Laptop recommendations?

[ionbasa]

So, the left hinge on my HP laptop died on me only after 2 years. I just separated from the base. The hinge was basically made of molded plastic, along with everything near the hinge area. In retrospect my 10+ year old IBM thinkpad still hasn't died on me, (except for the battery).

 

So what are some recommendations you can offer to laptops? My current use case is:

I need it for University work

I am a power user

I need it to be sturdy

 

I have been thinking about a macbook pro with retina (15" model), the Lenovo Thinkpad Y50 (with touch), and the Dell Inspiron 15" 7000 Series.

 

In case it matters, my university gives out grants for students to buy new computers, the most they will offer is $2000 in free money.

 

PS: I do light gaming, occasionally. Part of my trip to university includes riding the train for about 30 minutes. So, I do tend tend to watch movies or tv episodes and play a game while waiting.

 

Also, I cant stand the look of gaming laptops, so no ASUS ROG laptops, MSI gaming laptops, and definitely a big no to the Razer blade.

[ZacDaMan72]

ASUS G550JK, Gigabyte P35W V2?

[Guest Kloaked]

What about those MSI/DigitalStorm/OriginPC laptops? They're thin gaming laptops.

 

If not, I'd def go with the Thinkpad in my opinion.

 

 

 

EDIT: Check out that Aorus (Gigabyte) laptop. Beast of a thin laptop with dual Nvidia video cards.

[PokémonTrainerFour]

What about those MSI/DigitalStorm/OriginPC laptops? They're thin gaming laptops.

 

If not, I'd def go with the Thinkpad in my opinion.

 

 

 

EDIT: Check out that Aorus (Gigabyte) laptop. Beast of a thin laptop with dual Nvidia video cards.

cooling is absolute ass though.

 

Lenovo makes some nice products, I would definitely look at them.

[Guest Kloaked]

cooling is absolute ass though.

 

But they work apparently. Any laptop with decent hardware will get loud when gaming - but yeah the thin laptops will get a little louder depending on the load.

[ionbasa]

ASUS G550JK, Gigabyte P35W V2?

Nope, hate the design of "gaming" laptops. That logo on the ASUS won't fly, I need something more discreet. The Gigabyte laptop is slightly over budget. I want to aim around $1400 tops.

 

What about those MSI/DigitalStorm/OriginPC laptops? They're thin gaming laptops.

 

If not, I'd def go with the Thinkpad in my opinion.

 

 

 

EDIT: Check out that Aorus (Gigabyte) laptop. Beast of a thin laptop with dual Nvidia video cards.

I don't like those 'gaming' laptops, their bulky and make a horrid amount of noise do to their fan layout and heat dissipation.

[Guest Kloaked]

Nope, hate the design of "gaming" laptops. That logo on the ASUS won't fly, I need something more discreet. The Gigabyte laptop is slightly over budget. I want to aim around $1400 tops.

 

I don't like those 'gaming' laptops, their bulky and make a horrid amount of noise do to their fan layout and heat dissipation.

 

In that case I'd go for like a Dell XPS. I think you can get one with a mobile i7 and discrete graphics for under $1,400.

 

EDIT: Nevermind, it's the 3rd gen i5/i7's that are under $1,400. The newer ones with Haswell are just above $1,400. I thought they were cheaper than that. But anyways, there's some options there to look at on Dell's website.

[ZacDaMan72]

Nope, hate the design of "gaming" laptops. That logo on the ASUS won't fly, I need something more discreet. The Gigabyte laptop is slightly over budget. I want to aim around $1400 tops.

 

I don't like those 'gaming' laptops, their bulky and make a horrid amount of noise do to their fan layout and heat dissipation.

P35G v2 then

[Deletive]

Dell xps, Macbook pro or asus Nx500 (if you can wait) 

Those are the best computers I'd consider for University work and light gaming.

Edit: I think macbook pro might be your best option because it's basically 5000/5200 iris pro vs hd4600.

[ionbasa]

In that case I'd go for like a Dell XPS. I think you can get one with a mobile i7 and discrete graphics for under $1,400.

I was actually considering this Inspiron: http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-15-7537/pd?oc=dncwb1811b&model_id=inspiron-15-7537

It basically features an: 

i7-4510U

16GB  DDR3L 1600Mhz

GT 750M

[MoonSpot]

I think a Zenbook would be a good fit.

http://www.asus.com/zenbook/#overview

[Guest Kloaked]

I was actually considering this Inspiron: http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-15-7537/pd?oc=dncwb1811b&model_id=inspiron-15-7537

It basically features an: 

i7-4510U

16GB  DDR3L 1600Mhz

GT 750M

 

I think I was messing with a similar model at BestBuy a while back. It does look good display-wise. The keyboard isn't half-bad to type on either.

[ionbasa]

I think I was messing with a similar model at BestBuy a while back. It does look good display-wise. The keyboard isn't half-bad to type on either.

Good to know. I want to scope out some of the laptops at Best Buy this week just to get a feel of how they look and handle.

[davidvu396]

So, the left hinge on my HP laptop died on me only after 2 years. I just separated from the base. The hinge was basically made of molded plastic, along with everything near the hinge area. In retrospect my 10+ year old IBM thinkpad still hasn't died on me, (except for the battery).

 

So what are some recommendations you can offer to laptops? My current use case is:

I need it for University work

I am a power user

I need it to be sturdy

 

I have been thinking about a macbook pro with retina (15" model), the Lenovo Thinkpad Y50 (with touch), and the Dell Inspiron 15" 7000 Series.

 

In case it matters, my university gives out grants for students to buy new computers, the most they will offer is $2000 in free money.

 

PS: I do light gaming, occasionally. Part of my trip to university includes riding the train for about 30 minutes. So, I do tend tend to watch movies or tv episodes and play a game while waiting.

 

Also, I cant stand the look of gaming laptops, so no ASUS ROG laptops, MSI gaming laptops, and definitely a big no to the Razer blade.

I have a MacBook Pro which i bought for 1200€. With Windows i can play CS:GO on 1680x1050 on max settings without aa on 60fps lock. Just Iris.

[Scionyde]

Nope, hate the design of "gaming" laptops. That logo on the ASUS won't fly, I need something more discreet. The Gigabyte laptop is slightly over budget. I want to aim around $1400 tops.

 

I don't like those 'gaming' laptops, their bulky and make a horrid amount of noise do to their fan layout and heat dissipation.

 

Sager laptops then? Aside from a backlit keyboard that you can easily turn white or turn off, they're entirely business-like in appearance. Very customizable and maintenance-friendly.

 

http://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=category_browse&selected_cat=12