Hey all, I'm basically looking for a laptop that can handle gaming, 3d modelling/animation/etc (using Maya primarily), some post production work in After Effects, and watching movies and what not in HD and the like (though I suspect this shouldn't be a problem since my current laptop can handle that).
Here goes. Hope I am doing this right, following this guide and all.
1_What is your budget?
$1000 (CAD preferably)
2_What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
15" - 17"
3_What screen resolution
My current one is 1680x1050 (love it) but anything 1366 x 768 and higher is nice. The higher the better.
4_Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
desktop replacement laptop. I'll be bringing it to work and to and from my parent's place to do some gaming and work. Hopefully it doesn't exceed 10lbs. My current is about 7-8lbs.
5_How much battery life do you need?
Of course the longer the better but since I'll most likely have an outlet near me when I use it I don't need that long of a battery life since I won't play demanding games on battery alone. So at least 2hrs? Mine lasts about 4-5hrs I believe.
6_Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
all the following I would like playable fps. I'm not TOO picky when it comes down to it, esp. if there is no option to show framerate but the higher the better of course. Hopefully at least 40fps on these settings
(high and max are generally the same in this case)
Bad Company 2 (max but AA is not necessary)
Aion (max)
COD: MW2 (max but AA not necessary)
Borderlands (high with 2x AA but again, not necessary)
Team Fortress 2 (max)
L4D2 (max but AA not necessary)
Dragon Age (max but AA not necessary)
Mass Effect 2 (max but AA not necessary)
Final Fantasy XIV (max with some AA hopefully. Yes I know there is little information on specs...or I could be wrong. And no gameplay videos as of yet but I want to be prepared)
Crysis (high, no AA, about 30fps or higher would be nice) - no biggie if it can't do this since my desktop can only handle this on the highest settings but no AA and only get around 30 fps on average as well. Unless I look at the ground or am in less demanding areas in which I'd get around 50+)
7_What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo / Video editing,watching movies, Etc.)
Watch movies
Photoshop
After Effects/Video Editing
3D Rendering...Maya
Word processing
Surf the web
8_How much storage (H.D.D Capacity) do you need?
Not picky at all but the bigger the better. At LEAST 160GB. My current one has 80 and it's barely enough sometimes. I'm sure the ones now harbour at least 250 or 320 if I'm not mistaken.
9_If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post the links to them.
tigerdirect
Canada Computers
Futureshop
Best Buy
Newegg
Generally don't buy things online but I'll make an exception this time around. And I tend not to buy computer related items from Futreshop/Best Buy unless they are on sale and are cheap cause they are generally overpriced I think, compared to say CC and Tiger Direct.
10_How long do you want to keep your laptop?
As long as possible haha. Mine has lasted me 4 years but it's getting too slow with the things I do. so I'd say a few years at least. I'm not that into keeping up to date or changing laptops often though.
11_What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray
ROM/Writer,Etc ?
A DVD R/W would be nice and being able to watch Bluray would be a plus but not necessary.
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.
Asus - been hearing good things and seeing good things
MSI - thought they were bad but heard from a friend they're not bad at all
HP - lots of people have one, but how good are they really?
I don't know about other brands but I'm pretty much open to any brand that's trustworthy, has good warranty and customer service. I don' really trust Gateway cause I hear their laptops blow up? Correct me if I'm wrong. That could have been a long time ago though.
Acer I don't know if they're good but from what my father says they aren't that great.
Apple - not sure if this applies but I do not like them and won't consider buying one.
As far as other brands, I'm open to anything.
13_What country do you live in?
Canada
14_Please tell us any additional information if needed.
My current laptop is:
Lenovo 3000 N100 series
17", 1680x1050, not a full keyboard but a nice one
Centrino Duo (Dual Core T2300 @ 1.66ghz 1.67ghz)
Mobile Intel(R) 945 Express Chipset Family (integrated graphics 128MB I believe)
2GB RAM (ddr2 I'm assuming)
80GB HD
has bluetooth (barely tough it at all)
built in wireless (what laptop doesn't have that nowadays)
DVD R/W
4 USB ports (love this aspect of it) - would like around the same amount if not more. Minimum 3 though.
Other specs I would like on laptop:
keyboard that feels nice and responds well and is smooth when typing, like the Lenovo one. Full keyboard though.
at least 2GB RAM
a dedicated GPU
media keys are not necessary but would be nice. lighted keys would be fantastic but again not necessary.
