Advice For Buying Laptop: i5/i7; SSD; 2x Vid Out;

drexxx on 19/07/2013 - 11:53
Last edited 21/07/2013 - 21:04

Hello,

Looking for some helpful advice please – thank you very much for your help :)

I would like a laptop as illustrated below.

Questions:

What would be the best method to buy this?
Are there any Laptops you could recommend?
And please share any tips, advice, concerns etc

All I need at a minimum is something along these lines:

Great processor, i5 or i7
At least a 256GB SSD
(would love an additional Bigger non SSD HDD – not sure if possible?)
Two Video Output Ports (to run my 2x 22” LCDs)
At least 4GB RAM
Laptop Monitor can be crap because I plan to mainly use external monitors predominantly

Usage:

I will not be gaming.
But I do use Photoshop occasionally
I just want my computer to be "snappy" for general use

Budget

Budget would be around the $1500 mark… I more just want the best bang for my buck and not have to pay for stuff that is uncessary for myself (and thus a waste of money e.g. gaming laptops, fancy screens etc).

Thank you for any help :)

Computing

Comments

ESEMCE on 19/07/2013 - 12:01

+3

Two Video Output Ports (to run my 2x 22” LCDs)

That's going to be a stumbling block I suspect…
- ThadtheChad on 19/07/2013 - 12:18
  
  +1
  
  Not quite. Most laptops still have HDMI+VGA, so shouldn't be too much of a hassle. Even my crappy Vostro 3550 at work has that and that's the bottom of the barrel.
  - drexxx on 19/07/2013 - 12:39
    
    +1
    
    Yeah awesome! Thanks guys.
    
    Yeah I've heard HDMI + VGA is prob going to be my best bet. Which is fine.
    
    I'll just do VGA to DVI
    
    Thanks
    - _Bruce_ on 19/07/2013 - 12:44
      
      +1
      
      I'll just do VGA to DVI
      
      Much better to use a monitor that supports VGA if you can. Adapting VGA to DVI would be a poor solution. If you are talking about the plug adaptors (VGA to DVI-A) you will find that most monitors only have DVI-D so this won't work.
    - ESEMCE on 19/07/2013 - 14:06
      
      +1
      
      Yeah, I'd be surprised if your monitors have DVI-I inputs.
    - drexxx on 20/07/2013 - 18:10
      
      Both my Monitors have Two Video Inputs (I just looked):
      
      1) VGA
      2) DVI-D (As described in this pic http://www.hisdigital.com/UserFiles/news/200902261616114965.…)
      
      Thank you :)
- [Deactivated] on 20/07/2013 - 19:43
  
  +1
  
  I use an HDMI splitter on my older single HDMI output notebook.
  http://www.ebay.com.au/bhp/hdmi-splitter
  
  <embarrassed> - that won't work for extended screens, of course… </embarrased>
  - drexxx on 21/07/2013 - 20:49
    
    hahaha Thanks anyway GuiGuy!!! :)
Kaines on 19/07/2013 - 13:38

+2

Regarding supporting 2 x monitors … our work all have laptop docking stations (HP + Dell) that allows 2 to plugins. I suspect that most laptop manufacturers have this option? Docking stations are awesome too as they allow for more USB ports … can have you're keyboard + mouse plugged into the dock, so you can easily un-dock / re-dock your laptop without having to unplug all peripherals.
- scotty on 19/07/2013 - 15:13
  
  +2
  
  Yes docking stations are great but usually only the business grade laptops have them. I use my ThinkPad T-series with Lenovo Series 3 mini dock with 1x DVI out + 1x DP out to connect to 2 monitors, and I used to do something similar when I had my Dell Latitude (with docking station).
  
  My wife's ThinkPad S430 has both HDMI out and Thunderbolt port although I've never tested whether it allows 2x external monitors via those 2 ports.
  - Kaines on 19/07/2013 - 15:42
    
    Thanks for the info :)
- drexxx on 20/07/2013 - 18:13
  
  Thanks khaynes and scotty!
  
