Jump to content

Looking for mid-range laptop

feufollets
By feufollets
in Phones and Tablets
 Share
Posted

Hey guys, my brother is at the university and he doesn't have a laptop yet so I would like to buy one so that he can use it for school and I can use it at home. I'm open to everything amd apu or intel but it has to be under 700$. I will mostly stream movie on the computer and play some casual games like indie games or emulators. :) thanks for the help!

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/35676-looking-for-mid-range-laptop/
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

If you don't mind open box items, here's my recommendation:

 

Laptop: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834256813R

SSD: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7td120bw

HDD Caddy: http://www.amazon.com/SATA-caddy-12-7mm-Universal-DVD-ROM/dp/B0056EW4A4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373788041&sr=8-1&keywords=hdd+caddy

 

1. Replace the hdd in the laptop with an ssd

2. Replace dvd drive with hdd caddy with original hdd in it.

 

There you go--you have a snappy laptop with ok-ish graphics that also has good capacity. 

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the help, I was searching on bestbuy and I found this 

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/toshiba-toshiba-l70d-17-3-laptop-silver-amd-a10-5750m-750gb-hdd-8gb-ram-windows-8-l70d-a-009/10257002.aspx?path=64a7ccd1fcae6a76c2f183b0fa006895en02&SearchPageIndex=1

 what do you think of this amd APU? also have a nice big screen :P

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

If you don't mind open box items, here's my recommendation:

 

Laptop: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834256813R

SSD: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7td120bw

HDD Caddy: http://www.amazon.com/SATA-caddy-12-7mm-Universal-DVD-ROM/dp/B0056EW4A4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373788041&sr=8-1&keywords=hdd+caddy

 

1. Replace the hdd in the laptop with an ssd

2. Replace dvd drive with hdd caddy with original hdd in it.

 

There you go--you have a snappy laptop with ok-ish graphics that also has good capacity. 

 

That is actually very good. those specs and upgrades make it a very solid performer.

My only gripe is that its HP. that their build quality is pretty bad imo...(owned 4 HP laptops in the last 10 years)

 

Here is my suggestion: 

$640 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152426 (corei5, 6gb ram, geforce gt710, 500gb )

 

For some reference i have a 4 year old gateway laptop (Core2Duo T6600, 4gb ram, geforce G210m) and with those specs at 1366x768 i can easily run l4d2 and TF2 at 60ish FPS

Phenom II X6 1090T @3.6ghz , EVGA GTX 770 SC, 8GB Hyper-X ram, Adata SX900, WD Black, Corsair HX850, LG IPS234, Logitech G9x, Logitech X-230, Netgear R7000

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Thanks for the help, I was searching on bestbuy and I found this 

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/toshiba-toshiba-l70d-17-3-laptop-silver-amd-a10-5750m-750gb-hdd-8gb-ram-windows-8-l70d-a-009/10257002.aspx?path=64a7ccd1fcae6a76c2f183b0fa006895en02&SearchPageIndex=1

 what do you think of this amd APU? also have a nice big screen :P

The APU isn't as good of a performer as the one I linked you :/

I also stay away from 17.3in laptops unless I know it's high quality because a larger size puts more stress onto the chassis when you lift it up by a corner or something.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

The APU isn't as good of a performer as the one I linked you :/

I also stay away from 17.3in laptops unless I know it's high quality because a larger size puts more stress onto the chassis when you lift it up by a corner or something.

I know that APU aren't as fast as intel but when it comes to gaming performance would the 7670 be better then the integrated 8650G? Also the toshiba has 1600x900 resolution.

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I know that APU aren't as fast as intel but when it comes to gaming performance would the 7670 be better then the integrated 8650G? Also the toshiba has 1600x900 resolution.

The 7670M is better: http://www.game-debate.com/gpu/index.php?gid=1498&gid2=773&compare=radeon-hd-8650g-vs-radeon-hd-7670m

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Ok so the laptop you send is really interesting and I like it very powerful and in the price range. Do you know if there is a laptop that looks like that but has a higher resolution?

