New Laptop/PC- Help Needed

[Smurf]

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Toshiba_Satellite_Pro_C850_1320330.html

Definitely this one - hands down

[greggy]

Chaps. I've recently started a job that requires me to do a fair bit of video editing and work on Photoshop, as well as using programmes like Quark xPress.

I was looking into a Mac but quite frankly the prices are ridiculous.

I am not at all technical when it comes to computers, but on reading this thread and checking the internet I think I'm looking at around 8gb of RAM with an Intel Core i7 processor. This, as I understand it, is more than enough for FM, as well as suiting my personal needs.

My question is, what sort of graphics card is needed to make sure the 3D engine runs without a hitch? I'm pretty sure I'll need a large one anyway if I'm looking to be doing a lot of editing.

I'm willing to go up to £1,000 if needed, but obviously want to spend as little as possible. I'd be a lot more comfortable spending less than £800.

As I say I'm not great with computer specs, so if my 8gb prediction is wrong or whatever, I'm more than happy to be put right!

Cheers in advance.

[Smurf]

Hey - I'm a graphic designer and I use all those programs daily.

For video editing you'll likely need to double your RAM to 16gb if it's very heavily done - if it's only light tweaks to videos then 8gb will be plenty. But still I'd opt to go higher on the RAM side of things where video and large photo editing is involved.

The main thing is to first check with the new job what software they bought and for what platform because the Adobe products are not cross platform.

This would do the job for you http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/optimusIV-17/GoTyOMI79r/

[Welshace]

For video editing look for 8gb minimum as you say.

Graphics card isn't as important as you'd think.. even for video editing, any half decent one will do..

If you want to push to £1000 ..

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/MSI_GE60_Core_i7_Full_HD_Blu-Ray_Gaming_Laptop_in_Black_-_Red__GE60_0ND-285UK/version.asp

something a tad more conservative:

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_V3-571G_Windows_8_Core_i7_Laptop_-_Black_NX.RZNEK.004/version.asp

There is also this for cheaper still:

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Lenovo_Z580_Metal_-_Core_i7-3520M_8GB_1TB_15.6_Win8_DVDRW_NVidia_2GB__M81GEUK/version.asp

But I would find out what graphics card is included as it doesn't say.

Pretty much any from these would do a fantastic job for you:

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/nav/graphictype/dedicated/ml/laptopsnetbooks/processor/intelcorei7/ram/800gb/type/laptops/0?&isort=price

Look at screen size etc aswell, can make a huge difference for video editing and such..

And of course, you'll be able to breeze through FM on any of those.

[Smurf]

Trust me you don't want to be using Adobe programs on a 15 inch screen - unless you have a monitor handy to hook up to.

Screen real estate for editing video and photo is vital.

[Smurf]

Here's another I've configured - it goes a bit over your budget but the graphics card is better and should help with the video editing

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/skyFireII/d7HSNd2RrO/

[Smurf]

Ideally the graphics card you'd be looking out for is the Nvidea Quadro. But I can't find any system that is under 1000 with that graphics card.

[Guest]

I wouldn't sell a computer 2nd hand to anyone - certainly if I was I'd take out the hard drive(s) and burn them.

Your computer can be data mined to reveal all sorts of passwords, bank account details etc.

I'm not aware of any online retailers that deal in buying 2nd hand computers..

Could you not use a tool like DBAN to wipe the drive clean Eugene?

[Smurf]

Yes of course you can.

[greggy]

Massive thanks guys.

The video editing is very light, there's just a lot of it! I hope 8gb will be enough. If not, how much am I looking at to double that further down the line?

I have a monitor already so a 15 inch screen wouldn't concern me too much.

How important is the graphics card in terms of editing? It won't be complicated editing. It's simply grabbing clips from other files and putting them into one package, possibly with a voice over thrown in. However, they will be around 10-15 minutes at max length which is obviously rather large, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference? They'll all be saved onto an external hard drive though so there's no need to worry about clogging up memory.

I really like the look of that Acer Aspire V3-571G. I guess the graphics card on that is more than suitable for FM. Would you guys think it is capable of handling my editing needs?

