Seeking a multi-tasking laptop

[rdw90]

I desperately need to replace my highly problematic laptop. HP - never again. Unfortunately, I don't know much about the technical aspects of computers, and trying to do research is making my head spin. This site was recommended to me.

I'm a grad student who does a lot of internet browsing and word processing while also using Pandora or Netflix. Good audio would be nice. I'd like to have the option to do gaming, but I don't expect I'd need something capable of handling the most strenuous games. I used to play WoW, and I might think about getting back into it if I had a computer that didn't ridiculously overheat. I don't necessarily need something mobile for long distances, just something I can move around the house, but more mobility would be a bonus. Strongly prefer screens close to 15 inches or higher. I'd like pricing to be closer to $1000 than $2000, but may be flexible for something awesome and not problematic.

Help, please?

 

[sm625]

Try this with coupon code USPY51020110

It should be $930. Still too rich for my blood but since you mentioned $1000 this should suit you just fine.

 

[Pedroc1999]

You will problably be looking for a high end i5 or i7, with atleast 8gb ram. Preferbly with an SSD. You could be well of with the graphics integrated with the CPU but you could be better off with a dedicated GFX card.

 

[kbp]

Try this with coupon code USPY51020110

It should be $930. Still too rich for my blood but since you mentioned $1000 this should suit you just fine.

+ 1
Has a nice WiFi card too (2x2).

 

[MD90]

Also go for the highest screen resolution your eyes can handle (probably a 1080p display on a 15"). With Windows 7 onwards, the side-by-side windows feature is incredible for multitasking, and that feature really benefits from a high-res display.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Try this with coupon code USPY51020110

It should be $930. Still too rich for my blood but since you mentioned $1000 this should suit you just fine.

Very nice laptop, but may be overkill for the OP, even though he did mention a pretty high price point. The GT660m is a pretty good gaming card, but if he only wants to do light/occasional gaming, something like an A10 might work nicely. I cant find the link, but I know HP has some thin and light models with that processor at a reasonable price. Not sure you can get 1080p though.

 

[rdw90]

Very nice laptop, but may be overkill for the OP, even though he did mention a pretty high price point. The GT660m is a pretty good gaming card, but if he only wants to do light/occasional gaming, something like an A10 might work nicely. I cant find the link, but I know HP has some thin and light models with that processor at a reasonable price. Not sure you can get 1080p though.

I would much rather have overkill than end up with another laptop that doesn't work for my needs. For over a year, I've been dealing with a laptop that overheats to the point of shutdown at the slightest provocation, even after being taken completely apart and cleaned. And yes, the fans work, I can hear them. It's a design flaw that is common in the kind of HP laptop I have, and I've heard it's not uncommon in HP laptops in general.

 

[Sleepingforest]

I agree with the Lenovo Y580. If you're eying something a little sleeker and eith more battery power (important for college) but less powerful for the same price point, think about an Asus Zenbook Prime (model UX31A is very well reviewed).

 

[lakedude]

I reading that they didn't put thermal compound on the heat-sink of some of the cheaper HP notebooks. That would be pretty cheap to fix...

As far as the new one goes, do you prefer glossy or matte screens?

Other than the gaming a fairly cheap laptop can do all those other things you mentioned with ease. Browsing and Netflix would work perfectly on an i3 IMHO.

Gaming is what is going to stress the system. To game you need a good GPU in addition to a good CPU.

Audio is typically pretty lame with a laptop unless you get self powered external speakers. My laptop actually has darn good sound but it is huge and heavy. Best thing to do is have speakers set up at your desk for when you "dock" your laptop and use headphones for when you are mobile.