Which laptop/notebook should I get?

[Jimmy Bro]

Hey guys. I've been thinking of getting a new laptop.

Mostly it would be for watching movies/normal use. But also I want to be able to run smoothly programs such as Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, Premiere etc. And even though I'm not a big gamer, I'd like to be able to play games as well.

Also, I'd like it to have a blu-ray drive and/or burner, big enough screen (at least 17"), and full HD

I've researched around and have pretty much rounded it down to 3 possibilities.

http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/compu...otebook/648098

http://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers/a...ook-sku-68207/

http://www.harveynorman.com.au/produ...smio-xx-laptop

I am definately leaning most towards the Toshiba, due to it having the best features and stuff, like the NVIDIA 3D (cos I dont have a 3D TV, and it would be cool to watch 3D Blu-Ray) and the SSD, etc.

Which do you guys think is the best option out of the 3, or do you recommend something different entirely?

I know this probably isn't the best forum to ask this, but ceebs signing up to a computer forum. And + it would be good to get the opinions of movie/blu-ray fans like me, since that's part of the reason I want this.

Thanks in advance

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Bro

Hey guys. I've been thinking of getting a new laptop.

Mostly it would be for watching movies/normal use. But also I want to be able to run smoothly programs such as Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, Premiere etc. And even though I'm not a big gamer, I'd like to be able to play games as well.

Also, I'd like it to have a blu-ray drive and/or burner, big enough screen (at least 17"), and full HD

I've researched around and have pretty much rounded it down to 3 possibilities.

http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/compu...otebook/648098

http://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers/a...ook-sku-68207/

http://www.harveynorman.com.au/produ...smio-xx-laptop

I am definately leaning most towards the Toshiba, due to it having the best features and stuff, like the NVIDIA 3D (cos I dont have a 3D TV, and it would be cool to watch 3D Blu-Ray) and the SSD, etc.

Which do you guys think is the best option out of the 3, or do you recommend something different entirely?

I know this probably isn't the best forum to ask this, but ceebs signing up to a computer forum. And + it would be good to get the opinions of movie/blu-ray fans like me, since that's part of the reason I want this.

Thanks in advance

The 6850's a great Radeon card, and it also does 3D. I have the desktop version of it. A card may be able to do 3D, but you have to make sure that your drive is enabled for 3D playback as well. I'd go with the Acer, because it is 400 cheaper, although Toshiba is great too. Both machines are about par for specs, you're paying the extra for the glasses, .25 TB of disc space, and the Nvidia card.

I've used all 3 brands, and HPs aren't as good as they use to be (my mom hate hers that she bought last year), but Toshiba and Acer are still solid (at least for me). So it's really up to you as to which one you prefer.

[Jimmy Bro]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

The 6850's a great Radeon card, and it also does 3D. I have the desktop version of it. A card may be able to do 3D, but you have to make sure that your drive is enabled for 3D playback as well. I'd go with the Acer, because it is 400 cheaper, although Toshiba is great too. Both machines are about par for specs, you're paying the extra for the glasses, .25 TB of disc space, and the Nvidia card.

I've used all 3 brands, and HPs aren't as good as they use to be (my mom hate hers that she bought last year), but Toshiba and Acer are still solid (at least for me). So it's really up to you as to which one you prefer.

Thanks for the reply.

I thought out of the 3, only the Toshiba has the 3D? The Toshiba also has the SSD/HDD hybrid thing.

Also, what do you think about the prices? If I go for the Toshiba, do you reckon they could cut a deal and get it cheaper?

Also, do you think the Toshiba will be able to play 3D Blu-Rays smoothly?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Bro

Thanks for the reply.

I thought out of the 3, only the Toshiba has the 3D? The Toshiba also has the SSD/HDD hybrid thing.

Also, what do you think about the prices? If I go for the Toshiba, do you reckon they could cut a deal and get it cheaper?

Also, do you think the Toshiba will be able to play 3D Blu-Rays smoothly?

The Toshiba's the only one specifying 3D: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ts,2776-3.html It's steroscopic 3D though, and Tom's Hardware says Nvidia's 3D engineering is better. Personally I think 3D is a fad, and it's more suited for a theatre, rather than on a laptop, or even a TV. Again, it's your choice though. Just remember that you will only be able to watch the 3D stuff on the 18" screen, because it won't output on your TV in 3D.

The prices are high, but you are looking at a laptop, which is why they're about 1000 more than if you were to build a desktop with the same specs. You could check other retailers for the models, or see if anyone puts the stuff on sale. From what I can see, it doesn't look like it's going to drop any time soon though.

[Jimmy Bro]

What do you mean stereoscopic 3D? That's the good kind, innit?

I thought NVIDIA 3D was like the 3D on 3DTVs.

And btw I do know that a 3DTV would be better for Blu-Rays, but I live with my family currently, so it's not really an option until I get my own place.

I still watch Blu-Ray on my 40" though.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Bro

What do you mean stereoscopic 3D? Isn't that the anaglyph crap?

I thought NVIDIA 3D was like the 3D on 3DTVs.

