which Laptop should I buy? Please advise!!

[HaVoKZoR]

Hi, I'm probably going to be in the market for a laptop quite soon. I want something that I can do all the basic stuff on (web browsing, movie watching etc.) some light multi-tasking and playing some video games. Mainly I want to be able to play WoW but I do sometimes venture on to games such as CS:GO etc..
I would like to run them as high as possible graphic wise but it's not a must have as I understand the limitations with my 'budget'.

In terms of my budget it's only down to what I would prefer to spend considering what it would be used for and the fact I have a mid/high desktop rig.
So I am looking at £600 - £800.

I have so far shortlisted a couple of laptops -

The Acer V Nitro : VN7-592G
(Both 2GB & 4GB gpu version available but they are ex-case display models / cancellations).


The Acer Aspire V15. (New)


The Dell Inspiron 7567. (Which does seem to have the best GPU but I would have to import it from the states so warranty would be next to none)



Input on the listed models would be great and also picking a winner.
Also.. Any other ones in that price range that I may of overlooked or suggestions to great deals even if they are a bit more cash.

Thanks in advance.

 

[GreyCatz]

Let's see...

a) Assuming you're open to going beyond £800; and
b) Going by your original info as to what you're going to do ("basic stuff" and "playing some video games"); and
c) Looking at the game titles you mentioned, then:

I would say EITHER go with one of the dual-cores mentioned earlier (the Kaby Lake HP Pavilion), OR go 'big' and get a quad-core and a good 4GB GPU (the Dell Inspiron 7567 with the GTX 1050 card). This web page allows you to pit the most popular GPUs against each other:
http/gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-950M-vs-Intel-HD-620-Mobile-Kaby-Lake/m27713vsm153579

While the 950M is better than the HD 620 (I was a bit dismissive earlier) I'm still surprised the difference isn't greater than shown on this site. If you do a similar test with the 950M and the 1050M cards I dare say the difference makes up for the extra £100 for the Dell.

I know it's easy for me to be a big spender with your money, but even at £900 I'm leaning towards the Dell Inspiron: It's a quad-core machine with a superior, dedicated GPU card, and the TN panel (the only weak point) can be upgraded later on. You can't upgrade the GPU in the machines on the Scan.co.uk list.

I hope I haven't made matters worse,
GreyCatz.

 

[GreyCatz]

Your games can be played with an Intel HD 620 IGP, possibly even the HD 520. You'd need a 2GB GTX 960 to improve on the HD 620. So let's look at a few laptops with IGPs in your price range (-ish):

1. http/www.johnlewis.com/hp-pavilion-x360-13-u111na-convertible-laptop-intel-core-i7-8gb-ram-256gb-ssd-13-3-full-hd-touch-screen-natural-silver/p3158371
It's only 13.3" but with a Kaby Lake i7 you get the HD 620 IGP which is powerful enough to play WoW and CS:GO. Add to that the convertible design that will make watching movies and surfing the net a much more practical proposition compared with larger screen sizes. Battery life is listed at 10 hours and it weighs 1.58 kg. At £850 it's somewhat more than you stated, but it does offer sufficient power and good practicality.

2. http/www.argos.co.uk/product/6729897
Specs are similar to the HP above but it's priced at £650.

Finally, if you insist on a dedicated GPU, there's this Acer Aspire from Amazon UK:
3. https/www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Aspire-i5-7200u-GeForce-Windows/dp/B01MXT3RHV/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1487604194&sr=1-2

You get a 4GB GTX 950M card and a Kaby Lake i5 CPU. Storage is 256GBs/SSD and 1TB/HDD. While it may seem a bargain, be aware that it comes with a TN panel and it weighs 2.3 kg. Battery life has been tested at 6 hours by laptopmag.com.

About the Dell Inspiron 15 7567: You can get this model from Dell UK for £899. Even in its base version you get a Kaby Lake i5, a 256GB SSD and a 4GB GTX 1050 card. The panel is TN, weight is 2.7 kg and battery life has been tested at around 5 hours. You could consider this a 'long-term commitment' i.e. save up for some future upgrades (definitely an IPS panel). If you do, you'll end up with a very capable and great-looking gaming laptop that will expand your gaming options significantly.

Best of luck,
GreyCatz.

 

[HaVoKZoR]

Your games can be played with an Intel HD 620 IGP, possibly even the HD 520. You'd need a 2GB GTX 960 to improve on the HD 620. So let's look at a few laptops with IGPs in your price range (-ish):

1. http/www.johnlewis.com/hp-pavilion-x360-13-u111na-convertible-laptop-intel-core-i7-8gb-ram-256gb-ssd-13-3-full-hd-touch-screen-natural-silver/p3158371
It's only 13.3" but with a Kaby Lake i7 you get the HD 620 IGP which is powerful enough to play WoW and CS:GO. Add to that the convertible design that will make watching movies and surfing the net a much more practical proposition compared with larger screen sizes. Battery life is listed at 10 hours and it weighs 1.58 kg. At £850 it's somewhat more than you stated, but it does offer sufficient power and good practicality.

2. http/www.argos.co.uk/product/6729897
Specs are similar to the HP above but it's priced at £650.

