looking for a 15" student laptop

[kefegg]

Hi guys,

I've started to take lessons for ICT and since I've started I have to use my desktop quit some time. The wife and kids get a little bit frustrated because of they cannot use the computer.
So I guess that buying a laptop would be a solution.
Purpose of the laptop:
Windows 7 (64bits) & Linux capable.
Office 2010, Visual Studios, Photoshop CS3 (but that would be more occasional)
The usual stuff: Internet, email, youtube, audio and maybe watching a movie, when taking a break from all that studying.
Numpad, Wifi and around 15" screen size.
non integrated GPU, nvidia is what I prefer.

I found this, it's a student deal laptop.
Asus X53SC-SX081V-BE
cost me 775,- USD which I think is a affordable price.
Specs:
Part No: 90N8LI155H1168VL133Y_NVS
Model Name: X53SC-SX081V
Processor & Cache Memory: Intel Core i5-2410M, 2.3GHz
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit)
Main Memory: DDRIII 1333 4GB
Display: 15.6" LED-backlit TFT LCD Display resolution: HD 1366x768 / 16:9
Display type: (Typical 180-nit) 16ms response time NTSC:45% Glare
Video Graphics & Memory: NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 520M (N12P-GV)
Hard Drive: 2.5" SATA 640GB 5400rpm
Optical Drive Super Multi with Double Layer
Video Camera: 0.3 Mega Pixel web camera (Fixed type)
Interface:
1 x Microphone-in jack
1 x Headphone-out jack
1 x VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin for external monitor
3 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert
1 x HDMI
Audio: Built-in microphone Altec Lansing® speakers
Battery Pack & Life: 6_CELL
AC Adapter 90W AC Adapter Output : 19V DC, 4.74A, 90W Input : 100~240V AC, 50/60Hz universal
Dimension & Weight 37.8(W) x 25.3(D) x 2.83 ~ 3.49 (H) cm 2.60 KG (with 6 cell battery)


Is this a reasonable decent laptop? Or can I find better specs for even a better price?
One thing, in Belgium we use AZERTY keyboard layout

Thanks guys

 

[Fayd]

The usual stuff: Internet, email, youtube, audio and maybe watching a movie, when taking a break from all that studying.

if this is your general use, then you don't need a discrete graphics card like that one has. it might make a little more sense for your pocketbook to just get one without.

and i don't think you really need that much processor. hell, i do all that (and virtualization and programming in the virtual environment) on an amd c-50.

 

[kefegg]

In the 'specsbooks' of our class is written that an integrated graphicsCard is not good because of memory sharing.
I5 processor is maybe a little overkill but having some reserve is better then cursing if I had bought something to slow.
I thought of a netbook but used it once and it is to small to type long documents. Missing a numpad is also not very handy if you're use to have one.
...but you set my mind to think a little more about it...


Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

 

[Fayd]

In the 'specsbooks' of our class is written that an integrated graphicsCard is not good because of memory sharing.

why? it's a lot cheaper to just add more memory, and if you stick 4gb of ram in the notebook, then you'll probably have more than you'll ever need, even with gpu stealing some ram.

I5 processor is maybe a little overkill but having some reserve is better then cursing if I had bought something to slow.

that's probably true, but i honestly can't tell the difference as far as typing a document goes between my c-50 cpu and my phenom II x4. typing a document is typing a document. not a great amount of demand.

i'm not suggesting you get a real netbook, but i can't see any need for you to get an i5 over an i3 or even a pentium based product. and in absence of demanding 3d accellerated games, i can't see a need for a discrete graphics card either. angry birds isn't gonna play any better on a geforce 520 than it will on HD3000 graphics.

 

[gmaster456]

This sounds like it fits the bill. Although it doesn't have an nVidia Card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834230091
If you really want an nVidia Dedicated card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834215105