The Laptop Guide - Post here for questions, deals, etc.

**Headspace** · 2012-02-20 20:26

Is there any way to work around the nVIDIA Optimus shit?

I'm trying to run the XIV benchmark program just to see what it would score and it keeps running the Intel Graphics card instead of the nVIDIA. Even if I change the settings in the control panel to "Use high performance graphics card (NVIDIA)" The fucking thing will override it and still use the Intel chip.

Without the dedicated graphics card, this thing is a god damn netbook with 8gigs of ram

**Sonomaa** · 2012-02-21 00:59

Originally Posted by Headspace

Is there any way to work around the nVIDIA Optimus shit?

I'm trying to run the XIV benchmark program just to see what it would score and it keeps running the Intel Graphics card instead of the nVIDIA. Even if I change the settings in the control panel to "Use high performance graphics card (NVIDIA)" The fucking thing will override it and still use the Intel chip.

Without the dedicated graphics card, this thing is a god damn netbook with 8gigs of ram

check your drivers, most pre-loaded machines dont come with current ones. also the program creator is supposed to let the driver know with a call tag that it needs to turn on the good stuff, FFXI had the same problem until some of the most recent drivers (I have a 525m, it plays everything out there without issue)

**Headspace** · 2012-02-21 11:23

I updated the card, which i thought was already updated because I downloaded some extra drivers for it. Now it should be fully updated but it still wont' run the XIV benchmark on the dGPU. It runs Furmark on the Intel GPU as well. It's horseshit.

I don't have any games, and am not going to waste money if I can't get the dGPU to actually run on something first.

The laptop I got was retailed at 1200, I got it for 600. Maybe I can sell it for $900 and get a decent laptop with an ATI card since nVIDIA throws Optimus on EVERYTHING

**Khamsin** · 2012-02-26 09:21

Originally Posted by Eragon

I've been looking at this one a bit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834230142

Looks basically the same as the one you posted, with a smaller HDD, for $500 less.

Hmm, to re-respond to this, anyone have any experience with Asus laptops before? I've owned Sony and Dell before, and seen people with Acer, but never Asus.

Though the HDD size turns me off, it's not like I couldn't swap that out sometime later and add 4 more GB of memory. If some other models in the same family of laptops (i.e. other Asus G74SX series models) have two HDDs and 16 GB memory, can I assume that a G74SX series model with only one HDD and 12 GB has room for a second HDD and another 4 GB dimm?

**Eragon** · 2012-02-26 15:29

Originally Posted by Khamsin

If some other models in the same family of laptops (i.e. other Asus G74SX series models) have two HDDs and 16 GB memory, can I assume that a G74SX series model with only one HDD and 12 GB has room for a second HDD and another 4 GB dimm?

That is correct.

This is a 12 GB one HDD model but at 3:50 he opens it up and shows you you can upgrade it if you want.

**Bregor** · 2012-03-09 08:55

I built my last PC and love it, but I'm pretty clueless on laptops. I had a bad experience with my last laptop, ended up thrice frying the GPU and swore never to buy Dell again. So I'm in the market for a new tablet or laptop. Not looking for gaming specs, just want to browse/watch movies/etc. I like physical keyboards and watching DVDs so I'm thinking laptop, but with keyboard docking stations and streaming/cloud/iTunes I'm guessing tablets can compare. Any recommendations, models, or deals out there?

**notorious bum** · 2012-03-10 09:11

This laptop http://www.360buy.com/product/548747.html

or this laptop http://www.360buy.com/product/577391.html

For my brother in China, I told him to buy the 2nd laptop due to it having an upgraded GPU + bigger HDD and starting RAM. Would the i5 outperform the i3 by much for gaming(even with 1G less GPU RAM) if he bought 2G of RAM?

edit: so, apparently, the difference between the 540M 1G and 540M 2G is zero since the extra VRAM will never be used. Now, the only question I have is the difference between the i3 and i5 in gaming, if it would be worth the extra 150Yuan investment and smaller HDD lol

**Irohuro** · 2012-03-10 16:59

I looked through and didn't see this one posted, but this is a nice one for if you're on a budget
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834230216
It's been out of stock at newegg for a couple months, but I've heard its only $50 more around other places. This is the one I got after my Macbook died, and I absolutely love it.

