Choosing a notebook...

[salanos]

Hey guys, I'm heading for an engineering course this year and I've been told by the school that engineering students are required to buy a notebook, so I've been looking about and thinking about what to get.

Know first thing of my country; Singapore, which is much more limited compared to western countries, so I've got less choices or configurations around. I don't get ultra-performance, OEMs or high level brands such as Falcon Northwest, Velocity Micro, Sager, Clevo, etc. here.
Most of the more familiar ones like Lenovo, HP/Compaq, Dell (and Alienware), Sony, Toshiba and Fujitsu are available here though.

What it'll be doing
As far as I know the engineering school computers use UniGraphics (now known as Siemens NX) on Windows systems for CAD, so I'm going to need something capable of handling that sort of workload. Professional graphics chips aren't a must, but would probably help.
Next, the system's going to cover my general work and activities (which include web browsing, wireless surfing, Bluetooth (don't ask why) and some media creation.
It's also gonna be occupying some of my time with gaming, so it's got to have a decent enough dedicated graphics chip (GT230M, MobiRad HD 4670, etc.). A couple games for reference would be BioShock 2 and Bad Company 2.

Other things?
Can't be too expensive, though if it's worth the money I'm flexible, but I'm not going to like S$4000.
Since I'll be lugging it about all day nearly everyday, it's gotta be light enough (big is fine, I just need light) and have a decent enough battery life (3+hours at least please).

What am I considering so far?
Alienware M11x
- configured, $1,976.12, Core 2 Duo SU7300, 4GB RAM, 500GB 7200RPM, Windows 7 Pro-64, GT335M
- configured, $2,660.92, Core 2 Duo SU7300, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Windows 7 Pro-64, GT335M
It's 2kg, small and gaming-grade. Not much else to say, although I'm concerned about the ULV processor.

Sony VAIO CW VPCCW26FG/B - $1,799
Core i5 520M, GT330M, 4GB RAM, Windows 7 Premium-64
It's not too heavy, isn't expensive for the performance and seems a good investment.


So far I'm really just looking at those two, but I'm open to suggestions.
Thanks in advance, guys.

[mill0286]

love the sony, excellent performance, however sony underclocks the gt 330m by 10 to 20 %, nvidia system tools will fix that

[salanos]

Oh, forgot to mention the HP Envy-15 which is (crazilly) priced at $3,699.
For the money though, I get:
Core i7 720QM
8GB DDR3-1066 RAM
Mobility Radeon HD 4830 with 1024MB memory
6 and 9 cell batteries
15" 1920x1080 screen, 2.35kg aluminium chassis

Considering specifications it's a lot of stuff for the money in a sleek chassis, but I've heard reports and overheating complaints.

[MM10X]

Originally Posted by salanos

Oh, forgot to mention the HP Envy-15 which is (crazilly) priced at $3,699.
For the money though, I get:
Core i7 720QM
8GB DDR3-1066 RAM
Mobility Radeon HD 4830 with 1024MB memory
6 and 9 cell batteries
15" 1920x1080 screen, 2.35kg aluminium chassis

Considering specifications it's a lot of stuff for the money in a sleek chassis, but I've heard reports and overheating complaints.

alienware M15x is a better deal than this.

BTW i'de vote for one with a faster CPU. i have a alienware M5550 with a 1.83Ghz dual core an 9600m GS overclocked to the speeds of a 9700m GT(about as powerful as a GT 330m) and it has a CPU bottleneck in bad company 2, so if you want to play BC2 a 2.1Ghz duo or faster would be best.(such as the i5 520m)

[Randolph]

Originally Posted by salanos

Oh, forgot to mention the HP Envy-15 which is (crazilly) priced at $3,699.
For the money though, I get:
Core i7 720QM
8GB DDR3-1066 RAM
Mobility Radeon HD 4830 with 1024MB memory
6 and 9 cell batteries
15" 1920x1080 screen, 2.35kg aluminium chassis

Considering specifications it's a lot of stuff for the money in a sleek chassis, but I've heard reports and overheating complaints.

Alienware M17 x, extreme game to change your game concept model $2999.


Intel ® Core ™ 2 Quad processor Q9000 (2GHz / 1066 FSB / 6MB cache)
With TrueLife technology, 17.0 "super high definition (900p) WXGA + CCFL display (1440x900)
SLI ™ dual graphics NVIDIA ® GeForce ® GTX 280M, with 1GB GDDR3 dedicated graphics memory
4GB (2X2GB) 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM memory
500GB SATA hard drive (7200 rpm)

[snip3r_3]

I'll say get the Sony, the CW is a decent machine, though I personally picked the S series over the CW due to weight, form factor, and battery times.

The Alienware's CPU is too weak for those applications. CAD may require a half-decent GPU for the viewport, but the CPU is used for nearly everything else. The Envy... That's pretty expensive. I'd go for a Sony Z series at that price.

[salanos]

Originally Posted by snip3r_3

I'll say get the Sony, the CW is a decent machine, though I personally picked the S series over the CW due to weight, form factor, and battery times.

