Urgent advice needed for a basic laptop for playing HD movies (30K max)

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aadi007

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Hi All,

I am planning to purchase a laptop very soon.
My budget is 30K (max) with Windows and 26K (without Windows). I am on a real tight budget, so the cheaper the better if it meets my requirements.

Usage -
Laptop will be used mainly for Internet surfing (heavy usage). MS Office work, some minor photo editing, and watching a lot of HD movies., no gaming.
The screen size is 15.6"

I am totally confused regarding theCPU/GPU combination I should go for.
Here are the options, starting with the cheapest first -
1> Pentium Dual core 1st generation p6200 processor with Integrated graphics
2> Pentium Dual core 2nd generation B940/B950 processor with Integrated graphics
3> Intel core I3 first generation I3-370M/I3-380M, with integrated graphics.
4> Pentium Dual core 2nd generation B940/B950 processor with Dedicated Nvidia GTX 520M graphics
5> Intel core I3 2nd generation I3-2130/23330 processor, with integrated graphics.
6> Intel core I3 2nd generation I3-2130/23330 processor, with Dedicated Nvidia GTX 520M graphics ( I am sure this is a overkill for my requirements)
Please suggest me which one I should go for? As I said, the cheaper the better if it meets my requirements.

Regarding the brands, I have zeroed in on Samsung,Asus,Lenovo.
What is the general feedback on the build quality and reliability of these brands.
I found the Asus one to be very nicely built for the price.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Cheers
aadi
 
options 3,5 and 6 can fulfill your requirements

but try to avoid option 3 as it uses a previous gen processor.

personally, no idea about Samsung. but my friend says that it doesn't last long.

asus and lenovo are good brands. asus gives more bang for the buck, atleast specs and performance wise. but i find the built qualtiy to be flimsy.
 
Thanks for the response buddy.

Do you know if B940/B950 Pentium 2nd generation sandy bridge processor with Intel HD graphics is capable to playing HD movies properly?

If yes, I want to go for that as I can save around 4-5K.

If not, I will for for option 5 - I3 2nd generation processor with integrated HD3000 graphics.
 
All your options can play HD videos without breaking a sweat..

Samsung's new RV5xx series has been getting a lot of favourable reviews from users. Moreover, samsung's display is definitely better(in terms of contrast) than similarly priced Asus, Lenovo, Acer laptops (even better than Dell Inspiron 15R's display) plus the speakers are pretty audible.

If you want to buy it with windows have a look at the following option -

Buy Samsung R Series Laptop NP-RV520-A05IN (Dual Tone Silver Black) at Best Price in India - Also find Specifications, Photos, Features & Reviews

Will cost you Rs. 23288 after applying the 5% discount coupon - "yahoo"

However, if you want to buy the cheapest laptop that serves your movie watching purpose then have a look at this -

Buy Asus X52F-EX1408D Notebook at Best Price in India - Also find Specifications, Photos, Features & Reviews

Rs. 19589 after applying the discount coupon + free 3G modem. :)
 
2kool2btrue said:
All your options can play HD videos without breaking a sweat..

Samsung's new RV5xx series has been getting a lot of favourable reviews from users. Moreover, samsung's display is definitely better(in terms of contrast) than similarly priced Asus, Lenovo, Acer laptops (even better than Dell Inspiron 15R's display) plus the speakers are pretty audible.

If you want to buy it with windows have a look at the following option -

Buy Samsung R Series Laptop NP-RV520-A05IN (Dual Tone Silver Black) at Best Price in India - Also find Specifications, Photos, Features & Reviews

Will cost you Rs. 23288 after applying the 5% discount coupon - "yahoo"

However, if you want to buy the cheapest laptop that serves your movie watching purpose then have a look at this -

Buy Asus X52F-EX1408D Notebook at Best Price in India - Also find Specifications, Photos, Features & Reviews

Rs. 19589 after applying the discount coupon + free 3G modem. :)
Click to expand...

Thnx a ton buddy.

I have already shortlisted the Samsung one and got a quote of 23300 from local dealer.

Yes, the Samsung one's are getting lots of positive reviews.

My only concern was it is having B940 processor with integrated graphics. and it does not have Intel Clear Video HD technology which is supposed to improve HD playback experience. So, was thinking of getting a second gen I3 processor. If the B940/B950 with Integrated graphics can play HD video without any probs, I will definitely go for that as I can save 4-5K. Any users of Samsung series with Pentium 1st/2nd gen processor who can comment on the quality of HD playback?

