatingly they refuse to sell it to Irish customers, despite shipping various other laptops here.

    Why though? Between the cost and customs charges, it would be the same buying it new in the EU really. And a hell of a lot easier if warranty issues arise!


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    #7
    Billy86
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,495 ✭✭✭✭Billy86


    TerrorFirmer wrote: »
    Why though? Between the cost and customs charges, it would be the same buying it new in the EU really. And a hell of a lot easier if warranty issues arise!

    It just hit everything I was looking for, and I can't find it with those specs anywhere - anything close is coming in at around double the price.

    Anyway, in the end I've gone with a Latitude E6410, Intel i7 M640 2.80Ghz, 8GB RAM, Nvidia NVS 3100M graphics with 512Mb off AtlanticIT at €450, was a little over budget but seemed to hit everything I needed, has a six month warranty just in case, plus they're based in Castlebar where half my family are from and threw in a few extras pretty much for free... Cheers for the tip Ballyv24!


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    #8
    TerrorFirmer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    Billy86 wrote: »
    It just hit everything I was looking for, and I can't find it with those specs anywhere - anything close is coming in at around double the price.

    Anyway, in the end I've gone with a Latitude E6410, Intel i7 M640 2.80Ghz, 8GB RAM, Nvidia NVS 3100M graphics with 512Mb off AtlanticIT at €450, was a little over budget but seemed to hit everything I needed, has a six month warranty just in case, plus they're based in Castlebar where half my family are from and threw in a few extras pretty much for free... Cheers for the tip Ballyv24!

    That was a bad choice. That's a first generation i7 over 4 years old, and the NVS is ancient and useless for any task that actually requires video grunt. The laptop is worth about €250 tops.

    Something like this trashes that laptop and is brand new.


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    #9
    Ballyv24
    Registered Users Posts: 1,144 ✭✭✭Ballyv24


    Billy86 wrote: »
    Anyway, in the end I've gone with a Latitude E6410, Intel i7 M640 2.80Ghz, 8GB RAM, Nvidia NVS 3100M graphics with 512Mb off AtlanticIT at €450, was a little over budget but seemed to hit everything I needed, has a six month warranty just in case, plus they're based in Castlebar where half my family are from and threw in a few extras pretty much for free... Cheers for the tip Ballyv24!

    No bother. Sound's like a good laptop. I got a Lenovo t510 from them during the week. Ugly laptop, but rock solid


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    #10
    TerrorFirmer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    I would cancel that if you can.

    Just had a quick look on Ebay and plenty of E6410's with the same spec for about €270, and there are the i5 model's for about €200.

    As I said they're 1st gen i5's and i7's, so closer to the lower end of current generation processors like the Pentium range performance wise.

    People get caught out quite a lot with this, people just see i3/i5/i7 and think top of the line.

    Whereas a standard €399 4th gen i3 laptop would outperform this machine no problem, as well as have better graphics, bigger hard drive, full warranty, and so on.


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    #11
    Billy86
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,495 ✭✭✭✭Billy86


    Haven't finalised payment or anything yet so I'll look into it, cheers for the heads up. Turns out I confused the graphics card so it might not have been a perfect fit anyway - I don't play many games at all, but would buy the odd Civilization title or what have you.


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    #12
    TerrorFirmer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    If you really want to buy something second hand, something like this is far, far better buy and is €100 cheaper.

    Nicer laptop, better screen, and it's a newer and much faster i7 - it's a proper quad core with 8 threads, versus the first gen i7 dual core-four thread.

    Have a look around! Ebay is great for 2nd hand laptops.


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    #13
    Ballyv24
    Registered Users Posts: 1,144 ✭✭✭Ballyv24


    TerrorFirmer wrote: »
    If you really want to buy something second hand, something like this is far, far better buy and is €100 cheaper.

    Nicer laptop, better screen, and it's a newer and much faster i7 - it's a proper quad core with 8 threads, versus the first gen i7 dual core-four thread.

    Have a look around! Ebay is great for 2nd hand laptops.

    Careful with Ebay laptops and the keyboard and OS language. I did manage to get a laptop from Germany with a UK keyboard. So make sure that you verify the keyboard layout.


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    #14
    Billy86
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,495 ✭✭✭✭Billy86


    Just another question since I'll need to do some more looking around it seems, how can you tell what generation a processor is? I know I can Google it through the code, and I've picked up Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge/Haswell, and 3XXX/4XXX/etc... but a lot of places are just listing as "Intel Core i3 2.4GHz" (from the Zoostorm laptop link above, for example) which doesn't really give anything away. Is there a specified time when Intel just completely discontinue one generation and move onto the next, or is it completely "guess at your own risk" type stuff?


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    #15
    Billy86
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,495 ✭✭✭✭Billy86


    Right, so I've narrowed it down to 3 alternatives after taking things into consideration - curious if anyone can see any red flags I might be missing?

    http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Refurb_Asus_X550CA-CJ677H-i5-3337U_8G_1TB_W8_15.6_a1-X550CA-CJ677H/version.asp
    - A return, but listed as 'A1' so must have barely been used if at all and by the looks of it is really good for €425 without any additions needed.

    http://www.dabs.ie/products/acer-travelmate-p245-m-intel-core-i5-4200u-4gb-500gb-14--windows-7-professional-99GQ.html?refs=54590000-15&src=3#usedstock
    - Another return but is listed as being in very good order barring that they wiped the software when restoring it (I presume) which isn't an issue for me. Would need to add 4GB RAM but that would only bring it to marginally more expensive than the other one above, and it has the added advantage of being fourth generation I-5 processor with Intel 4400 HD graphics. Seems the better option, but it's user reviews on websites are a bit inconsistent which is a worry.

    http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Acer_Aspire_E5-571_4th_Gen_Core_i5_4GB_500GB_Windows_8.1_Laptop_in_Black__NX.ML8EK.015/version.asp
    - Fourth generation I5, Intel 4400 HD graphics and it's brand new! Though factoring in a RAM upgrade it would likely come to €70-80 or so more than the other two. Aspire's seem to get pretty solid reviews (I would be doing some light gaming like Civilization, messing about with a bit of photoshop and editing but only as a hobby nothing professional, watching TV/movies/sports, and just general use)... worth the mark up?


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    #16
    bmm
    Registered Users Posts: 912 ✭✭✭bmm


    TerrorFirmer wrote: »
    If you really want to buy something second hand, something like this is far, far better buy and is €100 cheaper.

    Careful with this ! HDD shows 128gb in photo but adverts shows 320gb!!


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    #17
    Billy86
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,495 ✭✭✭✭Billy86


    Bit the bullet and went over budget with this at €530 on laptopsdirect.ie listed as 'A1' quality refurbished - http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Refurb_Toshiba_Satellite_C55-A-1N1_a1-PSCGJE-00E004EN/version.asp

    Core i5-4200M 2.5/3.1GHz processor, Intel 4600 HD, 8GB RAM and 1TB HD. Mixed reviews on battery life is the only worry, but it wasn't a deal breaker and the 4.5 hours estimate is acceptable if accurate. Three things that got bad ratings all around were a slightly flimsy build, it doesn't look great, and the sound quality is poor. To be honest none of them really bother me - I've had two Toshiba's before and they held up brilliantly for a long time, were surprisingly durable despite having the same build issues I read about for this one, plus I have a very good set of headphones and you can get pretty decent external speakers the size of a ping pong ball or pack of cards (so no hassle for travelling with) for €10-15. Also the larger HD should mean I won't need to spend extra on an external one for a while, which helps offset the price difference.


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