Need Help Choosing a Notebook

[buddhika]

I am looking to buy a reliable Notebook mainly for;

Image editing (PS Cs4 usually), some 3D Modeling (SolidWorks & AutoCAD ) then for some casual gaming (mostly racing type - ex Dirt,Grid..) and usual work.

so far im interested in :

Asus A52JR-X1
core i5 430M
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 1GB DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220699


HP DV6
core2duo p7450
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 1GB
something similar to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834157046

OR -
Acer Aspire AS5740G-6395
core i5 520M
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 1GB DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834115732

thing is I want a reliable machine, i heard that HP and Acer are not so. Acer seems great value for money. And HP comes with extras like Remote controller etc. But im really not sure about Acer.

So;

1. Is Acer really not good in reliability/build quality ? ( If not why are they this cheap ? cos of brand?)

2. Will getting HD5470 (with i5) will greatly affect gaming compared to HD4650 (with core2duo P7450) ? as core i5 seems much better than P7450 ( i know these laptops are not for real gaming 😉 )

any other ideas are also much welcome

Thank you.

 

[Emulex]

hi reliable and consumer machines = no dice.

get a business class machine - check tigerdirect for hp elitebook on sale - like an 8730w.

autocad works far superior with firegl or nvidia quadro fx video cards

 

[buddhika]

Thanks for the reply, but my budget wont allow much streching.

And by reliable i meant mainly the good brand reliability, cos i heard Acer is not that well built.

So out of those three whats better ?

 

[buddhika]

Any thoughts ? ?

 

[corkyg]

Check out Lenovo's T series.

 

[sagrada]

Personally I'd get the Acer 5740G but to answer ur questions...

1. Is Acer really not good in reliability/build quality ? ( If not why are they this cheap ? cos of brand?)

They're the world's second largest OEM, so in terms of quality, it can be hit or miss. Some people have models that have lasted forever, some have issues, but you can buy an extended warranty from Square Trade which should take care of most of it.

2. Will getting HD5470 (with i5) will greatly affect gaming compared to HD4650 (with core2duo P7450) ? as core i5 seems much better than P7450 ( i know these laptops are not for real gaming 😉 )

The HD5470 has only 80 SP's. The HD 4650 has 320SP's. The HD5470 will not be able to do much more than light gaming and HTPC duties whereas the HD4650 will be able to play some games. The HD5650 has 400SP's and will be even better at gaming.

The AS5740G is the most well-rounded of the machines... fast processor + pretty good mobility GPU