Which of these Notebooks Should I get?

[marco_89]

Hey all,

Long time lurker, don't really post much I know, i know, shame on me.

I'm in the market for a new laptop, but my budget is around 500 bucks (US)

I do a lot of work in multimedia, (Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, Blender, Photoshop etc.), so naturally I want a notebook that could keep up with me.

Plus I like to do some "light" gaming (...okay maybe not so light)

I've been looking for the past couple weeks, and I don't see that many, especially in my price range.

I know I wouldn't find much, seeing as I'd require at least 4GB ram, and a dedicated GFX card, but these two options jumped out at me.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085H64E6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215663


I do know that the differences boil down to the processors, graphics cards and operating system (intel + nVidia + W7 versus AMD + AMD + W8).
sidenote: the OS doesn't matter much to me.

I have read here that it's better to get a dedicated GPU than a CFX, and I have also read that Intel CPU's generally crunch numbers better, meaning my rendering in the applications I use may give better results.

Not only that, but the dedicated gpu+intel platform is $10 cheaper................not that I'd complain over a $10 difference.
(However, the AMD platform on newegg used to be 500 flat, and i'm pretty sure with black friday/cyber monday coming up it'll go back down. I'm not familiar with amazon's black friday/cyber monday deals)

I was wondering what you guys think?

Also, are there any other suggestions of notebooks that I should consider?

your input would greatly be appreciated!!

 

[asdfaf]

why you waste a money on acer? get real compoter ok. one with extra. the pad on ares and them is bad.

 

[gillhooley]

why you waste a money on acer? get real compoter ok. one with extra. the pad on ares and them is bad.

uh what?

 

[gillhooley]

For the power you are looking for I would give a refurb a try.

Give this a look.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Envy-Sleekbook-4t-14-i5-3317U-1-7GHZ-6GB-500-32GB-mssd-Backlit-KB-W8-UPG-/221152467301?pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item337db6d965

 

[dextermat]

+1 asdfaf

But if you need a laptop get an Asus, They are the best brand (and bang for bucks) on the market right now.
I repair computers for a living and acer laptop need mobo replacement within 2-3 years so repairs are not worth it.

Stay away from toshiba, gateway, as well.

Hp and dell are not that bad but monitor the hard drive and temp

 

[marco_89]

My thing is price point with those specs. What can I get from Asus for that price with similar specs?

What do you guys suggest that I can get, for around $500, with 4gb RAM and a dedicated graphics card?
And by "around $500", I really mean $540 maximum. Money's really tight.

Has to be brand new, I'd rather not take my chances on a refurb. A brand new warranty means a lot to me.

Thanks for the quick response guys!!

 

[Tibbs01]

The A8+7670m combo is probably the best you will find at that price with gaming performance in mind. Just keep in mind that there are issues with trying to crossfire that combo in quite a few games so you will often find yourself limited to just the 7670m if you can't live with the microstuttering.

If you can save a bit more there is an HP combo of an i5 with a 7730m for low 600's I believe that would be a bit better suited to your needs.

 

[marco_89]

Thanks tibbs01. The first objective answer lol.

New Development However:

I remembered watching some YouTube reviews, and the Indian market had this HP Pavilion g6 series with decent specs.
Found some for the American Market. Check these out:

HP Pavilion g6z-2200 Notebook PC: $475
Windows 8 64
• AMD Dual-Core A6-4400M Accelerated Processor (2.7GHz up to 3.2GHz)
• 1GB AMD Radeon(TM) HD 7670M Discrete-Class Graphics
• 4GB DDR3 - 1 DIMM
• 320GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
• No Additional Office Software
• No additional security software
• 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
• 15.6-inch diagonal HD BrightView LED-backlit Display (1366x768)
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• HP TrueVision HD Webcam with integrated digital microphone
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN
• Standard Keyboard Black

HP Pavilion g6z-2200 Notebook PC: $524
Windows 8 64
• AMD Quad-Core A8-4500M Accelerated Processor (1.9GHz up to 2.8GHz)
• 1GB AMD Radeon(TM) HD 7670M Discrete-Class Graphics
• 4GB DDR3 - 1 DIMM
• 320GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
• No Additional Office Software
• No additional security software
• 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
• 15.6-inch diagonal HD BrightView LED-backlit Display (1366x768)
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• HP TrueVision HD Webcam with integrated digital microphone
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN
• Standard Keyboard Black

HP Pavilion g6t-2200 Notebook PC $524
• Windows 8 64
• 2nd generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2370M Processor (2.4 GHz)
• 2GB AMD Radeon(TM) HD 7670M Discrete-Class Graphics
• 4GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm)
• 500GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
• No Additional Office Software
• No additional security software
• 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
• 15.6" diagonal High Definition HP BrightView LED Display (1366x768)
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• HP Webcam with Integrated Digital Microphone
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN
• Standard Keyboard (Black)

HP Pavilion g6t-2200 Notebook PC $499
• Windows 8 64
• 2nd generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2370M Processor (2.4 GHz)
• 1GB AMD Radeon(TM) HD 7670M Discrete-Class Graphics
• 4GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm)
• 500GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
• No Additional Office Software
• No additional security software
• 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
• 15.6" diagonal High Definition HP BrightView LED Display (1366x768)
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• HP Webcam with Integrated Digital Microphone
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN
• Standard Keyboard (Black)

 

[Tibbs01]

I would look at these benchmarks to make sure you can live with the performance of the 7670M: http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-7670M.69483.0.html

If so my choice would be the q6t-2200 for 499 as the extra VRAM in the one for 524 will be useless to that set-up and a waste of money. Also note that the 1366x768 screen on those HP's is pretty mediocre (being generous at that). If you could find a configuration with an i3/i5 and the 7730m that would still be my first choice.

Good luck!!

Edit: Adding a second stick of 4GB dual channel ram and an SSD would be my down the road when you get a bit more money recommendations as well.

 

[marco_89]

I would look at these benchmarks to make sure you can live with the performance of the 7670M: http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-7670M.69483.0.html

If so my choice would be the q6t-2200 for 499 as the extra VRAM in the one for 524 will be useless to that set-up and a waste of money. Also note that the 1366x768 screen on those HP's is pretty mediocre (being generous at that). If you could find a configuration with an i3/i5 and the 7730m that would still be my first choice.

Good luck!!

Edit: Adding a second stick of 4GB dual channel ram and an SSD would be my down the road when you get a bit more money recommendations as well.

Thanks man!

I had forgotten to mention that I have a desktop at home, phenom II x4BE (overclocked to 3.6ghz), 8gb ddr3, and an HD 6850 where I do all my work, and it does all I need and more. I do notice however where AMD doesn't render things as quickly as an Intel processor, but I can live with it.

This laptop is just to facilitate those times I need to get work done while not being at home.

At this price point the only other option than the 7670M would be the GT 630m. Both are more or less on the same level from what I've read.

I see what you're saying about the Extra VRAM being a waste. I think I'll eventually decide on the g6t for $499.........for now.

 

[asdfaf]

Thanks. thats not what we were looking ok.

 

[marco_89]

what?

 

[asdfaf]

what?

i just say thanking you

 

[marco_89]

i just say thanking you

oh, okay. No problem man!

 

[marco_89]

Best answer selected by marco_89.