Purchasing a new laptop (need help)

[rfgqqabc]

Hey guys, I've been looking at purchasing a new laptop for a while now as my current one has served me two years and is falling apart. I need a pretty decent laptop as I travel a fair amount and would expect that to continue. My research has led me to this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Travelmate-P273-SSD-i5-3230M-Processor-Dedicated/dp/B009MKWEG2/ref=sr_1_8?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1389788130&sr=1-8

But I really have no idea how good it will be. I've read I need a SSD for hold'em manager to run smoothly (and I do have a slight problem with that atm, but would like to keep my database of hands tbh)

Screen wise I'd prefer 15"+. I'm not really clued up enough to decide what ram etc would be needed. Being able to hand a second monitor would be extremely beneficial.

[titaniumbean]

"I've read I need a SSD for hold'em manager to run smoothly (and I do have a slight problem with that atm, but would like to keep my database of hands tbh)"

ya, SSD is super important, just in general but especially for database functionality.


"I'm not really clued up enough to decide what ram etc would be needed."

More = beta innit


"Being able to hand a second monitor would be extremely beneficial."

This will depend on both the video cards capability (ie how powerful) and how many outputs it physically has.


The one in the link, has 'a pretty good processor', a good chunk of ram, 120 gb hd is not enough imo (windows will take ~30gb if I remember correctly, cue whacking a database and some applications on it and thinking zomg wheres the capacity gone).

The graphics card itself seems to be pretty entry level, however if you don't play any computer games and just want a grinding portable machine then this should probably be ok, not sure on the resolutions it'll be able to support.


Lots of grinders use mac book pro laptops, and virtualise those sites that still don't have pc compatibility (which is pretty easy). They work well for travelling with and you can just hook up a monitor/docking station to them when you get home and have a pretty competent setup.

Something with similar specs to this would be good for you though slightly more expensive that the one in the OP.
13-inch: 2.4GHz
with Retina display
Specifications
2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz
8GB 1600MHz memory
256GB PCIe-based flash storage1
Intel Iris Graphics
Built-in battery (9 hours)2
Dispatched:
1-3 business days
Free Delivery
£1,249.00



This seems really good value tbh though i'm confused reading up on the hybrid ssd, if those are any good then it'd make total sense to have those over an ssd, not sure about how dbs run off of them though as I have no experience with them

http://www.novatech.co.uk/laptop/range/novatechnspiren1728.html  - £745
(Novatech nSpire N1728 - 17" Intel i7 4702 Mobile Processor - 16GB DDR3 Memory - 1TB Hybrid Drive - DVD Writer - Intel HM87 Chipset)


This is a bit more expensive, but pretty boss, paying enough whereby you get both ssd and a larger hd aswell.
http://www.novatech.co.uk/laptop/range/novatecheliten1549.html - £1140
(Novatech Elite N1549 - 15.6" Intel Core i7 4700 - 16GB DDR3 Memory - 128GB MSATA Drive - 1TB SATA Hard Drive - NVIDIA GTX 770M Graphics).



Hope that helps.

[rfgqqabc]

As for hybrids:
 
"Hybrid hard drives blend HDD capacity with SSD speeds by placing traditional rotating platters and a small amount of high-speed flash memory on a single drive." ...
 
"Some of the advantages of hybrid storage products include cost, capacity, and manageability. Because only a relatively small solid-state volume is required to achieve significant performance gains, a large investment in a high-capacity SSD isn't necessary." ...
 
Bottom line on hybrids:
 
"For users who don't want the responsibility of managing multiple volumes or who don't constantly work with new data, a hybrid drive can be a great option to improve system performance--all without having to give up any capacity or having to deal with the headaches of using separate solid-state and hard-disk drives."

http://www.itworld.com/answers/topic/hardware/question/which-better-choice-hybrid-drive-or-ssd

The £1140 seems perfect and has good reviews. Is there value in the cheaper one? TBH if its going to last 2 years it doesn't really matter about the price too much. Can they both handle a second monitor or not? Would you go for windows 7 too? I've used 8 on mates and it just seems silly. Thanks a lot mate.