Finally, if you insist on a dedicated GPU, there's this Acer Aspire from Amazon UK:
3. https/www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Aspire-i5-7200u-GeForce-Windows/dp/B01MXT3RHV/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1487604194&sr=1-2

You get a 4GB GTX 950M card and a Kaby Lake i5 CPU. Storage is 256GBs/SSD and 1TB/HDD. While it may seem a bargain, be aware that it comes with a TN panel and it weighs 2.3 kg. Battery life has been tested at 6 hours by laptopmag.com.

About the Dell Inspiron 15 7567: You can get this model from Dell UK for £899. Even in its base version you get a Kaby Lake i5, a 256GB SSD and a 4GB GTX 1050 card. The panel is TN, weight is 2.7 kg and battery life has been tested at around 5 hours. You could consider this a 'long-term commitment' i.e. save up for some future upgrades (definitely an IPS panel). If you do, you'll end up with a very capable and great-looking gaming laptop that will expand your gaming options significantly.

Best of luck,
GreyCatz.

Thanks for the answer, I would prefer dedicated GPU. I want to try and get the best graphical performance I can for the ££.
I don't know too much about Laptops and the hardware with them but a HQ chip (like the ones in my shortlist) is better than a U chip? More cores = better right?

This is the one I am pulled towards http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acer-V-Nitro-VN7-592G-Gaming-Laptop-Intel-i5-16GB-1TB-128GB-SSD-Black-Edition/322362535895?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41397%26meid%3D64a585f4a45947beb67da93a48148198%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D201816850988

But they are cancelled stock etc..

 

[GreyCatz]

Quad-cores are used in gaming computers and (some) workstations. While they do provide more 'power' they also use more energy and emit more heat. Dual-cores are typically used in notebooks, 2-in-1 notebooks and ultrabooks. These types of computer are primarily designed for standard entertainment/web browsing and light productivity. Dual-cores also offer superior battery life, which is generally what mainstream users appreciate more than outright computing 'power'. So it's really a question of what you're going to do with the computer.

Going by your background info, I'd still say you'd be perfectly OK with a dual-core (lighter computer with better battery life), but if you want to play more demanding games in the future, you're obviously going to need a quad-core.

I can understand why you had your mind set on the Acer on eBay, but it's no longer available. I could only find one on Amazon US and it was new ($1,009).

 

[velo3100]

Have a look at these: https/www.scan.co.uk/shop/computer-hardware/laptops-gaming/geforce-gtx-950m-940mx-gaming-laptops

 

[HaVoKZoR]

Quad-cores are used in gaming computers and (some) workstations. While they do provide more 'power' they also use more energy and emit more heat. Dual-cores are typically used in notebooks, 2-in-1 notebooks and ultrabooks. These types of computer are primarily designed for standard entertainment/web browsing and light productivity. Dual-cores also offer superior battery life, which is generally what mainstream users appreciate more than outright computing 'power'. So it's really a question of what you're going to do with the computer.

Going by your background info, I'd still say you'd be perfectly OK with a dual-core (lighter computer with better battery life), but if you want to play more demanding games in the future, you're obviously going to need a quad-core.

I can understand why you had your mind set on the Acer on eBay, but it's no longer available. I could only find one on Amazon US and it was new ($1,009).

Keeping with the theme that I would want to go for an independent GPU, would it be worth opting for a 4gb card (at additional cost) or going with a 2gb card? I have read mixed comments as to if mid-range laptops actually have the use of the full 4gb and to instead put the money into a SSD instead (which I wan't regardless).

Again thank you for your knowledge and input !

 

[GreyCatz]

Let's see...

a) Assuming you're open to going beyond £800; and
b) Going by your original info as to what you're going to do ("basic stuff" and "playing some video games"); and
c) Looking at the game titles you mentioned, then:

I would say EITHER go with one of the dual-cores mentioned earlier (the Kaby Lake HP Pavilion), OR go 'big' and get a quad-core and a good 4GB GPU (the Dell Inspiron 7567 with the GTX 1050 card). This web page allows you to pit the most popular GPUs against each other:
http/gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-950M-vs-Intel-HD-620-Mobile-Kaby-Lake/m27713vsm153579

While the 950M is better than the HD 620 (I was a bit dismissive earlier) I'm still surprised the difference isn't greater than shown on this site. If you do a similar test with the 950M and the 1050M cards I dare say the difference makes up for the extra £100 for the Dell.

I know it's easy for me to be a big spender with your money, but even at £900 I'm leaning towards the Dell Inspiron: It's a quad-core machine with a superior, dedicated GPU card, and the TN panel (the only weak point) can be upgraded later on. You can't upgrade the GPU in the machines on the Scan.co.uk list.

I hope I haven't made matters worse,
GreyCatz.

 

[HaVoKZoR]

I hope I haven't made matters worse,

Not at all! I appreciate any and all help and feedback!
I found a great ASUS ROG one before which I think would fit the bill. I have used a lot of Asus parts before in my desktop rig and it is the mobo I use now so I have faith in the product. Ive never really liked dell but from I understand their laptops are amongst the top. I am a few months away yet from purchasing probably so I will keep my eyes open for the ones youve mentioned and if there is a deal I may just grab one!

Many thanks