Again, thanks very much for the help. Much appreicated.

EDIT - Eugene, thanks for taking the time to put those specs together. I'll look further into those when I get home so my simple mind can get its head around it!

[Smurf]

I put the SSD in there because it will give you faster save and load times.

You'll need a decent processor too - so I put in a 2.8ghz processor that will overclock to a decent amount.

8gb RAM may be enough for you if the videos are only 10 - 15 minutes. But upgrading shouldn't be that expensive - probably about £50 or so I haven't looked it up but it's very cheap.

At this point look to put whatever you need into the processor - that's really where the computers needs it most in video editing.

Graphics card - more and more video editing software is tapping into the GPU - so it's important to have a good one going forward as the years role on you'll have a card that will be utilised more and more.

This will ensure a laptop to last years and years.

I think at this stage you can cut back on the RAM to 8gb and if you need to upgrade later on it's not expensive.

The other thing I threw in for you was the laptop cooler - essential for letting he CPU cool so it can overclock - the warmer the processor gets the slower it goes. Keeping it cool is important.

Defo

i7 processor

Nvidea 650 or greater - but Idealy the Quadro FX as that has better CUDA and Open GL 1gb is plenty video cards with 2gb or more are wasted for fm and light video editing.

RAM - 8gb or 16gb if you can get the 16gb in your budget then go for it. But 8 should be enough.

[Smurf]

I put this one together - since you're not looking at screen size

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/genesisIV/MK45xEMoGL/

It think it's pretty rocking and should suit all your graphic design and fm needs.

[Guest]

Yes of course you can.

Thanks Eugene.

[j@cko]

What do you think of this laptop?

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Browse?storeId=10151&langId=110&catalogId=1500002951&mRR=true&c_1=1%7Ccategory_root%7CTechnology%7C33006169&c_2=2%7C33006169%7CLaptops+and+PCs%7C33007795&c_3=3%7Ccat_33007795%7CLaptops+and+netbooks%7C33014243&r_001=7%7CProcessor+type%7CIntel+Core+i5%7C1&r_002=7%7CPrice%7C300.0+%3C%3D+%3C%3D+399.99%7C2

•Intel Core i5 dual core 2450M processor.

•2.5GHz processor speed.

•6GB DDR3 RAM memory.

•640GB SATA hard drive.

•Microsoft Windows 7 Premium.

•Shared graphics.

•Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 1695MB memory.

[Smurf]

It's not fantastic but it will play FM just fine. Graphics for 3d will need to be set on low.

Is £400 your limit?

[j@cko]

Unfortunately, it is. I initially saw the i5 processor and thought I had found a gem (for that price) - I'm not overly fussed about the 3D graphics tbh, although perhaps that's just because I've never been able to utilise them properly in the past - so perhaps something with decent graphics would be good. And of course a good enough processor so it's reasonably quick to play.

[Smurf]

It will be fine for FM - you'd need to add another £100 to it for a graphics card - and for a better processor you're looking at £600 +

I think it's fine. If you're not bothered with graphics then go for it.

[j@cko]

These are also in my price range - any thoughts?

1) Hard Drive Type 2.5" SATA 5400rpm with 8MB Cache

640GB

Intel HD graphics 3000

Processor Intel® Core™ i3

Processor Model Number Intel Core i3-2310M

Processor Speed (GHz) 2.1

Processor Bus Speed (MHz) 1333

2) Processor Intel® Core™ i3

Processor Model Number Intel Core i3-370M

Processor Speed (GHz) 2.4

Processor Bus Speed (MHz) 1066

Graphics Type Shared

Graphics Chipset Intel GMA HD

3) 2.5" SATA 5400rpm with 8MB Cache

640GB

Graphics Type Shared

Graphics Chipset Intel HM65 Express

Processor Intel® Core™ i3

Processor Model Number i3-2330M

Processor Speed (GHz) 2.2

Processor Bus Speed (MHz) 1333

Is there much difference between these 3, and the one I initially asked about? :-)

[Smurf]

Scratch No. 2

Links to 1 & 3?

They are only i3 processors - so the i5 still beats it.