And btw I do know that a 3DTV would be better for Blu-Rays, but I live with my family currently, so it's not really an option until I get my own place.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_television - No it's not quite the same, a lot of 3D TVs use it. It's also what's used in the theatres: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RealD_Cinema

[BLindsay]

The graphics card in the Toshiba is faster then the 6850 by a decent bit so if you want the fastest of the 3 grab the toshiba, if not the Acer would be my 2nd choice since there isnt much difference in price between the Acer and the HP and the Acer has a better video card

[Jimmy Bro]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_television - No it's not quite the same, a lot of 3D TVs use it. It's also what's used in the theatres: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RealD_Cinema

Exactly. That IS the good type of 3D :P

What other type is there?

[Jimmy Bro]

Another option is this.

http://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers/a...ook-sku-70310/

Which do you think is better, the Asus or the Toshiba?

http://www.harveynorman.com.au/produ...smio-xx-laptop

[Jimmy Bro]

Another option is this.

http://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers/a...ook-sku-70310/

Which do you think is better, the Asus or the Toshiba?

http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/compu...otebook/652206

[Johnny Vinyl]

While I like Asus, I would go with the Toshiba hands down! I have one of their laptops, and its still going strong after 5 years. Granted, it's really slow now, but I've never ever had an issue with it. I also like the build quality of their laptops.

One thing I would do, and will do with my next laptop, is maximize the RAM right away.

[tanujdua]

I'd go with the Asus over the Toshiba, I think the build quality on the Asus' I've seen around is slightly better than Toshibas.

Though having said that the Toshiba does have the dual harddrives (and an ssd). Depends on whether you need it I guess?.

[Jimmy Bro]

Originally Posted by tanujdua

I'd go with the Asus over the Toshiba, I think the build quality on the Asus' I've seen around is slightly better than Toshibas.

Though having said that the Toshiba does have the dual harddrives (and an ssd). Depends on whether you need it I guess?.

Is there any advantage on having dual harddrives?

And would the SSD make the boot-ups and such much faster?

If I do get the ASUS, which looks like it doesn't have an SSD, would I be able to fit one in there in a later time? Or would it void warranty/not be compatible?

Also, which of the 2 would be better for watching 3D Blu-Rays?

BTW I appreciate the replies. I'm not too good with computers, thanks :P

[Jimmy Bro]

Originally Posted by John72953

While I like Asus, I would go with the Toshiba hands down! I have one of their laptops, and its still going strong after 5 years. Granted, it's really slow now, but I've never ever had an issue with it. I also like the build quality of their laptops.

One thing I would do, and will do with my next laptop, is maximize the RAM right away.

I also really dig some of the Toshiba's features, like the sleep and sound.

Toshiba Unboxed: Toshiba Qosmio X770 Series Laptop - YouTube

[tanujdua]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Bro

Is there any advantage on having dual harddrives?

And would the SSD make the boot-ups and such much faster?

If I do get the ASUS, which looks like it doesn't have an SSD, would I be able to fit one in there in a later time? Or would it void warranty/not be compatible?

Also, which of the 2 would be better for watching 3D Blu-Rays?

BTW I appreciate the replies. I'm not too good with computers, thanks :P

Dual hard drives are good for speeding up the loading of things, I'm assuming the operating system and all the applications would be installed onto it making things load very fast (and the pc turn on much faster).

You can probably swap out the hard drive in the Asus for an SSD at a later date but I think it only has space for 1 hard drive so you'd have to replace what's already in there, and it shouldn't void the warranty. Though note SSDs are very expensive still.

I have no idea which would be better for 3D blu-rays to be honest with you . I'm not that informed on the whole PC side of 3D. Though in the specs it says that they both use NVidias 3D stuff and they'll probably play 3D blu-rays as well as each other though .

Look around on the internet/youtube and see if you can find any reviews of the exact laptops, normally they help me a lot when trying to decide things .

[Jimmy Bro]

Thanks tanujdua. Yeah I've been looking for reviews, couldn't find too much though. But from what I did find, it seems to be getting mixed results for the Toshiba. Some seem to love it, but some guy on another forum said it wasn't good.

Don't think I have found a review of the Asus

[tanujdua]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Bro

Thanks tanujdua. Yeah I've been looking for reviews, couldn't find too much though. But from what I did find, it seems to be getting mixed results for the Toshiba. Some seem to love it, but some guy on another forum said it wasn't good.

Don't think I have found a review of the Asus

No problem, I hope that you don't lose too much sleep over choosing one lol.

If you can't decide flip a coin or something .

[Jimmy Bro]

Originally Posted by tanujdua

No problem, I hope that you don't lose too much sleep over choosing one lol.

If you can't decide flip a coin or something .

Yeah lol. Well I suffer from Insomnia or some other sleep problem so I lose sleep anyway

[Billyioner]

Even I'd suggest you to buy Toshiba laptop. I've been using one since last one year and i've not faced any issues, yet. Toshiba is known for its excellent performance.

[Gardenofstone10]

The Toshiba one looks pretty nice. I've had bad luck with the longevity of Toshiba over time, though