Choosing a new laptop: graphics cards?!

DCodd

flossy_splodge wrote: »

This one is suggested on HotUKDeals as a good offer?
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/227402

Now that looks like a decent laptop flossy_splodge. Lenovo are Chinese now I believe (were IBM) but are our choice of business laptop, desktop and server.

The IdeaPad seem to be a cross between the the business spec of the T series and the home spec of the old S series.

Northtim

DCodd wrote: »

Now that looks like a decent laptop flossy_splodge. Lenovo are Chinese now I believe (were IBM) but are our choice of business laptop, desktop and server.

The IdeaPad seem to be a cross between the the business spec of the T series and the home spec of the old S series.

Spooky - I posted the deal on HDUK!!!

I got the laptop delivered yesterday, really pleased with it. Looks very nice, feels well made and runs very fast with i3 processor. 2gb memory is not a lot but doesn't seem to slow it down any. Only slight negative is battery life may not be great - didn't last much over 2 hours after a full change but that was whilst downloading all windows updates and testing media player last night so pretty intensive use and not on economy settings. It has a dedicated graphics card, although not a very high spec one, you should check that is Ok for the lego games, I would have thoughts it would be fine & I looked around a lot - don't think you will find better for the price.

jojo2004

I like the IdeaPad a lot. Are you sure that 2GB of RAM isn't going to end up being too slow in a year or so though? I don't know enough to know about such things!!

DCodd

jojo2004 wrote: »

I like the IdeaPad a lot. Are you sure that 2GB of RAM isn't going to end up being too slow in a year or so though? I don't know enough to know about such things!!

It's a full blown laptop with a screen of 15.6" and 2.5kg but the RAM appears to be ok after trawling a few reviews but you can always add a Gig later.

Northtim

DCodd wrote: »

It's a full blown laptop with a screen of 15.6" and 2.5kg but the RAM appears to be ok after trawling a few reviews but you can always add a Gig later.

I thought I'd try it as was and it seems fine so not going to add extra ram unless i feel it needs it later. There is a spare memory slot and extra 2gb ram would cost £30 and take 5 mins max to fit, manual even shows which screws to undo and how to fit.

Nice gimmicky thing that I like - it has facial recognition when logging in. Webcam comes on & scans you face then opens right user account - no quicker than typing a password but pretty cool!!!

Sound and media playing seem v good for a laptop too - more I use it more impressed I am. Seems v good quality for the money.

flossy_splodge

Could anyone in the know comment on this laptop please?

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_3935_625150.html


Seems an astounding bargain and even with the Windows 7 upgrade the cost is still excellent unless anyone can tell me otherwise?
By the way, screen size preferred is 13.3 or 14" hence the interest in this.
Many thanks. :j

JasX

flossy_splodge wrote: »

Could anyone in the know comment on this laptop please?

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_3935_625150.html


Seems an astounding bargain and even with the Windows 7 upgrade the cost is still excellent unless anyone can tell me otherwise?
By the way, screen size preferred is 13.3 or 14" hence the interest in this.
Many thanks. :j

no dedicated graphics card so unlikely to meet any gaming requirements.

tbh looking at you're requirements you'll likely find you need to compromise somewhere:

jojo2004 wrote: »

13.3" screeen Fine to start with but likely to bump the price up a little for being small and limit processor + graphics power (difficult to get rid of heat from a small space)

Low weight - I travel a lot! -will depend on size

Decent chip - I have a 1.2GHz one atm, and it's frankly too slow! -check CPU benchmarks and requirements suggest you go for dual core if poss but in your pricerange there will be alot of low power CPus on offer so try and work out exactly what you need (eg look at recommended specs for the lego game)

2GB RAM minimum standard these days, easily upgradable later, esp if you keep an eye on chip config (eg 1x 2GB with room spare slot for a second or 2x 1GB meaning both will need to be replaced)

320 GB Hard Drive minimum (would prefer 500!) -won't be affected by anything else except price, upgradable if needs be.

Ethernet port -usually standard but check
Built in wireless card -very standard these days
Built in CD/DVD drive -often dropped from smaller size laptops, may push you to a larger size or external one if you really want this

Built in Webcam and microphone 50-50 if it has this, could you live with an external cam and headset if it had everything else?

Built in speakers always comes as standard but quality will vary wildly, read reviews or consider buying an external set

A good enough graphics card to play things like Lego Harry Potter (whatever I have atm is STRUGGLING to run this: it crashes, or the picture judders around making the game almost unplayable).check benchmarks and look at the recommended spec for the game, you'll need an external

In all you're likely pushing your luck a bit to get everything and on that budget will be looking at one of the lower build quality brands (eg ACER). even with a higher budget (say £700-800) you'd probably find yourself slightly compromising somewhere

Hammyman

jojo2004 wrote: »

I like the IdeaPad a lot. Are you sure that 2GB of RAM isn't going to end up being too slow in a year or so though? I don't know enough to know about such things!!

Absolutely. Laptop makers stuff their cheap low end laptops full of RAM to try and mask a slow processor. The business class ones with proper Core2Duo and higher processors have 2GB in them. All my laptops in my house have 2GB and I do laptops for a business. My desktop is the only thing thats got more than 2GB in and even then it was only because I was doing an update, needed a different type of memory so it made more sense to buy 2x2GB than 2x1GB.

If you want to save money but want a graphics card that'll do gaming, look at a second hand Lenovo Thinkpas T61. Make sure it has the nVidia card as some don't. Its a Core2Duo laptop, is business class so built like a tank and you should be able to pick up a good one for under £200. It may only have 1GB of RAM and a 80GB HDD but RAM is cheap and so is a 250GB hard drive.

flossy_splodge

Personally, I've never thought Acer's were cheap.
This is the one currently in question.
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_3935_625150.html

A budget is a budget and one can after all always want bigger and better.
There is NO requirement for gaming.
Anyone any thoughts on this Acer please?

aliEnRIK

flossy_splodge wrote: »

Personally, I've never thought Acer's were cheap.
This is the one currently in question.
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_3935_625150.html

A budget is a budget and one can after all always want bigger and better.
There is NO requirement for gaming.
Anyone any thoughts on this Acer please?

Seems reasonable enough. Personally id want a bigger screen but clearly the OP as asked for that size for a reason. I see no reason NOT to buy it