Due to the frequency of threads popping up that ask for laptop suggestions, I decided to make this. I'll cover some basics here and feel free to ask questions.
What kind of laptop should I get?
You should always decide based on how you're going to use it:
-Gaming
-Work
-Student
-Light Use
-Application heavy / multimedia
-All in one
After you decide how your laptop is going to be used, here are some very basic guidelines:
Gaming:
Work:
Student:
Light Use:
Application Heavy/Multimedia:
All in one:
Have you decided what you want? Here are suggestions for each in specific price ranges. Most laptops will be ASUS or Lenovo as most other non Apple laptop brands suck.
Good luck finding a laptop! I will check the thread frequently for people asking questions. I very highly suggest you ask questions even if you think you know what you're going to get.
If you don't agree with something I posted in this thread or have a correction, just let me know!
What kind of laptop should I get?
You should always decide based on how you're going to use it:
-Gaming
-Work
-Student
-Light Use
-Application heavy / multimedia
-All in one
After you decide how your laptop is going to be used, here are some very basic guidelines:
Gaming:
- Recommend a PC that runs Windows
- Min. 8GB RAM and i5 or i7 processor with a dedicated AMD or Nvidia Graphics card
- Will NOT be the most sleek but still a good amount of options
- Some classic HHD and still good to have some SSD for startup
Work:
- The OS is totally your choice unless your workplace demands something different. I suggest a Windows PC because you can just partition your hard drive and boot Linux or OS X on it.
- You may want a decent processor for multitasking and minimum 4GBs of RAM.
- You will want a lighter laptop with more battery life
Student:
- Entirely based on your budget. Money will be tight but making the right choice is crucial
- If you have the money and you like Apple, go for a Macbook Pro. They are sturdy, reliable, and user friendly
- You may need good battery life unless your classes and halls have well placed power outlets
- 4GB of RAM, i5 processor, and the right brand can get you through 4+ years
Light Use:
- Just browsing the web? An i5 processor and 4GB of RAM will get you through. I suggest a sturdy Windows laptop with good utility (USB ports, DVD drive, SD card slot)
- No need to spend more than $500 for a good netbook
Application Heavy/Multimedia:
- Graphic Artist? Music Maker? Go with a Macbook unless you really just enjoy your own customization with Windows.
- Computer Science? Go with a Windows laptop because you likely already know how to triple boot the three major OS's.
- Programs that take up a lot of RAM (browse web, use photoshop, have video editing open) need 8GB and i7 processor the majority of the time.
All in one:
- Want gaming, heavy media usage, a good battery life and more? You're going to be paying a decent amount for something that can handle it all.
- You want an i7 and between 8GB and 16GB of RAM. You want a dedicated graphics card. You want all that utility and more. You're going to be looking at $1100+. Your laptop might be a little bit more bulky than you want but there are definitely great solutions for what you want.
Have you decided what you want? Here are suggestions for each in specific price ranges. Most laptops will be ASUS or Lenovo as most other non Apple laptop brands suck.
Lenovo IdeaPad Y50: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/lenovo/y-series/y50/#tab-tech_specs (less expensive alternative - Lenovo Y40)
ASUS ROG G751JL: http://www.amazon.com/G751JL-DS71-1...47-2037350?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1439148169&sr=1-4 (any ASUS ROG would work)
ASUS ROG G751JL: http://www.amazon.com/G751JL-DS71-1...47-2037350?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1439148169&sr=1-4 (any ASUS ROG would work)
Lenovo ThinkPad T450: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/t-series/t450s/ (Cheaper options - any lower tier ThinkPads)
MacBook Pro: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook...F8&qid=1439148401&sr=1-3&keywords=macbook+pro
MacBook Pro: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook...F8&qid=1439148401&sr=1-3&keywords=macbook+pro
MacBook Pro for you rich people: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook...F8&qid=1439148401&sr=1-3&keywords=macbook+pro
Lenovo ThinkPad E Series: http://shop.lenovo.com/ca/en/laptops/thinkpad/e-series/
Lenovo G Series: http://shop.lenovo.com/ca/en/laptops/lenovo/g-series/
Lenovo ThinkPad E Series: http://shop.lenovo.com/ca/en/laptops/thinkpad/e-series/
Lenovo G Series: http://shop.lenovo.com/ca/en/laptops/lenovo/g-series/
Lenovo ThinkPad E Series: http://shop.lenovo.com/ca/en/laptops/thinkpad/e-series/
Lenovo Flex Series: http://shop.lenovo.com/ca/en/laptops/lenovo/flex-series/
MacBook Air: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook...F8&qid=1439148585&sr=1-2&keywords=macbook+air
Lenovo Flex Series: http://shop.lenovo.com/ca/en/laptops/lenovo/flex-series/
MacBook Air: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook...F8&qid=1439148585&sr=1-2&keywords=macbook+air
Lenovo Y70: http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-17-3-I...TF8&qid=1439148658&sr=1-2&keywords=Lenovo+Y70
MacBook Pro: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook...F8&qid=1439148697&sr=1-1&keywords=macbook+pro
(it's hard for these because you have a lot of different options depending on what you're using it for)
MacBook Pro: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook...F8&qid=1439148697&sr=1-1&keywords=macbook+pro
(it's hard for these because you have a lot of different options depending on what you're using it for)
Lenovo Y50 UHD: http://shop.lenovo.com/ca/en/laptops/lenovo/y-series/y50-uhd/
MacBook Pro:http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook...F8&qid=1439148697&sr=1-1&keywords=macbook+pro
ASUS ROG 6751JY-DB72 (this thing is a beast but huge): http://www.amazon.com/G751JY-DB72-17-3-Inch-Gaming-GeForce-Graphics/dp/B00YR6BNVS/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
MacBook Pro:http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook...F8&qid=1439148697&sr=1-1&keywords=macbook+pro
ASUS ROG 6751JY-DB72 (this thing is a beast but huge): http://www.amazon.com/G751JY-DB72-17-3-Inch-Gaming-GeForce-Graphics/dp/B00YR6BNVS/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
OMG I don't know what to get?!?!?!
Just ask in the thread with your budget and what you need it for.
Can this run Runescape?
Yes.
Can I browse the TBT forum on this laptop?
Yes.
What if a laptop you suggested ends up sucking?
I will fix it for you.
Will this laptop you suggested for students last my whole degree?
As long as you know how to take care of it, yes.
Just ask in the thread with your budget and what you need it for.
Can this run Runescape?
Yes.
Can I browse the TBT forum on this laptop?
Yes.
What if a laptop you suggested ends up sucking?
I will fix it for you.
Will this laptop you suggested for students last my whole degree?
As long as you know how to take care of it, yes.
Good luck finding a laptop! I will check the thread frequently for people asking questions. I very highly suggest you ask questions even if you think you know what you're going to get.
If you don't agree with something I posted in this thread or have a correction, just let me know!