Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

  1. #1
    Senior Member Hicks12's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Plymouth-SouthWest
    Posts
    6,586
    Thanks
    1,070
    Thanked
    340 times in 293 posts
    • Hicks12's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P8Z68-V
      • CPU:
      • Intel i5 2500k@4ghz, cooled by EK Supreme HF
      • Memory:
      • 8GB Kingston hyperX ddr3 PC3-12800 1600mhz
      • Storage:
      • 64GB M4/128GB M4 / WD 640GB AAKS / 1TB Samsung F3
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Palit GTX460 @ 900Mhz Core
      • PSU:
      • 675W ThermalTake ThoughPower XT
      • Case:
      • Lian Li PC-A70 with modded top for 360mm rad
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Professional 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2311H IPS
      • Internet:
      • 10mb/s cable from virgin media

    A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    Right my dads old gericom laptop (about 7 or 9 years old!) is finally on its way out and its about time hes had a new laptop, his birthday in a few weeks so decided to get him one. He uses it daily but only at home (portability isnt needed in regards to weight, only needs to be moved room to room), mainly used to browse web watch some videos, so heres what ive gathered in a requirement:

    17"+ (largest screen as possible + high res, thinking 1920x1080?)
    Reliable/strong built (nothings gone wrong with his gericom laptop and it was a bargain at the time)
    Room for a 7mm or standard sized SSD (have an M4 as my current boot but want to replace with a larger one so will shove in his new one!)
    Strong video playback(guessing intel HD3000+, games not really needed)
    HDMI out, be good to stream to tv etc
    Quad-core? I noticed a massive difference from a strong dual core to quadcore so it would be nice if its possible, so i5 if an intel chip


    And thats about it, apart from the all important budget... looking to spend as little as possible really but im going with £300 - £500 if its possible, i recall large screens demanding a premium. I am looking far and wide now but i havent bought a laptop in 2 years and am not in check with whats good , be nice to have a guideline!


    Edit: been looking and it appears 17" is possible but 1080p seems impossible , and its only possible with an i3! I guess an i3 should be sufficient mind!
    What are the decent manufacturers currently? Top of my list is Asus / Dell but thats it, lenovo is massively overpriced and im unsure as to HP and toshiba/samsung, acer and sony i will avoid as both laptops have been terrible that my friends have owned (sony lasted just over 6months, battery issue sony wanted hundreds in repair charges to fix it... was a 1k laptop! and my friends acer was just horrid build quality).
    Last edited by Hicks12; 08-06-2012 at 01:58 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by snootyjim View Post
    Trust me, go into any local club and shout "I've got dual Nehalem Xeons" and all of the girls will practically collapse on the spot at the thought of your e-penis

  2. #2
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Manchester
    Posts
    51
    Thanks
    25
    Thanked
    1 time in 1 post
    • MrSamHideki's system
      • Motherboard:
      • EVGA Stinger
      • CPU:
      • Intel i5 6600k
      • Memory:
      • Corsair Vengeance 4GBx2
      • Storage:
      • Sandisk 250GB/SSx2
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Zotac GTX 970
      • PSU:
      • Corsair VS550
      • Case:
      • Phantek MTX
      • Operating System:
      • Win10
      • Monitor(s):
      • Predator XB271HU
      • Internet:
      • 40MBps

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    I just tried searching for laptop with 17" screen, i5 CPU for under £500. For some reason everything under the price of £500 the screen size is arround 15.3" - 16". Might just be with my searching skills but have you tried custom build sites? Sorry if im no help but this is my first time trying to help

  3. Received thanks from:

    Hicks12 (10-06-2012)

  4. #3
    radix lecti dave87's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    England
    Posts
    12,806
    Thanks
    657
    Thanked
    931 times in 634 posts
    • dave87's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus
      • CPU:
      • i5 3470k under Corsair H80 WC
      • Memory:
      • 8gb DDR3
      • Storage:
      • 240gb SSD + 120gb SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Asus HD7950
      • PSU:
      • XFX 600w Modular
      • Case:
      • Lian Li PC-A05FNB + Acoustipack
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2x Dell S2309W (1920x1080)
      • Internet:
      • BT Infinity Option 2

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    Have you tried looking at the Dell Outlet? You may well be able to find a bit of a bargain on there if you are willing to spend the time looking - especially if your Dad isn't going to mind a scratch/dent in exchange for a higher spec. That said they do cosmetically unmarked items too, simply the reduction in price is lower

    Otherwise keep an eye on DMX Dimension - I found it the easiest way to keep track of the Dell deals and find the bargains.


