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    Not sure which notebook to get

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by sssoul, Dec 22, 2009.

  1. sssoul

    sssoul Newbie

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    I want a newer laptop than the one I have now. Though I'm stuck between:
    'Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" Intel Core 2 Duo 2.53GHz' and the
    'Samsung 13.4" Laptop featuring Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8700 (Q320)'

    Here are the links to the products respectively:
    http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodd...dm=DEBUG&sku_id=0926INGFS10125864&catid=26225
    http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodd...0354&PCName=laptop_1000_1499&logon=&langid=EN

    Obviously I wouldn't mind saving myself $300, but I am willing to dish it out if it means the biggest difference. The difference in OS is not a concern for the Windows fan that I am, as I can easily adapt, nor would I mind (plus bootcamp is always an option).

    From what I can tell, the Samsung has greater hard drive space, and similar features as the Macbook. Macbook is said to have greater battery life, which is important to me, seeing how my current laptop lasts 1.5 hours at most. (plus it overheats to very uncomfortable temps). One thing that has me in the dark, is which graphic card is better than the other? When I found reviews on them, Samsung's 'NVIDIA GEFORCE G 105M' seemed slightly better, but not so much that it seems to matter, or does it? Uses of the laptop would be gaming (ex. Spore, Aion Online, CoD Modern Warfare 2, etc.), simple school tasks (ex. Visual studio, Excel, Word, etc.), and the usual internet browsing (ex. Youtube, Facebook, etc.)

    I would like to know which laptop is better suited toward my needs - better valued - as well as if there are any other options I should look into.

    Thank you in advance :)
    Vian
     
    sssoul, Dec 22, 2009
    #1
  2. weinter

    weinter /dev/null

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    G105 has 8 Streaming Processors while 9400M G has 16.
    If you want to play intensive FPS like MW2 I recommend you look at other laptops that have at least 32 Streaming Processors
     
    weinter, Dec 22, 2009
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  3. sssoul

    sssoul Newbie

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    So is it safe to assume that between the two cards, the 9400M G surpasses the G105?

    Leaving MW2 out of the equation, would either of the original notebooks work for me?
     
    sssoul, Dec 22, 2009
    #3
  4. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    Even if the 9400m does outperform the G105m, the difference will be marginal, since both are low end cards. Running games such as Spore and Aion is going to be difficult, especially at native resolutions. If you are an avid gamer, I would not recommend either laptop for your needs. A laptop with a dedicated card, such as a 9600m or G150, would be much more appropriate.
     
    Budding, Dec 22, 2009
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  5. weinter

    weinter /dev/null

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    Yes to All
    Sorry I really don't play much games nowadays I don't know how intensive SPORE is but I think MMORPG shouldn't be as intensive as MW2.
    Maybe you can run MW2 on 9400M G but on the lowest possible settings.
     
    weinter, Dec 22, 2009
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  6. weinter

    weinter /dev/null

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    I think you meant G130M
    8600M GT, 9600M GT and G130M are same classification cards of different Gen with the latest Gen on your right.
    They all have at least 32 Streaming Processors.
     
    weinter, Dec 22, 2009
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  7. sssoul

    sssoul Newbie

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    Could I be recommended a model that can be easily purchased (internet wouldn't be feasible), preferably around the same price range of no more than $1600CAN.

    I feel your comments on the cards conflict with Budding's comments, leaving me a bit puzzled.
     
    sssoul, Dec 22, 2009
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  8. weinter

    weinter /dev/null

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    It doesn't conflict.
    When I mean run, I mean maybe you get 30fps at 640x320 resolution with all graphics optimization turn off which isn't really playable.
    If you enter graphics intensive level the fps may even drop to 15 which isn't really fun to play.
    I agree that you should get GPU with 32 Streaming Processors to really enjoy the game.
     
    weinter, Dec 22, 2009
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  9. sssoul

    sssoul Newbie

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    Oh alright, I hear what your saying. Can you recommend any models? Not to sure where to start looking..
     
    sssoul, Dec 22, 2009
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  10. weinter

    weinter /dev/null

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    Post in the laptop purchase forum section then...
     
    weinter, Dec 22, 2009
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  11. sssoul

    sssoul Newbie

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    Thanks for the suggestion! I'll do that now.
     
    sssoul, Dec 22, 2009
    #11