Laptop needed: 15.6" FHD, i7 quad, FP reader, Backlit KB, 2GB graphics

S

Saajid

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Aug 8, 2008
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I am in the market for a new laptop. Please recommend something. Here are my requirements:

Latest gen (3rd?) Core i7 quad-core processor
15.6" LED FHD display
Min 8GB RAM, preferably 16GB
Onboard Graphics (Intel HD 4000+)
2GB Dedicated Graphics (Geforce or Radeon)
Fingerprint reader
Backlit keyboard without number pad
All the other standard features (BT, WiFi, card reader, webcam, etc)
Windows 8 Pro 64 bit
3 year warranty

My Budget is R12 - R15k. Company will be paying. Laptop will be used for software development, graphics suites, CAD and other intensive programs. I already have an OCZ Vertex 450 256GB SSD which I will put in the laptop. So no need for mSata or an SSD in the laptop.

The closest I could find is the Dell Vostro 3560 from PC International for R12k excl. VAT:

Vostro V3560: Intel Core i7-3632QM (2.2GHz), 15.6 Full High Definition (1080p) LED Display with AntiGlare, Camera, 8192MB (2x4096) 1600MHz DDR3 Dual Channel, 32GB SSDR mSATA Full Card + 1TB Serial ATA, AMD Radeon HD 7670M 1GB Discrete Graphic Card, WLAN + BT, Backlit Keyboard, 8X DVD+-RW, Windows 8 Pro, 3Yr Next Business Day Warranty

Problem is the graphics card is low end, and I'm not sure if it has a fingerprint reader. It's also a bit fatter than I'd like, and not that nice looking, but this is less important if I can get all the other features.
 
Last edited:
MightyQuin

MightyQuin

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Messages
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Saajid said:
I am in the market for a new laptop. Please recommend something. Here are my requirements:

Latest gen (3rd?) Core i7 quad-core processor
15.6" LED FHD display
Min 8GB RAM, preferably 16GB
Onboard Graphics (Intel HD 4000+)
2GB Dedicated Graphics (Geforce or Radeon)
Fingerprint reader
Backlit keyboard without number pad
All the other standard features (BT, WiFi, card reader, webcam, etc)
Windows 8 Pro 64 bit
3 year warranty

My Budget is R12 - R15k. Company will be paying. Laptop will be used for software development, graphics suites, CAD and other intensive programs. I already have an OCZ Vertex 450 256GB SSD which I will put in the laptop. So no need for mSata or an SSD in the laptop.

The closest I could find is the Dell Vostro 3560 from PC International for R12k excl. VAT:

Vostro V3560: Intel Core i7-3632QM (2.2GHz), 15.6 Full High Definition (1080p) LED Display with AntiGlare, Camera, 8192MB (2x4096) 1600MHz DDR3 Dual Channel, 32GB SSDR mSATA Full Card + 1TB Serial ATA, AMD Radeon HD 7670M 1GB Discrete Graphic Card, WLAN + BT, Backlit Keyboard, 8X DVD+-RW, Windows 8 Pro, 3Yr Next Business Day Warranty

Problem is the graphics card is low end, and I'm not sure if it has a fingerprint reader. It's also a bit fatter than I'd like, and not that nice looking, but this is less important if I can get all the other features.
Click to expand...

That is a good laptop. Of course if you want something nicer looking, you should go for the Latitude, but then your budget will not suffice at all.

Asus with those specs look much better, BUT do you want your laptop to lie at Let Me Repair for 2 months when it breaks?

