Ambivalent on laptop research....

[StevethePirate]

I am merely curious of the following companies which would surmount the others: Asus, Lenovo, MSI, or Toshiba? My criterion is currently lenient; its cost can be roughly $1.2k, 500+gb HDD, 5000-7200rpm read/write speed HDD, 200 or 300 nVidia series (or Radeon equivalent; I neglect to stay updated w/ ATI), HDMI compatible, 15-17" screen w/ 16:9/16:10/15:9 aspect ratio, and several hour battery life. The companies mentioned are of my prior knowledge and recommendation. If there are any comparable companies not aforementioned, I'm welcome to research them as well. Appreciate your time.

 

[StevethePirate]

Here is my elucidated criterion:

budget: ~$1-1.5k

size: 15-17"

resolution: 16:9/16:10/15:9 aspect ratios

battery life: 4-7hrs

graphic performance: Op Flashpoint: Dragon Rising... I think that is taxing enough for a benchmark

other features/ tasks: sound hardware near FLAC standards, HDMI compatibility, and ability to run Rhino & Solidworks

HDD capacity: 500+gb

sites: amazon.com, compudirect.com, directron.com, evertek.com, mwave.com, ncixus.com, newegg.com, pcdirect.com, tigerdirect.com, zipzoomfly.com, et cetera

longevity: I would prefer that it remain adequate for my entire 4-5year undergrad endeavor; however, I do prospect that I shall built a high performance desktop in a few years. My emphasis on this laptop's abilities is underscored by versatility and practicality.

brands: preferred = Asus, Dell, Lenovo, MSI, and Toshiba; chosen from personal experience and others' recommendation. disliked = Acer & HP; chosen from reviews holding them lowest in reliability or customer service

 

[MindoverMaster]

For me, ASUS and Toshiba are my top two. MSI isn't a bad thing. I just never worked with them. Lenovo is another good choice, but rather expensive.

Battery life said on sites is not true to the actual battery longevity. It most depends all on what you are running. (software running in background)

Get from Newegg, they have the best prices. Be sure to look on other sites to confirm price.

 

[StevethePirate]

After devoting a moderate amount of time in personal research, these four models appear the most sufficient contenders:

-- ASUS N61JQ-X1 or A1

-- MSI GX740-079US

-- SONY VAIO F Series VPCF123FX/B

-- TOSHIBA Qosmio X505-Q870 or 887

 

[MindoverMaster]

As said before, I recommend ASUS and Toshiba.

The ASUS A1 is currently not available on Newegg. Any of the others look swell. You should Google up reviews on each.

(It would have been easier if you just posted a link)

 

[StevethePirate]

To better reinforce my predicament, here are the previously listed 4 contenders, each with its advantages and shortcomings:

--- ASUS N61JQ-X1 or A1
pros:
>optional HDD capacity
>7200rpm HDD
>DX11 compatible ATI Radeon HD 5730; NVidia 330GT is not & is generally
lesser performing
>USB 3.0
>matte finish
>most inexpensive
>reputable customer service
cons:
>lesser i7 720QM processor
>4gb RAM
>low native resolution

--- MSI GX740-079US
pros:
>DX11 compatible middle performing ATI Radeon HD 5730
>7200rpm HDD
>high native resolution
>USB 3.0
cons:
>lesser i7 720QM processor
>4gb RAM
>gloss finish
>uncertain customer service

--- SONY VAIO F Series VPCF123FX/B
pros:
>better i7 740QM processor
>PhysX compatible NVidia 330GT
>6gb RAM
>blu-ray compatible
>high native resolution
>USB 3.0
>matte finish
>reputable customer service
cons:
>5400rpm HDD (custom order VPCF1190X has optional 7200rpm HDD)
>DX11 incompatible & least perfoming NVidia 330GT

--- TOSHIBA Qosmio X505-Q870 or 887
pros:
>optional i7 processor
>PhysX compatible & highest performing NVidia 360GTS
>7200rpm HDD
>18.4" screen
>USB 3.0
cons:
>DX11 incompatible NVidia 360GTS
>18.4" screen
>gloss finish
>most expensive
>uncertain customer service

 

[StevethePirate]

Considering I frequent locations with accessible outlets, battery life is not as imperative; a 3-5hr battery life seems more appropriate to the remainder of my criterion.

 

[MindoverMaster]

How is 4GB RAM a con? DX11 incompatible? A lesser i7 will save your battery life. 5400RPM will save you battery power over the 7200RPM. Expensivity is not a factor. You are looking for performance.

and several hour battery life

Battery life is not imperative? You said in the first post you wanted good battery life. Do you, or don't you?

 

[StevethePirate]

How is 4GB RAM a con? DX11 incompatible? A lesser i7 will save your battery life. 5400RPM will save you battery power over the 7200RPM. Expensivity is not a factor. You are looking for performance.



Battery life is not imperative? You said in the first post you wanted good battery life. Do you, or don't you?

Perhaps this will clarify the ambiguity: performance precedes battery life and pros/ cons are established by comparison to each other (exempli gratia: 4gb vs 6gb).

 

[carnageX]

If you want good performance as well as good battery life, you're going to have to buy a separate high-cell battery (i.e. 12-cell).