Computers & Electronics

Looking for a new laptop

  • Last Updated:
  • Apr 23rd, 2012 12:45 pm
Tags:
None
Jr. Member
Nov 13, 2010
110 posts
1 upvote

Looking for a new laptop

I'm looking to buy a new laptop for Diablo 3 and I'm looking for some help. While I am a bit tech savvy I haven't bought a laptop in 5 years so I am not really "up on" what the best processors/video cards are. I am looking for something less than $800. I have found these 2 so far.

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX36360

and

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX37761

What do people think? Which has the better video card between a 540m and 630m? Is $100 worth it between an i5 and i7? Any better deals out there?
13 replies
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Jun 7, 2001
7994 posts
2226 upvotes
Alberta
HP Pavilion DV6-6C50CA with Radeon 7690M XT graphics (#75 at Notebookcheck.net) vs. #115 for the GT 540M. As per Cloakster's suggestion to PM Amazon.ca's price of $678 with BB. You might want to consider using the savings for an extended warranty.

http://www.amazon.ca/HP-Pavilion-DV6-6C ... B00701OT2W

$850 at BB:

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/hew ... 93116.aspx

More info here:

tips-getting-mid-level-gaming-laptop-1167793/

Dave
Deal Addict
Jun 30, 2010
3209 posts
1742 upvotes
Markham
This laptop would be the best for gaming in your price range: http://www.amazon.ca/HP-Pavilion-DV6-6C ... B00701OT2W

To answer your questions, the GT630m is slightly better than the GT540m and the i7 will make barely any difference for gaming unless you have a very good video card.

Edit: David beat me to it :P
Jr. Member
Nov 13, 2010
110 posts
1 upvote
Thanks for the quick reply. What's the benefit of price matching at bestbuy? can't I just order it from amazon?
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Jun 7, 2001
7994 posts
2226 upvotes
Alberta
martinjustin wrote: Thanks for the quick reply. What's the benefit of price matching at bestbuy? can't I just order it from amazon?
BB's Lowest Price Guarantee

Whether you prefer in-store or online, our Lowest Price Guarantee makes sure you get the best price on the products you buy at Best Buy.

Either prior to purchase or within 30 days of purchase (14 days for computers, monitors, printers, notebook computers, camcorders, digital cameras, radar detectors, cellular and wireless devices, portable DVD players, and air conditioners) should you find a lower advertised price, including those on the Internet from an authorized Canadian dealer, we will match that price and beat it by giving you an additional 10% of the difference.

Simply present us with your original Best Buy or BestBuy.ca sales receipt, along with proof that the item you bought is being advertised at a lower price. Once our staff verifies that the item is in stock and available for immediate sale and delivery at the advertised price, you will receive your refund. If you purchased the item from BestBuy.ca and there is no Best Buy store in your area, you can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — we’re here to help.

The advertised item must be of the same brand and model as the purchased product, must be new and factory sealed, and subject to a manufacturer's warranty applicable in Canada. The advertised item must be sold through an authorized dealer located in Canada. Advertised prices must be in Canadian dollars. Products advertised on the web will be calculated to include all charges applicable for next-day delivery to your home address. Our Lowest Price Guarantee does not apply to advertising errors or misprints, special educational prices, restricted offers, mail order offers, rebates, coupons, premiums, free or bonus offers, OEM products, limited or minimum quantity or limited time offers, close-outs, liquidations, clearances, and special financing offers.

The terms and conditions of the Lowest Price Guarantee are subject to change without notice.

=====

I am not sure if BB will PM Amazon....they may weasle out by saying that Amazon isn't an authorized Canadian dealer.
Deal Addict
Jun 30, 2010
3209 posts
1742 upvotes
Markham
Only thing is BestBuy is known to refuse a price match when they will lose this much from it, so no guarantee for that.
Jr. Member
Nov 13, 2010
110 posts
1 upvote
Ok, great. Don't have a BB in my area though. Will be in the GTA this Thursday but you never know when the price on amazon might shoot up. I'll probably take advantage of this deal, thanks guys.
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Jun 7, 2001
7994 posts
2226 upvotes
Alberta
HP Pavilion DV6-6C50CA 15.6-inch Notebook (i5-2450M,6GB DDR3,750GB 5400)(Radeon 7690M XT)(DVDRW)

$680 at Canada Computers

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_ ... _id=71472Q

$673....French??? at Cendirect.com

http://www.cendirect.com/main_en/tech_s ... 3717R.html

$713 at NCIX

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=47850 ... %20PACKARD

$750 at FS

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/ ... 93116.aspx
Deal Addict
Apr 14, 2007
2959 posts
463 upvotes
Montreal
I wouldn't touch HP garbage. They are quite unreliable and are still quite problematic after all these years. I'm very picky and wouldn't settle for the lousy 1366x768 screens though.

For best built, Asus and Lenovo are #1 and #2. Tigerdirect had a good speced unit but it is out of stock
Deal Addict
Jun 30, 2010
3209 posts
1742 upvotes
Markham
gnuman wrote: I wouldn't touch HP garbage. They are quite unreliable and are still quite problematic after all these years. I'm very picky and wouldn't settle for the lousy 1366x768 screens though.

For best built, Asus and Lenovo are #1 and #2. Tigerdirect had a good speced unit but it is out of stock

Its kind of true, but the problem is this is just too good of a deal to care about that. The equivalent Asus or Lenovo in terms of gaming performance is around $1000.
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Jun 7, 2001
7994 posts
2226 upvotes
Alberta
Lenovo Ideapads Y-series start at around $750 and up. They have pretty fast graphics for gaming. You just need to wait for them to build it.

Dave
Deal Addict
Jun 30, 2010
3209 posts
1742 upvotes
Markham
Actually, true...i forgot about the EPP for Lenovo. The Lenovo Y570 with i5/4GB/500GB 7200rpm/GT555m is $749 and only $40 to upgrade to an i7 and 8GB of RAM. Only thing is the GT555m in the Y570 is the lower tier version which is equivalent to the 7690m XT. Ends up being over $100 more for no improvement in gaming performance and you gotta wait for it to be built. If you do anything that can take advantage of the i7 then it is probably a good deal for you, otherwise the HP is still very good.
Jr. Member
Nov 13, 2010
110 posts
1 upvote
I have heard HPs aren't very reliable but I've had good luck with them. I have had a HP Pavilion now for 5 years and it still runs great. I guess it's just luck of the draw.
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Jun 7, 2001
7994 posts
2226 upvotes
Alberta
martinjustin wrote: I have heard HPs aren't very reliable but I've had good luck with them. I have had a HP Pavilion now for 5 years and it still runs great. I guess it's just luck of the draw.

Look into getting an extended warranty (3 years?) with the HP. Get BB or FS to PM any of the computer stores that I had posted (start with the lowest price)....they cannot reject them all.

If you are not in a hurry, I would go with the Lenovo Ideapad Y-series.....555M is #79 (vs. #75 for the 7690M XT) by Notebookcheck. Also, check if you can get a US keyboard with the Ideapad....that would be the deciding factor for me. I cannot stand bilingual keyboards.

Dave

Top