* new budget* Recommend me a notebook plz!

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
DVad3r

DVad3r

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2005
5,340
3
81
*got new budget and 2 new choices, scroll down plz*

$ 800


Hey guys,

I'm kind of in a rush to buy a laptop. My budget is around $ 500 and I'm looking for something not massive, decent specs, and something I can do light gaming on. What do you guys recommend? I can go a bit over my budget.

I'm looking at this site since I'm in Canada, they have a retail store not too far away from me...

http://www.ncix.com/notebooks/
 
Last edited:
X

xSauronx

Lifer
Jul 14, 2000
19,582
4
81
define "light gaming"

i have an acer with the i3 330 1.2ghz, and while its peppier than an atom system and is great for some media and browsing, etc, it will only play very light games because its on the slow side and has intel video. think plants v zombies, worms, cheap stuff from steam, etc.
 
corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
240
106
I would avoid Acer - the apostles of cheapness. Asus is better value.
 
DVad3r

DVad3r

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2005
5,340
3
81
I have till Tuesday to buy one...so confused...

I'm even willing to up my budget...
 
Schadenfreude

Schadenfreude

Lifer
Dec 28, 2001
11,391
3
0
I'd still go with my recommendation here. It'll play games (in lowered settings) and it should be fast enough for you to use in other applications.

If you had more time and went into more detail we could help a bit more; but since you said you're in t a time constraint, the Asus is s sleek laptop (The wife has its precursor, the UL80VT and loves it) that's a good size enough for you to use and is portable enough for you to comfortably travel with on your vacay.

As far as the Acer is concerned, yes it is a lot of machine for the money, but since laptops are as is (as opposed to desktops: you don't like the CPU? Change it out. Don't like the HDD? Switch that sucker out too, etc.) or a complete package in on themselves, build quality and things like keyboard feel and durability is a factor in long-term satisfaction and ownership maintenance; I haven't heard a lot of positives for their systems so I tended to avoid them - but then again, you're buying it at a physical store which means you'll be able to compare the systems side-to-side (which is great).

I'd say jot down the Acer and the Asus system model numbers so you know which ones they are, and go try them out at the store. If you're happy enough with the build quality of the Acer display unit, you should be okay buying the one you picked out, and it'll do you good.

Just keep in mind that newer AMD systems with better specs are coming out right now and probably won't be readily available until a few weeks in - so you're not necessarily getting the best bang for your buck but frankly, these'll be fine for what you're describing.
 
DVad3r

DVad3r

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2005
5,340
3
81
I think I will go with your recommendation. Going to drive up to the store tomorrow and check them out in person, but the Asus looks nice.

Any others you recommend from that store/site?

Schadenfreude said:
I'd still go with my recommendation here. It'll play games (in lowered settings) and it should be fast enough for you to use in other applications.

If you had more time and went into more detail we could help a bit more; but since you said you're in t a time constraint, the Asus is s sleek laptop (The wife has its precursor, the UL80VT and loves it) that's a good size enough for you to use and is portable enough for you to comfortably travel with on your vacay.

As far as the Acer is concerned, yes it is a lot of machine for the money, but since laptops are as is (as opposed to desktops: you don't like the CPU? Change it out. Don't like the HDD? Switch that sucker out too, etc.) or a complete package in on themselves, build quality and things like keyboard feel and durability is a factor in long-term satisfaction and ownership maintenance; I haven't heard a lot of positives for their systems so I tended to avoid them - but then again, you're buying it at a physical store which means you'll be able to compare the systems side-to-side (which is great).

I'd say jot down the Acer and the Asus system model numbers so you know which ones they are, and go try them out at the store. If you're happy enough with the build quality of the Acer display unit, you should be okay buying the one you picked out, and it'll do you good.

Just keep in mind that newer AMD systems with better specs are coming out right now and probably won't be readily available until a few weeks in - so you're not necessarily getting the best bang for your buck but frankly, these'll be fine for what you're describing.
Click to expand...
 
Schadenfreude

Schadenfreude

Lifer
Dec 28, 2001
11,391
3
0
DVad3r said:
Ok after doing some more research it's down to these 2 choices I guess:

1.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/produ...item_id=036024

2.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/produ...item_id=038526

What do you guys think?

And yea I went over my budget, new budget now is around $ 800, so if there's anything else that's good there plz recommend...
Click to expand...

Looking at these options - #2 definitely has better specs hands down; everything will run smoother on #2 than on #1. BUT is portability a concern? #1 is 14" system that's designed to be mobile - it's definitely "good enough" for normal use and many games will run in medium settings considering the display resolution. Being that it's a laptop and you mentioned that you're going on vacation, everyday portability a factor to consider. Believe it or not, 14" vs 15.6" will make a noticable difference if you're walking around with it all day. If portability is a big factor in why you're getting a laptop, get #1. While #2 is better spec'ed on the innards, the screen resolution is the same on both systems (1366x768). If you've never owned a laptop before it may not really matter, but I personally can't handle low-res displays above 14".

If outside of this vacation you're not really looking to lug it around on a regular basis, I'd go with #2 no question - CPU-wise it blows away #1's and GPU-wise it's better than what my system is (GT 525M) is and mine runs buttery-smooth for my needs!

Having said that - I'd still say keep the ASUS K53SV-A1 (your #2) as your fore-runner on you option, but I'd also consider this guy here - let's call him #3 as well. It does not have a disk drive, but if you're like me and almost exclusively use steam/digital downloads for gaming, it should be a non-issue. Of course me and a few other forum members have tried to discourage Acer systems, but I've heard positive things about this particular line from them(assuming they have stock in your location).

Here's a few references:
Mobile GPU comparison charts
Mobile CPU comparison charts
review of #2
review of the predecessor for #3
 
Schadenfreude

Schadenfreude

Lifer
Dec 28, 2001
11,391
3
0
DVad3r said:
Damm man # 3 looks very tempting...

Decisions, decisions...
Click to expand...

If the store has both in-stock, then go check both the machines out; take your time to look at both systems even if the staff hassles you, and then make your decision; you won't go wrong either way.

(Oh, and make sure to write down the model name and price - I'm sure they have several Asus and Acer machines at around the same price)
 
DVad3r

DVad3r

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2005
5,340
3
81
Went with the Acer and picked it up for 699.99. The Asus looked better quality wise but the Acer was $ 100 cheaper and had better specs, plus the quality isn't bad, still a nice finish. Setting it up right now, will report later with how it performs :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom