Hello all, Ive asked this question on other boards with no luck - hoping the pros here have some insight!
Hello all - I'm looking to upgrade in the next month to a small gaming machine. I would like IVB (unless SB would be just as good? Not really sure if IVB is worth the investment?) and 650M Kepler or better. I want to keep it small - 14" or lower and under 5lbs, preferably closer to 4lb or less.
Right now, with the disappointing 640LE in the Y480, I'm stuck looking at the 11.6" Sager NP6110. It looks like a great little machine but is just a bit too small for my taste. If I can't find anything else, I'll get it, but for now Im holding out for something more the size I'm looking for.
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
$1000-$1200 (max, closer to 1k or lower the better)
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
3) Where will you buying this notebook?
USA
4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Don't care - I like well build machines (read NO FLIMSY SCREEN HINGES)
5) Would you consider laptops that are refurbished/redistributed?
Don't care but I dont expect IVB/650M to be available within the next month in refurb condition.
6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?
Gaming (D3, Skyrim, BF3), photo work (Photoshop/Lightroom), and Office Work (PPT, etc). Will be plugging into an external 1080p monitor, so need something that can run on that smoothly.
7) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?
Both. I'd say 70/30 desk/travel. But when I travel its 10hr days staring at the screen on the move, which is what worries me about 11.6" size or 5lb+ weight.
8) Will you be playing games on your notebook? If so, please state which games or types of games?
Yes - as stated above mostly RPG/MMORPG/MOBAs - some FPS (don't need ultra settings but would like to future proof as much as possible).
9) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Don't care. Anything over 3-4hr of office work (office/excel/ppt) is fine. Will be plugged in for gaming.
10) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK?
Online is fine.
11) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista or Windows 7), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Any version of W7 Home Premium or higher is fine.
Screen Specifics
12) From the choices below, what screen resolution(s) would you prefer?
Resolution isn't a big deal for me, I'm fine with a x768 screen since most of my work will be on a 1080p monitor.
13) Do you want a Glossy/reflective screen or a Matte/non-glossy screen?
Glossy is fine, whatever is cheaper.
Build Quality and Design
14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
The Alienware is ugly. I like minimalistic and slick. Clevo/Sagers are perfect re:style.
15) When are you buying this laptop?
Ideally prior to May 20. Potentially as late as late June.
16) How long do you want this laptop to last?
My current machine has served me for 5 years. I'd love a 4+ year machine but 3 would be good too.
Notebook Components
17) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 640GB? Do you want a SSD drive?
SSD if its worth the money - don't think I really need it but I won't turn it down if the price is right. 500gb is fine for HD.
18) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
Don't need one - if I can get one I'd love a Blu-Ray drive. Not necessary though - anything goes here.
Currently, I can't find anything. The Lenovo Y480, which was supposed to come packing a 650M, was released with a less than stellar 640LE GPU. The Asus N46 got downgrade to a 635M. The Alienware is too heavy and too expensive.
I'm looking at the 11.6" Sager as my only saving grace. I'd like something a little bigger than an 11.6", but it seems that what I'm looking for simply doesn't exist. Would love to be proven wrong!
Hello all - I'm looking to upgrade in the next month to a small gaming machine. I would like IVB (unless SB would be just as good? Not really sure if IVB is worth the investment?) and 650M Kepler or better. I want to keep it small - 14" or lower and under 5lbs, preferably closer to 4lb or less.
Right now, with the disappointing 640LE in the Y480, I'm stuck looking at the 11.6" Sager NP6110. It looks like a great little machine but is just a bit too small for my taste. If I can't find anything else, I'll get it, but for now Im holding out for something more the size I'm looking for.
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
$1000-$1200 (max, closer to 1k or lower the better)
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
3) Where will you buying this notebook?
USA
4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Don't care - I like well build machines (read NO FLIMSY SCREEN HINGES)
5) Would you consider laptops that are refurbished/redistributed?
Don't care but I dont expect IVB/650M to be available within the next month in refurb condition.
6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?
Gaming (D3, Skyrim, BF3), photo work (Photoshop/Lightroom), and Office Work (PPT, etc). Will be plugging into an external 1080p monitor, so need something that can run on that smoothly.
7) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?
Both. I'd say 70/30 desk/travel. But when I travel its 10hr days staring at the screen on the move, which is what worries me about 11.6" size or 5lb+ weight.
8) Will you be playing games on your notebook? If so, please state which games or types of games?
Yes - as stated above mostly RPG/MMORPG/MOBAs - some FPS (don't need ultra settings but would like to future proof as much as possible).
9) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Don't care. Anything over 3-4hr of office work (office/excel/ppt) is fine. Will be plugged in for gaming.
10) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK?
Online is fine.
11) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista or Windows 7), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Any version of W7 Home Premium or higher is fine.
Screen Specifics
12) From the choices below, what screen resolution(s) would you prefer?
Resolution isn't a big deal for me, I'm fine with a x768 screen since most of my work will be on a 1080p monitor.
13) Do you want a Glossy/reflective screen or a Matte/non-glossy screen?
Glossy is fine, whatever is cheaper.
Build Quality and Design
14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
The Alienware is ugly. I like minimalistic and slick. Clevo/Sagers are perfect re:style.
15) When are you buying this laptop?
Ideally prior to May 20. Potentially as late as late June.
16) How long do you want this laptop to last?
My current machine has served me for 5 years. I'd love a 4+ year machine but 3 would be good too.
Notebook Components
17) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 640GB? Do you want a SSD drive?
SSD if its worth the money - don't think I really need it but I won't turn it down if the price is right. 500gb is fine for HD.
18) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
Don't need one - if I can get one I'd love a Blu-Ray drive. Not necessary though - anything goes here.
Currently, I can't find anything. The Lenovo Y480, which was supposed to come packing a 650M, was released with a less than stellar 640LE GPU. The Asus N46 got downgrade to a 635M. The Alienware is too heavy and too expensive.
I'm looking at the 11.6" Sager as my only saving grace. I'd like something a little bigger than an 11.6", but it seems that what I'm looking for simply doesn't exist. Would love to be proven wrong!
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