Help with Laptop selection

[tjlee2]

Hello, I am looking to buy a new laptop now my 6 year old fossil finally croaked. I am trying to find something within $700-800 or below (preferably lower if possible), mainly used for work (Mostly DSP, specifically speech processing related). Screen size 15".

I am also trying to find one that has a decent graphics card that can watch high res stuff without becoming choppy. I've stared at several on Newegg, the place I most often visit but could only come up with 2 potentials and would like an opinion on those:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16834114655

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16834115572

Thank you for your time.

 

[ecom]

What type of hi-res stuff are you doing? For 700-800, I would get a refurbed Dell Latitude E6400 or E6500 or Thinkpad T-series. You can probably find a 20% coupon somewhere for the Dell refurbs. There's one almost every month.

The Intel 4500 graphics works fine for HD video playback.

 

[TheStu]

That is a good question, just how high res are we talking here? The GMA950 in my MacBook coupled with my Core Duo processor (so a few generations behind the current... 2 with regard to the GPU, 3 or 4 with regard to architecture I think) can play back at least 7.5Mb/s 720p files with no stutter whatsoever and that is in both Windows and OS X.

I would think that the 4500HD can handle at least 1080p, the question is whether it can handle the full force of 50Mb/s blurays.

 

[tjlee2]

The high res isn't really for work and more for entertainment. I think 1080p would be more than plenty, and a minimum of 720p will suffice.

I've looked at this one too, and would like an opinion if possible.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16834146584

Thank you for you help.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: tjlee2
Thank you for your time.

Of those two choices, I would go with the Acer.

I'm (somewhat) brand loyal, and own a Toshy A215. It's been simply excellent. The thing is, my A215 is a 'multimedia' machine and has an AMD chipset and ATI grahics, not an Intel chipset and Intel graphics. To me, that Toshy L305 appears to be a bargain-basement model.

The Acer (IMHO) has a better chipset and graphic setup for what you're going to be doing - judging by the limited info you provided. I could turn that Aspire into a pretty nice machine, based on the specs - mostly because I'd have something to work with! I can't really say that about the Toshy...

As an aside, when I shop for something at The Egg, the trick is to look at the #5 & #1 ratings. All the other comments are just cruft, and will serve to confuse you.

Happy hunting!

 

[ecom]

Originally posted by: TheStu
That is a good question, just how high res are we talking here? The GMA950 in my MacBook coupled with my Core Duo processor (so a few generations behind the current... 2 with regard to the GPU, 3 or 4 with regard to architecture I think) can play back at least 7.5Mb/s 720p files with no stutter whatsoever and that is in both Windows and OS X.

I would think that the 4500HD can handle at least 1080p, the question is whether it can handle the full force of 50Mb/s blurays.

GS45 or GM45 chipset have built in X4500HD graphics. The X4500HD has hardware decoding for Blueray so it should be fine. The X4500 does not have Blueray decoding. Both are capable of 1080 resolutions.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: ecom

Originally posted by: TheStu
That is a good question, just how high res are we talking here? The GMA950 in my MacBook coupled with my Core Duo processor (so a few generations behind the current... 2 with regard to the GPU, 3 or 4 with regard to architecture I think) can play back at least 7.5Mb/s 720p files with no stutter whatsoever and that is in both Windows and OS X.

I would think that the 4500HD can handle at least 1080p, the question is whether it can handle the full force of 50Mb/s blurays.

GS45 or GM45 chipset have built in X4500HD graphics. The X4500HD has hardware decoding for Blueray so it should be fine. The X4500 does not have Blueray decoding. Both are capable of 1080 resolutions.

The MGA950 in my laptop can 'drive' a 1080p display, the question is if the x4500 can playback 1080p content. It is one thing to support the resolution, it is another to be able to playback videos, fullscreen, at that res.

 

[ecom]

The Intel® G45 Express Chipset, with the next-generation Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD (Intel® GMA X4500HD), includes built-in support for full 1080p high-definition video playback, including Blu-ray* disc movies.

That quote is from Intel.

My laptop has a GS45 chipset with the X4500HD graphics. The display is only 1280x800 and I am able to watch the 1920x1080 video full screen without any issue, but this is not as intensive as playing the video full resolution I think.

The file is .ts and VLC reports that the codec is MPEGV. The file is 520 MB and lasts 3:30. I have no idea what the bit rate is though.

Edit:

I just tested my laptop driving my desktop monitor at 1680x1050 with 30 FPS video playing and it works fine. Wish I didn't though...it makes me realize how bad the TN screen on my laptop is compared to my AS-IPS monitor.

 

[TheStu]

Well, there we go, I figured that it could do it, but a little confirmation is good every now and again.

 

[corkyg]

If it were me, I would opt for your 3rd choice.