You cannot beat a Dell Warranty. See details of your Dell Vostro 3560 belo:

Base : Stardard Base Vostro 3560
Processor : 3rd Generation Intel Core i7-3632QM (2.2GHz)
Display : 15.6" Full High Definition (1080p) LED Display with AntiGlare
LCD Back Cover : Silver WLAN
Ship Accessory : English Docs
System Software for 3560
Adittional Software 3560
Memory : 8192MB (2 Dimm, 2x4096) 1600MHz DDR3 Dual Channel
Hard Drive : 1TB Serial ATA (5400rpm)
32GB SSDR mSATA Full Card
Optical Drive : 8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+/-R write capability
MOD,SW,CYB,STE,ESLS,CMRCL,DVD
Power Cord : South African 1M D-Series
Battery : Primary 6-cell 48W/HR LI-ION
Graphics : AMD Radeon HD 7670M 1GB Discrete Graphic Card
Daughterboard : mSATA PWA Daughterboard
Driver : Dell SRV Software N2230 South Africa
Driver : Wireless Display Application
Wireless : Intel Centrino© 2230, 2x2 bgn + Bluetooth v4.0+LE
Keyboard : Internal US/International Qwerty Backlit Keyboard with Multi-touch Touchpad
Windows 8 Pro EN
OS Media : Not Included
Software : Microsoft Office Trial Standard
3Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day
 
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Yotch

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Messages
3,198
You can save a lot of money if you buy a secondhand machine. I found the same Dell Vostro 3560 machine that you posted above secondhand for R7000 for my sister on Carbonite. There was another one selling for R4000 one or two weeks ago on Bidorbuy which had a few issues (BoB seller: TechoWizz) which I mentioned in one of the threads. They usually have a year or two left of the warranty. You could also arrange to look at some of these secondhand machines on Bidorbuy before deciding.
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/1591927/Copacabana
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/2296928/ttechsmart
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/2055765/TechoWizz
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/2354608/Smartshop1
 
DominionZA

DominionZA

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Messages
8,298
Selling my Alienware M17x R4 3D for R15k if you want a real beast of a notebook?
 
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Saajid

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Messages
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Yotch said:
You can save a lot of money if you buy a secondhand machine. I found the same Dell Vostro 3560 machine that you posted above secondhand for R7000 for my sister on Carbonite. There was another one selling for R4000 one or two weeks ago on Bidorbuy which had a few issues (BoB seller: TechoWizz) which I mentioned in one of the threads. They usually have a year or two left of the warranty. You could also arrange to look at some of these secondhand machines on Bidorbuy before deciding.
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/1591927/Copacabana
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/2296928/ttechsmart
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/2055765/TechoWizz
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/2354608/Smartshop1
Click to expand...

I prefer brand new if the machine is for myself, and if the company is paying. That said, I wouldn't mind second hand at the prices you mention, as long as there is nothing wrong with the laptop, and there is at least 1-2 years warranty left. I'll check it out.
 
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Saajid

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Messages
4,552
Mike Smit said:
Selling my Alienware M17x R4 3D for R15k if you want a real beast of a notebook?
Click to expand...

Love the specs on the Alienware machines, but hate the look, price and size... Awesome machines though...

Space_Chief said:
Pay more and get a customised Lenovo W530.
http://shop.lenovo.com/za/en/laptops/thinkpad/w-series/w530/#techspecs

You get 2GB Nvidia Quadro GPU
Backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader... etc.

At the end of the day, since you're gonna work on the thing and time is money, it's better to have a better machine rather than getting bottom of the barrel stuff for basic gaming and messing around.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll check that out. You can customise Dell machines too, but then the price is about double. Even if you choose standard specs. It's crazy.
 
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Bass

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Messages
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Saajid said:
Love the specs on the Alienware machines, but hate the look, price and size... Awesome machines though...



Thanks. I'll check that out. You can customise Dell machines too, but then the price is about double. Even if you choose standard specs. It's crazy.
Click to expand...

Hi, Where can you get customised dell or lenovo laptops from ?
 
Rocket-Boy

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Messages
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The HP envy 15 looks like it will tick all of your boxes. I doubt you will find a 15" laptop without a numeric keypad though.
 
crysis

crysis

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Rocket-Boy said:
I think you are just looking at the skeleton pricing. Click on the add to cart and customize bit, you will notice that it ends up being substantially more expensive that way.
Click to expand...

Thats true, in the form I want it, it would cost R14k. Still not bad though. You get the top of the range i7, full hd, and decent discreet gfx.
 
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