Laptop for home office, 4 choices from Lenovo/Dell/Asus

[hemang]

I am looking to replace my Dell 1555 which is almost 5 years old. I need a laptop for my office and personal use. I administer 4-5 computers on my small office network so I would prefer Win7Pro which I am currently using also. Not sure if Win8 is suitable in a mixed environment of XP and Win7 computers. I also use some old computers so need XP mode.
I also use EssentialPIM, KeePass and TrueCrypt containers so I need these to function. I think TrueCrypt has a problem in Win8.
I use the laptop at home also in humid and hot conditions, not under air con. So would prefer one which does not heat up too much and also with more battery backup.
I also use CAD and other apps so have preferred a laptop with dedicated card.
I have checked these few laptops available online in India, can anyone suggest the better one :

Lenovo Z510/59-398016
Processor Core i7 (4th Gen)
Variant 4702MQ
Chipset HM87
Brand Intel
Clock Speed 2.2 GHz with Turbo Boost Upto 3.2 GHz
System Memory 8 GB DDR3
HDD Capacity 1 TB
SSD Capacity Yes, 8 GB
Operating System Windows 8.1
System Architecture 64 bit
Screen Size 15.6 inch
Screen Type HD Anti-glare Display with LED Backlit
Dedicated Graphics Memory Capacity 2 GB
Graphic Processor NVIDIA N14P-GV2
Power Supply 48 W AC Adapter
Battery Cell 4 cell

Brand Dell
Model Name Inspiron 3537/3537781TB2B
Processor Core i7 (4th Gen)
Variant 4500U
Chipset Mobile HM76 Express
Brand Intel
Clock Speed 1.8 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology Upto 3 GHz
Cache 4 MB
System Memory 8 GB DDR3
HDD Capacity 1 TB
Operating System Windows 8
System Architecture 64 bit
Screen Size 15.6 inch
Resolution 1366 x 768 Pixel
Screen Type HD LED Display with True Life
Dedicated Graphics Memory Capacity 2 GB
Graphic Processor AMD Radeon HD 8850M
Battery Backup Upto 3 hours
Power Supply 65 W AC Adapter
Battery Cell 6 cell

Brand Asus
Model Name X550LC-XX160D
Processor Core i7 (4th Generation)
Variant 4500U
Brand Intel
Clock Speed 3.0 Ghz
System Memory 8 GB DDR3
HDD Capacity 1 TB
Screen Size 15.6 inch
Resolution 1366 x 768 pixel
Screen Type TFT Colour Display
Dedicated Graphics Memory Capacity 2 GB
Graphic Processor NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M
Battery Backup Up to 3 hours
Power Supply 65 W AC Adapter

Brand Asus
Part Number X550LD-XX082D
Processor Core i7 (4th Gen)
Variant 4500U
Brand Intel
Clock Speed 1.8 GHz with Turbo Boost Upto 3.0 GHz
Cache 4 MB
System Memory 8 GB DDR3
HDD Capacity 1 TB
Operating System Free DOS
System Architecture 64 bit
Screen Size 15.6 inch
Resolution 1366 x 768 Pixel
Screen Type HD Glare Display
Dedicated Graphics Memory Capacity 2 GB
Graphic Processor NVIDIA GT 820M
Power Supply 65 W AC Adapter
Battery Cell 4 cell
USB Port 1 x USB 3.0 (If this is really the case, it is useless)

 

[SaiyanGoku]

fill this up: *www.thinkdigit.com/forum/laptops-netbooks/156722-questionnaire-laptop-notebook-purchase.html

 

[hemang]

fill this up: *www.thinkdigit.com/forum/laptops-netbooks/156722-questionnaire-laptop-notebook-purchase.html

Sorry, didn't check this earlier!!

1) What is your budget? INR < 70K

2) What size & weight consideration (if any) would you prefer?
Mainstream; 15 - 15.6" screen

3) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook? Emails, Libreoffice, controlling and checking other computers with RDP and VNC, 2D light sketches, small parts, XP Mode for old software, Sometimes use VirtualBox to check out some Linux distros, normally have 4 desktops open for different purposes. Important to note that even my Dell 1555 does all this without any issue. But I need to replace as it is old. I would prefer Win 7 Pro


5) Any typical configuration in your mind you're eying for ? I have been using my Dell 1555 is a C2Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz with 4Gb DDR2 RAM happily since almost 5 years. Need something more powerful to do similar tasks for another 4 years. I feel i5 4th Gen should also be okay. Don't want something too old but probably don't need i7. RAM 4Gb at present is just about okay so prefer 6Gb at least. 1Tb HDD needed, a must. Less than 15" not preferred since I use this full day. Many times use at home without AC so would prefer a model which has good circulation. I earlier had Toshiba which heated a lot. Dell is better but in last couple of years have noticed it heats up more. Have cleaned it also but it's old now.


