Comparing laptops

NVM warranty is return to seller.
the overseas models are really tempting but I need my warranty



Yeah of course - that angle is always a problem with importing.
I'm comfortable enough to strip one down to barebones & back again so i'm not too worried with that angle.
Local would be better but they are asleep at the wheel far as i can see.
Here's your local options,99% of which aren't even based on this years models - they got ONE that's not just Dual Core era CPU.
http://www.mecer.co.za/notebooks
Kinda pathetic unfortunately
 
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nukefission said:
Option 1: Lenovo IdeaPad Y580
GPU GTX660M
Resolution 1366 x 768 or 1920x1080
Size 15.6"
Cost 10.5k

Just to clear things up, this is the better solution if you're a gamer, without a doubt. 720p and High to Ultra settings is easily within reach and games will continue to be playable on High two years or so on.

nukefission said:
Question1 GTX660M vs GT640M Obviously the 660M has superior performance but what about thermals and battery life? Obviously the 660M is wasted on a 1366x768 res.

It really depends. The GT640M is the better performer when it comes to battery life and heat generation. Battery life off the wall is arguably a null consideration, since most laptops will simply switch to the Intel HD GPU when you're on battery. You'll have to explicitly set the discrete card on and if you're watching video, for instance, with the WiFi on, you can expect around four hours with the screen set at 50% brightness. Gaming will chop that in half easily.

nukefission said:
Question2 Can the 640M handle new games(Blops2,BL2,NFSMW) at low/med? (Obviously the 660M can)

Games on the GT640M will actually be very playable at 720p resolution with no AA and medium settings. Anantech recently took the Acer Aspire M3 for a test drive and came away pleased. Gaming Performance is on par with the GTX555M which was already pretty decent in its own right, with the GT640M improving where it counts the most in the efficiency benchmarks.

nukefission said:
BING BING I`ve heard that 15.6 doesn`t mix well with 1920x1080. Can anybody clarify/provide opinions?

1080p on a 15.6" screen is an eyesore after a while if you're working with text and small objects on the screen. For video and games it looks fantastic. Everything else? Not so much. 1600 x 900 is a much better alternative and more comfortable to use daily.

I'd also urge you to look at this:

Mecer W370T 17.3" @ R11,781 (Windows 7 HP 64-bit, the Toshiba 320GB drive, 12GB RAM and the Core i7-3610QM)

Its just about the best gaming laptop I've come across for under R12k that does just about everything you could ask. Two hard drives? Check. Full HD screen? Check. Blu-Ray drive? Check. Its a pity its not two drives and a mSATA slot, but I suppose that might be a hidden feature if one swaps out the Wi-Fi card and if the BIOS supports it. I've also fallen in love with this:

Gigabyte U2442 Ultrabook 14" @ R12,173

I love the low weight and the fact that it still packs in discrete graphics that can power games along nicely. Its only a dual-core i5 chip but that's okay, at least its not a low-voltage one. And it comes with everything else you'll need, including a mSATA drive.
 
However with a 1920x1080 max I can reduce it too.
The 1920x1080 Y580 isnt available in SA but that mecer looks seriously hot
17.3" (Not sure what I want here :p)

That W370ET is a fixed 660M GPU option of the Clevo P170EM
There are also fixed options to the P150EM(the 15.6inch model) - just that Mecer don't show them or have them,perhaps if you asked they might bring in.
eg - P151EM1 & P151EM1B

The 15.6 inch equivalent to the W370ET is the W350ETQ (branded in the link as Sager NP6350)
http://www.xoticpc.com/custom-gaming-laptops-notebooks-clevo-sager-notebooks-ct-95_51_162.html
 
:mad:
Just when I was happy with my Toyota you come and show me a BMW for a bit more :cry:
I`m wondering about shipping/duty/customs though.
I`ve got family in Australia so that might help.

I saw a dell for 1300 USD but it came out to 19k zar so I`m a bit wary of such prices

Just an update as mine just come thru customs(i delayed shipping to a later date after i ordered)
No duty payable on it,only 14% VAT.
(laptop value + shipping) x 14%
+ a courier admin fee - R100-R200
 
Have a look at the Asus N56vz... about 13k, fullhd, gt650, much better build quality than the Y580... have worked on both. I chose the N56vz. Worth a look. I love it.
 
Clevo (Horize) P150EM with the GTX 680M - Think my ATI 4650 was giving me around 6600 points - Happy upgrade.....

PCMark Vantage
PCMarkVantage_19_12_12__302.77drivers.GIF


Win7
wei.GIF
 
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