    I'd happily recommend Lenovo - I'm using on here, but they dropped the 1920x1200 screen in the Thinkpad W520 and also it'll likely be around the £1500 mark depending on spec....

  5. Received thanks from:

    Hicks12 (10-06-2012)

  6. #4
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    31,621
    Thanks
    3,757
    Thanked
    5,060 times in 3,912 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    The Core i5 mobile CPUs are usually dual cores.

    Ulti linked to a 17" version of the laptop in this thread:

    http://forums.hexus.net/current-barg...-276-98-a.html

  7. Received thanks from:

    Hicks12 (10-06-2012)

  8. #5
    Senior Member Hicks12's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Plymouth-SouthWest
    Posts
    6,586
    Thanks
    1,070
    Thanked
    340 times in 293 posts
    • Hicks12's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P8Z68-V
      • CPU:
      • Intel i5 2500k@4ghz, cooled by EK Supreme HF
      • Memory:
      • 8GB Kingston hyperX ddr3 PC3-12800 1600mhz
      • Storage:
      • 64GB M4/128GB M4 / WD 640GB AAKS / 1TB Samsung F3
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Palit GTX460 @ 900Mhz Core
      • PSU:
      • 675W ThermalTake ThoughPower XT
      • Case:
      • Lian Li PC-A70 with modded top for 360mm rad
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Professional 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2311H IPS
      • Internet:
      • 10mb/s cable from virgin media

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    Thanks guys, yeah it seems hard to get all that in the £500 mark , no 1080p and yeah been trauling through the dell outlet as i always use it for bargains my mates laptop was from there, good savings but at the minute it costs more to get a basic 17" from the outlet than the actual dell site!. Didnt know about the dmx site so appreciate pointing it out, new site to keep an eye on .

    Yeah cat ive kept an eye out on the bloody models, i swear they should stop being idiots and use i3 i5 and i7 as simple as they should be, i3 should be low end budge dual core, i5 low clock to high clock quadcore, i7 extreme quadcores with hyper threading.

    Thanks samhideki for taking the time to search for me , appreciate all the effort guys!

    Wow cat i missed ulti comment while i was at work! That fits everything bar the non uk board >.<, going to discuss with him tomorrow though its like £60 cheaper than the comparable dell and by comparable i mean i3 2350m and an nvidia gt525, on the graphic front im pretty sure it gets destroyed by the AMD 7670(can also crossfire with onboard ? ), cant be sure on the cpu front so appreciate your insight as you always seem well versed in the field on consumer cpus . Also think the Asus build quality is superb hopefully same on this model.

    Thanks again guys!.
    Quote Originally Posted by snootyjim View Post
    Trust me, go into any local club and shout "I've got dual Nehalem Xeons" and all of the girls will practically collapse on the spot at the thought of your e-penis

  9. #6
    The Old Fox csgohan4's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    The Fox Hole
    Posts
    1,057
    Thanks
    172
    Thanked
    57 times in 52 posts
    • csgohan4's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI Z97 Gaming 9 AC
      • CPU:
      • I7 4770K with Noctua-D15
      • Memory:
      • G SKILL 2400Mhz 8GB
      • Storage:
      • Samsung 840 Evo 500 GB| Seagate 1TB + 1.5TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GTX 780 ACX
      • PSU:
      • Corsair AX 860
      • Case:
      • HAF X with NF-S12B FLX, TY-140, X4 Coolermaster Megaflow 200mm and Demciflex Dust Flters
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 8.1 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG 24inch LCD W2468L
      • Internet:
      • Sky Fibre Unlimited with Asus DSL N66U

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    I find that Hewlett Packard brand has more bang for buck

    Avoid Asus Laptops

    Sony are nice but overpriced
    Trust Profile HEXUS Forum FAQ and Colour coding/Post Count awards

    'The Fox is cunning and relentless, and has got his Fibre Optic Broadband'

  10. Received thanks from:

    Hicks12 (10-06-2012)

  11. #7
    Senior Member Hicks12's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Plymouth-SouthWest
    Posts
    6,586
    Thanks
    1,070
    Thanked
    340 times in 293 posts
    • Hicks12's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P8Z68-V
      • CPU:
      • Intel i5 2500k@4ghz, cooled by EK Supreme HF
      • Memory:
      • 8GB Kingston hyperX ddr3 PC3-12800 1600mhz
      • Storage:
      • 64GB M4/128GB M4 / WD 640GB AAKS / 1TB Samsung F3
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Palit GTX460 @ 900Mhz Core
      • PSU:
      • 675W ThermalTake ThoughPower XT
      • Case:
      • Lian Li PC-A70 with modded top for 360mm rad
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Professional 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2311H IPS
      • Internet:
      • 10mb/s cable from virgin media

