First notebook - G51VX

Pardon my noobish questions but I really want to make sure this is the laptop for me.

I tried posting in an already existing thread but it was kind of ignored so maybe this will attract more attention and I will get some sort of response.

Anyway, this will be my first notebook. I'm not a heavy gamer. I will mainly be using this for school, music/movies, and the occasional Photoshop, and whatever else my school will require me to do, which I don't think will be too much of a problem. I really like the specs to this notebook, but I'm concerned it maybe be too much (if that's even possible) for my basic needs. What I'm comparing it too is the Dell Studio 15 and the Dell Latitude E6500 (it's the school recommended laptop).

I've read about the heat problems with the G51 and that's my main concern. I really don't think it will be a major issue for me since I won't be doing any intense gaming, but I always like to have a second opinion. I browsed through the Dell section on this site and briefly read about the heat problems with the Dell Studio 15. Like how the touchpad would get really hot. Is that just a defect for certain laptops or is that with almost all of them?

And what about updating/upgrading the hardware and drivers and stuff for the G51VX? How difficult would that be?

I would like for this notebook to last me through all four years at college and possibly longer.

 

To the best of my knowledge Asus is pretty good when it comes to cooling.

The problems with temperatures you see in other threads arise when performing tasks that tax the video card, like Crysis or running a 3DMark06 benchmark.

For normal usage, this will be fine. And, if you do decide to become a gamer (which is exactly what the GTX 260m is geared towards), invest in a cooler.

 

Ohh okay. Thanks.
Hearing that makes me a lot more confident in buying it.
I think I'm done with my gaming days. I kind of don't have to funds to buy games anymore. Kinda why I've stopped. haha.

 

Exactly which specs do you like? Honestly, if you dont game, or do anything GPU intensive, you should save your money and go for something lower end. If youre looking for something for school, you will want decent battery life, which no gaming laptop has.

As for how long it lasts, that is entirely dependent on you. Assuming you take good care of it, it will last as long as it can do what you want it to. When it can not, then it has reached EOL.

 

A few misc thoughts:

1. Most laptops aren't easily upgradable and even then its only for people who need to be bleeding edge gaming wise. The laptop will last easily for 4 years as long as you take care of it and don't demand bleeding edge performance.

2. The g51 might be a bit much for your needs. I might look elsewhere as its very heavy and thick for a 15 inch laptop, making it much less portable if you need it for that use. Battery life is also being sacrificed. The g51 is primarily a higher end gaming laptop and makes a lot of sacrifices to be so.

3. Do those school laptops get school discounts? I actually think those aren't bad recommendations if you can get a good deal for them. I might also looks at the Lenovo's and other business class notebooks since you don't game and want durability.

 

Well what I like about it is the 4GB RAM, 320GB (7200 RPM) HD, and the double-layer DVD/CD drive. And the graphics and video card are nice for the occasional gaming that I do.

How noticeable will having a 7200 rpm HD be compared to having a 5400?

I'm really torn between the three notebooks.

 

Both being a 320 GB hard drive, you'll notice things load (like games) faster on the 7200. And write/read faster, etc.

Not a huge difference, but it's there.

But I've also heard a 500 GB 5400 rpm can be just as fast as a 320 7200 rpm, because of the size of it, some technical reason. But that's just what I've heard across these boards.

I'd still go for the 7200, unless you're looking at a 500 GB, then I don't think it matters so much.

 

I think the school does offer a discount. It's sold through a special online store that can be found through the school. But it doesn't have exactly what I'm looking for. It lacks the HD space that I need. When I customized it to include what I needed the grand total was about $1500. More that I would like to pay. I want to keep it below $1100.

 

I could get 2.5 hours out of my gateway fx in power saver. I'd say thats pretty decent. And thats without undervolting.

But I agree on cheaper laptop. I'd get something in the media/entertainment section if you wont be playing anything intense like crysis.

 

yeah this laptop is perhaps too much for those tasks. It will do them perfectly dont get me wrong, but if money is an issue (which it is for most in this economy) there are cheaper laptops that will do school work and dvd's just as well as this one.

 

Man, I wish I was impulsive and just settled for the G51.
But I'll have to do a lot more research on each notebook before deciding.

I think I would be really happy with either of the Dells or the G51.
I would like to see the Latitude in person though. I didn't see one at the local Best Buy.

 

Data density is the reason. The head needs to move a shorter distance to read the same amount of data, so even though the platters in one drive spin faster, the other drive doesnt have to move as fast anyway.

In all, you wont really notice the difference outside of benchmarking between the two. There may be small difference, but it wont be ground breaking.

Yea, but compared that 2.5 hours to the 6-7 hours my friend gets in his Lenovo, granted, he has a 9 (?) cell battery, but your gateway has an 8 does it not? The same with my G1S which gets around the same amount of unplugged time as you.

 

^ the 7811 came with a 9 cell. I'd define anything with 2.5 hour battery life is decent, 6-7 is excellent and unnecessary for most people.

 

I read somewhere that the battery life on the G51 is about 2 hours.
Is that casual use or full out gaming use?

 

Basically agree w/what has been said so far.

You should check out the outlet shops from both Dell & Lenovo.....there can be some good deals to be had. Gateway would be another brand to check out too.

 

Thanks for suggesting the outlet stores. I didn't even think about that!

And thanks to everyone else for their input. I might not go for the G51 anymore.

 

True, but most students I know like at least 4 hours so they can go between classes without needing to recharge. Plus that allows them to go with wireless connectivity, no CPU throttling, and no screen dimming. I know for a fact I wish my laptop could last longer.

Thats casual use on power saver.