Advice for buying a laptop

[iphupho]

I am planning to buy a laptop and I need some advice.

I would use it mostly for programming and web development, mostly C# (in MS Visual Studio), PHP, HTML etc. and a little Photoshop. I won't be playing games on it.

My budget is about $450.

I was thinking of buying a Dell Inspiron N5010 Core i3 -370M 2.4GHz 3GB DDR3.

Which laptop would you recommend me?

 

[WR2]

Dell Inspiron N5010 Core i3 -370M would be fine.

 

[k1114]

I think you could find a better laptop at that price. http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834246308

 

[Grand_Admiral_K]

I think you could find a better laptop at that price. http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834246308

+1

The 370M is two generations old now. The Lenovo k1114 linked has an i3 2350M, which is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture. Looks like the best buy in your price range to me.

 

[iphupho]

I can't seem to find that Lenovo in my country (Serbia). Do you have any other suggestions?

 

[WR2]

How about your list notebooks that you DO have in your country?
(like the Inspiron N5010 which is still an OK choice).

That usually works out better than us suggesting more stuff you don't have.

 

[iphupho]

Here are some I picked:

HP Pavilion G6-1222sm - Intel® Core™ i3-2330M 2.20 GHz, 4GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD 6470M
HP 630 Intel Core i3-370M, 4GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD 6370M
MSI CR640-493XEU Intel Core i3-2330M 2.2GHz, 4GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 3000

They're all Core i3. Is there any better or comparable CPU in that price range?

 

[WR2]

What are the prices? What are the other CPU options in those same price ranges?

 

[iphupho]

What are the prices? What are the other CPU options in those same price ranges?

HP Pavilion G6-1222sm - $450
HP 630 - $450
MSI CR640 - $470

Other CPUs:

ASUS K53E-SX1764 - Intel Dual Core B940 2.0 GHz, 4GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 3000 - $450
ASUS X54HR-SX070 - Intel Pentium B960 2.2 GHz, 4GB RAM, ATI Radeon 7470 1GB DDR3 - $450
DELL Inspiron M5040 - AMD Dual-Core E450 1.6GHz, 4GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD 6320 - $403
HP ProBook 4535s - AMD E2-3000M APU 1.8GHz (2.4GHz Turbo Core), 4GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6480G Dual GPU - $450
ACER Aspire 7250G - AMD Fusion E-300 Dual Core 1.3GHz, 4GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD 6470M (1 GB DDR3) - $450

 

[WR2]

HP Pavilion G6-1222sm - $450 looks to be the best deal


Avoid:
DELL Inspiron M5040 - AMD Dual-Core E450
ACER Aspire 7250G - AMD Fusion E-300

 

[ram1009]

"Advice for buying a laptop "

My advice is "don't", unless you absolutely must. Many people visiting this forum seem to think that a laptop computer is a replacement for a desktop computer. It is not. That's not to say they don't have a purpose in the world but you need to be realistic and don't get your hopes up.

 

[iphupho]

WR2 Thanks a lot for your help! I'll think about it some more, but I'm leaning toward HP Pavillion G6.

ram1009, I'm aware of that and I agree with you. I'm buying the laptop so I have something when I can't use my desktop. That's why I don't want to spend much as I won't be using it all the time

 

[WR2]

Many people visiting this forum seem to think that a laptop computer is a replacement for a desktop computer. It is not.

A laptop can make a fine desktop replacement.
Case in point: DELL Inspiron i570 Desktop PC

When the cost of a budget LCD screen is added the price would be similar to HP Pavilion G6-1222sm.

And the HP Pavilion G6-1222sm would have a higher performance CPU and GPU.

 

[WR2]

I'm leaning toward HP Pavillion G6

Of the models you've listed I would have picked the G6 as well.

 

[k1114]

I agree with wr2. Just in case you wanted multiple opinions.

 

[iphupho]

I just found out that Lenovo G570 appeared in my country.

I can get it for $500:

Lenovo G570 Core i3 2330M 2.4GHz/3MB 4GB DDR3 750GB 15.6'' HD (1366x768) LED Glossy ATI-6370M-1GB

I like the design of the Lenovo more and it looks more ergonomic than the HP. But is it better than the HP G6 and is it worth the $50 more overall (considering all aspects like build quality, performance, etc.)?

PS How reliable are Lenovo laptops?