Laptop for CollegePost Date: 2011-06-22 |
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3Circles
Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 27 |
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Topic: Laptop for College Posted: 22 Jun 2011 at 6:59pm |
Hey folks,
I'm starting College in the fall, and I am looking to get a laptop to use for classes and such. Budget: Less than $1500 Usage: College (Engineering), lite gaming First off, I already own a DS Desktop (that I love!) and I will have that at college (I'm living off campus, so I'll have the space) and I'm looking to get a laptop to use at classes and elsewhere on campus. I don't really expect to do alot of gaming while I'm on campus (there for learning after all, ), but for when I'm outta town visiting family (holidays and such) I'd like to be able to game a little with the laptop. Here is the minimum specs that the college recommended:
Now here is the config I came up with: Ticket Number: 569781 Total Price with Instant Savings: $1,439.00 Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=569781 Specifications: Chassis Model: Digital Storm xm15 Laptop (Model: 5165) Display: 15.6 Inch (95% NTSC Color Gamut) (Matte Surface) (16:9) (1920 x 1080) LED-Backlit Display <b></b> Processor: Intel Core i7 2720QM (2.2 GHz Turbo Mode to 3.3Ghz) (Quad Core) (6MB Cache) Thermal Compound: Premium IC Diamond CPU and GPU Thermal Compound (Reduces Thermal & Laptop Noise) <b></b> Memory: 8GB DDR3 1333MHz Primary Hard Drive: 500GB 7200RPM (SATA 3Gb/s) Secondary Hard Drive: - Not Available Optical Drive: DVD/CD 8x Multi-Drive (Writes and Reads DVDs, CDs) Wireless Card: 802.11 B/G/N Wireless LAN Module Video Card(s): NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M 2GB with NVIDIA Optimus Technology Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) Warranty Plan: Life-time Expert Customer Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty Games I would play : Half-life series, Portal series, a couple of indie games Now, I did consider a SSD ( I have one in my desktop and have gotten used to the fast speed) but I'm not sure if the decreased space is gonna cause problems later so I chose the 500GB. Any help/opinions are greatly appreciated! Thanks! Edited by 3Circles - 22 Jun 2011 at 7:00pm |
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newjiong
Newbie Joined: 19 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 23 |
Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jun 2011 at 8:59pm |
Hey, you can try the one the community just recommended to me.
http://www.digitalstormonline.com/laptoploadxm15.asp?id=569670 |
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newjiong
Newbie Joined: 19 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 23 |
Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jun 2011 at 9:01pm |
You can make it $1493
if you change the processor to Intel Core i5 2520M (2.5 GHz Turbo Mode to 3.2Ghz) (Dual Core) (3MB Cache) |
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Unlicensedhitman
Groupie Joined: 25 Aug 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 292 |
Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jun 2011 at 10:20pm |
I would get the Intel Ultimate-N 6300 Wireless LAN Module for the wireless card because it's way better the stock/generic one that comes with the laptop.
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Digital Storm xm15 laptop
-15.6" (1366x768) -Windows 7 HP 64-bit -Intel Core i5 2.4 Ghz -Nvidia GeForce 330GT 1GB + Intel HD w/ Nividia Optimus -6GB DDR3 ram -Intel 80GB SSD -Intel Wireless N 6300 |
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3Circles
Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 27 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jun 2011 at 7:17am |
what kind of battery life can I expect during non-gaming usage?
during gaming? Thanks! |
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newjiong
Newbie Joined: 19 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 23 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jun 2011 at 7:56am |
3-5 hours for non-gaming. I don't know what you get for gaming.
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Unlicensedhitman
Groupie Joined: 25 Aug 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 292 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jun 2011 at 11:08am |
Gaming will last about 2 to 2.5 hours depends on the game and if your wireless is on.
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Digital Storm xm15 laptop
-15.6" (1366x768) -Windows 7 HP 64-bit -Intel Core i5 2.4 Ghz -Nvidia GeForce 330GT 1GB + Intel HD w/ Nividia Optimus -6GB DDR3 ram -Intel 80GB SSD -Intel Wireless N 6300 |
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ablahblah
DS Veteran Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2312 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jun 2011 at 12:13pm |
Bear in mind the Ultimate does not have onboard Bluetooth support. The Advanced-N does, which is what I'm looking to get myself when I do get a laptop. |
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R4D4RPR00F
Core i7 920 @ 3.9Ghz Asus Sabertooth X58 EVGA GTX 570 Mushkin 6GB 1414Mhz |
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3Circles
Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 27 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jun 2011 at 4:49pm |
is it a benefit to have bluetooth on a laptop? In what instances would it come in handy?
Also, is 8GB RAM overkill? I know for gaming it's a bit much, but what about for schooling? Edited by 3Circles - 23 Jun 2011 at 4:53pm |
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Bore-dome
Newbie Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 51 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jun 2011 at 5:23pm |
you can use the bluetooth for connecting wireless controllers i.e ps3 ones if you wanted to.
and that is just one thing.. |
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3Circles
Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 27 |
Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jun 2011 at 4:40pm |
I have 8GB RAM selected in the config. Do I really need 8GB or would 6GB be enough for gaming and school (engineering) usage?
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Bloodluster1
Newbie Joined: 31 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 79 |
Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jun 2011 at 10:51pm |
Hello 3Circles,
I think 6GB would be sufficient, but if you are doing modeling (like CAD) I would think 8GB of RAM would be beneficial. I have a xm15 LVL 2 laptop, read my review here > http://digitalstormonline.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=14718 Look at another current review here > http://digitalstormonline.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=14895 Just one thing, these laptops run a little hot when being used intensively (ie. games and that sort). The GPU doesn't get very hot, but the CPU gets quite hot. You can see temps for yourself in my review (link above). If you don't like that I would go with one of the x15 models. The thing is, the xm15's use only ONE heatsink/pipe for both the CPU and GPU while the x15's, however, have TWO heatsinks/pipes, one for the CPU and one for the GPU independent of one another. I don't know if that's a concern or not, but if it is the x15's will solve that issue (if you're willing to spend a little more cash that is). No matter, you'll still get a kick-ass laptop! Just hope this helps you decide on you're new laptop. |
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3Circles
Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 27 |
Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jun 2011 at 11:45pm |
well I just tried the same config (except for the gpu) on the x15, and it's a $426 difference.
is the better cooling worth almost $400 more? |
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Bloodluster1
Newbie Joined: 31 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 79 |
Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jun 2011 at 12:14am |
I never said it was gonna be cheap. But I don't think better cooling justifies less battery life (because these systems don't have Optimus) and $426 more (more like $326 or so if you factor in the 560M gpu). But, it's you're decision.
Bloodluster1 |
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3Circles
Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 27 |
Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jun 2011 at 2:13am |
yea I knew it wasn't going to be cheap, but the less battery life for the x15 does bother me. None of these get good battery life to begin with, and decreasing it further is not the most appealing.
I would guess as long as I make sure the xm15 has plenty of access to air, that it should be ok. although, the more time I spend thinking the more I seem to wonder if I need a "gaming" laptop or just a cheaper regular model. But at the same time I want a good sturdy well-built laptop. I need it to last a minimum of 4 years. I also don't like all the crapware other regular pc/laptop manufacturers have. hmmm |
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3Circles
Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 27 |
Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jun 2011 at 12:04am |
Would there be any significant downsides to changing the CPU to:
Intel Core i7 2630QM (2.0 GHz Turbo Mode to 2.9Ghz) (Quad Core) (6MB Cache)? How much of a difference would it make, if any, than the CPU I originally chose? Thanks! |
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