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    Hmm, i see great praise for Asus and HP i dont really rate highly judging by a colleagues HP lappy, sony i agree can look nice but thats it horrid BQ and unreliable overpriced . Dad is happy with it and wanted the Asus, bought it with the 2 year warranty for £407 not bad really considering the cheapest competitor was Dell and it had worse gpu and cost £430 without extra warranty(just 1 year norm), my friends dell has just died again, first time i thought it was a fluke and was fixed within the warranty asap but its overheating like mad 1year 1 month from purchase, probably a one off but if i can get 2 years then its just extra peace of mind for my dad.

    Will report back when it arrives in 3 days, hopefully my faith in Asus is well placed!
    Quote Originally Posted by snootyjim View Post
    Trust me, go into any local club and shout "I've got dual Nehalem Xeons" and all of the girls will practically collapse on the spot at the thought of your e-penis

  12. #8
    r00
    r00 is offline
    Registered User
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Posts
    14
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    2 times in 2 posts

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    Toshiba-Satellite-C870-11H-i3-2350M-Windows £410.00 final price
    on amazon co uk

  13. Received thanks from:

    Hicks12 (10-06-2012)

  14. #9
    The Old Fox csgohan4's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    The Fox Hole
    Posts
    1,057
    Thanks
    172
    Thanked
    57 times in 52 posts
    • csgohan4's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI Z97 Gaming 9 AC
      • CPU:
      • I7 4770K with Noctua-D15
      • Memory:
      • G SKILL 2400Mhz 8GB
      • Storage:
      • Samsung 840 Evo 500 GB| Seagate 1TB + 1.5TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GTX 780 ACX
      • PSU:
      • Corsair AX 860
      • Case:
      • HAF X with NF-S12B FLX, TY-140, X4 Coolermaster Megaflow 200mm and Demciflex Dust Flters
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 8.1 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG 24inch LCD W2468L
      • Internet:
      • Sky Fibre Unlimited with Asus DSL N66U

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    One of the main reasons I don't like Asus is their poor RMA service and mine died after 2 years, and considering I paid just over £1000 for a decent gaming laptop that peed me off. SO i learnt the hard way that laptops don't last well if used for gaming
    Trust Profile HEXUS Forum FAQ and Colour coding/Post Count awards

    'The Fox is cunning and relentless, and has got his Fibre Optic Broadband'

  15. Received thanks from:

    Hicks12 (10-06-2012)

  16. #10
    Senior Member Hicks12's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Plymouth-SouthWest
    Posts
    6,586
    Thanks
    1,070
    Thanked
    340 times in 293 posts
    • Hicks12's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P8Z68-V
      • CPU:
      • Intel i5 2500k@4ghz, cooled by EK Supreme HF
      • Memory:
      • 8GB Kingston hyperX ddr3 PC3-12800 1600mhz
      • Storage:
      • 64GB M4/128GB M4 / WD 640GB AAKS / 1TB Samsung F3
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Palit GTX460 @ 900Mhz Core
      • PSU:
      • 675W ThermalTake ThoughPower XT
      • Case:
      • Lian Li PC-A70 with modded top for 360mm rad
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Professional 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2311H IPS
      • Internet:
      • 10mb/s cable from virgin media

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    saw that but its still integrated graphics unfortunately, seems a bit silly to have integrated at that res , great price for i3 integrated mind!.

    edit: just saw your post csgohan, thats a fair statement then i appreciate the heads up, most gaming laptops dont tend to last though , my dads gericom has just kept going no questions asked and it was fairly good when bought, i dont think any laptop will come close to that 9 year life! Only the power/battery and some other things i dieing and its very slow now. As long as it lasts about 3/4 years its ok in my book, it isnt going to be used all the time as hes always at work till 6 and then spends about 2 hours maybe a day on it, so a nice easy life specially since it wont be moved much, should help last longer! .

    Appreciate the heads up though!.
    Last edited by Hicks12; 10-06-2012 at 10:33 AM.
    Quote Originally Posted by snootyjim View Post
    Trust me, go into any local club and shout "I've got dual Nehalem Xeons" and all of the girls will practically collapse on the spot at the thought of your e-penis

  17. #11
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    31,621
    Thanks
    3,757
    Thanked
    5,060 times in 3,912 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    Does your dad move his laptop around much,or is it on a desk for pretty much most of its time??

