All round laptop under 55k

[Dev_t]

Hi everyone,
I am planning to buy a new laptop.
1) Budget: 55k


2)Essentials:
processor: 3rd gen i5
hard disk:500 gb or more
ram: 4gb or more
screen size : 14" or more
weight: under 2 kg
good heat dissipation


3) Brands
Like: Sony, Dell , HP
Any brand will do if its reliable and value for money.


4) Primary use: Programming and browsing
occasional gaming

5)optional features:
discreet graphics
ssd(solid state drives)
power down usb charging
backlit keyboard

6)Can anyone clarify my following queries?
a) Which one is better in terms of value for money and futureproofing: 3rd gen processor vs 2nd gen processors?
b) Are 3rd generation graphics capability enough for occasional gaming?
c) Do ssd improve the performance of the system?
d) nvidia graphics card or amd?

I have shortlisted some options. Feel free to suggest any other options.
IdeaPad Z580 Metallic Grey 59-333345
Lenovo U410 59-342778
Lenovo U310 59-342832
HP ENVY 4-1025tx Notebook PC
HP ENVY 4-1003tx Notebook PC
HP ENVY 4-1002tx Notebook PC
HP 2000-2116TU Notebook PC
HP Pavilion dm4-3010tx Entertainment Notebook PC (A3W41PA)
Inspiron 14z V540602IN8
Sony Vaio SVE14116GNB
Sony Vaio SVT11113FGS
Acer S3-391-53314G52add (NX.M1FSI.001)
Toshiba Satellite U840
Samsung NP530U4C-S01IN

Thanks beforehand for your help.
Devesh

 

[webgenius]

You just asked what I had in mind. Even I am planning to buy a laptop or an ultrabook in the range of 50 to 55k. I thought of using the same thread instead of creating a new one.
Even I have the same requirements as you in terms of screen size. I do not need a bulky laptop, a 14 or 15 inch screen would be great.

 

[dan4u]

check out the Dell Inspiron 15R special edition or Samsung NP550P5C S01IN....do you want an ultrabook or a normal notebook??

 

[Dev_t]

check out the Dell Inspiron 15R special edition or Samsung NP550P5C S01IN....do you want an ultrabook or a normal notebook??

Hi dan,
I am not sure whether my requirements and budget fall in an ultrabook or a notebook segment. I would term it as a notebook with some features of ultrabook like 3rd gen processor and lightweight but with the pricing and connectivity options of a regular notebook. What are your views regarding lenovo products?

 

[rider]

Get Dell Inspiron 15R special edition with 1080p screen.

 

[Jripper]

^ Is that available in stores or is it just available via dell website?

 

[RON28]

^ Is that available in stores or is it just available via dell website?

yes available at local dealers also.

 

[webgenius]

Guys, how is this Sony Vaio laptop: Link ?

OS:Windows® 7 Professional with Service Pack 1 64bit
RAM: 4 GB DDR3 1600 MT/s
HDD: 500 GB SATA 5400 rpm
GPU: Intel® HD Graphics 4000
Display: 14 inch TFT colour display with LED backlight
HD web camera with Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Can get up to 9 hours of batter backup with optional battery (practically maybe 6 hours, which is decent)

Price: 49k (Maybe 48k in Flipkart)

Link to Dell 15R Special Edition: Link

Link to Dell Inspiron 14 (New model): Link

Link to Sony Vaio SVE14116: Link

@Dev_t: Check these 3 links. Among these 3, I liked Vaio model more. The 15 inch Dell model looks good on paper, but it is bulky compared to 14 inch Dell and 14 inch Vaio.
Vaio looks good in terms of design, comes with Windows 7 Home Professional, and an unused RAM slot, and also better audio compared to Dell models.

Personally I feel HD resolution might not be such a deal-breaker since we hardly watch HD movies on laptop. HD movies are supposed to be enjoyed on wide screens. We can connect the laptop to a monitor or TV and enjoy HD resolution there.

