Need opinions on which of these laptops to buy: - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Stare At The Sun · 10-21-2009, 12:54 PM

Ok, so here is my situation.

I'm going overseas (Indonesia) on Nov. 4th for a year. I need a good laptop that I can take with me that can do basically everything I would want from a desktop, for hopefully under 1400 dollars.

The big things I plan on doing - Gaming, movies, music, skype, browsing online, etc.

So, the laptop I was considering is the

Asus - Laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor - Blue/Black - G60VX-RBBX05

Basic summary:
- Core™2 Duo mobile processor P7450
- 4GB DDR2 memory
- 16" LED-backlit LCD high-definition widescreen display (1366 x 768)
- 320GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 rpm)
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1gb
- Webcam, card reader, all the other usual things.

Other, similar laptops are also being sold at Best Buy.

Here is the compare page: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Laptop-C...at150700050002

So, I'm not really sure what to do. I don't have much experience with laptops at all, so I'm not sure if Asus is even that great of a brand (but from what I read its ok).

I don't *have* to buy at Best Buy, but honestly, I would prefer it. Normally I would buy from newegg, but their selection is rather limited at the moment.

So, if you guys have any advice, suggestions, or other laptops to suggest, I'm all ears.

Also - this laptop will *not* be carried with me once I arrive.

It will remain in my apartment.

Martian · 10-21-2009, 01:05 PM

I like Asus. They've served me well over the years.

Between the three that you've selected, it's a no-brainer. The G72GX is going to be the best gaming platform. It's a big heavier and the battery is a tiny bit smaller than the new G60Vx, but if it's going to be a desktop replacement neither of those are likely going to be major concerns.

Gaming is the big deciding factor. Pretty much any laptop will do all the other things you listed, but you'll need something beefy to play the latest and greatest games.

I'll do some research and get back to you if I find any other candidates.

Lasereth · 10-21-2009, 01:13 PM

Any of those are good choices with that powerful of a graphics card in them. They'll be great for gaming and anything else. The battery life will not be impressive no matter what they say so keep that in mind. I'm honestly surprised at how powerful those are for only $1kish.

Stare At The Sun · 10-21-2009, 02:43 PM

In regards to the g72, will the 5400 speed HD affect gaming? I assumed it would.

Also, do you think the increased monitor size is worth the upped price?

How much of a difference will I see from each of the processors?

Oh, and laptop cooling pad thingys. Any really good ones out there?

Martian · 10-21-2009, 03:13 PM

The rotational speed of the hard drive primarily affects seek times. Your games my take a little bit longer to load, but other than that there shouldn't be a difference.

The speed of the processor will have a much larger impact on gaming. You're better off with the faster of the two, for that.

In regards to the monitor, always get the most screen real estate you can afford. The higher resolution is actually the larger benefit, rather than the extra inch or so.

I don't know anything about laptop coolers, so I'll leave that question for someone else.

Stare At The Sun · 10-21-2009, 04:34 PM

Thanks for the input Martian.

Stare At The Sun · 10-22-2009, 10:14 PM

Ended up going for the mid range one Asus - Laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor - Black - G72GX-RBBX05

Digging it so far. 1200 bucks well spent

Redjake · 11-20-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stare At The Sun

Ended up going for the mid range one Asus - Laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor - Black - G72GX-RBBX05

Digging it so far. 1200 bucks well spent

Still like it? I am considering either this one, or the Gateway FX.

Stare At The Sun · 11-20-2009, 07:21 PM

I quite like it. Haven't had a single problem so far, windows 7 is great.

Not a *huge* fan of the touchpad, though I barely use it anyways.

Otherwise, it's quite solid.

I just read an article the other day that rated ASUS quite highly in their durability and such.

It plays games very very well, Dragon Age looks amazing on it.

10-21-2009, 12:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Stare At The Sun Eh? Location: Ohio	Need opinions on which of these laptops to buy: Ok, so here is my situation. I'm going overseas (Indonesia) on Nov. 4th for a year. I need a good laptop that I can take with me that can do basically everything I would want from a desktop, for hopefully under 1400 dollars. The big things I plan on doing - Gaming, movies, music, skype, browsing online, etc. So, the laptop I was considering is the Asus - Laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor - Blue/Black - G60VX-RBBX05 Basic summary: - Core™2 Duo mobile processor P7450 - 4GB DDR2 memory - 16" LED-backlit LCD high-definition widescreen display (1366 x 768) - 320GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 rpm) - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1gb - Webcam, card reader, all the other usual things. Other, similar laptops are also being sold at Best Buy. Here is the compare page: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Laptop-C...at150700050002 So, I'm not really sure what to do. I don't have much experience with laptops at all, so I'm not sure if Asus is even that great of a brand (but from what I read its ok). I don't have to buy at Best Buy, but honestly, I would prefer it. Normally I would buy from newegg, but their selection is rather limited at the moment. So, if you guys have any advice, suggestions, or other laptops to suggest, I'm all ears. Also - this laptop will not be carried with me once I arrive. It will remain in my apartment.

10-21-2009, 01:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada Blog Entries: 57	I like Asus. They've served me well over the years. Between the three that you've selected, it's a no-brainer. The G72GX is going to be the best gaming platform. It's a big heavier and the battery is a tiny bit smaller than the new G60Vx, but if it's going to be a desktop replacement neither of those are likely going to be major concerns. Gaming is the big deciding factor. Pretty much any laptop will do all the other things you listed, but you'll need something beefy to play the latest and greatest games. I'll do some research and get back to you if I find any other candidates. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

10-21-2009, 01:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Any of those are good choices with that powerful of a graphics card in them. They'll be great for gaming and anything else. The battery life will not be impressive no matter what they say so keep that in mind. I'm honestly surprised at how powerful those are for only $1kish. __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

10-21-2009, 03:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada Blog Entries: 57	The rotational speed of the hard drive primarily affects seek times. Your games my take a little bit longer to load, but other than that there shouldn't be a difference. The speed of the processor will have a much larger impact on gaming. You're better off with the faster of the two, for that. In regards to the monitor, always get the most screen real estate you can afford. The higher resolution is actually the larger benefit, rather than the extra inch or so. I don't know anything about laptop coolers, so I'll leave that question for someone else. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

10-21-2009, 02:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Stare At The Sun Eh? Location: Ohio	In regards to the g72, will the 5400 speed HD affect gaming? I assumed it would. Also, do you think the increased monitor size is worth the upped price? How much of a difference will I see from each of the processors? Oh, and laptop cooling pad thingys. Any really good ones out there?

10-21-2009, 04:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Stare At The Sun Eh? Location: Ohio	Thanks for the input Martian.

10-22-2009, 10:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
Stare At The Sun Eh? Location: Ohio	Ended up going for the mid range one Asus - Laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor - Black - G72GX-RBBX05 Digging it so far. 1200 bucks well spent

11-20-2009, 07:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Stare At The Sun Eh? Location: Ohio	I quite like it. Haven't had a single problem so far, windows 7 is great. Not a huge fan of the touchpad, though I barely use it anyways. Otherwise, it's quite solid. I just read an article the other day that rated ASUS quite highly in their durability and such. It plays games very very well, Dragon Age looks amazing on it.