**Khamsin** · 2012-03-14 05:40

So would a 160GB SSD + 1TB 5400 rpm HDD combo work well for a 17" desktop replacement (read: hot and heavy) laptop? As opposed to 7200 rpm for the secondary HDD. Also, are there any opinions on matte vs glossy for the screen?

**Aristio** · 2012-03-19 00:12

Looking for a gaming laptop for around ~$1200, with 1500 as a hard cap.

I saw this:
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/X...ming_Notebook/

And was wondering if this was a good buy?
Specs:
17.3 LED Monitor with 1920x1080 resolution.
Intel® Core™ i7-2670QM Mobile Processor 2.20 GHz 6M Intel Smart Cache
4GB RAM(+32 dollars for 8GB)
NVIDIA GTX570M
500GB HDD

**The Stig** · 2012-03-19 04:32

HD is a bit small. But most "2nd tier" gaming laptops have the same specs as that. Not necessarily a good buy, but at 2nd tier you're basically picking a company/case you would like, all the other specs aren't too far from each other. Cyberpowerpc don't throw any additional goodies in, however.

As ugly as this looks, a similar model in the UK recieved the "winning" prize a few months back:

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Series-GT7...2149185&sr=8-2

CyberpowerPC, although a reputable company in my eyes from the reviews I've seen on their Desktop stuff, I have no clue on their laptops and it doesn't seem to be that popular. Their laptops, like RockDirect, uses geneic Clevo chassis (or something like that) which can be found everywhere in companies who can't be assed to make their own shell. It's not the best chassis either.

I linked you one from Amazon as I have no idea on which US Stores sell laptops, and Amazon is the best thing I can find. Find somewhere which sells MSI laptops and find the range of different models they do (which has different specs). You can see some reviews too and branch off from there.

**Khamsin** · 2012-03-19 06:41

Are 1st tier laptops like those 18" Alienwares with dual GTX 580Ms in SLI, and such?

And as far as MSI vs Asus (say the G74SX models), which one would you recommend?

**The Stig** · 2012-03-19 07:39

Yes, in my mind today the Tier 1 laptops now fall into the laptops with the Dual GFX/6+ CPU core setups and are generally over £2000 (or $2000, since prices seem to have a 1:1 UK/US ratio, despite it being actually $2500~)

MSI laptops are ugly but are good value. Asus however I think make quite desirable laptops. I guess the recommendation comes down if you would prefer the somewhat ugly MSI or the good looking Asus which is comparable to Sony, Dell/Alienware, and any specific requirements each manufacturer offers.

The MSI I linked, although it seems they've improved their outer shell (the previous one was some abomination of a shell), still has too many things on it screaming "I'MMA FRAG U"
Asus however, along with Alienware, produce military look-machines (based on the G74SX linked), which I enjoy. The m18x (I own the m17x) looks like a stealth fighter, I quite enjoy that. You can take it outside and still look somewhat professional.

Nowadays, choosing a (Tier 2) laptop, with the exception of looks, falls down to:

3D screen
Dual Hard Drive setup? (SSD + normal HDD)
Extra goodies offered (mouse, backpack, other things like warranty/insurance, or bonuses such as games, or extra hardware)

Each company seems to offer a slight variant of the mobile i7, but most are generally the same. I usually look the individual models up for review to see how old they are and how good they are.

tl;dr

I will choose a MSI laptop when my time comes to upgrade (unless Alienware entices me with another new design, which is what they did nearly 3 years ago now). Purely because of the value and that, to be honest, I don't take my Alienware m17x anywhere, it remains on my desk. I'll unlikely take it anywhere (I did take it to a friend's twice). Therefore it can be as ugly as it wants but I can the specs are good and the price is better.