I have also got quote of around 21000 for a similar spec laptop without Windows from Samsung/Asus/Lenovo.

Thanks a lot again...really appreciated!
 
its available at 32.4k at letsbuy...but configuration is good.....ask for user experience....don't know about build and performance much !!
 
I've seen the Samsung notebook personally. There is absolutely no problem in running an HD video.. check out the following link to read a bit about the processor - Intel Pentium B940 Notebook Processor - Notebookcheck.net Tech

Its faster than a P6200 processor. My friend's Asus has a P6100 processor and it runs a full 1080p HD video without any lag whatsoever. Hence, with this proccy there will be absolutely no problem in running HD videos.. Be assured :)
 
If your budget is 30k I would say spend it on something that will last long rather than getting an inferior/outdated product that will become outdated all too soon just to save 5k.

My recommendation would be this

Sony VAIO E Series VPCEH25EN Laptop: Flipkart.com: Compare, Review Sony Notebook

Reasons for recommendation:

1) After an year you can extend the warranty for another 2 years by just paying 2490.

2) No heating/noise issues

3) Fantastic keyboard and good build quality better than anything else in this price range outside of HP Probook

Go around looking for a good deal on it and if you bargain you could get it for Rs 28500 easily.

If you still want a Samsung then get the Samsung model with i3 2310M its about 29k
 
@2kool2btrue - that is indeed reassuring...now i m tempted to go for P6200 and save some 2K more...LOL

@babu.mohan - buddy, everything will get outdated very soon..I have been using computers n laptops for 14 years..nothing is permanent here.

So, I dont care if my lappy gets outdated soon as long as it fulfills my requirements.

By the way, B950 is a pretty new processor released in Q1-Q2 2011, based on the latest Sandy Bridge architecture.

But, yes I do care a lot about build quality, durability and reliability.

The Sony one is available at 28500/- locally..it has a wonderful screen but horrible speakers.

And how reliable a Sony laptop is compared to Asus/Samsung/Lenovo? Do you have any experience?

And why do u think Sony has a better build quality than the other brands I have mentioned?
 
^

Check any reviews like notebookcheck the Vaio E model has a higher build quality score than any other laptop you have shortlisted. And usually Sony is among the more reliable laptop brands.

But atleast with Sony you can have peace of mind for 3 years as after 1 year you can extend the warranty to another 2 years by paying Rs.2490 so IF anything goes wrong you don't have to worry about spending thousands on repair.
 
babu - i checked some reviews...sony laptops are not considered as very reliable.

Also, the sound/speakers of the laptop you mentioned is very bad though the screen is the best.

I dont want to spend any extra money unless required. Hope you get the point.
 
thanks all for the replies.

I have finally decided to go with option <5> - Intel I3 2nd gen processor with integrated graphics.

I do not need Windows ( I already have).

So suggest me a good cheap laptop with I3 2nd gen processor/integrated graphics/15.6"/DOS. (DOn't care much about RAM and hard disk, plan to upgrade RAM later).I have shortlisted 3 -

1> Asus for 24.6K

2> Samsung for 24.6K

3> Lenovo for 26.7 K

If you know of any good deals let me know
 
Guyz,

I dont want to change the configuration again. I am looking for a good deal on I3 2nd gen laptop with 15.6" screen/DOS.

If any of you come across a good deal let me know.

How is the screen and sound quality of Asus laptops compared to Samsung/Lenovo?

Thanks

Aadi
 
look for Asus K53E-SX096 D WITH i3+gt 520mx+ 2gb ddr3 for 29.1 k
or Asus K53E-SX185D with same config except nvidia it has intel hd 3000 for 25.5 k.....!!
 
swapyworld said:
look for Asus K53E-SX096 D WITH i3+gt 520mx+ 2gb ddr3 for 29.1 k

or Asus K53E-SX185D with same config except nvidia it has intel hd 3000 for 25.5 k.....!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions. I have got a quote of 24.6K for Asus K53Se-SX185D.

Can you please answer the question related to the display and sound quality of Asus laptops compared to Samsung/Lenovo?
 
aadi007 said:
Thanks for the suggestions. I have got a quote of 24.6K for Asus K53Se-SX185D.
Can you please answer the question related to the display and sound quality of Asus laptops compared to Samsung/Lenovo?
Click to expand...
sorry man, haven't used them so no hands on experience by the way where did you get that deal?
is it coming with gt520mx? in case yes do let me know please :D
 
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