Gaming & App Development Laptop under $1500.

[stanoink]

Hi,

I would like to seek the feedback of experts here on the suitability of 4 selected laptops. Doesn't know if I make sense as my current laptop is 5 years old as I have not been shopping for computers a long time.

At one point, I was wondering if a Intel NUC type of PC makes sense. But decided on a new laptop as it is more versatile.

Purpose is to:
a. Home use 90% of the time, just want to move around room to room;
b. Do exploration of software like Dockers, RoR, Spring Boot, Cloud foundary etc.
c. A larger screen to compare documents, slides creation, reading and photo editing;
d. Play Football Manager;
e. Need to dual boot to Ubuntu;
f: Watch and stream movies; Sopcast etc
g. Intend to use with a 24 inch FHD monitor and wireless keyboard and mouse.

Budget is $1500 max and seeking above average reliability, looking for rooms to upgrade RAM and best is can accommodate 2 hard disks.

http://www.lazada.sg/asus-sg-x550vx-dm066t-156-6th-gen-intel-core-i7-6700hq-8gb-7304579.html

http://www.lazada.sg/msi-gl62-6qd-i7-6700hq-gtx950-5938440.html

http://www.lazada.sg/hp-gaming-laptop-15-ak025tx-i7-6700hq-gtx950-4gb-7122219.html

http://www.dell.com/sg/p/inspiron-1...1715721sgw10&model_id=inspiron-15-7559-laptop

Any advise to amend or improve my selection is much appreciated. Thanks in advanced.

 

[86technie]

Can consider the Asus X550VX, I have one and it's great.
Large screen and it's FHD panel.
Lazada price is the same as local Asus store, if you
want fast collection buy from the store.
For Ubuntu, please take note for Windows 8.1 and 10 PC/Desktop.
They are not running on Legacy BIOS but UEFI BIOS.

UEFI BIOS speeds up the boot time as compared with Legacy BIOS.
Startup time is very fast for UEFI Windows.
However as you want to dual boot, you have to perform certain steps.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UEFI

It may affect the boot time and I have no experience
in setting Ubuntu dual boot so I can't really advice how to do
and what impact it may have.

One thing for sure, boot time will sure be affected.
Ubuntu you may also have a problem with the device drivers
like Wireless and etc.

Which is a key thing if you don't want performance to be affected
due to wrong driver.
Can check this link by Ubuntu for certified laptop/desktop
to run Ubuntu and the customized Ubuntu build for different models.
http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/desktop/

However those models you had in mind are not certified/tested
So try to find models that are within the list.
Hope this helps.

 

[stanoink]

Hi,

I checked the Ubuntu website and you are right able the driver issues. I think I will just put the Ubuntu requirement as optional.

I saw the Asus X550VW that you are having at HN roadshow and is a good spec notebook. It differs from the K501:

a. K501 can accommodate 2 harddisks
b. K501 is lighter at 2kg vs 2.4kg for X550VM
c. x550VM is Quad Cores i7-6700

However, x550 sits between the 2 lower configurations of the dell inspiron 15 7559. The dell model sells for about 1200 (i5-6300HQ) and 1500 (i7-6700HQ) and with better GTX-960m.

Hence I am considering between K501ux, x550vm, MSI GL62 6QD and inspiron 15 7559. I am very tempted by the MSI model though. How is the quality?

 

[86technie]

Hi,

I checked the Ubuntu website and you are right able the driver issues. I think I will just put the Ubuntu requirement as optional.

I saw the Asus X550VW that you are having at HN roadshow and is a good spec notebook. It differs from the K501:

a. K501 can accommodate 2 harddisks
b. K501 is lighter at 2kg vs 2.4kg for X550VM
c. x550VM is Quad Cores i7-6700

However, x550 sits between the 2 lower configurations of the dell inspiron 15 7559. The dell model sells for about 1200 (i5-6300HQ) and 1500 (i7-6700HQ) and with better GTX-960m.

Hence I am considering between K501ux, x550vm, MSI GL62 6QD and inspiron 15 7559. I am very tempted by the MSI model though. How is the quality?

MSI for DIY PC is OK but for notebooks best to avoid.
However if you want to try, you can go ahead but MSI
is not a popular brand.

One more thing about the k550uw the i7 is a ultra low voltage
dual core processor which means it isn't that fast as a regular i7 quad core on the x550vm.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i7-6500U-Notebook-Processor.149431.0.html

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i7-4720HQ-Notebook-Processor.132361.0.html

Asus actually have a i7 with GTX 960m model but it falls under ROG.
ROG G550JX price wise that time during IT show was around $1.8k
and below.

https://www.asus.com/sg/Notebooks/ROG-G550JX/

Unless you need graphic power than ROG G550JX is a good value choice.
However take note of the weight, it's not light.

 

[jace88]

If the 2nd hard disk can be M2 (i.e. SSD) then the Dell 15 7000 1559 is great. I bought the 4K model spec just a few days ago at the Courts expo for 1630.

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/c...top-under-$1500-15-screen-larger-5368730.html