Help with choosing laptop

[animalwithin]

Hi Gents:

So I'm in need of a laptop soon and am in need of some perspective from you fine lads. I'm choosing between two: an Alienware 17 or a Lenovo ThinkPad W530 (15.6"). I can customize both with powerful upgrades and still remain under $2000, which is perfect. I'll be using them mostly for school work (Microsoft Word/Powerpoint), internet browsing/research/t.v., and maybe a game here and there (strategy games like Starcraft). Will also have all my music on there (~18 gigs).

Which should I choose? Both have great reviews, especially the Lenovo. Anybody have any experience with any of these brands? Any other laptops in the same class that you would recommend?

Thanks!!

[jhenry]

animal,

If you are referring to college when you mention school work, I would recommend checking with the college bookstore. Colleges/universities often have special deals with computer manufacturers that allow you to get one at a discount.

I can't recommend either of the two you mention, simply because I have never owned or used an Allenware 17 or Lenovo ThinkPad W530.

[mainaman]

If you are going to be gaming you have to have dedicate graphics chip on the laptop.
The brand is probably not so important as they all use components from the same makers.
I have an Asus N56V,full HD 750GB HDD, dedicate graphics, works like a charm.

[Bruno]

We all use lenovo at work. I can't say anything bad about them. Built solidly, and from quality parts.
Personally I like how the screen hinges are made from solid metal. The screen doesn't wiggle, and after years of intensive use, the lid still feels solid.

[JBHoren]

Here are some things to consider -- "rules", if you must -- that we told our users at the various college/university computer centers at which I worked:

• Is this laptop in place of, or in addition to, a desktop computer?
  
  • in place of: If it will see "double-duty", you might want to consider using it @home in desktop mode: i.e., hooking-it-up to an external keyboard, monitor, and mouse and taking advantage of their larger size.
  • in addition to: You're gonna shlepp it, and you're gonna use it. Get the one with the largest, best-resolution screen you can afford, but make sure it's light enough to tote comfortably during the course of your normal day.
  
  
• Components: It's all a question of primary use -- gaming and TV/movies demand a powerful CPU and dedicated GPU, while office-productivity tools, surfing the Internet, and music do not. A laptop that is, otherwise, fine for Microsoft Office and the Internet, will probably not be nearly what you need for gaming or HDTV viewing. Be honest with yourself -- we're talking your money, here!
  
  • CPU: Get a multi-core -- Intel or AMD are both fine -- more GHz, if you're gaming or gotta see things in 1080HD; less GHz, if not. Make sure it's a 64-bit CPU, and not 32-bit!
  • GPU: Graphics Processing Unit -- it's a chip that's dedicated to graphics (including video!) -- and only graphics -- with it's own RAM; as opposed to an integrated graphics chip, which uses system RAM. My opinion? No matter what you're use, it's totally a visual experience, and I say "Go for the dedicated GPU".
  • RAM: You can never have "too much memory". Go ahead and max it out.
  • Screen: Get the largest, best-resolution screen that's comfortable for you to buy and carry. Beware of those "cinema-sized" screens (wide, but not tall) -- it's a royal PITA, having to scroll up-and-down, if the screen isn't tall enough to display that presentation you're working on. Screen sizes in the 15"-16" range (remember: diagonally-measured) are the ticket. One more thing: "highest" resolution is not always "best" resolution -- that's a function of screen size and your eyes. Try it, before you buy it!
  
  
• Operating System: I know, I know... you're hooked on Microsoft... Windows, Office, and all the software that runs on it. But consider this: Linux (shameless plug for Linux Mint)

There are other considerations -- some cosmetic, others "depend" on your use and hardware/software -- but these are the foundation.

Oh! one more thing: Warranty and Repair. If something "goes South", will the seller fix it, or will you have to send it to Jablimp, Arkansas? Local repair might cost more, but it's worth it.

OK, another consideration: Backup. You need to backup your data... regularly... locally, not in "the Cloud". Having an external hard-drive for backups is vitally important, and it's worth opting for a slower CPU and/or 4GB RAM (instead of 6 or 8) if the savings will cover the cost of that backup solution.

[Mvcrash]

2k is a bunch of money to spend today on a laptop. I'd keep looking. I am also partial to Lenovo.

[bill3152]

I have a lenovo yoga. Love it. Plus it was floor model for 500. Cant beat it. No issues at all

[JimmyHAD]

2k is a bunch of money to spend today on a laptop. I'd keep looking. I am also partial to Lenovo.

Thanks to Mvcrash when I asked that question I went with his recommendation of a Lenovo Thinkpad 420 and it has been great for a couple of years now.

[animalwithin]

Great stuff everyone!! jhenry, I've graduated from college so I don't think my university will care to hook me up with a discount for a laptop now haha. I'm pretty sure I'll be gaming here and there, rarely at times as well depending on my work load so I guess I should keep in mind a good GPU, which the Lenovo doesn't do very well. Apparently the Nvidia k1000 or k2000 aren't good for gaming since the Lenovo is geared more towards work rather than gaming. I've also just added the Asus G750JX to my list.

JB, this laptop will be my only PC. I don't know where I'll be in the next year, but I know for sure a move will take place and I don't know if I'll be in a house, apartment, etc. so I figured laptop was the way to go. $2000 is a lot for a laptop, honestly I want a desktop but like I said, laptop is easier to travel with. Of the now three laptops I'm looking at, all have a powerful CPU, good amount of RAM (16+), and a good screen size. The Lenovo is the one that doesn't have a stellar GPU. Already have a 1 TB external hard drive I'm a huge fan of Linux but isn't it an aftermarket modification?

[gugi]

JB, this laptop will be my only PC. I don't know where I'll be in the next year, but I know for sure a move will take place and I don't know if I'll be in a house, apartment, etc. so I figured laptop was the way to go. $2000 is a lot for a laptop, honestly I want a desktop but like I said, laptop is easier to travel with.

You pretty much know what's going to happen in a year in the computer market (if you do some research you should have a good idea even two or three years ahead).

Since you have about a year of not moving and you could use a desktop at present and that's what you want, a money-saving option is to get a desktop now and a laptop next year. The thing is that with a laptop you pay big overhead for the portability and have to trade-off power for weight, and there is no point to take the hit unless you have to.
And if you end up needing to go mobile the same thing you can buy this year for 2k you should be able to buy next year for about 1k.

All I'm saying is that paying upfront a big overhead on quickly depreciating asset when at present you do not need the capabilities that the overhead is covering is a waste of money.

If a macbook pro is going to fit your requirements you should seriously consider going that route because their depreciation is ridiculously out of sync with the windows alternatives.
I've used macbook pros for my last 5-7 laptops and before that were IBM thinkpads which I ran on linux - they are still computers and even with higher quality control are not exempt of (hardware) problems, but with the good warranties these companies provided those have been resolved quickly.