So my laptop decided to bite the bullet over the weekend - looks like a graphics or motherboard issue (have swapped memory, run with only one stick, ran diagnostics etc.)...

Anyway, it's starting to struggle in Poser anyway and the graphics card has never handled Open GL very well so...

...looks like I'm in the market for a new machine.

Minimum specs I'm looking for are:

UK supplier
4GB Windows 7 64 bit based
Well performing graphics card
i3/i5 cpu
Would prefer a higher res screen than the standard 1366x768 that seems the norm on 15" laptops but not much options out there.

Obviously price is an issue, so after the best deal possible...

Anyone have any recommendations? Probably looking at a Dell but not up on their current combinations etc.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 Model Name: MacBook Pro

  Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,2

  Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

  Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz

  Number Of Processors: 1

  Total Number Of Cores: 2

  L2 Cache: 6 MB

  Memory: 4 GB

  Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz

Cool man loves poser

Thanks for the reply.

Wouldn't have said that "Obviously price is an issue, so after the best deal possible..." and "MacBook Pro" go in the same context though :biggrin:

Looking for a native windows machine.

Since Intel's graphic chips are iffy about how they handle OpenGL, I would reccomend an AMD/ATI based system.

My only advice, stay away from Dell!!!!! 

Thanks. Trouble is, not much customisation choices with other laptop manufacturers

Quote - Thanks. Trouble is, not much customisation choices with other laptop manufacturers

that's true.

And btw I do like my latest DEll:) 

Lenovo ThinkPad T510

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=5967&review=lenovo+thinkpad+t510

how about this one?

It seems fit your requirements. But the price is a bit high.

Quote - My only advice, stay away from Dell!!!!! 

3 Dells here, 2 E521 Desktop's, 1 1501 Laptop. all 3 about 3 years old now, never a moments trouble other than the Laptop had vista home basic on it. once I replaced that with Windows 7, it's been excellent.... they're not all bad ;)

Attached Link: Smasung R590

Windows 7 Home 64-bit, i5 CPU, 4Mb RAM, 1Gb Nvidia GeForce GT 330M graphics card, 500Gb hard drive, 15.6-inch monitor, standard 1366x768 resolution.

Don't know what the price in the UK would be, but here it cost 2,800 dirhams, just under £500, which is very reasonable for any machine that can do more than surf the net.

A nice touch is that it has a number pad on the keyboard, which suits the way I work.

It does everyhting I ask of it, no problems so far, and I'd recommend it as a good balance of power and affordability.

Thanks all again, I'll take a look at the Samsung Andy, look like great spec's for the price.

Unfortunately, the R590 is around the £750 mark in the UK... Too much I'm afraid...

Will have to stick to my tower for now I guess, don't think I can get the spec's I want for the price I want to pay (around £500). Will see if I can actually make do without the laptop for now...

Thanks again all...

Did you try HPShopping?  I picked up a netbook replacement for the wife's christmas and it was close to your price and spec.

They're not a UK supplier, but mine came direct from Shanghai anyway.

Klebnor

I'd be concerned over warranty issues by buying anything outside of the UK.

I'd be surprised if HP wasn't one of the larger laptop vendors in the UK, they still have the top global market share.  Basically, you're going to get a device built in China or Taiwan, whoever you buy from.

Sorry. Yep, can buy direct from HP here. Was assuming the supplier of yours was a Shanghai based outlet. As long as the supplier is UK based then that's fine - whether they ship it direct from the UK or overseas doesn't matter then.

Will take a look... Thanks!

No problems - good luck!

Quote - I'd be surprised if HP wasn't one of the larger laptop vendors in the UK, they still have the top global market share.  Basically, you're going to get a device built in China or Taiwan, whoever you buy from.

i think most  of those laptop manufacturer in taiwan build their production line in china,

this lower the cost and maybe lower the price that when we buy one.

Acadia had some bad experiences with Dell...;) I have too, actually, though with Wings 3d; for some reason, it doesn't run well on a Dell. All the designs explode into hundreds of individual appearing/dissapearing lines...

Quote - > Quote - I'd be surprised if HP wasn't one of the larger laptop vendors in the UK, they still have the top global market share.  Basically, you're going to get a device built in China or Taiwan, whoever you buy from.

 

i think most  of those laptop manufacturer in taiwan build their production line in china,

this lower the cost and maybe lower the price that when we buy one.

Yes, well, the PRC would find my contention redundant anyway.

Last I knew, Acer and Asus were still assembling in Taiwan, what with those pesky missiles aimed their way, and the tiresome direct travel restrictions.  Perhaps the thaw in relations has progressed beyond my wildest dreams.

Klebnor