EDIT: Khamsin: I noticed why you asked, I scrolled up to see your question but it never got answered

I personally prefer Glossy screen providing you don't expose the laptop under much light, due to the reflection. It makes everything look alive. The alienware lot, I'm not sure if it's actually glossy? They stick a glass over the whole screen. I guess it's technically glossy.

And 5400rpm/7200rpm is negligible. If I blind tested you with 2 laptops that look exactly the same, configured exactly the same way (except the HDD), and asked you to load up a 2011 game, you probaby would not notice a difference. Unless you have some sort of hardcore monitoring tool, every difference there would be is seen through benchmark. To us, it's just an extra few seconds more, but during this time you're probably distracted by something else anyway.

SSD is indeed a huge performance boost in terms of load times. But 5400/7200, not so much. You won't notice much, if it all, at best, unless you go out of your way to try and notice it.

**Khamsin** · 2012-03-19 10:43

Well, it's just that there were people saying your laptop will run cooler if you use 5400 over 7200. Was wondering if it's worth specifically choosing a 5400 instead of a 7200, or if it matters.

One thing that reviews are saying about the G74SX models is the lack of a numlock key (and lack of support if you hit it on an external keyboard, i.e. it still doesn't affect it's numpad).

Mainly I've just been comparing "tier 2" laptops and was eying the G74SX (configured with 16gb and SSD + HDD) which to me had been the most attractive option so far, but your "over $2000 for tier 1" comment makes me think that maybe $2000 for a "tier 2" is overpriced. Guess I should shop around some more, and maybe consider MSI more seriously.

**The Stig** · 2012-03-19 11:04

Heat might be also neglible these days, judging by: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hard...200rpm-hd.html
And this was back in 2005. I'm sure nowadays, especially if fitted with a laptop cooler, the manufacturer should take this into consideration already and any extra heat wouldn't affect the machine that much (until later it dies because the insides are completed splattered)

You configured it with 16gb of RAM and what seems to be more HDD/SSD options. Going over is normal/fine really as long as you're sure of it and require it due to your interests/work. MSI won't let you configure this stuff from what I remember, it's all pre-packaged. So the slight premium on top here is maybe Asus allowing you to modify parts/bits around.

NOTE: I've noticed sites seem to charge RAM at expodential rates, which at the end seems much cheaper if you self upgrade instead.

The laptop I linked gives you 12gb. Assuming there's maybe a spare lot for another 4gb stick, then you're good to go with some self upgrading (which I personally hate doing. An expensive laptop seems so delicate lol)

And what a strange feature to lack, the G74SX models...

**Aristio** · 2012-04-03 13:29

Yay or nay on this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834230352

**The Stig** · 2012-04-04 05:26

Awesome price. Yay.

But doesn't say why it's refurbished though.

**Mellema** · 2012-04-04 13:51

Originally Posted by Aristio

Yay or nay on this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834230352

Depends what you need it for. If you need a laptop that you carry every day, I'd say no. I have a G73 and I got it so I'd have a portable gaming set up b/c I visit my family and friends pretty often. But for work I carry a much lighter 15" that's half the weight and 3x the battery life.

The G74 you listed has only 1600x900 resolution (same as mine), but it really doesn't look bad and I almost always run mine dual screen with a 27" monitor. No bluray isn't that big of a con, can always get an external if it's that important.

The 2 HDD slots is a nice feature also. I took out one of my 500Gb drives and put in a 160 SSD.

I'd recommend the purchase as long as you're not planning on carrying it everyday.

**BIGSTIC** · 2012-04-13 18:19

Living in a fifth wheel trailer and dont have room for the desck top but not interested in shelling out the $$$ for a super laptop since its only temporary. Looking to play all the normal games and dont mind running at low settings.

Hows this look? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+1...&skuId=5120735

**The Stig** · 2012-04-14 09:46

That'll take care of your needs.

I can't believe the US stuff is so cheap...

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