Need a laptop for both university and gaming

DrGlickenstine

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Aug 18, 2015
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Hey

I'm off to university in around two years time (Bsc. Software Development), but currently I'm homeschooled with a completely paperless system (so I use my computer around 5-6 hours a day every day). I also do a lot of writing, so a good keyboard is important. I'm going to get a new laptop, currently I have an ASUS K-series and it's done me very well. I also do a lot of gaming, with probably my most demanding game at the moment being Planetary Annihlation/Space Engineers (but I do have my eye on SW:Battlefront). I may even dip my toe into game recording, I don't know yet.

So in short I want a good, solid laptop that will work well for both study and mid-range gaming. It needs to last 4+ years (I heard somewhere some gaming laptops don't have a long life) and have a good battery life.

After a fair amount of research I have settled on the Gigabyte P15F v3. Reviews for the particular model are hard to find, so that's why I've come here. So, what do you think?

EDIT: Max budget $1800NZD ($1200USD).
 
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im in the same boat as you bro. Im thinking about getting the MSI GE62 Apache 15.6 in laptop for $999 on newegg. good specs for the price and even though it has not the best battery it sure does have the horsepower. I mean what do you expect? a 6.4L Chrysler V8 HEMI engine aint gonna get your 34mpg but it sure as hell will go 0 to 100 real quick. just make sure to always carry a charger with you and set power setting to low when not gaming.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152903

also the laptop I showed you has a more powerful cpu and faster graphics card for the mid level the top tier version of the MSI laptop would have 16gb of ram and if you really wanted you could get the pro version and get a Intel...
"Gaming laptop" / high performance does not pair with "good battery life", unless you are ready to roll a cart with batteries.

But - you need to get your priorities first. If you blow your budget on "good gaming laptop", it will be behind the curves (and games) of 2017, and your fancy shmancy CPU/GPU will be of no use for your CompSci degree where you will need memory, storage, screen estate, portability and battery life.
 

DrGlickenstine

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Aug 18, 2015
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I basically only mentioned the degree to say I'll be doing a lot of computer work in the future. Also, I'm pretty sure I'm covered with this laptop when it comes to memory, storage, and portability. I have a second monitor, which covers screen estate, And I'm pretty sure it'll get through a study day with a pretty rigorous power scheme.

An in terms of keeping up with modern gaming, I know I'll need a desktop to do that properly, but that doesn't really concern me. All I want to do is be able to play most of the games my friends are playing, and have the capacity to play mid-range games.
 

glitchmaster0001

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Oct 12, 2015
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im in the same boat as you bro. Im thinking about getting the MSI GE62 Apache 15.6 in laptop for $999 on newegg. good specs for the price and even though it has not the best battery it sure does have the horsepower. I mean what do you expect? a 6.4L Chrysler V8 HEMI engine aint gonna get your 34mpg but it sure as hell will go 0 to 100 real quick. just make sure to always carry a charger with you and set power setting to low when not gaming.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152903

also the laptop I showed you has a more powerful cpu and faster graphics card for the mid level the top tier version of the MSI laptop would have 16gb of ram and if you really wanted you could get the pro version and get a Intel Skylake (6th geneneration) CPU 4k screen 16gb of ddr4 i think i could be wrong but it would be the same price as the laptop you showed us.
 
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itmoba

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Aug 14, 2015
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If you want to program for OS X or iOS, then, you'll end up needing a Macbook Pro. However, the MBP doesn't have the performance of a "true" gaming laptop. If you don't expect to be targeting OS X or iOS, then, I suggest an Asus Zenbook Pro. It, too, isn't a gaming powerhouse, though it has excellent battery life and should meet most of your other demands.
 

DrGlickenstine

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Aug 18, 2015
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Nice find, thanks! Yeah, it does come out at the same price, but that's before shipping (I live in NZ).

Thanks for showing that to me.

EDIT: it doesn't ship to NZ ;(
 

DrGlickenstine

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Aug 18, 2015
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Looks very sleek, but way out of my pricerange.
 

glitchmaster0001

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Oct 12, 2015
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they have that laptop in fry's and best buy also. you can order it online at their website
 

DrGlickenstine

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Aug 18, 2015
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Best Buy do not ship internationally, Fry's don't have the GTX965M model.
 

itmoba

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What is your budget?
 

DrGlickenstine

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Aug 18, 2015
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Max $1800NZD (pref. inc. postage). (1200USD). But obviously anything lower than that, like the MSI, is fine.
 

glitchmaster0001

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Oct 12, 2015
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have you tried ebay or amazon? they do have it on both websites as well