Hardware College Laptop - Which One

[IchigoK2031]

For college I have narrowed it down to 2 laptops, help me pick one

:

1. HP Envy 14

Intel® Core™ i5-480M(2.66 GHz) Turboost to 2.93 GHz processor
4GB DDR3 RAM
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650
750 GB Hardrive (5400 RPM)

2. Sony Vaio S Series

Intel® Core™ i5-2410M (Sandy Bridge) (2.30 GHz) Turboost to 2.93 GHz
4GB DDR3 RAM
AMD Radeon™ HD 6470M
500 GB Hardrive (5400 RPM)

thank you! :3

 

[Satangel]

Obviously the second choice. Sandy Bridge rocks and the graphics card is also a bit better.
You can always get a cheap external HD if you need more space.

 

[Rydian]

What are you going to be doing?

 

[IchigoK2031]

Light gaming, video and photo editing, and of course schoolwork. :]

 

[Rydian]

"Light gaming" as in what?
Frequency, or the requirements of the titles?

 

[m3rox]

I can tell you from experience that Sony's Vaio brand are good computers. I've had my Vaio desktop computer since 2001 and it's still performing nicely on XP SP3.

 

[Deleted User]

Get the sandy-bridge for the battery life.

 

[Originality]

Here's some additional information from reviews.

HP Envy 14 review:
It has 3-5h battery life (can have a secondary battery put inside, effectively doubling battery life, but it's not cheap), a mousepad that gets incredibly irritating to use, but it does have an interesting laser-etched design. Switchable graphics can allow for better battery life, but since it's AMD graphics the transfer isn't as smooth as nVidia Optimus.

Sony Vaio S series review:
Sony claim a 7h battery life on "stamina mode" (their version of switchable graphics), and it has an option for a secondary battery as well. Option for a version of Linux that boots in 15 seconds (Asus ExpressGate?) for basic tasks like emails/internet. Comes with BluRay. Rumours that some of the S series has 3G connectivity (requires SIM), but my quick search can't confirm that.

The Sony Vaio S series (at least the 2011 version) seems like a much better choice to me on every front.

 

[IchigoK2031]

@Rydian, by Light gaming I mean like...Starcraft II, nothing incredibly graphics intensive, like Crysis or its successor. :3
Thanks Originality for the reviews

 

[Jotokun]

Cant stand either company, but between those two definitely choose the Sony if we're strictly talking specs.

 

[IchigoK2031]

I'm open to options, what would YOU recommend Jotokun? :3

 

[Originality]

There's always Acer, Samsung and Toshiba. Plenty to choose from if you don't like the overpriced Sony or the gimmicky HP.

EDIT: I wish at least some of the people that vote HP would post their reasons for it.

 

[IchigoK2031]

I would like that also, b/c if you base it on specs alone the Vaio wins...its just that... i think the build quality for the envy is a bit better.

 

[Law]

@Rydian, by Light gaming I mean like...Starcraft II, nothing incredibly graphics intensive, like Crysis or its successor. :3
Thanks Originality for the reviews

Crysis is an old game, and Crysis 2 isn't a huge leap from it since it was made with consoles in mind. Both of those laptops should be able to run either.

Seriously people need to stop using Crysis as a benchmark, loads of people on GBAtemp seem to do so for some reason but there are far more taxing games out there now.

 

[chyyran]

Even though I'm anti-Sony, I have to go with the VAIO, mainly because I have bad experiences with HP Computers.

 

[CrimzonEyed]

What price ranges?

 

[Ritsuki]

Never trust HP. I'd go for the Vaio personally. Sandy bridge + better video card = better for games. And Vaio screens are usually good.

 

[stinkoman]

Vaio, I don't like HP.

 

[CrimzonEyed]

If you have the money go for one of those two: http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model/LX.R6Q02.025
or
for a lower budget one of those six: http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model/LX.PZS02.082

 

[IchigoK2031]

My budget is 1000 max, for those of you who want to make other recommendations