LAPTOPS. Which one's the best?

[Zacintosh]

Right guys, I have a dilemma. I really don't want another desktop PC (iMac I use for recording etc.) So I decided on a laptop instead. I would use it for games, although I wouldn't be playing them all the time and they would only be very light on the system (I assume (stuff like the sims and Minecraft etc)). I found this HP pavilion and thought the specs were okay, but apparently (according to my very desktop biased friends) I was wrong and it will melt after 4 months.

So what do you guys think? Look for something different, or stick with my decision?

 

[Blain]

Alienware 18 with an i7-4910MQ and SSD.
I would in no case purchase an HP Pavilion.

 

[corkyg]

Since you are used to the Mac OS, why not a MacBook Pro?

 

[Defenestration]

Macbook Pro probably has the best hardware and has the added advantageof being able to develop for/use Windows, OS X/iOS and Linux/Android.

Curent versions don't have touch-screens, but next versions might, although I've read that on a laptop, touch-screen is not so important (compared to a tablet).

 

[Schadenfreude]

Best as in what sense?
• Do you have a budget that you have to stick to?
• What do you do? Are you going to mix recordings or edit video on your laptop?
• Obviously you're in the UK; do you have a preference as far as where you shop?
• How long are you planning on keeping the laptop?
• What made you decide on that laptop in your photo?

Too many unanswered variables to really answer your question.

 

[mistersprinkles]

If you want to game my suggestion is to look for a laptop with atleast a 760 or 860M GPU in it. Sager is probably going to be your best bet. They are sold online. You can get a 4710MQ quad core i7 with a 760 for about $1200 USD. If you want more goodies the price goes up from there.

Honestly, laptop for gaming is not a good move. If you are primarily using this laptop at home, you really ought to buy a desktop. You will get WAY higher performance per $ out of a desktop game rig than a laptop.

If you want to game on a laptop you need a gaming laptop. Alienware, Sager, Asus, MSi, Razer, etc.

One thing I can GUARANTEE you is that no "store" is going to have what you're looking for unless you find a boutique computer hardware retail store that caters to enthusiasts. You need to order this thing online.

And be careful with said laptop. Those things get STUPID hot when they've got a serious GPU in them. Always use it on a flat surface (or better yet a cooling station). Use it in bed, on the couch, on your lap at your own peril.

BTW are you aware that if you have a late-gen iMac, it may already have a half-way decent GPU in it? Install Windows on that sucker and grab some games. JM2C. Good luck.

 

[tenpole]

The OP is from Blighty.

 

[tenpole]

I have had two HP laptops and they have been ok. My current laptop is one of the old A8 it does have an overheating issue ever since the wife knocked it off my chair and broke my screen. I still would buy another one.

Dell seem to be lower price at the moment but the reviews slag the laptops off for feeling cheap and flimsy.

Cheap i3 for £270 no longer listed.

 

[Hulk]

I am very curious about the new Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro (did they fix the screen color issue) and the Asus UX305.
Can't wait for real reviews on these, not previews.

 

[Celeryman]

I must say, I have had my MSI GE60 Apache Pro for about two months and it has been an excellent machine. I was hesitant because of my previous experience with MSI hardware, but I love this laptop. Runs games great with the 860 2GB and does everything else I wanted with ease. I have played Far Cry 3 almost entirely on the Apache Pro and loved it. I would highly recommend it. I did upgrade the memory to 16gb and added an msata 256gb ssd just FYI.

 

[tenpole]

The MSI range are not within the OP price range.

Dell are doing a i3 in the inpirion 3000 rnge for £279. It only has 4gb of ram and a pathetic 500 g/b h/d but at that price I might get one for my daughter. I guess RAM is expensive again, i have not been monitoring prices.

 

[Blain]

The MSI range are not within the OP price range.

And what would that price range be, seeing as none was posted?
Are you privy to information that we aren't?
All that was posted is a picture of a Pavilion price tag.

 

[tenpole]

A lawyer would agree with you, a detective would deduce these assumptions.

I am however going on the uk prices which will not give you much change from £900. That is a big gap from £400.

 

[theintro]

do what your budget can afford

 

[fire400]

acer for IPS display being priced cheaper

lenovo for known quality build

 

[wangotango]

I second the Sager recommendation. Solid hardware.