Is this a good laptop?

[HondaScott]

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/hewlett-packard-hp-17-3-3rd-gen-intel-core-i5-3210m-laptop-g7-2054ca-black-g7-2054ca/10209800.aspx?path=a8505ab1c3b0a8a8737d714a85ec5f2 2en02

Wanted to play diablo 3 on it. Is the graphics card good enough? Any other recommendations?

[DavidY]

It's a HP...HP and Acer have the worst reliability records among laptops.

IMO, it's hard to beat the Lenovo Y570/Y580 Ideapads....starts at around the $700 range. GT555M or better graphics. Not sure if there are any additional discounts at the EPP thread. Takes time for Lenovo to build them...several weeks at least. i7 are also available for a bit more $$$.

Lenovo Ideapad Y570 starts at $699.

Part number: 08623QU
2nd generation Intel Core i5-2450M Processor( 2.50GHz 1333MHz 3MB)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64
NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M 1GB
4.0GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333 MHz
15.6" HD Glare with integrated camera 1366x768
Industry Standard Touchpad
500GB 7200 rpm
DVD Recordable (Dual Layer)
6 Cell Lithium-Ion
Intel 1000 BGN Wireless
Bluetooth Version 2.1 + EDR
One Year Warranty

If you need more memory, probably upgrade it yourself (cheaper and easy...about 5min for my Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E420)....check with Ideapad owners on their experiences.

Dave

[george__]

:D I will repeat my horror story about HP (consumer laptops)!!.

My dog, a tiny small Bichon, jumped onto a 17" DV9000 from a couch. The laptop display broke (the dog is less than 12 pounds). While my Lenovo / IBM thinkpads & HP Business level (elitebooks / nc6000) have gone through the same abuse by my dog more than once and are still working without any breakage...

Ironically, the DV9000 was supposed to replace my aging Thinkpad >< . So I ended up almost broke buying a Thinkpad T510 after the DV9000 issue.

[DavidY]

:D I will repeat my horror story about HP (consumer laptops)!!.

My dog, a tiny small Bichon, jumped onto a 17" DV9000 from a couch. The laptop display broke (the dog is less than 12 pounds). While my Lenovo / IBM thinkpads & HP Business level (elitebooks / nc6000) have gone through the same abuse by my dog more than once and are still working without any breakage...

Ironically, the DV9000 was supposed to replace my aging Thinkpad >< . So I ended up almost broke buying a Thinkpad T510 after the DV9000 issue.

In terms of build quality.....Thinkpad<Thinkpad Edge<Ideapad

Dave

[george__]

In terms of build quality.....Thinkpad<Thinkpad Edge<Ideapad

Dave

Lenovo dropped the ball a bit after buying the thinkpad brand. Compared to IBM they are cheaper but some quality quirks, imo. Like my T510 had keyboard flexing so I had to put rubber feet under the keyboard :(

[DavidY]

Oops, you are right!....IBM Thinkpad>Lenovo Thinkpad>Lenovo Thinkpad Edge>Lenovo Ideapad.

Dave

[george__]

Oops, you are right!....IBM Thinkpad>Lenovo Thinkpad>Lenovo Thinkpad Edge>Lenovo Ideapad.

Dave
are you on notebook review/?

I've seen that avatar before

[DavidY]

are you on notebook review/?

I've seen that avatar before

Nope. I just visit Notebook Review from time to time.

Dave