The Alienware's CPU is too weak for those applications. CAD may require a half-decent GPU for the viewport, but the CPU is used for nearly everything else. The Envy... That's pretty expensive. I'd go for a Sony Z series at that price.

Any suggestions for a laptop with professional graphics? i.e. Quadro/FirePRO 3D

[death__machine]

Stick with either sony, dell, alienware, or asus
dont even bother for hp or acers, they will give you a lot of problems, trust me.
In 2 years in the city I am new in I have seen atleast a dozen comps hps with hardware problems.

And the sony seems a better option here for your case.

[ManicOne]

Asus G73JH. Just ordered my A1 model a few days ago. About $1600 USD ($2350 AUD where I'm at.) Not sure what in SD but better specs than the HP. 17.3 1080P LED LCD, Mobility 5870 (!!!). Glad to be back to gaming

[salanos]

Originally Posted by MM10X

alienware M15x is a better deal than this.

BTW i'de vote for one with a faster CPU. i have a alienware M5550 with a 1.83Ghz dual core an 9600m GS overclocked to the speeds of a 9700m GT(about as powerful as a GT 330m) and it has a CPU bottleneck in bad company 2, so if you want to play BC2 a 2.1Ghz duo or faster would be best.(such as the i5 520m)

Speaking of the M15x, I just saw it available at a store for $2,999. Core i7-720QM, 4GB RAM, GTX-260M, 500GB 7200-RPM HDD, 9 cell battery, Metallic-Nebula-Red (lords above, it was gorgeous), 1920x1080 (F-HD-WUXGA), Windows 7 Home Premium-64 and an accompanying Targus Synergy Backpack. Been considering it. Probably will be $2,799 or even less at next month's IT fair.

Originally Posted by death__machine

Stick with either sony, dell, alienware, or asus
dont even bother for hp or acers, they will give you a lot of problems, trust me.
In 2 years in the city I am new in I have seen atleast a dozen comps hps with hardware problems.

And the sony seems a better option here for your case.

My sister's HP fried pretty quick and I'm not too fond of their support. Acer also isn't particularly high on my list, as along with HP, it's been found to be one of the most-prone-to-fail.
One of the things is though that Sony downclocks the GT330M (or is using a reduced-power variant) and they sadly lack a more aggressive aesthetic that I favor (I'm a really aesthetic person, unfortunately). But from a compromisation standpoint, the Sony VAIO CW is indeed the best choice I suppose.

Originally Posted by ManicOne

Asus G73JH. Just ordered my A1 model a few days ago. About $1600 USD ($2350 AUD where I'm at.) Not sure what in SD but better specs than the HP. 17.3 1080P LED LCD, Mobility 5870 (!!!). Glad to be back to gaming

1. Too heavy and large, thus extremely cumbersome. I need a mobile system that's preferrably less then 3kg as I (probably) have to lug this thing to school daily and carry it about between classes
2. Probably going to be $3399+ where I am (a similarly specified G51J costs some US$1599 on NewEgg, but is $2998 for me)
3. By the time it gets here I'll probably have bought another laptop (new models, especially from ASUS, can take a months to arrive here, and G-models especially, have low allocation to my country).

But the G73 is a pretty awesome laptop though.



EDIT: Lil bad news. The M11x seems to be going up in price on the online configurator...
Also store-based preconfigured versions of Alienware/Dell laptops seem to be some $100~$500 cheaper.

[salanos]

Ach, bump; New contender:
ASUS N61Jq-X
http://sg.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=ZfpnPRZ5UxVOtrHJ

Core i7 720QM, Mobility Radeon HD 5730 (!), USB 3.0
Screen resolution seems kinda bad again though. Est. price: $1,899

[DaddyD302]

Originally Posted by salanos

Ach, bump; New contender:
ASUS N61Jq-X
http://sg.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=ZfpnPRZ5UxVOtrHJ

Core i7 720QM, Mobility Radeon HD 5730 (!), USB 3.0
Screen resolution seems kinda bad again though. Est. price: $1,899

That's almost as big as the G73. The G73 is not that heavy and not that big. I thought it be bigger but seeing it in person, it's not that big. If you prefer something smaller, you can check out the Asus G51Jx. You can check out xoticpc and yes they do ship overseas.

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-g51jxa1-order-p-2724.html

[salanos]

Originally Posted by DaddyD302

That's almost as big as the G73. The G73 is not that heavy and not that big. I thought it be bigger but seeing it in person, it's not that big. If you prefer something smaller, you can check out the Asus G51Jx. You can check out xoticpc and yes they do ship overseas.

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-g51jxa1-order-p-2724.html

I will be buying locally in two weeks at the upcoming IT show, and I did see the G51JX recently - $2998, Core i7-720QM, 8GB RAM (?!), GTS 360M. Can't remember specs like the screen and HDD though.

