Recommend a new Laptop please

Andyrids · 31 Mar 2016

I am not sure if this is an appropriate thread for this forum or not, if so my apologies and please delete, i figured you guys are more up to date than I am on such things.

Ok, my Sony laptop is getting old and I seriously need to think about a replacement... problem is there is 1000's of laptops on the market, the only ones I get to repair are like 4 years+ old so I have not had my dirty paws on anything "new" in a long time, I live out in a jungle / swamp (seriously) so just popping to the mall to have a browse about is not exactly easy.

Anyway could anyone recommend me one please ? my basic requirements would be:
Min 14in screen or bigger.
Nvidia graphics card.
8gb or more RAM.
A decent CPU of course.
I gather most come with an SSD these days size of that is not important, however the ability to either have or expansion to fit a standard SATA drive is essential.
A good keyboard is essential with a solid feel.
A decent battery life, say 4 hours+
Sound not to concerned about I use headphones anyway.
Must have an SD card slot... or enough USB slots to have one spare to plug in a converter.
price range around the $1500 USD mark.

My uses for the laptop would be, mostly programming, working with photoshop and a little gaming none of the heavy duty modern stuff in the past few years though.

Any suggestions please guys ?

whs · 31 Mar 2016

Best is if you go into a store and look at the various models. The feel of a keyboard or the quality of the screen for your eyes is not something you can read from books.

As far as the SSD goes, I would replace the standard HDD with an aftermerket SSD. That is usually cheaper than a native SSD in an off the shelf laptop, Plus you gain a HDD which you can use with an external enclosure.

ThrashZone · 01 Apr 2016

Hi,
You're kind of in a different area than we are :)
This is a nice one here in the u.s.a. it's 1499.99

MSI GE 72 Apache Pro-070 17.3" Gaming Laptop Computer - Aluminum Black; Intel Core i7-6700HQ Processor 2.6GHz; Microsoft Windows 10; 16GB DDR4-2133 RAM; 1TB 7,200RPM Hard

Code:

ntel Core i7-6700HQ Processor 2.6GHz
 Microsoft Windows 10
 16GB DDR4-2133 RAM
 1TB 7,200RPM Hard Drive
 128GB Solid State Drive
 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M 3GB GDDR5
 DVD Super Multi Drive
 Memory Card Reader
 Killer Gaming Network E2400
 Intel 3165 Stone Peak 1 (1x1)
 Bluetooth 4.0
 17.3" Full HD eDP Display

Cheaper on Amazon sold and shipped

Oops different model know wonder why

Amazon.com: MSI GE72 Apache Pro-003 17.3" GAMING NOTEBOOK LAPTOP i7-6700HQ NVIDIA Geforce GTX960M 16GB 1TB WINDOWS 10: Computers & Accessories

ICIT2LOL · 01 Apr 2016

If you want my two cents worth the laptop I am on right now is just about the best thing since sliced bread - an Asus P2520LA I bought this with the 7 downgrade and slipped a SSD in and upped the RAM to 8GB and it is greased lightning. It is also very thin and light and the graphics amazing

If you want the specs https://www.asus.com/au/Commercial-N...USPRO-P2520LA/

Edit If you want the extra hard drive then have alook at the Asus ROG series.

ThrashZone · 01 Apr 2016

Narrr MSI all the way

ICIT2LOL · 01 Apr 2016

Never tried MSI Mike so cannot comment I have ha issues with Asus mainly support but this machine is just the ducks guts

ThrashZone · 01 Apr 2016

I'd trust you on that but the msi one is bitchen :)
Win-10 but dang it's nice for the price.

Andyrids · 01 Apr 2016

Thanks guys ! I shall take a look at them soon as I get chance (work to do atm).
I am actually living in the Philippines now not the UK but I have trusted friends in most country's so sending one of them the money and having them ship it to me is not a major problem.
I always liked the MSI motherboards back when I was building rig's for people I found them to be very reliable and not many compatibility problems unlike some others.

Anyway I shall take a look and get back to you both

Andyrids · 01 Apr 2016

I just had chance to check them out... I am liking both of them, slightly favour the MSI due to the backlit keyboard most useful in this country as the power often go's off without warning and I have to use a touch in order to type anything at night...

More suggestions are welcome please if any other of you guys have any...

ThrashZone · 02 Apr 2016

MSI has a lot of nice laptops
I was looking at a much more expensive one
But your location and what is available is still a tad of an issue for what is a viable suggestion :/

I'd just go to some sites and what MSI laptops are being sold near by and in your price range.

If you wanted to use win-7 make sure as stated it can have downgrade rights
Or look at slightly older models in the x99 mother board series :)