Laptop Suggestion

[ankit_niitian]

Hi! I want to buy a new Laptop. For that I need your suggestions.

What I want -
Core 2 duo processor (a normal one not too high end)
1GB RAM (2GB would be appreciated)
DVD Writer
Wifi
160GB hard disk
Dedicated Gaming graphics (I want it to be able to run new games like hitman bloodmoney at medium details)
a normal screen size (14-15 inches) which supports good resolution so that I can play games

What I don't need
web cam
card reader

My budget is creating problems for me. My budget is 35k (actually it is 30k but I am extending it to 35k). I know I am asking too much at this price. At max I can increase my budget to 40k not above that. The one that fits my needs is Xplorer X5-2900 Notebook. But is it good enough. Can you give your suggestions on which laptop would meet my requirements.

Thanks!

[skippednote]

40k would get you a dell inspiron 1525 but i don't think it would have a dedicated gpu. And the xplorer laptop doesn't look great quality wise.
If possible try to get a desktop computer instead a laptop as it would give you a great performance and you will be able to play all the latest games at highest setting and even the old hitman you have mentioned.

[ankit_niitian]

I forgot to mention that I am in India so 35k means 35,000 INR i.e. Indian Rupees

I want a laptop and not a desktop as I do job and laptop will give me freedom to move every where

From what I read on this forum, these laptops meet my requirements.

Xplorer X5-2900 Notebook
Compaq Presario V3749AU
Compaq Presario CQ50-106
Compaq Presario V3702AU
Compaq Presario V3749AU
Acer Aspire 5520
Acer Aspire 5920
Toshiba A200-28P
Toshiba Satellite A200-27U

I don't know if all of then are available in India or not...

[IronManForever]

Never heard about Xplorer laptops.

[furious_gamer]

@thread_starter :

May be desiibond come with some good choices..

I prefer Compaq over Acer....Get Compaq V3749AU or V3702AU...I remember someone in this forum buy this lappy by our suggestion...

[skippednote]

^^
i have seen several Compaq Lappies and i tell you that the build quality is very poor and the part s*x as well.
Dell and Toshiba would be my first prefrance followed by acer and lenovo.

[furious_gamer]

but his budget limit the choice only as Compaq or acer...Even a reasonable lappy from lenovo costs about 40k and he asks for one with discrete GPU...Do u think its possible to get a Dell or HP lappy which has a discrete GPU for 40k or less....

[ankit_niitian]

Apart from the ones I listed if anyone knows any other laptops meeting my requirements please tell me. Also tell me the best one among them that I should buy!

Thanks in advance

[ultimategpu]

Originally Posted by bassam904

40k would get you a dell inspiron 1525 but i don't think it would have a dedicated gpu. And the xplorer laptop doesn't look great quality wise.
If possible try to get a desktop computer instead a laptop as it would give you a great performance and you will be able to play all the latest games at highest setting and even the old hitman you have mentioned.

+1 for dell inspiron

[ashu888ashu888]

to the OP:

BUddy, go for a DELL Inspiron series.. the DELL inspiron series comes with these type of GPUs.. (see below)

the INSPIRON SERIES:

1.) Inspiron 1525: comes ONLY with Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
and even the customisation option has NO other option to change this card.

2.) Inspiron Mini 9: comes ONLY with Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 950
and with NO customisation

3.) Inspiron 13 & Inspiron 14: comes ONLY Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
and with NO customisation
------------

Please DO NOT go for a Toshiba lappy, it has really poor performance and also the service centers are jus NOT there available.. plz,

but if u DONT wanna go with a DELL lappy, then the next on ur choice SHUD be Compaq then Acer (although it sucks big time too, poor body, looks cheap and lacks performance.)
-------------------

Cheers n e-peace...

[ankit_niitian]

Hi Ashu! Thanks for your suggestion. I would have went for Dell but you mentioned that it comes with Intel graphics. And I have a horrible experience with Intel graphics. I referred to Hitman Bloodmoney as new (which bassam904 said as old) because it doesn't run on my Intel Desktop. So basically I will have to go for Compaq. Will it be able to run games like GTA San Andreas, Hitman Bloodmoney, Splinter Cell Double Agent, NFS Carbon and the likes.

I don't know too much about GPUs so please guide me.

Thanks

[ashu888ashu888]

^^

well, compaq wont be able to handle those games yaar.. sorry to say this but even if u get a Compaq, u'll be forced to play at lower settings, coz ur budget is strictly at 35K hence u are stuck with these options..

coz believe me, a DEDICATED(Separate) gpu will kick an onboard (inbuilt) gpus ass any time of the year, yes i agree to u that Intel's onboard (inbuilt) graphics accelrator is NOT a good option..

also, all the Inspiron series (of DELL) come with onboard gpu, but if u can extend ur budget sumhow to 48K (i knw its hard adn i deeply understand the constraints everyone has, as me also being a Student recently passed my B.E I.T Engineering) u will get to hv a DELL STUDIO 15 lappy wich comes with a decent 256 MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450

Also, if u still wanna stick to Compaq, plz tell me the configuration of that lappy.. then i cna help u better.. in that same 35K budget..

offtopic: coz even im in the process of buying a lappy in future (say withing 2-3 months) so tats the reason i am helping u with so many options, as i am doin a kinda comparison bw the various models of the same brand as well as various models of different brands as well..

