University laptop - engineering/film editing/entertainment system

[mrguy2039]

Hi there, I am going to University in about 8 months, and hence need a laptop. I was planning to get one closer to the time, however, when I realised that our particular bluray player can't be made multiregion (well, apparently, I'm investigating this further) I decided it was time to push forward my plans.

My knowledge of specs is limited, but I talked to a friend, then put the specs I thought sounded good for me into pricespy (new zealand price aggregator) and came up with this Product details for Asus G53SX-S1185V

However, I never go with my first selection, so here I am

What is your budget?
$3000NZD (although flexible), preferably closer to $2500NZD - New Zealand market is generally a bit more expensive than overseas. My family is happy to help finance this (Dad generally encourages buying top range/future proofing), and I do have a fair amount saved from working. 

What country will you be buying this in?
New Zealand

What size notebook do you prefer?
Thin and Light (13 - 14-inch screen) 
 Mainstream (15 - 16-inch screen)

Would you consider a refurbished laptop?
Maybe

What are the primary tasks you need this notebook for?
Web Surfing, Listening to Music, Photo Editing, Video Editing, Computer Programming, Movie Streaming and Viewing, Output Video to TV or Large Monitor, Casual Gaming, Graphic Intense 3D Gaming

I'll do engineering at university (majoring in either software or biomedical, unless something changes my mind by year 2). So I need a laptop that'll be able to run reasonably demanding software (my knowledge of specs is pretty dire really, sorry).

I also take film quite seriously (editing and watching) - currently I use Adobe, due to school, but will probably invest in some other software. I also need at least a bluray player, if not burner (I remember buying a family computer many years ago, when we were told there was no need to have a drive that could burn DVD's, and I rue the person who advised my parents that)

I'm also very into my music, and somewhat of an audiophile. If I can get a laptop with an audio jack that doesn't buzz, that'd be brilliant. I don't know much about sound in laptops through.

What games will you be playing?
A year back I didn't game at all, and would now consider myself at least a casual gamer (mainly playing indie/steam games), so would like to give myself the option to become more serious

Where will you be using this laptop?
Will be used different places and Will stay on desk

How many hours of battery life do you need?
This isn't that important, but I imagine I won't get the chance to charge when I take it to Uni lectures..

Will you be buying online or in store?
online or in store

Which OS do you prefer?
Windows 7 - would consider the other OS' provided good argument.

List the screen resolutions that interest you:
Max Resolution (1920 x 1080)

Do you prefer a glossy or matte screen?
Glossy or Matte is fine

Is the laptops design important to you?
Somewhat, I might pay a touch more for a nicer looking (or even just less bulky) laptop with the same specs as an uglier/chunkier one

Approximately what date will you be buying this laptop?
As soon as I know what is right for me

How long do you want this laptop to last?
I know it's tricky/dangerous, but i want to future-proof as much as possible before I become filthy poor (at this stage I will be able to go halves with my parents, and Dad is all for getting the best I can). I would aim for at least half of uni life (2-3 years), preferably longer. Bearing in mind it's possible I'll buy a better desktop then.

How much storage capacity do you need?
This is lower on the list of priorities, I have an extremely dated laptop that only has 52gb (plus and external HD with 250GB). Probably at least 500GB, though - the option to expand is preferable, but I don't mind external harddrives.

Are you interested in SSD for storage?
Maybe, don't know enough about it

Do you want a built-in optical drive, what type?
Blu-Ray

Other notes
Blu-Ray

Thanks in advance for any help

[KCETech1]

Hello and welcome to NBR, foremost what engineering applications and video editing applications are you looking to use?

in your budget I would actually say stay away from gaming units, and if your looking into Adobe CS6 products move away from any with the nVidia kepler GPU's in them as their OpenCL rendering performance is an abomination compared to their predecessors.

a much better option would be the elitebook 8560w/8570w the Dell m4600 or the thinkpad t520 or w520. I prefer the HP and Dell workstations because of the up to 5 year NBD support, Accidental protection available and the fact all major components can be upgraded including the GPU.

nowadays for CAD and video editing an AMD 7970 is the preferred consumer card as where most quadros and fire pro's are best supported

[mrguy2039]

Thanks for the response.

In all honesty, I probably won't be using Adobe, because I don't my own license, so unless I can get one through the school (and I haven't been so good for them that they'll give me one as I leave..) I will be using something else. And only the video editing component. As much as I want to stay involved in film as a hobby, I see myself running out of time next year (anyone who's done it a bit seriously before will know how many months of your life can be poured into a 7 minute film). So it probably won't be a huge priority.

Hello and welcome to NBR, foremost what engineering applications and video editing applications are you looking to use?

I don't know yet, it's hard to predict. My first semester is still a while away - march next year, and the first year is a 'general' year - so I imagine it won't be too software intensive. If I go into software, it would be, and if I do biomedical, well I have no idea. Basically I don't know.

I think mainly I want a relatively futureproof laptop based around top class entertainment (so if possible, still able to play higher spec games in a couple of years time). Sorry, I realise that it may not be particularly clear in my first post, I'm still really figuring out what I need/want.

I looked at sager, but that may potentially be a bit of overkill. Much cheaper than the asus one I looked at, with better specs. But by the time I account for shipping ($350ish) and I presume GST and customs charges, I may get bit. As well as warranty/service issues.

[KCETech1]

another platform is the MSI's ( Microstar International ). it sounds as if you may be better served to get a cheaper model now, bank the rest and in a year once you know what your software needs will be. at that point blow your budget on a better and more suited laptop. CAD apps can be tricky and are now in transition away from CUDA ( autodesk, and solidworks plus others )

(anyone who's done it a bit seriously before will know how many months of your life can be poured into a 7 minute film).

all too well, I have worked on commercials to feature films in the last 17 years

[mrguy2039]

another platform is the MSI's ( Microstar International ). it sounds as if you may be better served to get a cheaper model now, bank the rest and in a year once you know what your software needs will be. at that point blow your budget on a better and more suited laptop. CAD apps can be tricky and are now in transition away from CUDA ( autodesk, and solidworks plus others )


all too well, I have worked on commercials to feature films in the last 17 years

Product details for MSI GT680-057AU Is the only one I can find available through New Zealand. Seems to be slightly inferior for graphics and has a slightly lesser processor - but I am probably paying too much attention to numbers I don't fully understand.

I'm not overly concerned about the cost - less than $3000NZD and I'll be happy