  Yeah when I was speaking with Dell they advised a docking station, but I dont really want one because:
  
  a) costs more (like a couple hundred bucks)
  b) dont need the extra ports etc, just the video outs really
  c) i dont really want to carry a Docking Station around with me as I travel.
  
  But thank you for the suggestions :)
nebula98 on 20/07/2013 - 09:14

+2

Why not buys desktop computer ,much cheaper for what u want,have 1 small ssd drive for programs and windows(120 gig should be more than enough) and a couple
Of 2 tb drives for data,u get to pick graphics card,CPU,ram up to 32 gig

Much cheaper and more flexible than laptop fixable,upgradable
- drexxx on 20/07/2013 - 18:16
  
  +1
  
  Hi nebula98, thanks for your help :)
  
  I already have a desktop computer. That is running my dual monitors.
  
  But I am going to start traveling on and off, thus I want a laptop as I wont be based at home most of the time.
  
  Cheers
Frig on 20/07/2013 - 11:56

+2
As Nebula said.

I think the problem is that Laptops are marketed so much and dekstops are ridiculously expensive from large chain stores that they get forgotten about. Some people even think that laptops are faster than desktops.

There are plenty of decent stores that are mentioned on here and other sites like Whirlpool. You will get a lot of good advice.

All I need at a minimum is something along these lines:

Great processor, i5 or i7

At least a 256GB SSD

(would love an additional Bigger non SSD HDD – not sure if possible?)

Two Video Output Ports (to run my 2x 22” LCDs)

At least 4GB RAM"

i5 would be fine for what you are using it for.
I'd get a 128GB SSD for your OS and programs (256GB if you can afford it) (Samsung/Plextor/Crucial/Intel)
another 128GB SSD as a scratch disk for the photos you're working on.
2TB HDD Seagate
8GB RAM 1600Mhz Corsair or G.Skill
You may not need it but you could also go a GTX660ti graphics card or similar
pick a case
Antec neo eco or 520HCG power supply
Motherboard - Gigabyte B75m or similar
- drexxx on 20/07/2013 - 18:22
  
  Awesome man! Thank you for the time you put into your post!
  
  If I was buying a desktop I'd def heed your advice thanks!
  
  Price isnt a massive issue for me. So I'm thinking I'll go the i7, or is it better to spend the money on something else you think? Like will i see Firefox and MS Office opening and operating faster with the i7 compared to the i5?
  
  Thanks again Frig (:
  - Frig on 20/07/2013 - 22:27
    
    +1
    
    No worries.
    
    will i see Firefox and MS Office opening and operating faster with the i7 compared to the i5?
    
    You won't see any difference at all. The main time you will see a difference in the i7 is doing video encoding or some CAD.
    - drexxx on 21/07/2013 - 20:48
      
      ahh ok cool. Yeah that def makes sense.
      
      Thank you
srhardy on 20/07/2013 - 17:06

+1

http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/notebook.pdf

Buy and replace with whatever SSD you want is my advice.
- drexxx on 20/07/2013 - 18:31
  
  thanks srhardy!
  
  I just tried to follow the link and it failed.
  But I get what you are saying.
  
  So I can buy a laptop with any HDD in it and just replace it with an SSD?
  but it's gotta be 2" or 2.5" or whatever?
  
  This will most likely void the warranty tho right? Which I dont want to do….
  
  Cheers!
dsp26 on 20/07/2013 - 19:27

+1

whats the budget?

I use one of these and a 500Gb usb 3.0 external:
http://www.logicalblueone.com.au/store/523-horize-w110er-not…

Or you can get this.. msata for main drive and have an additional 2.5in drive:
http://www.logicalblueone.com.au/store/557-horize-w230st-cle…

Or if you have the cash and want to be totally anti-macbook and have a much better looking and powerful laptopultrabook, ebay one of these:
http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-systems/razer-blade
- drexxx on 21/07/2013 - 21:03
  
  Thanks RB260483!
  
