Thoughts about a new affordable multi-function laptop

[Jinn]

Hi all.

Ok, so my laptop is on its last legs, so I'm looking at getting a replacement.

I use photoshop & Illustrator a lot, as well as watching movies/tv online, playing a couple of online RPG's & sims 3 on occasion, and surfing the web.
So ideally I need something that is ok with multi-tasking, that wont freeze, and that is reliable.

My budget isn't huge, up to £400ish.

I'd like 4gb+ RAM, at least 350gb HDD, and a decent CPU, and graphics card.

These are a couple I've looked at, but I'm a little green at all this, so if you guys have better ideas, I'd be grateful for your input

TOSHIBA Satellite L50-B-137:
http/www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/toshiba-satellite-l50-b-137-15-6-laptop-white-22071163-pdt.html

HP 15-n278sa:
http/www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/refurbished-laptops/hp-15-n278sa-15-6-refurbished-laptop-silver-21862508-pdt.html

HP Pavillion 17:
http/www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1443879.htm

x

 

[BlasterX]

I sum it up for you:

-Unfortunately, none of these laptops have dedicated graphics. They all have integrated graphics. The HP pavillion and Toshiba Sattelite have Intel HD 4000, while the HP 15-N has slightly better graphics with AMD Radeon HD 7600G. But if you're not doing hardcore Photoshop with multiple dozens of high-resolution images, then the Integrated graphics are fine.

-Performance-wise, the Intel Core i5 processor in the HP Pavilion and Toshiba sattelite are a lot faster than the AMD A8-4555M processor. The AMD A8 processor is quad-core, but quad-core versus dual-core isn't going to benefit for most users. (Hope this doesn't confuse you :x )
My recommendation is getting the laptops with the Core i5.

Now depending on size:

The HP Pavilion is 17 inches, which is very big and heavy at 2.9kg.
The Toshiba Sattelite L50 is on 15.6 inches and 2.2kg, which is more acceptable for traveling (if you do). It does have 4GB less memory than the HP Pavilion, but you could buy an additional 4GB of RAM if required.

and btw, there is an Acer laptop for 399 pounds with up to 7 hour battery life and slightly faster processor, which is good when you're off a power socket (and a slim & stylish finish too): http/www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2492898.htm

 

[Jinn]

if I can up the amount I can spend...

Toshiba Satellite C55-A-1N1
http/www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Satellite-C55-A-1N1-15-6-inch-i5-4200M/dp/B00H7911TQ/ref=psdc1_t3_B00I1BRCLK_B00H7911TQ

Lenovo G50-70
http/www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/59421803-Lenovo-G50-70_1641305.html

Toshiba L50-B-1QV
http/www.very.co.uk/toshiba-l50-b-1qv-intelreg-coretrade-i5-processor-6gb-ram-1tb-hard-drive-wi-fi-156-inch-laptop-with-2gb-dedicated-graphics-and-optional-microsoft-office-365-personal-white/1406194242.prd

MSI CX61 Haswell
http/www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/CX61-2PC-685UK-MSI-CX61-Haswell_1620397.html

I'm still totally confused lol

I sum it up for you:

-Unfortunately, none of these laptops have dedicated graphics. They all have integrated graphics. The HP pavillion and Toshiba Sattelite have Intel HD 4000, while the HP 15-N has slightly better graphics with AMD Radeon HD 7600G. But if you're not doing hardcore Photoshop with multiple dozens of high-resolution images, then the Integrated graphics are fine.

-Performance-wise, the Intel Core i5 processor in the HP Pavilion and Toshiba sattelite are a lot faster than the AMD A8-4555M processor. The AMD A8 processor is quad-core, but quad-core versus dual-core isn't going to benefit for most users. (Hope this doesn't confuse you :x )
My recommendation is getting the laptops with the Core i5.

Now depending on size:

The HP Pavilion is 17 inches, which is very big and heavy at 2.9kg.
The Toshiba Sattelite L50 is on 15.6 inches and 2.2kg, which is more acceptable for traveling (if you do). It does have 4GB less memory than the HP Pavilion, but you could buy an additional 4GB of RAM if required.

and btw, there is an Acer laptop for 399 pounds with up to 7 hour battery life and slightly faster processor, which is good when you're off a power socket (and a slim & stylish finish too): http/www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2492898.htm

 

[Prostar Computer]

Dedicated graphics are not a must, but you will not get great performance in gaming out of a system without a dedicated graphics processor.

The MSI CX61 you listed may treat you fairly well, though! The 820M and i5 in it will handle most games on medium settings. The only thing that's uncertain is whether that hard drive is 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM (higher number = better performance).

 

[Jinn]

Hey!

I think the drive is 5400 as this is the number I've found on the i7 versions of the same computer, so assuming it'll be the same in the i5 too.

I don't do a huge amount of gaming on my laptop (I have a desktop and ps3 for that), but I so like to waste time with the sims now and again, and the online rpg's - Wartune).
The main things I use it for are Photoshop, watching movies/tv, internet and music, but like to know I can multi-task without trouble.

The laptop I'm replacing is: HP Pavilion dv6, Win7, AMD Turion Dual-core, 4gb ram, ATI Radeon HD 5470

Dedicated graphics are not a must, but you will not get great performance in gaming out of a system without a dedicated graphics processor.

The MSI CX61 you listed may treat you fairly well, though! The 820M and i5 in it will handle most games on medium settings. The only thing that's uncertain is whether that hard drive is 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM (higher number = better performance).

 

[Jinn]

I've just found this one on offer. Seemed to be pretty good, but what do you guys think?

http/www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-z50-70-15-6-laptop-white-10022700-pdt.html

 

[BlasterX]

I've just found this one on offer. Seemed to be pretty good, but what do you guys think?

http/www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-z50-70-15-6-laptop-white-10022700-pdt.html

Good deal for the price and is a great for multimedia purpose. It has faster tranfer speed via solid-state-cache in the hard drive and has higher display resolution.

But if you need to keep your budget near 400£, then the Lenovo G50-70 is the best you can get at there.

 

[Prostar Computer]

I've just found this one on offer. Seemed to be pretty good, but what do you guys think?

http/www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/...

Well, the hard drive is a little better, but the CPU in this Lenovo is slower than the MSI one you previously linked us to. Personally, I would stick with the MSI at this point, unless you find something with a better GPU (830M or higher).