[CP.AR]

Hello All,

I'm currently in the market for a new laptop for my younger brother. I am operating on a limited budget of around 500-650 dollars... CAD or USD

Now, normally when I buy my own laptops - I have one very important requirement... that it MUST have discrete video card, none of that integrated Intel bullshit. But because of the limited budget this time around, I have a decision to make.

1. Buy a Sandybridge i5 with integrated Intel HD3000
or
2. Buy a 1st gen i5 with some sort of 1gb discrete card.

Things my brother does:
SC2, MSN, internet, all Team Fortress 2.

I'm leaning towards option 2 since it seems it will be more suited for my brother's needs.... but I really need some outside feedback since I've been away from the hardware scene for some time....


p.s: I just bought myself an Asus X53SV (called K53SV in North America apparently)...

OH YEAH.... I WILL NEVER BUY HP OR DELL --> my preference goes
Asus - Acer - Toshiba - Lenovo/IBM - Samsung

TIA

[!MiKrofT]

Since he's gaming discrete for sure.

[dyan]

Acer3820TG is pretty good
i5 processor
1GB ATI graphics

I run those games max settings no problem

[Helga]

well if u currently own an ASUS, and u have no problem with it, u mind as well get ASUS for ur younger bro.
ASUS is known for GAMING.

I don't kno much about the other manufacturers but when i came across ASUS, i knew it was the right choice for a hardcore gaming laptop.

currently i own the asus g53-jw
specs
i7-740qm 1.73ghz not sandy bridged :(
nvidia gtx 460m
15.6" screen
750gb
6gb ram
windows 7

but then again ye it cost me $1500... kinda sad aboot it but w/e i needed a desktop replacement/skewl laptop
but u can get an ASUS with i5 with ur budget.

Buy Laptop Online, Netbooks, Tablets, Canada Online Computer Store (http://ncix.com/products/index.php?minorcatid=1322)

[Osaka]

Since our CDN dollar is worth more against the US dollar perhaps try shopping down south?

Cheap Laptops Deals - LogicBUY (http://www.logicbuy.com/categorydeals/computers/laptops)

[Helga]

on the side note...
beware of heat temperature...
when i run TF2 goes up to 70-78*C w/ vent
HON 70-78 w/ vent
guild wars 66-70

these temps are normal for the GPU chip


what i experienced when i first got this laptop is everything was soooo cool/calm/collected. cold laptop never heated but as soon u starting updating windows... bios update/etc/apps/ the temperature will rise greatly.

[Razor Ramon HG]

Just get the Acer 3820TG with HD5650/6550

Perfect mix of performance, battery, and price

[CP.AR]

Thanks for the input guys. I didn't realize my upper spending limit was posted as $750 - my parents are only looking to spend a max of 650 on this.

I'm currently looking at a Asus with A6-3400 and a Radeon 6650
$599

I used to be the biggest AMD fanboy ever - I have built computers with Athlon 64s, Semprons, Athlon XPs.... the whole schebang, but lost it after dual cores start coming out.
Anyone have experience with the new Llano CPU family?

[SkinnyPupp]

Llanos are a good way to keep the budget down while getting good performance. They may not beat a Core i3 in overall power, but the GPU performance isn't even close. With most mobile GPUs, you are looking at medium-ish quality levels with no AA, and the A6 should be about the same. That Asus looks like a good choice.