  Budget would be around the $1500 mark… I more just want the best bang for my buck and not have to pay for stuff that is uncessary for myself (and thus a waste of money e.g. gaming laptops, fancy screens etc).
  
  Do I want an Ivy Bridge? Or a Haswell… im not sure?
  
  I've actually never heard of Logical Blue One or Horize… are they "famous" and/or reliable?
  
  hahah those razer's look great. But I would most definitely be paying a premium for the "gaming" stuff… and yeah I wont be playing any games whatsoever so it's kinda a silly use of my dollars.
  
  Thank you very much for your help and any further help bro!
  - dsp26 on 22/07/2013 - 19:43
    
    I'd never heard of Clevo/Horize either until this thread:
    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/103198
    
    And more research revealed that this particular model is known worldwide under the guise of other brands such as Metabox/Sager/etc…
    
    An example of my usage of it.. i need to travel, and light most of the times needing only carry-on luggage for my international consulting work and visiting clients locally here with it tucked into a leather briefcase.. its small and light.. especially if combined with an ultraslim PSU like this:
    http://www.coolermaster.com/product/Detail/mobile/portable-p…
    
    My w110er has the base i7-3610qm quad with an SSD and 16Gb RAM and is easily a desktop spec replacement for the more expensive Asus UX21 ultrabook i was using which is underpowered for GIS/CAD/Database work. I concurrently run 2 virtual machines, one running SQL server geo database on win7 and another vm running ubuntu server with postgresql database all while i'm doing GIS/CAD.
    
    It has a full HDMI and VGA output so i can plug into 2x 24in monitors i use at work and home and the matte screen is good for the size and resolution and not much different in pixels per inch (PPI) compared to a 15in running 1080p.. can watch movies or whatever when on a plane or bus.
    
    Now… I needed it before end of financial year for tax purposes so i couldnt wait for the W230 model (2nd link i posted at the top) and in hindsight was probably worth waiting for especially since it has room for 2x msata drives which could be put in RAID (would be good for digital or database work) + room for an additional 2.5in drive in which you could plonk a 1tb easy.
    
    Now if you wanted to save a bit of money and just went for the base w110er theres plenty power especially in the i5 dual core since they have higher base clock speeds compared to the base i7-3610qm… you mentioned you do photoshop occasionally? it shoudn't use more than 1 or 2 cores.
  - dsp26 on 22/07/2013 - 19:51
    
    If you wanted the portability of an ultrabook with more power than any currently available then you cant get past this + the keyboard dock and easily within your budget:
    http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-systems/razer-edge-pro
    
    I was hoping the surface pro would have similar specs but it doesn't.. and then again.. warranty would be difficult for any of the razer line… i would hold out for the C22T mentioned here:
    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2043121
    
    Clevo is best bang for buck and you have the option of standard extended warranty or pickup extended warranty.. the store owner is a member here as per the above ozbargain link and in the whirlpool thread.
    
    Good luck in your search.. but be honest with your usage and future proofing balance!
jeeg on 21/07/2013 - 21:47

I am pretty sure the Dell XPS range can do dual monitor via HDMI and displayport. Ditto for the Lenovo Thinkpad T series if I am not wrong.

I was in the same boat last time trying to find a notebook that can do dual monitor and I almost bought the XPS14 at that time….
1bug on 21/07/2013 - 21:55

What size monitor? (this will also determine laptop size & weight) — standard: 15.6", large: 17-18", or ultrabook: 12-14"?

(would love an additional Bigger non SSD HDD – not sure if possible?)

Second hard drive bay is usually only possible on large 17-18" laptops.
longislandicetea on 21/07/2013 - 23:08

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Samsung-900X3A-Subnotebo…

You can get one of these for around $800 at bing lee campbelltown. I used to work there till last week and they had one on clearence coz it had the 2nd gen processor but still heaps cheap for an uLTRAbook with these specs.
- scotty on 22/07/2013 - 08:33
  
  It has a mini HDMI and nothing else which won't satisfy OP's requirement of two video output.