good laptop under 900 usd

[JIM 372]

Hello everyone,
I'm in the market for a new laptop and I just want some advice.I will be using it for studying, Internet surfing, some gaming.... etc.
My requirements :
Screen: FHD
CPU: i5 (3rd generation) or better
GPU: the best one can find in the 900 range
Storage: 500+ hdd (an ssd would be nice but not required)
Battery: 3+
OS: windows 8 or 7
ram: 8gb
Brands: hp and asus are preferred but I will consider any other brand unless it's dell
Laptop I'm currently considering http/shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/HP-ENVY/G0T95AV?HP-ENVY-15t
(I'm getting the 850m)
One more question is the hybrid hard drive really worth the extra 40$
Any help is greatly appreciated

 

[Felipe259]

I dont trust HP cooling to buy that laptop and push it with demanding games (which the Gtx 850 can handle). You should get the Display 1920x1080 (you said FHD after all) and the backlit keyboard if you buy this HP, also get a good cooling pad just to be careful. About the hybrid HDD I dont think its worth it.
http/www.amazon.com/dp/B00A1ZTZOG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=20GAES5JB6FGU&coliid=I2W7AM21MITB5B&psc=1

Consider a Sager laptop if you dont mind the looks and branding (Sager is a pretty good one btw). That HP is quite nice but that processor downgrade when getting the 850m sucks!!!

http/www.xoticpc.com/sager-np6658-clevo-w650sj-p-6994.html?wconfigure=yes

http/www.xoticpc.com/sager-np4658-clevo-w650sf-p-6995.html?wconfigure=yes

 

[JIM 372]

I don't know do you really trust sager I mean this is actually the first time I hear about them.

Moreover the sager is a little bit over my budget (windows adds 80$)
I can get this one http/www.xoticpc.com/msi-gp60-leopard010-p-6964.html?wconfigure=yes but it's only i5+ 840m.

About the ssd I will definitely get that one.
Thanks for your input.

 

[Felipe259]

I don't know do you really trust sager I mean this is actually the first time I hear about them.

Moreover the sager is a little bit over my budget (windows adds 80$)
I can get this one http/www.xoticpc.com/msi-gp60-leopard010-p-6964.html?wconfigure=yes but it's only i5+ 840m.

About the ssd I will definitely get that one.
Thanks for your input.

From my personal experience I'd rather get a laptop with an inferior GPU that CAN handle the cooling under heavy load. With my old Acer I wouldn't be able to play games because it would overheat and turn off, even tho it had a nice geforce gt540m.

That MSI's i5 will perform real close to the HP's i7 (both are 2.5GHz-3.1GHz) so don't let that be deciding. Try to find reviews on both laptops! Couldn't find the exact model on Amazon but I believe those 2 are close enough (I check specially the bad reviews when buying something). Lastly a video review of the MSI

http/www.amazon.com/HP-Envy-Quad-Laptop-15-6-/dp/B00HLOKKU8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1405954805&sr=8-6&keywords=hp+envy+15t

http/www.amazon.com/HP-ENVY-Edition-Notebook-Laptop/dp/B00D7Z84OY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405954805&sr=8-1&keywords=hp+envy+15t

https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpl7jVwXzW0

 

[JIM 372]

Is there any other options with 850m under 900 as there is quite some difference between the 850 and the 840.
I searched all over the Internet for any reviews of the hp but couldn't find any.

 

[Felipe259]

I dont believe there is, unless it's a super special offer somewhere, like black friday offer. That HP is a good laptop at a nice price and if your gaming is light (like LoL, Dota2, WoW, older games) you may not experience overheating. But if you do don't hesitate on buying a cooling pad because recurring heat problems would damage the laptop.

http/www.amazon.com/dp/B002MU1ZRS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=20GAES5JB6FGU&coliid=I3A9UBWRAQ94VD

 

[JIM 372]

What do you think about this one www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7WF21G/ref%3Das_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H7WF21G&linkCode=as2&tag=hubpages00b7e-20&linkId=6VZRBKMFKOMGYUF6#productDetails

 

[Felipe259]

What do you think about this one www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7WF21G/ref%3Das_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H7WF21G&linkCode=as2&tag=hubpages00b7e-20&linkId=6VZRBKMFKOMGYUF6#productDetails

Check up there! "With my old Acer I wouldn't be able to play games because it would overheat and turn off, even tho it had a nice geforce gt540m."

I will never buy another thing from Acer. If you don't plan to play any games at all then it might be a laptop for you, otherwise the HP is a safer bet.

What games you would like to play on you laptop?? Are your gaming sessions long (like 4+ hours) ?

 

[JIM 372]

Not really like 1~2 hours
GTA 5 (when it comes out), battlefield 4, c&c generals (it's pretty old but I play it alot), and maybe other games in the future.

 

[Felipe259]

Hmmm get the HP and later a cooling pad! IF you have troubles with the heat after some months find a pc tech to clean and change the thermal paste for ya.

At your price range and between those options thats what I would do.

 

[JIM 372]

Ok final question can I add a ssd for the OS and keep the hdd? (is there an extra slot for the ssd?)

 

[Felipe259]

Ok final question can I add a ssd for the OS and keep the hdd? (is there an extra slot for the ssd?)

There isnt. What ppl do (myself included) is buy an HDD caddy to put it on the dvd slot. You can then buy a thing to use the dvd via usb.

http/www.amazon.com/dp/B001KUYF5K/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=20GAES5JB6FGU&coliid=I39VIM0V1OYPED

http/www.amazon.com/dp/B004Y8SGXW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=20GAES5JB6FGU&coliid=IKSVK09QY2K2K&psc=1

 

[JIM 372]

I think I will go with the hp + Samsung ssd + the ssd and optical drive caddy
Maybe I will get a cooling pad later if needed.
Thanks again.