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

NOTE: a higher resolution is great but it means it will require a better GPU to power it

Phenom II X6 1090T @3.6ghz , EVGA GTX 770 SC, 8GB Hyper-X ram, Adata SX900, WD Black, Corsair HX850, LG IPS234, Logitech G9x, Logitech X-230, Netgear R7000

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

If you don't mind open box items, here's my recommendation:

 

Laptop: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834256813R

SSD: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7td120bw

HDD Caddy: http://www.amazon.com/SATA-caddy-12-7mm-Universal-DVD-ROM/dp/B0056EW4A4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373788041&sr=8-1&keywords=hdd+caddy

 

1. Replace the hdd in the laptop with an ssd

2. Replace dvd drive with hdd caddy with original hdd in it.

 

There you go--you have a snappy laptop with ok-ish graphics that also has good capacity. 

 

i changed my mind

this is actually a pretty legit setup

the only thing i will add to this is a good laptop cooler for when hes gaming because HP's thermals are very generic and tend to get hot under load

 

as long as your brother doesnt thrash around the laptop it will be fine for at least 2-3 years

expect to spend 40 bucks on a new battery after about a year or two

Phenom II X6 1090T @3.6ghz , EVGA GTX 770 SC, 8GB Hyper-X ram, Adata SX900, WD Black, Corsair HX850, LG IPS234, Logitech G9x, Logitech X-230, Netgear R7000

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

i changed my mind

this is actually a pretty legit setup

the only thing i will add to this is a good laptop cooler for when hes gaming because HP's thermals are very generic and tend to get hot under load

 

as long as your brother doesnt thrash around the laptop it will be fine for at least 2-3 years

expect to spend 40 bucks on a new battery after about a year or two

this common laptop resolution 1366 x 768 it also downscale from 1080p?

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

this common laptop resolution 1366 x 768 it also downscale from 1080p?

yes. i watch full hd content on this resolution myself and its fine (720p and 1080p)

no black bars on netflix because it is still 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio

http://25.media.tumblr.com/2ee6922790a96f884510af6e8b2219d5/tumblr_mpyu5mLUTF1qztwe4o1_1280.jpg

 

i have used this resolution on my laptop for 3 years of college working on huge excel spreadsheets. its the "norm" these days

Going forward you shouldnt worry too much about the screen. instead look for things like build quality and battery life

Phenom II X6 1090T @3.6ghz , EVGA GTX 770 SC, 8GB Hyper-X ram, Adata SX900, WD Black, Corsair HX850, LG IPS234, Logitech G9x, Logitech X-230, Netgear R7000

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Depending on if you can afford it, you really should try to find something with a higher resolution than 1366x768. I understand it doesn't bother some people, however it bothers me a lot. When smartphones these days have full 1080p screens, it's inexcusable to have a 1366x768 notebook, especially over $500. Way too many manufacturers are cheaping out on their displays and putting in crappy low res TN panels.

If you can afford it, a ThinkPad T430 is a very good choice, just make sure you upgrade the screen to 1600x900 (it's only $15) and add the dedicated video card if you wish.

I need more SSDs.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Depending on if you can afford it, you really should try to find something with a higher resolution than 1366x768. I understand it doesn't bother some people, however it bothers me a lot. When smartphones these days have full 1080p screens, it's inexcusable to have a 1366x768 notebook, especially over $500. Way too many manufacturers are cheaping out on their displays and putting in crappy low res TN panels.

If you can afford it, a ThinkPad T430 is a very good choice, just make sure you upgrade the screen to 1600x900 (it's only $15) and add the dedicated video card if you wish.

Look like a nice PC indeed but I can't afford more then 650$ Basically what I'm looking is mid-range laptop just decent so I can play some game at low setting and have nice display lol

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Phones and Tablets

×