Laptop for college bound daughter

[GeekMom]

I'm looking for a decent laptop for my daughter to use in college. She is also a bit of a gamer, plays Mass Effect 2, Assasins Creed, Portal, etc... My high range to spend is about $1000. I've been looking at Toshiba's and Asus. I was told to avoid Dell, but they do seem to have some good systems in my price range. Some of the models I've looked into are the Toshiba Satellite A665-S6100X, A665-S5173 and 5175, and the ASUS N53SV-XE1 and XV1. Any suggestions??

[ShyguyXPC]

Any idea of how much multi tasking she'd be doing, any video/image editing?

Major for college?


Trying to get a sense of whether a Dual core or Quad Core would be suitable.

For the gaming side a good speed Dual core with a Dedicated Graphics Chip would be an option.

But if some what heavy multitasking and workstation like tasks, depending on whether its her own hobbies, or classes related, a decent cheap quad core might be more inline with what she'd need.

I assume she's looking for something that can be carried along to class as well, so I suspect a Big 17" screen display would be out of the question?




Just doing some searching on newegg narrowing search down to 4GB RAM minimum, 500GB HDD minimum, Dedicated Graphics chip, CPU speed minimum of 2GHz.

came up with these 2 decent results (primarily the GPU for gaming)

Newegg.com - ASUS N53 Series N53SN-XV1 Notebook Intel Core i5 2410M(2.30GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 640GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M

Slightly less in price, with a Better CPU, more RAM, bigger Hard drive, smaller screen, Dual Graphics (one lesser performing than above, Dedicated Chip, 2nd is an Intel Integrated on CPU graphics for running regular more mundane tasks, for gaming you can switch to the dedicated ATI Radeon chip)

Newegg.com - HP ENVY 14-1260SE Beats Edition Notebook Intel Core i5 480M(2.66GHz) 14.5" 6GB Memory 750GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 + Intel HD


This ones out of stock on Newegg, but might be found elsewhere, sort of combination of both the Asus and the HP linked above, same CPU as the HP, bigger screen than either, GPU is slightly lesser than the Asus, RAM/Hard drive about same as Asus, but price is way less than either Asus or HP models.

Newegg.com - Acer Aspire AS7741G-6426 Notebook Intel Core i5 480M(2.66GHz) 17.3" 4GB Memory 640GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi AMD Radeon HD 6550M


Otherwise, this Quad core model isn't priced bad either. Its a 2GHz Quad core, 6GB RAM, 640GB HDD (7200RPM, so it will be noticeably faster than the HDD's from the other 3 above), Graphics card ranks a tad lower than the HP model's, but is still a 2nd Tier level graphics chip and should be decent for most of the games listed in your post above.


Newegg.com - DELL XPS 15 (L502x) Notebook Intel Core i7 2630QM(2.00GHz) 15.6" 6GB Memory DDR3 1333 640GB HDD 7200rpm DVD±R/RW NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M


The link below has a list on the right side that lists current Mobile Graphics chips, and how they rank to one another, the link is for the one in the Asus Lappy, but you can also search the list to see where the others lie in regards to it.

Asus has the Geforce GT 550M, the HP has the Radeon 5650 + Intel HD, the Acer has the Radeon 6550M, and the Dell has the Geforce GT 525M


NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M - Notebookcheck.net Tech



The other thing to consider is how much battery life the laptop has, using dedicated Graphics and 7200RPM hard drives, or a Quad core CPU can suck the life out of these things as well. If you can get the laptop on a good deal, and put the remaining money towards one or two extra batteries thats fine as well. But many times people get the laptops for their Portability, and battery life is an extremely important aspect.



Another Option, though I know with some Colleges, Dorm Room, or apartment space is limited sometimes, unless she'll be living at home.

Would be to grab a Netbook, or low priced 13"-15" screen Laptop, and use the remaining money for a dedicate desktop PC for the gaming. At least with the latter, you can get more hardware for the money.