    I suspect if the latter is the case,most laptops should last a few years,especially if you clean the dust out of the cooler system,every so often.

  18. #12
    Senior Member Hicks12's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Plymouth-SouthWest
    Posts
    6,586
    Thanks
    1,070
    Thanked
    340 times in 293 posts
    • Hicks12's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P8Z68-V
      • CPU:
      • Intel i5 2500k@4ghz, cooled by EK Supreme HF
      • Memory:
      • 8GB Kingston hyperX ddr3 PC3-12800 1600mhz
      • Storage:
      • 64GB M4/128GB M4 / WD 640GB AAKS / 1TB Samsung F3
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Palit GTX460 @ 900Mhz Core
      • PSU:
      • 675W ThermalTake ThoughPower XT
      • Case:
      • Lian Li PC-A70 with modded top for 360mm rad
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Professional 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2311H IPS
      • Internet:
      • 10mb/s cable from virgin media

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    Its normally in the front room, on a cabinet and he puts it on his lap when using it or for the last few months hes had it in the kitchen same place hasnt moved in awhile, easier for him to access (recovering from another back operation), so yeah should last awhile .
    Quote Originally Posted by snootyjim View Post
    Trust me, go into any local club and shout "I've got dual Nehalem Xeons" and all of the girls will practically collapse on the spot at the thought of your e-penis

  19. #13
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    31,621
    Thanks
    3,757
    Thanked
    5,060 times in 3,912 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    Most laptops should last a while if not moved around much - it is usually this which causes problems IMHO and/or the cooler getting clogged with dust causing the laptop to overheat.

  20. #14
    Senior Member Hicks12's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Plymouth-SouthWest
    Posts
    6,586
    Thanks
    1,070
    Thanked
    340 times in 293 posts
    • Hicks12's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P8Z68-V
      • CPU:
      • Intel i5 2500k@4ghz, cooled by EK Supreme HF
      • Memory:
      • 8GB Kingston hyperX ddr3 PC3-12800 1600mhz
      • Storage:
      • 64GB M4/128GB M4 / WD 640GB AAKS / 1TB Samsung F3
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Palit GTX460 @ 900Mhz Core
      • PSU:
      • 675W ThermalTake ThoughPower XT
      • Case:
      • Lian Li PC-A70 with modded top for 360mm rad
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Professional 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2311H IPS
      • Internet:
      • 10mb/s cable from virgin media

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    good to know its not just my crazy imagination that believes laptops die due to portability .
    Quote Originally Posted by snootyjim View Post
    Trust me, go into any local club and shout "I've got dual Nehalem Xeons" and all of the girls will practically collapse on the spot at the thought of your e-penis

  21. #15
    The Old Fox csgohan4's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    The Fox Hole
    Posts
    1,057
    Thanks
    172
    Thanked
    57 times in 52 posts
    • csgohan4's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI Z97 Gaming 9 AC
      • CPU:
      • I7 4770K with Noctua-D15
      • Memory:
      • G SKILL 2400Mhz 8GB
      • Storage:
      • Samsung 840 Evo 500 GB| Seagate 1TB + 1.5TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GTX 780 ACX
      • PSU:
      • Corsair AX 860
      • Case:
      • HAF X with NF-S12B FLX, TY-140, X4 Coolermaster Megaflow 200mm and Demciflex Dust Flters
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 8.1 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG 24inch LCD W2468L
      • Internet:
      • Sky Fibre Unlimited with Asus DSL N66U

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    Most laptops should last a while if not moved around much - it is usually this which causes problems IMHO and/or the cooler getting clogged with dust causing the laptop to overheat.
    Kind of a bit if both in my case. Dust clogged up my laptop and the fan died lol. I'm not an expert in taking laptops apart :/. In any case the screen died as well, probably from too much football manager lol. I also used an aluminium akasa laptop cooler and it still died

    But if used just for work, it should last a bit longer than what I experienced lol
    Trust Profile HEXUS Forum FAQ and Colour coding/Post Count awards

    'The Fox is cunning and relentless, and has got his Fibre Optic Broadband'

  22. #16
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    40
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    2 times in 2 posts

    Re: A good reliable/fast laptop... suggestions?

    I recommend Lenovo Thinkpad series. Really nicely built and tough. Perfect keyboards (try them and you will fell in love with them)

    I own a T40, 10 years old now, still going strong today!

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •