What Laptop to Choose [Archive] - TBCS Community Forums

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Outlaw

01-31-2011, 04:51 PM

I found this while at the store. 999.99 originally, and 899.99 until Feb 5th.
Toshiba Satellite® A665-S5183 (http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/900033/Toshiba-Satellite-A665-S5183-Laptop-Computer/)

Specs:
CPU- Core™ i7-2630QM (2Ghz)
HDD- 500GB (5400RPM)
RAM- 6GB DDR3
GFX- Geforce GT 540M
RES- 1366x768 (15.6")
NET- Gigabit/Wifi-N

Was comparing to two different Asus models which are more money.

First: $1199
Asus G73JH-BST7 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i7+Processor+/+17.3%22+Display+/+6GB+Memory+/+640GB+Hard+Drive+-+Black/1257894.p?id=1218243761956&skuId=1257894)
Specs:
CPU- Core™ i7-740QM (1.73Ghz)
HDD- 640GB (5400RPM)
RAM- 6GB DDR3
GFX- Radeon HD 5870
RES- 1600x900 (17.3")
NET- Gigabit/Wifi

Second: $1449
Asus G73JW-XA1 (http://www.amazon.com/G73JW-XA1-Republic-Gamers-17-3-Inch-Gaming/dp/B0044BCZ0E/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1296505808&sr=1-2)
Specs:
CPU- Core™ Intel i7-740QM (1.73Ghz)
HDD- 750GB (7200RPM)
RAM- 8GB DDR3
GFX- Geforce GTX 460m
RES- 1920x1080 (17.3")
NET- Gigabit/Wifi-BG

Aside from some of the obvious stuff... is the Toshiba good even at full prices of $1000. I am more of a desktop hardware person. I've searched the graphics cards on notebookcheck and the 5870 and the 460 are about the same performance wise. The 540 is where my main concern was. According to notebookcheck (reference only) it is in the upper portion of the 2nd class. Based on some of the games played and fps, it seems like it would work for almost all of todays games, just not necessarily with maxed eye candy, which I understand is hard to do in a laptop.

I'm not worried about the 15.6" vs the 17". Honestly I wouldn't mind the 15 as it would make it a little more portable plus with the HDMI out I could hook up my tv or 23" monitor if necessary.

I did find a review by notebookcheck (http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Acer-Aspire-5742G-Notebook-GT-540M.44625.0.html) on an acer with the graphics card, 15.6" screen, 8gb ram and i5 and seemed to do OK at med settings on Risen, Metro 2033 and Battlefield: BC2.

While I'm looking for myself, my boss is also looking for one. We aren't going to be buying tomorrow, but any input is greatly appreciated. Also, my search is not partial to either brands. I am Nvidia biased for the most part but if performance to cost points to ATI, I'm game. I would like to stay under 1200 and even less is better (hence the Toshiba which seems like a nice system).

Thanks as always,
Outlaw

Airbozo

01-31-2011, 05:26 PM

I have the Asus G73JH (A1 I think (the one with the ATI GFX and raid setup)) and I love it!

I hate the smaller screens so I am biased.

This thing is heavy though. Mine came with a backpack and gaming mouse. The backpack is nice and has withstood some high-speed Motorcycle runs.. lol!

Lothair

01-31-2011, 05:40 PM

I'd go with either Asus G73 models. They are superb Laptops. Pretty well known for being universally praised.

DrkSide

01-31-2011, 05:50 PM

The third option would be my choice. Just for the 1080 screen.

I have been more than happy with my Dell XPS with the core i7 but it seems they have reworked the current lineup with only nvidia cards, and the highest you can get is a 435.

x88x

01-31-2011, 09:26 PM

Personally, I wouldn't buy a Toshiba for myself...period. They used to make really good stuff (loong time ago), but in the last 5-7 years they've really been going downhill. Also, the 460m and mobility 5870 will step all over the 540m and not even notice it's there....really, just..no. That being said, at that crappy resolution it wouldn't have to work very hard in the first place. And that's what you really want to look at in terms of potential graphics performance; the resolution, not the screen size. Of those three, the Toshiba has by far the weakest GPU, but also by far the smallest resolution screen, so they'll balance each other out.

If it were me, from those choices, if money were no object I would definitely get #3. If it were, I think #2 is a very nice compromise and will give you good performance and a decent resolution screen. I'm sure if you shop around you can find it at a cheaper price too.

diluzio91

02-01-2011, 02:23 PM

Just to add more confusion...

http://sagernotebook.com/

ugly as sin, but inexpensive and powerful.

Luke122

02-01-2011, 03:31 PM

+1 vote AGAINST the Toshiba. I'm a bit biased though, as I have had/seen many Toshibas fail, and previously worked for a retail outlet that ONLY sold Asus due to the quality and value.

x88x

02-01-2011, 04:09 PM

Just to add more confusion...

http://sagernotebook.com/

ugly as sin, but inexpensive and powerful.

++ on this. Sager's are well known for their reliability, and personally I rather like some of their new designs. ..worlds better than the old days when every high-end laptop was a giant block. :P

TheMainMan

02-01-2011, 04:22 PM

+ 1 more against the Toshiba
I have a sister who (contrary to my advice) continues to buy Toshibas of escalating value and continues to be on a first name basis with the authorized Toshiba tech who fixes the seemingly endless stream of problems. I can't speak on the Asus laptops as I'm running an Acer but I've found Asus' customer service to be quite good in my experience.

Outlaw

02-01-2011, 07:54 PM

Thanks for all the input. The input plus the recall on pretty much all Sandy Bridge processors, I don't think the Toshiba is in my future.

Is there maybe any others that you guys might recommend, or is that first asus going to be the winner of this?

Thanks again!
Outlaw

x88x

02-01-2011, 08:01 PM

Lenovo also makes good laptops, if you're looking around. Personally, if I were buying a laptop I would go with either a Lenovo, Asus, or Sager (in that order).

diluzio91

02-01-2011, 11:06 PM

also, avoid anything with nvidia optimus if you plan to play games on the computer. Any game that uses punk buster will kick you for using it.

Outlaw

02-02-2011, 12:22 AM

Ill have to take a look at some more lenovo's then. Last I seen, the ones in my range didn't really have much for graphics. Also have to find Sager. Most of my searches have been in Tiger, the Egg and Amazon plus some of the local box stores.

I didn't know that with optimus and punk buster? Why though? I thought optimus was just nvidias battery saver for the graphics card... that is weird. Thanks though, will have to keep an eye out for that. Far Cry 2 uses punk buster which is the only game I own that does.

Thanks guys!

diluzio91

02-02-2011, 12:26 AM

x88x

02-02-2011, 12:35 AM

its a big fiasco, any punk buster game throws "multiple 3d error" or something to that effect, basicly because the laptop switches between integrated and discreet graphics it has both drivers loaded at once, causing punk buster to freak out.

Wait, so Punkbuster doesn't work with multiple GPUs either? That's ridiculous! That's going to suck when I...when I.... *realises he doesn't play any multiplayer games that use punkbuster* ...hmm, ok, nvm then.. :P

diluzio91

02-02-2011, 06:24 PM

Wait, so Punkbuster doesn't work with multiple GPUs either? That's ridiculous! That's going to suck when I...when I.... *realises he doesn't play any multiplayer games that use punkbuster* ...hmm, ok, nvm then.. :P

Multiple GPUs are okay, heck, even hydra (onboard + discreet) works, its just optimus... and BFBC2 used PB.

x88x

02-02-2011, 06:27 PM

Weird.

Outlaw

03-21-2011, 06:13 PM

I know its old now, but we did get a laptop.

The wife narrowed it down to wanting it now so that only left us with retail stores.

We went with the Toshiba Satellite A665-3DV6 (http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptops/satellite/A660/A665-3DV6)

While it was mostly for her, I still wanted to play some of my games which I can do on med settings in FC2 and CSS. Music and Movies are also very impressive with the built in speakers. The 720 is beautiful and even plays well on larger TV's in 720. Avatar was amazing on my dad's 32" lcd.

pcclan

03-21-2011, 10:31 PM