 

[rider]

Guys, how is this Sony Vaio laptop: Link ?

OS:Windows® 7 Professional with Service Pack 1 64bit
RAM: 4 GB DDR3 1600 MT/s
HDD: 500 GB SATA 5400 rpm
GPU: Intel® HD Graphics 4000
Display: 14 inch TFT colour display with LED backlight
HD web camera with Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Can get up to 9 hours of batter backup with optional battery (practically maybe 6 hours, which is decent)

Price: 49k (Maybe 48k in Flipkart)

Link to Dell 15R Special Edition: Link

Link to Dell Inspiron 14 (New model): Link

Link to Sony Vaio SVE14116: Link

@Dev_t: Check these 3 links. Among these 3, I liked Vaio model more. The 15 inch Dell model looks good on paper, but it is bulky compared to 14 inch Dell and 14 inch Vaio.
Vaio looks good in terms of design, comes with Windows 7 Home Professional, and an unused RAM slot, and also better audio compared to Dell models.

Personally I feel HD resolution might not be such a deal-breaker since we hardly watch HD movies on laptop. HD movies are supposed to be enjoyed on wide screens. We can connect the laptop to a monitor or TV and enjoy HD resolution there.

That sony vaio is highly over priced nothing to wow about that. Neither it has dedicated GPU nor the low weight for a 14" laptop battery is average only up to 4.5 hours that can be found normal in every 3rd gen core-i5 laptops, and unused RAM slot is also found in new hp & dell laptops. And every laptop can be connected to watch in widescreen HDTV, nothing new.

@Dev_t Best you can buy is dell inspiron 15R comes with core-i5, 6GB RAM, 1TB HDD, 2GB HD 7730M GPU, back-lit keyboard and incredible 1080p screen.
Customize if you want to or better to leave. Dell service is much better, you will get onsite accidental complete cover in every part of the country unlike limited of sony vaio.

You can avoid VAT by using govt employee ID. It will cost you 55k exactly.

 

[Ashish247]

yes available at local dealers also.

I could only find the 15r SE(i7 ver) with the dealers. No 14r se or the i5 version of 15r se.

You can avoid VAT by using govt employee ID. It will cost you 55k exactly.

How to use this discount? IS it applicable for both online and store purchases? and the discount is for state govt or central govt employees? It's 5% off?

 

[rider]

How to use this discount? IS it applicable for both online and store purchases? and the discount is for state govt or central govt employees? It's 5% off?

Better to consult to dell india customer care department. AFAIK you will get VAT free that 5% of the price, by arranging ID proof of you relative or family friend who works in central govt like teacher, bank manager, doctor, engineer etc.

 

[webgenius]

Where did you see that 15r has full HD resolution? I saw the specs of 15r special edition in Dell site and it is not full HD.

 

[rider]

Where did you see that 15r has full HD resolution? I saw the specs of 15r special edition in Dell site and it is not full HD.

No, it has full HD 1080p model option, check carefully.

 

[ratul]

Where did you see that 15r has full HD resolution? I saw the specs of 15r special edition in Dell site and it is not full HD.

check here for FHD:
i5 model
i7 model.

Your budget will fit the i5 model..

 

[webgenius]

@ratul and rider: Thanks for the links and suggestions. I was not looking at the special edition model, hence it was not mentioned as full HD there.

I liked Dell Inspiron 14Z more because of its low weight, sleek design, 8GB RAM, HD 7570M with 1GB GDDR5, and good battery life.

My questions:
1) I have used Dell sleek business line 14-inch laptops before and find it more comfortable for carrying around when travelling abroad. How will the 15r be in that aspect? It is almost 1 KG more than 14Z and looks bulky (in the pics at least)

2) The resolution of 15r is definitely better with support for full HD. Can this be a deal-breaker? Major usage of this laptop will be for browsing, skype calls, songs, movies (hardly watch full HD format movies. Most of the ones I watch will be in 1280x720 or lesser resolution), gaming (although very doubtful. Haven't played any game in last 2 years) and other general applications.