[titaniumbean]

windows 8 is the equivalent of computer aids. some people say that once you make it look like what you remember of windows, then it's 'ok'. I hardly see that as a big advertisement for it though. Win 7 for me.

Have heard lots of good things about novatech, you could just look at the relative specs and then scout about for prices/delivery dates etc

The only problem I have with recommending one with the hybrids is i've never used one, and therefore cant be like yeh that'll deffo work. ssd provides such a performance boost, tbh the ssd with a normal hd with it is the best setup, just harder to get it with the lack of space in laptops compared to desktops.


all those should have the requisite outputs to put another screen on it etc.


the 1140 laptop has a really sick spec, good processor, lorra lorra ram, lots of hd space, seemingly deece gf etc.

[pleno1]

dont get windows 8.

use pt4.

[Longines]

Bought my son a new laptop last month - 4th gen i7, 6GB, 1TB hybrid. I have a 3 month old Dell - 4th gen i5, 8GB, 256GB SSD.

If it was me spending a grand I'd get the SSD, they are so much quicker it's not funny. Hybrids are 10-30% faster than a normal drive, SSDs are orders of magnitude faster.

Regarding Windows 8.1, I'm in the minority. Do this and you get all of the benefits of the new OS with none of the downsides:

[titaniumbean]

ty for feedback that's why I wasn't sure about hybrid!



still cant abide windows 8. it's kewl that microsoft have decided that we should all use tablets though.... twatties!

edit I should point out that the first thing I do when using a pc is set it to look like win classic view so yeh i'm abnormal as most of us already know

[rfgqqabc]

Tomsom has offered me an alienware laptop he used to play on which seems perfect but thanks a lot for your help guys, I'm going to be upgrading my desktop soon so all the techie stuff will come in handy

[Longines]

edit I should point out that the first thing I do when using a pc is set it to look like win classic view so yeh i'm abnormal as most of us already know

Amen. Running W8.1 and after beating it into shape Firefox26 looks just like FF3...

[Ironside]

when buying a laptop i always found paying a little extra for a 17.6' screen is worth it

[titaniumbean]

lol yeh I have been mac since the performa and always had them, but often had pcs on the side for compatibility issues and then poker specifically however I have never once though oh thank goodness windows copied macs OS look, it makes it so useable.

It feels wrong to use a computer without it looking all grey, I swear it doesn't work as smooth unless it's all grey and windozey.


Desktops are even more fun as you have space in the tower. multiple ssd ftw.

[Longines]

PS if you want a geek overload on HDD v SSHD v SSD this article was pretty good.

Always wondered if there would be a market for a pokertracker optimisation consultancy; with today's laptops supporting 16GB RAM if you tuned the database buffer cache, checkpoints, sort batch size etc. then PT4 should be near instantaneous not matter what you throw at it.

[titaniumbean]

imo with the number of poker players i've met who literally cant use a keyboard/mouse yet are supernova on stars there is deffo space for some kind of tech help service. especially with all the current security worries regarding ept and hotels specifically let alone dem nsa bastards!

[rfgqqabc]

Definitely a decent sized market but how would you optimise it all? Teamviewer? I'd say I'm way above average compared to the population in regards to computers and probably slightly ahead of most poker players but there is still a lot I'd need/would want help with.

I've been meaning to ask a tech guy I know to put a SSD into my desktop but I'm scared he's going to keylog it if I tell him why.

[titaniumbean]

Definitely a decent sized market but how would you optimise it all? Teamviewer? I'd say I'm way above average compared to the population in regards to computers and probably slightly ahead of most poker players but there is still a lot I'd need/would want help with.

I've been meaning to ask a tech guy I know to put a SSD into my desktop but I'm scared he's going to keylog it if I tell him why.

need ssd so ma gay porns loads quick blud. can you helps.


not I gamble for large quantities of money and would be easily scammed. just gotta phrase it right.


+ youtube is your friend, search 'ssd installation' and watch all these random internetters show you how it's done.