[ankit_niitian]

Hi Ashu! Here's the configuration of Compaq Lappys

http://compareindia.in.com/productdetails.php?id=34791 for Compaq Presario V3749AU

http://compareindia.in.com/productdetails.php?id=29301 for Compaq Presario V3702AU

http://emalldirect.com/productdetail.php?proid=1322 for Compaq Presario CQ50-106

Please tell me which one would suit my requirements

Thanks

[DigitalDude]

^^^
all the above 3 have integrated gfx chipsets with shared video memory... only 3rd one is slightly better than Intel's GMA

if you wanna go for discrete gfx chipset, you have to stretch your budget... no other way

_

[ankit_niitian]

SO I won't be able to play games on any of these

Or can I play games on medium or low details??? I mean games like Hitman Bloodmoney and Splinter Cell Double Agent etc... These games don't even start on Intel Graphics Media Accelerators...

[DigitalDude]

^^^
I share your feelings mate.. even I have the shitty Integrated Intel 945GM graphics in my laptop

even if something plays, the laptop gets very hot. since mine is Dell its build is good and I dont have much problem... and I use a cheap laptop stand for better air circulation.

_

[ashu888ashu888]

lly agree with u mate..
-------------------

To the OP: well, only the 3rd model i.e Compaq Presario CQ50-106 looks promising to me..but this shud ONLY giv u a little encouragement..

btw, read this below: here is a comparison (as seen by me) b/w all 3 Compaq lappys and a DELL inspiron 1525

1.) HDD:
Compaq: all the 3 compaq models provide u only 160 GB hdd
DELL: provides u with 250 GB hdd

2.) RAM:
Compaq: 1st model (Compaq-Presario V3749AU) provides u with 2 GB DDR2 RAM where as the remaining 2 models (in the same order as the links given by u in ur prev post) comes ONLY with 1 GB RAM
DELL: comes originally with 2 GB DDR-II RAM
-----------------

3.) Well in these 2 dept, DELL scores good than a Compaq, But.....
for the GPU, DELL has a drawback..but even the Compaqs are low on System RAM (1 GB as compared to DELL's 2 GB)

Please Read this below:

the Compaq-Presario V3749AU and the Compaq-Presario V3702AU both comes with nVIDIA GeForce Go 7150M (128MB) and a Intel powered Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (a.k.a GMA X3100) will EASILY outperform the Nvidia 7150 integrated graphics in all benchmarks as long as you use the latest drivers (from september 07)

...BUT BUT BUT...There is a twist in the tale still..(read below)...

Intel GMA X3100 has more compatibility issue than any solution from either nVidia or ATi. the Intel GMA X3100 can't even run most games without crashing.... like CRYSIS, prostreet to even get it to run at like couple fps on the screen it just crashes and burns but Geforce 7150 all the way it can play CS:S while the intel can't.

================================================== ============

so, on the whole, please do not expect to play games on any of these models at high settings, its jus a big No..no..if you are looking to game you shouldn't go IGP (integrated graphics) it dosnt' matter who makes it, they all get extremely poor frame rates for any game you want to play

4.) also, (i guess) DELL's onboard gpu will be 128 MB (its not mentioned on DELL's site hence the guess) also, the Compaq's come with 128 MB onboard nVIDIA gpu..

so, here is the Big Question i.e is the Intel Media Accelrator of DELL better than nVIDIA onboard of Compaq so, i guess yes, IT MAY be better only if the system RAM is increased to from 1GB to 2GB in a compaq lappy.so plz DO THAT increase b4 u get a Compaq..

But, then here again, the tide of fortune turns to DELL's side wen it comes to looks, performance, lappy's body build and heating issues.. here DELL HAS:
a.) betteer looks than a Compaq
b.) Performance is better due to the System RAM 2GB as compared to 1GB in Compaq
c.) the build of lappy body is far superior to Compaq, both sturdy and stylish
d.) DELL lappy generates little less heat as Compaq (as i hv used both) but this shud not be any criteria, coz u can always get a cooling pad for the lappy..
-----------------

So, if u were u (even though im a big DELL fan) i wud hv purchased
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Compaq Presario CQ 50 - 106 AU
[/font]

Wich has a nVIDIA GeForce Go 8200M (if i was in this budget of 35K) jus bcoz of the nVIDIA gpu and wud hv increased the RAM from the factory offered 1GB to a max of 4GB..
-------------------




Cheers n e-peace...

---------------
---------------

So, please go with COMPAQ PRESARIO CQ 50 106-AU wich has nVIDIA GeForce Go 8200M and this is ur best choice, believe me..

[ankit_niitian]

Thank you Ashu, digit dude, rajkumar and bassam904. Your opinions really helped.

So finally I am going for Compaq Presario CQ 50 - 106 A. Let's see if that one is able to run the games that I want to play. I don't want to play games at high settings. I know you can't play games at HIGH settings in that budget. I just want to enjoy the gameplay. So let's hope for the best with this one...

Again Thanks all

[ashu888ashu888]

^^

yup, please GO for the CQ 50 im happy for u and all the best for ur purchase buddy.. after getting the lappy, plz post sum pics and ur experience too in this thrad itself..

I hope my inputs were valuable..
------

Cheers n e-peace...

[arighna.dutta@gmail.com]

HI!!!!

Definitely go with the compaq cq50-106 au...you wont go wrong!!!!!!!.. My friend is having this laptop, and its one of the best configuration for this price range... rather.. it can compete with many costlier models.

I have the Dell XPS 1530..but, i am quite envious of my friend's.. cq 50 ).
We recently installed.. Vista Ultimate with aero effects and all.. and its running utlra smooth....

But yes, few things to be noted:

1. As it is a 64-bit m/c (as much i remember) Getting drivers for the system was a horror story, make sure you have all the drivers--> at least for the Windows OS... I hope compaq is providing all the drivers.... previously, it was not the case (few drivers were missing)....

2.It was a disaster installing the nvidia graphics driver for the linux OS.

3.If possible, get the wireless driver working from the retailer itself, you may need it.

Conclusion: Definitely go with the system;
Have back up of all the important drivers (may be from the retailer itself) -> as it is a 64-bit m/c, you will have fun searching for few of the 64-bit drivers.

Observation-> Vista 32-bit didnt give any problem while installing.

and yes, it got discrete graphics card....(forgot the model number of the GPU), but, it is quite capable of pulling off decent games. Hitman blood money should run with ease (not tested though), if 64-bit stuff doesnt make any problem...Enjoy!!

[ankit_niitian]

Sorry guys but I have not bought the lappy yet. Actually now my plans have changed a bit. I still want to play games but I will be doing web programming on my lappy 10-12hrs a day. So will this lappy be able to handle that pressure? I have seen an AMD based lappy which gets hot very fast. Is this a problem with AMD? There might be something wrong with that particular model or piece? Plz help. I might also need to install linux on it. So Arighna can u plz tell some details about what problems u faced with the graphics driver on linux???

Thanks in advance

[shri]

Acer 4530 and Compaq CQ 50 have similar configuration. But acer has Nvidia 9100M chipset whereas Compaq comes with 8200M chipset.

Acer is also cheaper. What say?

[ashu888ashu888]

^^ naaah,.,,,

stay away with Acer, it has got the poorest of build quality and cannot perform well wen it gets heated...

[ankit_niitian]

The Acer one has a better graphics processor and it costs only 29,000. But as everyone is saying, Acer has poor quality. I cannot compromise with the quality now since I will push my lappy to the limit as I will work on software like Photoshop, Netbeans (which normally uses 250MB RAM alone), jBoss Application Server (which takes about 300MB RAM alone) and the likes. So I am thinking about a Dell lappy. I know that it will not come with nVidia graphics, but now I am really concerned about the quality of Compaq.
Sorry for changing my plan guys. I am totally confused . I want to go for CQ50 but I don't know whether it will be able to handle the stress. Plz help me guys...

[ashu888ashu888]

Compaq CQ 50 is a good option..believe me...add a few more RAM to be on a safer side
If u buy dell, u May hv to compromise on gaming part..

I hope u hv been following my replies above..
-----------

Cheers n e-peace...

[ankit_niitian]

Yes Ashu I have been following your posts. I really appreciate your help. I will do some more research on this. Also I am confused with the nVidia Go series graphics. Is it onboard or dedicated. I know about dedicated and onBoard graphics in desktops but I have no idea about it in laptops. So basically the on CQ50 is dedicated or not?? Plz someone help

[ashu888ashu888]

^^

well, it says that it is Integrated...and there is difference b/w dedicated adn integrated.. see this search link (wich i found out)... for more details..

http://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en...G=Search&meta=

------------

Cheers n e-peace...

[ankit_niitian]

thanks Ashu for your immense help. I am really thankful to you. And raju the link you posted is also nice...

[j_h]

Originally Posted by bassam904

^^
i have seen several Compaq Lappies and i tell you that the build quality is very poor and the part s*x as well.
Dell and Toshiba would be my first prefrance followed by acer and lenovo.

You would prefer dell more than lenovo ? Lenovo(IBM) laptops are the most robust ones I have ever used.

[shri]

Bought Acer 4530.
Upgraded RAM to 2GB , 2 years extended warranty, with carrycase.
Total price: Rs 31000. (including taxes)