4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
a. Like: Dell, HP (Used Compaq earlier), Lenovo (Read good reviews), Asus (Seems good too, also comes without OS and can put Win 7 on it)
b. Dislike: Toshiba (heating problems when used earlier), Sony (Expensive I think)

6) Anything else you would like to say?

Screen resolution ( 768p (HD) / 900p / 1080p (Full HD) ) Not really looking to play movies so 768p should be okay
Battery back up ( normal (3-4hrs) / extended (5-7hrs) ) My current Dell 1555 has 9-cell battery so backup is very good, get 5-6 hours sometimes. Maybe can get a 9-cell battery later. Or maybe can configure the laptop to use less power on battery.
Purchase place : Online Flipkart, Mumbai, India. Can also purchase from any shop but Flipkart prices seem best. Snapdeal is also okay

 

[$hadow]

You put in a long list better of with the questionnaire and let us suggest you.

 

[hemang]

You put in a long list better of with the questionnaire and let us suggest you.

I did but I think it's moderated so cannot see yet.
Maybe I did not post properly, doing it again :
1) What is your budget? INR < 70K
2) Size & weight : 15-15.6", ~2.5Kg
3) Primary tasks : Email, Libreoffice, RDP and VNC to administer networked computers, XP mode for some old software, sometimes VirtualBox use,Simple 2D cad for small parts. Use 4 Desktops (VirtualWin) for different tasks. Can do all this comfortably with current Dell Studio 1555, C2Duo 2.5GHz,4Gb RAM and Win7 Pro currently.
4) Typical configuration : Should be faster than current model and not heat much as I also use at home without AC.
5) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
a. Likeell&Compap/HP(Used earlier),Lenovo(read good reviews)
b. Dislike:Toshiba (previous laptop heated a lot)
6) Anything else you would like to say?
Battery back up extended (5-7hrs) preferred
Purchase place Online or shop both ok, Mumbai, India

How is this?
*www.compuindia.com/laptops-ultrabo...-15-3537-i5-ubuntu-linux-6gb-ram-1tb-hdd.html

 

[SaiyanGoku]

check out lenovo y510p

 

[hemang]

check out lenovo y510p

The Dell is available for Rs.46,390 form their official online retailer and comes with Ubuntu. So I can put Win 7 Pro which seems better suited for me.
The Y510 seems to have a better screen and processor but is about Rs.59,000 on Flipkart and comes with Win 8 so I have to spend additionally on Win 7 Pro anyway. Is the Rs.13K difference worth it? Flipkart specs for this says speed is 3.1GHz whereas for Dell it says speed is 2.6GHz. Is this a lot of difference? Or are the specs on Flipkart wrong?

*www.flipkart.com/computer/compare?ids=COMDPZJCWXXH37GS,COMDT9C2RTGGMSXZ,COMDSTXHU8WB8UVZ

 

[$hadow]

if you can extend your budget go for Y510p.

 

[hemang]

if you can extend your budget go for Y510p.

Any particular reason? Is it better? In what aspect?

 

[$hadow]

Any particular reason? Is it better? In what aspect?

Processor wise bit better
Gddr5 v ram
and backlit keyboard is always awesome.

 

[hemang]

Processor wise bit better
Gddr5 v ram
and backlit keyboard is always awesome.

Do you think I can downgrade from Win 8 to Win 7 Pro officially? Or is Win 8.1 Pro good? Are drivers available for Win 7?

Edit : How is this Vostro Laptop, seems well suited for my requirements
*www.compuindia.com/dell-vostro-7747.html

 

[seamon]

Do you think I can downgrade from Win 8 to Win 7 Pro officially? Or is Win 8.1 Pro good? Are drivers available for Win 7?

Edit : How is this Vostro Laptop, seems well suited for my requirements
*www.compuindia.com/dell-vostro-7747.html

Nah. Trash.
Get a Y510p.

 

[$hadow]

Do you think I can downgrade from Win 8 to Win 7 Pro officially? Or is Win 8.1 Pro good? Are drivers available for Win 7?

Edit : How is this Vostro Laptop, seems well suited for my requirements
*www.compuindia.com/dell-vostro-7747.html

I stays with what I said
Drivers are available for Windows 8 and +
But not for 7 since laptop is launched with 8.