Laptop around $400 Need Help!

[kiirokami]

Budget (school work/game/video-editing) Laptop $300-$430

*Can play (low-mid resolution at 30-40 fps): Dragon Nest, Minecraft, Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour, Left 4 Dead

*Normal school stuff: Research, Essays, Print pictures for projects

*Video-editing: Cool videos (using powerdirector 10) for my youtube account>>>gameplay commentaries (fraps/hypercam), music videos, sport matches, homemade movies

 

[WR2]

Lenovo G570 15" Notebook $430
Core i3 2350M 2.30GHz CPU, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 15.6" 1366x768 LCD w/ Intel HD 3000 Graphics

Intel HD Graphics 3000 review

 

[kiirokami]

I found a decent one, but im still looking for one that might happen to be on sale that could beat this laptop. Im trying to look for one with an amd a6, a8 processor with amd radeon hd 6520g or better. If you find one that might be able to beat the performance of this laptop, pls reply. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+Aspire+AS5560-6344G50Mnrr+15.6"+LED+Notebook+-+AMD+A-Series+A6-3400M+1.40+GHz/3683795.p?id=1218426408425&skuId=3683795&st=Acer+Aspire+AS5560-7402+Notebook+AMD+A-Series+A6-3420M%281.5GHz%29+15.6"+4GB+Memory+DDR3+1066+&cp=1&lp=1

 

[Jim_L9]

That link isn't working for me.

 

[kiirokami]

If it doesn't work again, reply.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+Aspire+AS5560-6344G50Mnrr+15.6"+LED+Notebook+-+AMD+A-Series+A6-3400M+1.40+GHz/3683795.p?id=1218426408425&skuId=3683795&st=Acer+Aspire+AS5560-7402+Notebook+AMD+A-Series+A6-3420M%281.5GHz%29+15.6"+4GB+Memory+DDR3+1066+&cp=1&lp=1

 

[kiirokami]

Processor AMD A-Series
Processor Speed 1.40GHz
Battery Type 6-cell Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) 4400mAh
Display Type Widescreen Active Matrix TFT Color LCD LED Backlit with CineCrystal Technology
Screen Size (Measured Diagonally) 15.6"
Cache Memory 4MB
System Memory (RAM) 4GB
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To 8GB
Type of Memory (RAM) DDR3 SDRAM
Hard Drive Type Serial ATA 5400 RPM HDD
Computer Hard Drive Size 500GB
Optical Drive DVD±RW/CD-RW
Digital Media Reader or Slots Yes
Graphics AMD Radeon HD 6520G
TV Tuner No
Built-in Webcam Yes
Networking Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 Connector)
Wireless Networking IEEE 802.11b/g/n
Bluetooth-Enabled No
USB 2.0 Ports 3
Laptop Weight Standard (more than 5.5 lbs.)
Pointing Device TouchPad
HDMI Output Yes
Blu-ray Player No
Operating System Platform Windows
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
System Version 64-bit

 

[kiirokami]

the best buy link never works,so here ^^^ the specs

 

[americanbrian]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FUJITSU-LIFEBOOK-AH531-i3-2310M-2-10GHz-NOTEBOOK-2GBRAM-250GBHDD-HDMI-BLUETOOTH-/320913524905?pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item4ab7efc8a9

Basic spec,
CPU: i3 2.1 GHz (sandy bridge)
GPU: Geforce 525m 1gb discrete
Ram: 2GB (easy upgrade)
HD: 250GB HD (could go SSD at a later date).

Total Cost: $380 delivered

This would smoke your suggested system, it is a refurb unit with a small blemish on the screen. Depends what you value and if you would consider a "fixer upper". A new screen runs @ ~$50-80 if you can install it yourself at a later date.

 

[kiirokami]

not really looking for any refurbished/used laptops. I also prefer to keep away from mac, hp, and gateway

 

[WR2]

Acer - Aspire AS5560-6344G50Mnrr 15.6" LED Notebook - AMD A-Series A6-3400M 1.40 GHz $430
Model: AS5560-6344G50Mnrr
SKU: 3683795

 

[kiirokami]

Acer - Aspire AS5560-6344G50Mnrr 15.6" LED Notebook - AMD A-Series A6-3400M 1.40 GHz $430
Model: AS5560-6344G50Mnrr
SKU: 3683795

Yea, that's the one I was looking at. I was wondering if anyone knew a better deal than this one for around $430.

 

[WR2]

The only better option I know about is this $450 model @ Tiger Direct:
Acer Aspire AS5560G15" Notebook PC
AMD Quad-Core A6-3420M 1.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, 15.6" 1366x768 LCD w/ AMD Radeon HD 7670M dedicated graphics card plus HD 6520G IGP.

 

[americanbrian]

That is a good price for that machine^^

My only reservation is that the AMD cpu just isn't that great. By putting in the Discrete GPU you kill the main advantage of a llano, which is the "free" GPU that is ~good enough for light game use.

If you have a discrete GPU, then coupling with a SB or IB intel cpu is the correct choice imho.

you can OC the CPU reportedly (2.6Ghz mentioned on the tigerdirect comment section), but I still think that the SB chips are the value maker at the mo. Highly upgradable socket (the i7 29xx's go up to 3.6GHz with better IPC's).

Saying that, to achieve similar gaming experiences to the above, you have to OC the GT 525m. Which can be done very successfully from experience and other reports (as I have a laptop with this GPU).

So, yeah +1 to WR2's suggestion.

 

[gorgerax]

Samsung Series 3 NP305E5A-A03US. @ $450 at Tiger Direct. I got mine last month from the for $399. Added another 4GB of ram. Getting the following Windows Experience scores:
CPU:6.6
Ram:7.3
Desktop Graphics:5.9
3D Graphics: 6.5
HDD: 5.9

As you know, the CPU ramps from 800mhz to 2.6Ghz but it is EZ to lock into a speed of 2.6, 2.8 or even over 3.0 GHZ with K10stat at LOWER voltages! I really don't think you can find a better performer with all its features for the money.

I'm pulling that brand new 500GB 2.5" HDD out tomorrow and installing a 128GB SSD. (I have a 2TB NAS) can't wait!