3) 15r has a better i5 based processor. Will the performance difference be visible for my usage?

4) 14Z has 8GB RAM where as 15r has 6GB RAM. I think the difference won't be visible for my usage. is that right?

15r has full HD support, has slightly better processor. But weighs more, looks bulky and has 2GB less RAM. Is full HD support really that important to opt over portability?

Please give your valuable suggestions guys.

 

[rider]

@mrwebgenius, as i said dell inspiron 15R SE is good overall for a 55k budget who wants 1080p screen and medicore graphic performance in a bugdet.
From specs Dell Inspiron 14Z is not a good choice, as per your needs you need a light ultrabook laptop with good performance.
So as per your overall requirement, the best ultrabook for you is HP Envy 4-1002TX has much better option, it weighs just 1.75 kg, 19.81 mm about 2 cm thick and battery life is also great, you will get 5-7 hours depending you usage and screen brightness. It also has beats audio system with trible bass reflex mini-woofer for incredible sound experiance and HD 7670M 2GB graphic card, that is much better than Dell Inspiron 14Z's HD 7570M 1GB. Hp CoolSense feature that helps to control the laptop's temperature. After sales of hp is truly great you will get 1 year accidental cover that covers everything of the laptop, included charger and battery.
And for RAM you can easily upgrade manually by putting 4GB 1600 Mhz more RAM as it has 2 unused slot for expansion. I personally upgraded my RAM from 4 to 8 GB. 4GB RAM costs just 1200 bucks, no warranty void, no issues. You should visit hp world and check how greatly build laptop, it is.

 

[webgenius]

@rider: I checked HP Envy 4-1002TX before. The only important thing absent in it is an optical drive. I need a optical drive since I'm no longer using a DVD player. I play some movies from the DVD. So an optical drive is a must for me. Also most of the software like MS office suite and others still ship win a DVD. So an optical drive would be really missed.

I'm also considering Sony E Series laptop. The reviews seem to be very good for this one.

Please suggest any other ultrabook that has an optical drive.

 

[rider]

@rider: I checked HP Envy 4-1002TX before. The only important thing absent in it is an optical drive. I need a optical drive since I'm no longer using a DVD player. I play some movies from the DVD. So an optical drive is a must for me. Also most of the software like MS office suite and others still ship win a DVD. So an optical drive would be really missed.

I'm also considering Sony E Series laptop. The reviews seem to be very good for this one.

Please suggest any other ultrabook that has an optical drive.

SVE14A15FNW is a good laptop as per you needs, weighs just 2.3kg but it seems to be highly over priced as it has HD 7670M which also comes in 10k lower laptops of dell and hp.

Generally, thinner ultrabooks come with no optical drive, people buy portable drives for the use.
*www.flipkart.com/transcend-slim-po...GZZS&ref=556423c1-8f0d-4397-a324-766e1f8ddae7

If you still want ultrabook with optical drive, there are only two options:
Inspiron 14z but you have to compromise with graphic and sound performance.
Acer Aspire Timeline Ultra M5 481T you have to compromise with no dedicated graphic card only 3 cell battery and pathetic after sales by acer.

 

[dashing.sujay]

a) Which one is better in terms of value for money and futureproofing: 3rd gen processor vs 2nd gen processors?
b) Are 3rd generation graphics capability enough for occasional gaming?
c) Do ssd improve the performance of the system?
d) nvidia graphics card or amd?

a) Pretty subjective question. Pick 2nd gen if your dGPU > HD4000 otherwise 3nd gen (owing to HD4000).

b) Yes/No. (Old games/Latest(demanding) games) But altogether yes.

c) Yes, boot times and loading of apps installed in SSD.

d) Not a good question. You can't judge a person by his clothes. AMD provides more VFM performance though.

battery is average only up to 4.5 hours that can be found normal in every 3rd gen core-i5 laptops

2nd gen or 3rd gen, they don't decide battery life of a laptop. Its the battery capacity and overall system power consumption which shows the real story. Don't mislead others.

