Suggestions for a laptop purchase please.

kol12

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Jan 26, 2015
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I'm looking to buy a laptop for some time that I will be away from my desktop. Ultimately I will use the desktop more and that is my main machine. For that reason I do not want to want to spend a ton on the laptop. On the other hand I would like to get something that will last the distance.

I have this urge to get something that can do some light gaming but another part of me thinks for the time it will get used is it worth it? It really is for brief times that I will be away from my desktop. That being said the difference in something that game and something that can't is maybe only a few hundred dollars.

There's no doubt I would prefer an 8th gen processor but I am stuck knowing whether I would need the power from a 45w 8750H or would manage with a 15w 8550U. Is the 8550U sufficient for general duties and a bit of light gaming or would the 8750H pay off?


I am looking at an Asus FX504 which in NZ is $1599. It has an 8750H and a GTX 1050. To be honest I don't even want to spend that much and it seems over priced. Anything below that cost wise is going to be an 8550U and a non gameable GPU. Should I just forget gaming and get something like a 2 in 1 that looks sleek and can at least play Windows store games? What do you suggest?
 
Solution
In general:
1. For gaming and for daily usages I5 8xxx should be enough, no need for I7 8xxx. I7 7xxxHQ is a good option tho'.
2. Pick H and/or Q but not U, if possible
3. look for stronger GPUs, 1050ti is like your minimum, if possible.
4. you will play not only Win store games, trust me!
5. Forget convertibles, etc. performance is more important for games.


However, things are more expensive there in NZ, This makes things tricky.
Now, I would look around first and try to look at laptops with the GTX1050 or higher within your price budget range (max out your budget but do not go for something you can not afford).
An SSD already included would be good too but you can add one later.
List your findings here and we will help you...

animemangamer

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Sep 18, 2017
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That specific model cost $950 here in the US market. It's kind of challenging because you are in a different market and price and stores are different there. Could you like provide a couple online electronic stores from New Zealand?

There's a lot of options here but not all may apply to your market. I filtered some results here with 8th gen i5/i7 and GTX 10 series dedicated gpu:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100157995%20601303704%20601303722%20601211658%204814&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=36
 

guanyu210379

Distinguished
In general:
1. For gaming and for daily usages I5 8xxx should be enough, no need for I7 8xxx. I7 7xxxHQ is a good option tho'.
2. Pick H and/or Q but not U, if possible
3. look for stronger GPUs, 1050ti is like your minimum, if possible.
4. you will play not only Win store games, trust me!
5. Forget convertibles, etc. performance is more important for games.


However, things are more expensive there in NZ, This makes things tricky.
Now, I would look around first and try to look at laptops with the GTX1050 or higher within your price budget range (max out your budget but do not go for something you can not afford).
An SSD already included would be good too but you can add one later.
List your findings here and we will help you later....or put store links here...
 
Solution

kol12

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Jan 26, 2015
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@guanyu210379

So you would happy enough going for the 7th gen 7700HQ over 8th gen parts if you had to? A lot of 7700HQ laptops come with the 1050 that newer 8th gen's do not. Do i5's actually come in H or Q parts?

Last time I checked the NZD is at an all time low so it is tough here for sure. This store probably have some of the cheapest prices but not the biggest range.

https://www.justlaptops.co.nz/


This is a bigger outlet and they have a big sale this weekend but discounts are not known at this stage. Appreciate the help because this is giving me a headache!


https://www.pbtech.co.nz/category/computers/laptops
 

guanyu210379

Distinguished
There should be also I5 with H and/Q e.g. I5 8400H.
There are also some new variants B, Y, etc. I think the B should be find too for gaming.

Important:
For gaming, the 7th. gen 7700HQ will do, if you can find it with better dedicated GPU. The dedicated GPU will run much better than the 8th. gen iGPU.
Since price is your constraint, it is better to take the slightly older gen proc but better dedicated GPU.

Now, spec-wise, this one is interesting but it is slightly over your budget:
https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKHNB150036/HP-Pavilion-15-cx0036TX-GTX1050Ti-Gaming-Laptop-15


If you really canot go beyond your posted budget NZD1600, Asus FX504 will have to do.

It seems that the prices for I7 7700HQ does not influence much the pricing there in NZ.
 

kol12

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Jan 26, 2015
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The HP looks really nice but I'm not going to spend 2K.. Did anything else stick out? So would the 8300H be sufficient in the Asus FX504?


Knowing to avoid the U processors and to look for i5 H processors helps a lot thanks.
 

kol12

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Jan 26, 2015
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kol12

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Jan 26, 2015
134
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4,640


I see, no HT in 7300HQ. Thanks for heads up. It's probably a no brainer to want the 4GB 1050 vs 2GB.. Even better the 1050 Ti.

Edit: I can order a Dell G3 15 directly from Dell in NZ and it has a 1050 Ti. Price is right on budget, getting up there, but if it's worth it.

https://www.dell.com/en-nz/shop/laptops-ultrabooks-notebooks/dell-g3-15/spd/g-series-15-3579-laptop/b510500nz
 

kol12

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Jan 26, 2015
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4,640
The suggested processors really helped me to solve this. Thanks @guanyu210379! Thanks for your suggestion too @animemangamer


Maybe I can report back when I have decided on a purchase!