[j@cko]

http://www.tesco.com/direct/toshiba-c660-1zm-laptop-intel-core-i3-6gb-640gb-156-display/212-8551.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=212-8551 and http://www.tesco.com/direct/hp-pavilion-g6-1257-laptop-intel-core-i3-4gb-640gb-156-display-charcoal/215-8553.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=215-8553

[Smurf]

I think this is good value - if you can stretch to it http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Packard_Bell_EasyNote_TE11_1288430.html

[marksones]

Hey guys,

I am also looking for a new laptop as mine is dying atm . Could you experts help me please. Obviously, a Portsmouth save is top priority but graphics may be quite important for me as i use things like pro engineer for university. i have a budget of about £600 but would ideally like to be less. Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[Smurf]

ttp://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/enigmaIV/RFnkQfG5Wy/

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_Z580_1292736.html

Either of these would be fine.

[duckman4442006]

Hi guys

would this be a good laptop to get for my daughter

she like playing fm13 but is not that bothered about having loads of Leagues running as long as she can run about 6

also would it be good for school work aswell

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Packard_Bell_EasyNote_TS11_1287957.html?tabid=product&id=1287957

[Smurf]

it might struggle with the 3d graphics but generally it would be fine.

Is that your absolute budget?

[duckman4442006]

Hi thanks for the quick reply much appreciated

errm yer it's about all my buget, i Probably could go to 350 at a push but thats is

[Smurf]

Then I think that's the best you're gonna get.

[duckman4442006]

Ok thanks Eugene for your help

i will get that one :-)

cheers duckman :-)

[shnen]

could I get a better ultrabook than this for £700?

it looks great, only thing I'm not too sure about is the graphics... help please!

[QuincyOwusu-Abeyie]

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/ultraNote/ For an extra £15, i7 and 8gb RAM, it's on W7 atm but can change it to W8 in the dropdown for the same price.

[Neil Train]

read the first 20 or so posts. golly this page slow today. also looking at acer but want something small and light yet with some grunt. ONLY to run fm, 2d classic, 1 league, lge db. seen this SMALL acer which impresses and under 4 ton. http://www.simplyacer.com/Acer_TravelMate_B113_1220249.html

Intel® Core™ i3-2377M Dual Core (1.4GHz, Intel Sandy Bridge Architecture, 3MB Cache). processor 1.4ghz only issue i can see. 11.6 inch screen but still 1366x768 so no issue there. will need it to be v.portable as i move around a lot yet wherever i am will be playing fm.

should do?

[Guest]

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/lenovo-g580-15-6-laptop-blue-17056544-pdt.html

Is this a decent laptop for fm13 for the price?

[haunted1234]

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/lenovo-g580-15-6-laptop-blue-17056544-pdt.html

Is this a decent laptop for fm13 for the price?

every i5 laptop is good to play fm13

[alfieham]

I've just got £450 of vouchers for PC World and I'm looking for a laptop solely for FM really. Could anyone point me in the right direction please? I'm pretty clueless when it comes to this stuff.

Thanks I advance,I know these questions get asked a thousand times.

[Smurf]

This is refurbished but it's excellent http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/acer-aspire-v3-571g-refurbished-15-6-laptop-17291949-pdt.html

[Guest]

This is refurbished but it's excellent http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/acer-aspire-v3-571g-refurbished-15-6-laptop-17291949-pdt.html

A great shout Eugene, I may well have gone for this, sadly out of stock now. Good spot though, do refurbished items ever come back in stock?

[alfieham]

This is refurbished but it's excellent http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/acer-aspire-v3-571g-refurbished-15-6-laptop-17291949-pdt.html

Cheers. So is that the sort of spec I should be looking for?

How would that run FM13 leagues wise at a guess?

[fm_plymouth_argyle]

Hi everyone, so much good advice being shared on this thread!

I am looking to buy a laptop today or tomorrow with a budget of £700 (max 750)

The main purpose of the laptop is everyday usage, word, internet, itunes, etc.

Second purpose is for football manager. I like to run England (down to BS S/N), Scotland (down to div 3), Spain (down to 2nd div) and possibly one or two other countries on a large database and in 3d mode.