My questions:
1) I have used Dell sleek business line 14-inch laptops before and find it more comfortable for carrying around when travelling abroad. How will the 15r be in that aspect? It is almost 1 KG more than 14Z and looks bulky (in the pics at least)

2) The resolution of 15r is definitely better with support for full HD. Can this be a deal-breaker? Major usage of this laptop will be for browsing, skype calls, songs, movies (hardly watch full HD format movies. Most of the ones I watch will be in 1280x720 or lesser resolution), gaming (although very doubtful. Haven't played any game in last 2 years) and other general applications.

3) 15r has a better i5 based processor. Will the performance difference be visible for my usage?

4) 14Z has 8GB RAM where as 15r has 6GB RAM. I think the difference won't be visible for my usage. is that right?

15r has full HD support, has slightly better processor. But weighs more, looks bulky and has 2GB less RAM. Is full HD support really that important to opt over portability?

Please give your valuable suggestions guys.

1) 15"6 is too heavy when compared to 14". Go for 14" if you can.

2) No, opt for portability. Your usage doesn't requires 1080p.

3) Yes. 4GB is enough for 99% apps.

4) As said in #2, portability > 1080p. I simply can't carry a kilo more just to boast my screen. (pretty much subjective to usage & need)

And for RAM you can easily upgrade manually by putting 4GB 1600 Mhz more RAM as it has 2 unused slot for expansion.

Total no of slots = 2. (used+unused/1+1)

@rider: I checked HP Envy 4-1002TX before. The only important thing absent in it is an optical drive. I need a optical drive since I'm no longer using a DVD player. I play some movies from the DVD. So an optical drive is a must for me. Also most of the software like MS office suite and others still ship win a DVD. So an optical drive would be really missed.

I'm also considering Sony E Series laptop. The reviews seem to be very good for this one.

Please suggest any other ultrabook that has an optical drive.

That Vaio model is good if you can justify its cost (its overpriced IMHO but if you can afford it, IT IS good).

PS: Opt for external ODD anyday over a laptop ODD as latter turn to be kaput frequently. My vaio ODD dumped after reading only 1 DVD

 

[rider]

a) Pretty subjective question. Pick 2nd gen if your dGPU > HD4000 otherwise 3nd gen (owing to HD4000).

b) Yes/No. (Old games/Latest(demanding) games) But altogether yes.

c) Yes, boot times and loading of apps installed in SSD.

d) Not a good question. You can't judge a person by his clothes. AMD provides more VFM performance though.



2nd gen or 3rd gen, they don't decide battery life of a laptop. Its the battery capacity and overall system power consumption which shows the real story. Don't mislead others.



1) 15"6 is too heavy when compared to 14". Go for 14" if you can.

2) No, opt for portability. Your usage doesn't requires 1080p.

3) Yes. 4GB is enough for 99% apps.

4) As said in #2, portability > 1080p. I simply can't carry a kilo more just to boast my screen. (pretty much subjective to usage & need)



Total no of slots = 2. (used+unused/1+1)



That Vaio model is good if you can justify its cost (its overpriced IMHO but if you can afford it, IT IS good).

PS: Opt for external ODD anyday over a laptop ODD as latter turn to be kaput frequently. My vaio ODD dumped after reading only 1 DVD

mr sujay! I'm not misleading anyone about the battery performance, 2nd gen 3rd gen matters for the battery life. 3rd gen core-i5 has better battery life as it comes with 22nm lithography and some new better technology, though both consumes 35W of power. Overall other laptops are same in terms of battery, if we not talk about dedicated GPU. Generally, laptop comes with 6 cell battery and same power consuming mobo, HDD, RAM, keyboard, screen and optical drive. So there is no need to talk about overall power consumption, i said it has normal battery as other 3rd gen core-i5 laptops give same battery life like hp g6, dell inspiron 15R that have same 6 cell battery produces the same amount of battery as this vaio laptop can provide, this is why i said there is nothing to wow about.