New Lap Top

[x5pgr]

Sorry – I have no doubt this has been asked before and also probably debated to death but I would welcome any views on a spec for a new lap top. My existing lap top is now eight years old, on its last legs and, as far as TS2013 is concerned, a complete non starter. As you will see from the footer on this post I have quite a good spec desktop machine built by myself last year.

I am now looking for a decent spec laptop which will deal with all the usual tasks, cope with my serious interest in digital photography and also hopefully run TS2013 to a decent standard at fairly high settings. I am looking for a portable computer rather than the smallest/lightest weight lap top as I will not be carrying it around on a daily basis.

I am looking at an OcUK lap top which comes with a 17.3” screen (1920x1080 resolution), Intel i7-3630QM processor, 8GB 1600Mhz DDR 3 memory, 60GB SSD (for operating system- Windows 8 64 bit) and built in 750GB 7200 rpm hard drive. The graphics are AMD Radeon HD7970M with 2GB GDDR5 – I have no previous experience of Radeon graphics having been firmly in the Nvidia camp on everything up until now. All of this comes in a 3.9kg package and for a penny short of £1,200 including VAT.

From the research I have done this seems to be a quite high spec computer for the price but is a significant investment so needless to say so I would welcome any views before I click the purchase button.

Many thanks as always in anticipation of any advice or tips.

Regards

Peter

[jetgriff]

i would think the i7 3630 could run it without a graphics card... but anyway the AMD Radeon HD7970M with 2GB GDDR5 is a very good card should see your frame rate very high. Those specs are very good.

[albert007]

Have a look at PCSpecialist, they sell some identical laptops as OC and probably a bit cheaper.
Check out their forums, plenty of advice.
I bought a Vortex 111 17.3 from them, it's not overly heavy and I use it on my lap, very happy with it.
John

[SquidvT]

Have a look at PCSpecialist

I Would recommend them too, thats where I got my Desktop from. Excellent service.

[x5pgr]

Many thanks for your replies and advice. I have spent quite a bit of time over the weekend studying the PC Specialist web site which is very impressive.

I just clicked the confirm button for a 17.3" Vortex lap top - looks like about ten days to wait!

Thanks again

Regards

Peter

[MGD11]

I have a graphics card from the similar family (Radeon 6950 IceQ variant, which also has 2GB DDR5 RAM) and it's been fantastic for running TS2013 and many other things, including Star Trek Online at near enough max settings; all at glorious 1920 x 1080.

[x5pgr]

Just an update to advise that my new lap top (a Vortex series 17.3") has now been delivered by PC Specialist. Having followed the recommendations kindly given here I spent some time finding my way round the web site, put my specification together and then ordered on line. My computer was delivered on the eighth day. I have to say that the whole experience was totally trouble fee and the feedback from PC Specialist first class throughout. The tracking of the delivery through the courier was also my best experience yet with such things and my computer was delivered reliably on the day and within the hour specified.

Early days yet but the build quality and performance appears first class and I have to give top marks to PC Specialist.

Oh and it looks as though TS2013 is going to run very respectably on it indeed.

Many thanks again for your help.

Regards

Peter

[albert007]

I hope your laptop is as good as you hoped it would be, i am really pleased with my Vortex 111.

John