[GeekMom]

[quote=ShyguyXPC;3254384]Any idea of how much multi tasking she'd be doing, any video/image editing?

Major for college?


Trying to get a sense of whether a Dual core or Quad Core would be suitable.

For the gaming side a good speed Dual core with a Dedicated Graphics Chip would be an option.

But if some what heavy multitasking and workstation like tasks, depending on whether its her own hobbies, or classes related, a decent cheap quad core might be more inline with what she'd need.

I assume she's looking for something that can be carried along to class as well, so I suspect a Big 17" screen display would be out of the question?"



She's majoring in Engineering (Civil or Mechanical) so there will probably be some CADD in there. The list of computers you gave me does include a few I've looked at. I've been looking for a dedicated graphics card for the gaming side definately. She'll be living at home to start with, then tranferring to a 4 year. I don't think she wants a 17" screen, I've been looking mostly at 15-16" screens for portability.
Thanks for the help!

[GeekMom]

I forgot... we do have a desktop for gaming, we just wanted to make sure she could use it for gaming too, just in case.

Thanks again!

[ShyguyXPC]

Ah I see. Then maybe since you do have a regular desktop for gaming and she'll be at home, at least for a couple years, then one of the Laptops with the better CPU and slightly lesser GPU out of that list (or similar laptops on other sites) would be best, as I know that CAD stuff can take up some decent CPU processing. (Faster Dual core, or a good Quad core could help, just about all the gaming graphics chips in that level 2 list on the Notebookcheck.com site should be more than capable of providing decent OpenGL graphics for 3D CAD graphics as well)

Also most of those Level 2 GPU's in that list should be able to run most of those games listed in your first post at decent settings.

Not sure how much more intensive Mass Effect 2 is over Mass Effect 1 (I only have the original for PC so far, still haven't finished it, but its definitely not THAT taxing on the GPU, I don't imagine 2 is much harder since I have been told its been dumbed down from the original as far as the game itself goes. But with Mass Effect 3 coming out at the end of the year, not sure what its graphics needs are going to be really).

Just out of the 4 I linked there, if it were me, I'd be going for either the HP or the Dell.

based on the CPU's they have, the HP has the decent Dual core (the Acer does as well, but with that 17" LCD being so large it'd be a bit cumbersome to lug around).

Its GPU isn't too bad either, not top of line, but should run all those games fine. Plus with the ability to switch to intel graphics on the fly to conserve battery power and reduce heat output, thats a plus as well.

Though the Dell has a nice Quad core and a faster Hard drive, but then again, that takes away from battery power as well. GPU is also a bit weaker than the HP. But for a Quad core Lappy, its not bad.

I'd probably lean towards the HP myself. and leave the power house stuff for the desktops (quad core, fast hard drive, etc). Also the CPU is plenty fast I don't imagine she'd be doing to complex of CAD stuff on the Laptop in the first 2 years or so anyways, unless maybe it was a 2 Year Tech School she's going to, where their out in the field and jobs after 2 years, but if she's going to like a 2 Year Community College to transfer to a regular 4 year somewhere else, the demands for a powerful laptop or desktop I don't imagine would be that great anyways.

Benchmarks and info on the HP's GPU: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 - Notebookcheck.net Tech

[GeekMom]

Thanks for all the info! That helped a lot!

[imranfuuast]

I'm looking for a decent laptop for my daughter to use in college. She is also a bit of a gamer, plays Mass Effect 2, Assasins Creed, Portal, etc... My high range to spend is about $1000. I've been looking at Toshiba's and Asus. I was told to avoid Dell, but they do seem to have some good systems in my price range. Some of the models I've looked into are the Toshiba Satellite A665-S6100X, A665-S5173 and 5175, and the ASUS N53SV-XE1 and XV1. Any suggestions??

HP Pavillion DV2660SE, Acer Aspire 5920-6954(specially for gamers), Dell inspiron 1525, Fujitsu lifebook s7211, Toshiba satellite pro A210-EZ2201
i read positive reviews of above laptops to fulfill all your requirements.