Third purpose is for a bit of video editing and photo editing.

I have been without a laptop for a few months now and have been using my girlfriends laptop. Strangely it hasnt got a dedicated graphics card but can still run 3d, so is a dedicated graphics card really necessary?

Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions, it would be very much appreciated!! I prefer nicely designed laptops too.

Thank you! And merry christmas

Sam

PAFC Fan

[Smurf]

Cheers. So is that the sort of spec I should be looking for?

How would that run FM13 leagues wise at a guess?

Keep an eye on the refurbished laptops you'll get a great deal.

That's basically a good computer - not sure about how many leagues it will run - it's ambiguous to guess.

Hi everyone, so much good advice being shared on this thread!

I am looking to buy a laptop today or tomorrow with a budget of £700 (max 750)

The main purpose of the laptop is everyday usage, word, internet, itunes, etc.

Second purpose is for football manager. I like to run England (down to BS S/N), Scotland (down to div 3), Spain (down to 2nd div) and possibly one or two other countries on a large database and in 3d mode.

Third purpose is for a bit of video editing and photo editing.

I have been without a laptop for a few months now and have been using my girlfriends laptop. Strangely it hasnt got a dedicated graphics card but can still run 3d, so is a dedicated graphics card really necessary?

Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions, it would be very much appreciated!! I prefer nicely designed laptops too.

Thank you! And merry christmas

Sam

PAFC Fan

£700 should be able to get a very decent computer.

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_G780_1296594.html

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_G780_1296594.html

[fm_plymouth_argyle]

Keep an eye on the refurbished laptops you'll get a great deal.

That's basically a good computer - not sure about how many leagues it will run - it's ambiguous to guess.

£700 should be able to get a very decent computer.

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_G780_1296594.html

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_G780_1296594.html

Thanks, they do look very good, i7 processor and dedicated graphics.

Lenovo is one of the few laptop brands I've never used; are they decent? reliable?

[Guest]

Thanks, they do look very good, i7 processor and dedicated graphics.

Lenovo is one of the few laptop brands I've never used; are they decent? reliable?

I think earlier in this thread, Welshace who repairs laptops, said they were a decent brand.

[fm_plymouth_argyle]

I think earlier in this thread, Welshace who repairs laptops, said they were a decent brand.

for fm is it better to go for a better processor or a better graphics card

[fm_plymouth_argyle]

what do you think of this one?

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5755G_1152340.html

[Smurf]

It's not as good as the one I posted above...

[Kamy]

Eugene - I also have now got a budget of £700ish, is this one better than the one that you posted above (aside from screen size): http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/ASUS_N56VM-S4034V_1218891.html#DetailTop

[Smurf]

It's on par.

[cantonbean]

http://www.ebuyer.com/351622-asus-x53z-laptop-x53z-sx066v

I have an i3 laptop R830-1G1 with 8 gig ram that runs fm2013 very well but the graphics are a bit rubbish (not to bad when set to max quality in intel settings as only a 13.3 inch screen) but I thought this might help someone not wanted to spend too much on a laptop for fm2013. The reason is as while the AMD is not as good as a second or third gen i3 or i5 the graphics performance should be pretty good for the cash £299 and the processor should be ok for most users.

[Kamy]

Right, I have narrowed it down to 2 laptops and was wondering if someone can advise which one is better, they are both Asus and both £699:

http://www.simplyasus.com/ASUS_N55SL-S1188V_1338594.html

http://www.simplyasus.com/ASUS_N56VM-S4034V_1218891.html

[Gee_Simpson]

Right, I have narrowed it down to 2 laptops and was wondering if someone can advise which one is better, they are both Asus and both £699:

http://www.simplyasus.com/ASUS_N55SL-S1188V_1338594.html

http://www.simplyasus.com/ASUS_N56VM-S4034V_1218891.html

The 2nd one imo.

[alfieham]

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/lenovo-z580-15-6-laptop-grey-17056582-pdt.html

I've seen this one,does it look any good? It would only be for browsing and playing FM.

Would anyone be able to explain the differences between i3,i5 and i7 processors please confuses the life out of me.