Laptop Buying advice Please ?

[metalnumb]

Hey There !
i'm planning on buying a laptop for some non dolphin-related stuff.basically for my next year scholarship for "telecom-application developing" in an IT institute.

My Needs :
-- Working with programming / scripting languages like C++/java/erlang/python/MATLAB/etc.
-- 2D graphics' design using illustrator and photoshop CS6.
-- Fast, responsive and reliable.
-- Light-weight.

so because of my painfully low budget, i find this Sony VAIO very attractive.

Default Customization :
http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SYCTOProcess?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&LBomId=8198552921666456332&categoryId=8198552921644870001

i want to know if it's adequate for my needs and also if it has a good performance/price ratio.

thanks in advance !!

[admin89]

Well , i3 2370M is a dual core CPU + Hyper Threading
If you use Photoshop or sth like that , a quad core is much better
You can get the newest AMD Trinity : A8 4500M or A10 4600M for 500 - 600$ (Trinity is faster than LLano , LLano ~ Intel Core 2 Quad)
With Turbo Core : 2.8GHz for A8 , 3.2GHz for A10
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5831/amd-trinity-review-a10-4600m-a-new-hope
Intel HD is too weak to mention , it does not stand a chance against AMD APU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834246620

[metalnumb]

Thanks for the reply ! but my budget is around 500$ and i can't afford the one you recommended. Plus, a quad core CPU is too much for me...and i'm not using photoshop in a professional manner, just a hobby !

Any recommendations for a laptop with a descent but budget-friendly graphics solution ?

[admin89]

Does Laptop brand matter to you ?
Dedicated GPU + Trinity Dual Core @ 2.7GHz -> 3.2GHz : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215551 460$ (AMD 7670M is faster than my Nvidia GT 540M)
Trinity Quad Core @ 1.9GHz -> 2.8GHz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215419 530$
Btw , I bought my Acer 2 years ago , i use it for gaming ofc and working 24/7
Or just stick with the Sony laptop

[metalnumb]

wow thanks ! you really opened my eyes that sony vaio products are kind of over-priced compared to this.

I don't care much about the brand...neither do i care about graphics much...all i want is a responsive, convenient , light-weight laptop that is power efficient (does not overheat or drains the battery too fast, even if that would mean less performance in demanding applications and games), all within my budget frame.

so basically i need an intel CPU with a fair amount of RAM, i could care less about the graphics processing power.

[admin89]

With 500$ budget + power efficient + Slim/light-weight + Good Review + Intel CPU , I only think of Acer Timeline X Series - 4830T
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215397 (400$)
You can throw more Ram or add an SSD drive for it