Hope that is enough information. Thanks to everyone in advance!
Here goes. Hope I am doing this right, following this guide and all.
1_What is your budget?
$1000 (CAD preferably)
2_What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
15" - 17"
3_What screen resolution
My current one is 1680x1050 (love it) but anything 1366 x 768 and higher is nice. The higher the better.
4_Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
desktop replacement laptop. I'll be bringing it to work and to and from my parent's place to do some gaming and work. Hopefully it doesn't exceed 10lbs. My current is about 7-8lbs.
5_How much battery life do you need?
Of course the longer the better but since I'll most likely have an outlet near me when I use it I don't need that long of a battery life since I won't play demanding games on battery alone. So at least 2hrs? Mine lasts about 4-5hrs I believe.
6_Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
all the following I would like playable fps. I'm not TOO picky when it comes down to it, esp. if there is no option to show framerate but the higher the better of course. Hopefully at least 40fps on these settings
(high and max are generally the same in this case)Bad Company 2 (max but AA is not necessary)
Aion (max)
COD: MW2 (max but AA not necessary)
Borderlands (high with 2x AA but again, not necessary)
Team Fortress 2 (max)
L4D2 (max but AA not necessary)
Dragon Age (max but AA not necessary)
Mass Effect 2 (max but AA not necessary)
Final Fantasy XIV (max with some AA hopefully. Yes I know there is little information on specs...or I could be wrong. And no gameplay videos as of yet but I want to be prepared)
Crysis (high, no AA, about 30fps or higher would be nice) - no biggie if it can't do this since my desktop can only handle this on the highest settings but no AA and only get around 30 fps on average as well. Unless I look at the ground or am in less demanding areas in which I'd get around 50+)
7_What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo / Video editing,watching movies, Etc.)
Watch movies
Photoshop
After Effects/Video Editing
3D Rendering...Maya
Word processing
Surf the web
8_How much storage (H.D.D Capacity) do you need?
Not picky at all but the bigger the better. At LEAST 160GB. My current one has 80 and it's barely enough sometimes. I'm sure the ones now harbour at least 250 or 320 if I'm not mistaken.
9_If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post the links to them.
tigerdirect
Canada Computers
Futureshop
Best Buy
Newegg
Generally don't buy things online but I'll make an exception this time around. And I tend not to buy computer related items from Futreshop/Best Buy unless they are on sale and are cheap cause they are generally overpriced I think, compared to say CC and Tiger Direct.
10_How long do you want to keep your laptop?
As long as possible haha. Mine has lasted me 4 years but it's getting too slow with the things I do. so I'd say a few years at least. I'm not that into keeping up to date or changing laptops often though.
11_What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray
ROM/Writer,Etc ?
A DVD R/W would be nice and being able to watch Bluray would be a plus but not necessary.
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.
Asus - been hearing good things and seeing good things
MSI - thought they were bad but heard from a friend they're not bad at all
HP - lots of people have one, but how good are they really?
I don't know about other brands but I'm pretty much open to any brand that's trustworthy, has good warranty and customer service. I don' really trust Gateway cause I hear their laptops blow up? Correct me if I'm wrong. That could have been a long time ago though.
Acer I don't know if they're good but from what my father says they aren't that great.
Apple - not sure if this applies but I do not like them and won't consider buying one.
As far as other brands, I'm open to anything.
13_What country do you live in?
Canada
14_Please tell us any additional information if needed.
My current laptop is:
Lenovo 3000 N100 series
17", 1680x1050, not a full keyboard but a nice one
Centrino Duo (Dual Core T2300 @ 1.66ghz 1.67ghz)
Mobile Intel(R) 945 Express Chipset Family (integrated graphics 128MB I believe)
2GB RAM (ddr2 I'm assuming)
80GB HD
has bluetooth (barely tough it at all)
built in wireless (what laptop doesn't have that nowadays)
DVD R/W
4 USB ports (love this aspect of it) - would like around the same amount if not more. Minimum 3 though.
Other specs I would like on laptop:
keyboard that feels nice and responds well and is smooth when typing, like the Lenovo one. Full keyboard though.
at least 2GB RAM
a dedicated GPU
media keys are not necessary but would be nice. lighted keys would be fantastic but again not necessary.
Hope that is enough information. Thanks to everyone in advance!
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