Buying a Work/Play Laptop

[DiabloDj1]

Hey guys,

Looking to buy a new laptop. Here are some relevant Q&As to get us started:

1. What is your budget?
$500-$700 - flexible based on if its worth it to go higher

2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
15.6" screen

3. What screen resolution do you want?
1920x1080

4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
Both - if we're asking size, I don't mind my current 14" 5.5 lb. Asus, so if its around that weight that's fine. Smaller is better, but a DVD drive might be nice too so I don't have to buy an external

5. What tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
- Screen recording and editing of that video (basic)
- Basic Photoshop needs
- No video gaming.

8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?
200gb needed. I'd prefer 500gb+

9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
TigerDirect.com
Lenovo.com

12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
I've had good experience with Asus and Lenovo seems on top of their game for my needs. I'm not stuck on a brand.
But I can say I'm not a fan of Dell.

13. What country do you live in?
USA.

14. Upgrading from...
Asus x401a w/Intel Celeron 830B

15. Here are a few I found.
Acer Aspire V3-572G-7609
Acer Aspire V3-572G-54L9
Lenovo Flex 2 59418265
Lenovo Flex 2 15D 59418242
Lenovo Z50 $699


Here's where paralysis sets in:
I need it to perform at high levels for my work. Think MS Office, a dozen Chrome tabs, and Camtasia running as the most strenuous activity. Also, would like to have it hooked up to a second monitor.

Now when I look at options, like the bunch I listed above, I get lost at what's important in one compared to the next...

• 
  Dedicated vs. Internal graphics cards
  AMD A8 vs. i5 or i7
  8GB vs 16GB
  TFT Color LCD vs. IPS LED
  SSHD+HD vs. HD

Any help from here is appreciated..

Let me know if you need any more info!

Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

[Alpha3031]

Go with i5 or i7 but only i7 if it doesn't affect the other choices

8 GB is fine again, only go 16 GB if it doesn't affect other choices

IPS seems better for your needs

Go with Dedicated GPU

SSHD is better

 

[DiabloDj1]

Go with i5 or i7 but only i7 if it doesn't affect the other choices

8 GB is fine again, only go 16 GB if it doesn't affect other choices

IPS seems better for your needs

Go with Dedicated GPU

SSHD is better

Can't get it all though, so here's an example of where I get stuck. Which configuration is best (all have i7 4510U)?

Display Type Active Matrix TFT Color LCD
Capacity 1TB HD
GPU/VPU NVIDIA GeForce 840M (dedicated)
RAM 16gb
Cost $730

Display Type FHD IPS LED backlight display
Capacity 1x 500GB HD, 1x 8GB SSHD
GPU/VPU Intel HD 4400 (integrated)
RAM 8gb
Cost $800 *touchscreen is a nice feature on this one

Display Type FHD IPS LED AntiGlare
Capacity 1x 500GB HD, 1x 8GB SSHD
GPU/VPU NVIDIA GeForce GT 820M (dedicated)
RAM 8gb
Cost $700

Remember, mostly for getting work done and being productive online and in Excel sheets, not for gaming.

Thanks again!

 

[Alpha3031]

Can you go with better if you go with i5?
8 GB is enough RAM, so I'd go with the second one or the third one, but there are two things things, I wouldn't want to give up on the first, the 1 TB Drive, and the 840M.

Otherwise, the second seems nice.

 

[DiabloDj1]

Cant find an i5 any better (I'm sure its out there somewhere, but I've yet to find it).

I'm definitely going with the 2nd or 3rd - I just cant decide whether the touch screen is worth it and if I'm really losing anything without the 820M since I'm not gaming.

Thanks Alpha!

 

[Alpha3031]

Do note that a touch screen will not be anti glare, though windows 8 and touch screens are great together.