[ShyguyXPC]

Uh, no.

You need to check your info, as said with your other reply, the Acer is 3+ Years old, so is that HP you listed, plus its using integrated CRAP Intel Graphics, THAT IS NOT A GAMING Machine.

The original Poster was looking at NEWER CURRENT Laptops, not ones from 3 years ago.

I'm going out on a limb here and guessing ALL your suggestions are laptops from 2008.

The Dell you listed is also from 2008, and like the HP runs Intel Integrated Graphics, which are also crap for gaming, especially the games the OP listed in her first Posting.

HP: HP Pavilion dv2660se Laptop Computer Review | PCWorld

Dell: Dell Inspiron 1525 Specs - Laptops - CNET Reviews

Acer: Acer Aspire 5920-6954 Laptop Computer Product Information | PCWorld

(the Acer HAD good Graphics back in 2008, but that level of graphics chip is long since surpassed even by some of the lowest end Dedicated GPU's in laptops today)

I'm not even going to bother looking up the other 2 listed, suffice it to say, your suggesting old outdated hardware for their needs. (Games listed may run on them, but they'll run poorly if at all)

[GeekMom]

Thanks for all the help, I found one and she LOVES it! I bought an ASUS A53 Series A53SV-XN1 from Newegg. For the price it had so much of what I wanted, and the 7200rpm HDD to boot! I may have to buy one for my husband, his old HP is ready to drop at any minute.

Thanks again!!

[ShyguyXPC]

Cool, Good to hear, that i5 though a lower clock speed, should be a good all around CPU for most stuff, and the GT 540 GPU should be a good average gaming chip. 6GB of RAM will be plenty for Multitasking and games, and the 750GB 7200RPM HDD will be VERY nice for storing stuff, while also decently fast, compared to standard 5400RPM drives.


I'm not a big Asus fan, and I hate Laptop keyboards and pointing devices (at home, my Mom's Netbook, which is even worse since its so small, I have a USB Keyboard plugged into it, and bought here a decent Logitech USB Wireless Laptop Mouse to use with it, which make a HUGE difference instead of using the built in keyboard and pointer, at least when at home)... But for that price, its a pretty nice all around system.

[osprey4]

Be sure to buy an extended warranty. Yes, I know everyone tells you not to but if something serious happens, she'll need a way to get it fixed quickly.

[ShyguyXPC]

LOL, "Quickly" & "Asus" should not be used in the same sentence, or even implied. Its one of the reasons of several I don't care for Asus. But even if it doesn't have an expedient turn around time, the Extended Warranty could be useful.

[Taxmancometh]

I was told to avoid Dell...

You were told wrong.

[Taxmancometh]

Is that i5 processor faster than a dual core? Newegg.com - ASUS A53 Series A53SV-XN1 Notebook Intel Core i5 2410M(2.30GHz) 15.6" 6GB Memory DDR3 1333 750GB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M

[ShyguyXPC]

huh?

It is a dual core, runs at 2.3Ghz.


Runs at 2.9GHz in turbo mode (single core speed)

has Hyper Threading (not a huge bump in performance, but helps a bit sometimes) so the OS will see it as 4 cores.


But here's the specs on the CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-2410M Processor (3M Cache, 2.30 GHz)

[Taxmancometh]

Oh, I did not read it to say dual core.

[GeekMom]

Cool, Good to hear, that i5 though a lower clock speed, should be a good all around CPU for most stuff, and the GT 540 GPU should be a good average gaming chip. 6GB of RAM will be plenty for Multitasking and games, and the 750GB 7200RPM HDD will be VERY nice for storing stuff, while also decently fast, compared to standard 5400RPM drives.

So far it has been a great laptop! She installed some games...Mass Effect, Assasins Creed, and a couple others and says it's fantastic! She's been very happy.. and me, not so since I can't get this laptop anymore and hubby needs a new one. The search begins again....