Hardware Need help choosing a laptop

[Originality]

Only photoshop? Why didn't you say that back on the first page when we spoke about software.

Every single laptop in this thread meets your needs. 2GB of RAM and any IGP is fine for you, although 4GB is all you will use. You don't need 6GB of RAM, and if you're worried about space, you can always pick up an external drive to store your unnecessary data (1TB is £50, or £75 for the 2.5" version).

Minecraft will lag no matter what you do - it's just like that. The larger the rendering distance, the greater the strain on the graphics and that's not something you can really manage with a laptop without getting a much stronger GPU (something like HD5650M minimum), and that you can't usually get without stepping into the £700 range. But any of these laptops should at least be able to play it.

 

[R4Liam]

I'm sure I will be using more strenuous programs but I will leave that for when I'm on the Mac desktop computers at the uni. I just want a laptop that will never stall or lag when I'm using say 4/5 normal programs at once.

If I set rendering distance on Minecraft to normal it wont lag at all will it?

Won't having a dedicated graphics card allow for smooth 3D games?

 

[Deleted User]

I just started a new job so I've been busy lately. Sorry about that. Anyway, it seems as if you've either lowered your expectations/requirements or been more specific about them; this is good. But yes, any of the laptops that you've posted in this thread (standard is 4GB of RAM) will be able to run 3-4 programs at once.

At this price-point the 2nd Gen SandyBridge laptop is the better choice because you'll be hard-pressed to find a mid-range discrete GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)/(Graphics Card) at this price-range. HD 3000 Integrated Graphics Processors (IGP) are much more capable than past generations.

You'll definitely be able to play MineCraft, but if you want to increase the rendering distance; then you will *need* a discrete graphics card around or more powerful than the Mobility 5650 Originality mentioned. The 315/310M cards are entry level GPU's that are not advantageous over the HD3000 graphics and not worth the extra price tag (if any).

 

[R4Liam]

by discrete graphics card does that mean dedicated graphics card?

Would you say this http://www.dixons.co.uk/gbuk/acer-aspire-5...933587-pdt.html

Laptop is better than the PB as it has 6gb RAM and 640 GB HDD and seemingly better sound, screen, battery and HDMI connectivity?

The only difference with it (the ACER) is that it is an i3 2nd gen instead of the PB's i5 2nd gen.

 

[Originality]

Discrete graphics means that the graphics processing unit (GPU) is not part of the CPU/motherboard specification, and has been added by the manufacturer. It will have dedicated memory (memory from it's own VRAM, instead of sharing the system RAM). Note that there is no "graphics card" in a laptop - generally you can never upgrade laptop graphics (which is what "card" implies).

The extra 2GB of RAM that Acer has is not worth the reduced CPU power of the Core i3-2310M compared to the Core i5-2410M in the PB laptop. An extra 140GB is certainly not worth picking one laptop over another, since getting an extra terabyte is so cheap. Screen quality is something you can't judge until you find a LOT of reviews. Laptop sounds are universally bad in the sub-£800 range. HDMI is only useful if you'll be watching videos on huge TVs. You're a student - you won't have time fir huge TVs. Whilst the PB laptop doesn't have HDMI, it has a third USB port that is USB 3.0. The Acer laptop only has 2 USB 2.0 ports.

Make your choice. When you're happy with your choice, look up reviews online for that particular laptop. Look up reviews for the other laptops if you like, as it may change your choice. Do all this homework and you'll probably end up happy with the choice you've made.

 

[R4Liam]

Okay I have found two more that seem quite good:

The HP G6-1155SA

The Intel Core i5-2410M processor
4GB RAM and 640GB hard drive
15.6in display
DVD SuperMulti drive
Integrated graphics
802.11 b/g/n WiFi
SRS Surround Sound
3x USB 2.0; HDMI; multi card reader
Altec Lansing speakers
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium

The Lenovo G570

Processor: Intel Core i5-2410M with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 (2.30 GHz)
Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Display: 15.6 inch WXGA high-definition LED backlight, 16:9 widescreen (1366 x 768)
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 3000
Memory: 4 Gb DDR3 DRAM 1066 MHz (8 Gb max.)
Hard Drive: 500 Gb 5400 rpm SATA
Optical Drive: DVDRW
Sound: 2.0 speakers (2 x 1.5 W) with 3D surround sound enhancement
Integrated Communications: Ethernet NIC, Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN (1 x 2), Lenovo Wireless b/g/n
Connectivity: 4 x USB 2.0, 5-in-1 card reader (MMC/MS/MS pro/SD/XD), headphones, mic, VGA, HDMI, Bluetooth, Kensington lock
Camera: 0.3MP integrated web camera
Weight: 2.55 Kg
Dimensions (WxDxH): 377 x 245 x 17.3-34.9 mm
Battery: 6 cell

 

[Originality]

Lots of people like Lenovo laptops. Lots of people don't like HP laptops. Find reviews on them if you like the looks of them. The reviews tell you of any inherent problems, like HPs all-too-frequent cooling problems.

Through this thread, you should already know everything you need Ti know to pick a good laptop. Take the next step and learn to use google to find a whole bunch of reviews for any particular laptop. That will actually give you far more information than we can provide at this forum. After all, how many of the experienced users here have all these different models of laptops at hand to tell you which are good and which are bad? Seek out reviews from people who actually got the laptops and use them and actually know what it's like to use them.

You can also just try going into PC World or curries digital and looking at the display models, but all too often they don't stock the latest models. Still worth going there and asking the assistants for advice.

 

[R4Liam]

If anyone wanted to know in the end I went with the lenovo G570

thank you all for your help I would have probably chose an awful laptop otherwise and I learned a lot in the process!