The N61Jq-X is a 15.6" laptop that is about 2.93kg, it's a fair more portable then the G73 (17", 3.6kg)... (would've sworn the G73JH was supposed to be 5kg though...)
But, I suppose, if I see it at the show and it's not as overwhelmingly expensive as I expect it to be here, then I might buy it, since it's a bit less heavy then the M15x will be, even if it's larger.
But, estimated price would be somewhere like $3500 here, since it's above the G51-JX in specs and size. Gah...
The Xotic G51Jx there is more expensive then it would be here, and I'm not willing to pay through my nose just to get it shipped in to Singapore.

EDIT: looking at user photos of the G73JH, it does seem to be fairly modestly sized and thus not bulky and for a 17", 3.6kg is actually pretty light. I'm taking a very good long look at this monster, it's got a high spot on my list next to the M15x. Just lacks the bling factor I like so much.

Originally Posted by zipper

Isn't it crippled by GDDR3 memory? 5750 and 5770 have GDDR5.

It's not a massive cripple. The 5730 isn't really that madly fast to have to really worry about memory bandwidth.




I guess I should stop being a sucker for the badass design of the M15x though.

[zipper]

Originally Posted by salanos

Mobility Radeon HD 5730 (!),

Isn't it crippled by GDDR3 memory? 5750 and 5770 have GDDR5.

[salanos]

Quick help needed, buying tomorrow.

Utterly disappointed since the G73Jh is unavailable (though as expected).

I'm looking between the:


G51Jx - $2998
Core i7-720QM
8GB RAM
500GB-7200RPM
GeForce GTS 360M 1024MB GDDR5
Blu-Ray DVDRW combo drive
15.6" 1920x1080 LED screen
Altec Lansing branded stereo speakers with Creative software enhancement
802.11n + BlueTooth EDR 2.1
Windows 7 Premium 64
6 cell battery
2 year ASUS international warranty
Norman Security Suite, JBL Creature III speakers, gaming headset, RoG backpack, gaming mouse.


N61Jq - $2098
Core i7-720QM
4GB RAM
640GB-5400RPM
ATi Mobility Radeon HD5730 1024MB GDDR3
Blu-Ray DVDRW combo drive
16" 1366x768 LED screen
Altec Lansing branded stereo speakers with ASUS SonicMaster design
802.11n + BlueTooth EDR 2.1
Windows 7 Premium 64
6 cell battery
2 year ASUS international warranty
Norman Security, Fujifilm slim camera, optical mouse, ASUS branded breifcase


M15x - $3099
Core i7-720QM
8GB DDR3-1333 RAM
500GB-7200RPM
GeForce GTX 260M
8x slot load DVDRW
15.6" 1920x1080 WLED screen
Stereo speakers
802.11n + BlueTooth EDR 2.1
Windows 7 Premium 64
6 cell battery
1 year global next business day on-site XPS Premier Service with 1 year complete cover
McAfee Security - 24 months, Targus Synergy Designed for Dell carrying case/backpack, optical mouse


If any of you guys happen to need some sort of advantages/disadvantages list, here's what I have;

G51JX Advantages:
OVerall better bundles
Best weight/performance ratio
Numpad
Backlit keyboard
Aggressive paintjob on the front
'Maxed out', middle performer of the trio
CPU Level Up technology for overclocking
EAX software

G51JX disadvantages:
Screen seemed a little dull
Keyboard feels a bit 'squashed'
Front paint is a smudgewhore
GeForce GTS 360M is essentially outdated technology


N61Jq advantages:
The latest tech - DirectX11 capable Mobility Radeon HD 5730 USB 3.0 port
More efficient, the most battery life of all notebooks
Best performance/price ratio
ASUS SonicMaster for (supposedly) superior audio quality
VideoMagic for (supposedly) superior video quality
Larger hard drive
Larger screen by .4"
Comes with a free camera
Lower resolution means it can obtain frame rates even with the slower GPU (?)
Lightest

N61Jq disadvantages:
Screen resolution is merely 1366x768
GPU is approximately a bit slower then the other two's
RAM is lower, 4GB
Hard drive is 5400RPM
Looks kind of 'meh'
No backlit keyboard


M15x Advantages:
Badassery
Fastest, with the GTX 260M
AlienFX lighting
Feels the toughest
Very little bloatware preinstalled
Dell warranty is next-business-day on-site, XPS Premier is (supposedly) priority service
Accidental damage warranty offered
Screen seems to be the most vivid

M15x Disadvantages:
GTX 260M is much older then it really should be (basically a 8800GT)
Warranty shortest
Toughest, maybe, but also the heaviest (and feels like it)
No Blu-ray drive preconfigured (?)
Warranty only one year
Bundle is extremely lacking
Most expensive
Trackpad is a piece of crap

[MM10X]

G51 gets my vote.

[salanos]

I just found out I can preorder a G73Jh (est. delivery about early April?) for just $2,708. I think I'll hold out for that, and just use the K40AF/A42Jr/UL80VT/whatever I'm going to get for my mother in the time being.

[Hekynn]

Look up the MSI GE600 gaming notebook it'll do Crysis just at medium custom settings. Plus its HALF THE PRICE of those 1-3k notebooks you've been looking at. Its at Newegg too.