Is this a suitable laptop? Toshiba Satellite L50-A013 $899

LJebediah_Kerman on 28/07/2013 - 09:29

Hi all,

This is my first forum post so I hope I'm going about this the right way. I'm just wondering what you all think about this laptop. Is it a good price? Also will it suit my needs?

http://www.dicksmith.com.au/laptops-notebooks/toshiba-satell…

http://m.mytoshiba.com.au/products/computers/satellite/l50/p…

I'd be using it mainly for uni but would also like it to run Skyrim and BF3 (maybe BF4 in the future?). Don't need ultra high settings though.

I would look at upgrading to an SSD and more ram in the future.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Ike

Computing

Comments

  • gawky on 28/07/2013 - 10:00

    I would look for a toshiba with new haswell processor. Way more energy efficient - longer battery life. I.e. great for uni. However at 3.5kg without the transformer is killer weight!
    You can play skyrim and bf3 on the toshiba at low-mid quality. All you need to check is the graphics card performance reviews - they usually runs test with said games checking frames per second per level quality.
    I would suggest you look for a computer that is similar to linked, at lower price bracket (if possible?):
    http://www.logicalblueone.com.au/store/557-horize-w230st-cle…
    You want it to be portable (under 14"), light weight (ideally under 1.5kg), long battery life (minimum 4hrs) and have good enough graphics card to play your games at the quality you find acceptable.
    Say no to outdated tech! You wont regret it in the long run (+ 6 months).
    P.s.If you plan on really seriously looking at the logical blue lappy, i suggest you upgrade the wireless card to the dual band ac for $49.

    • Jebediah_Kerman on 28/07/2013 - 15:37

      Thanks for the tips!

      I'll be sure to look around a bit more. Also I'll look up some graphics card performance reviews. Initially the reviews I found compared the graphics card to others that weren't mobile, so that's not really fair haha.

      I do want a decent battery life out of it but weight doesn't worry me too much. My current lappy is fairly heavy with a 17 inch screen so even the one I linked would be lighter. But niether compares to the books I have to lug around =D. I need to upgrade from my current one since its wifi has died, it's battery lasts about ten mins, and the charger cord has to be in exactly the right angle to work. All this doesn't make it exactly mobile any more lol.

      I think the logical blue one is a bit above my price range but I've heard your point on energy efficiency. I'll look into it.

      Thanks,

      Ike

  • MasterNoob on 28/07/2013 - 10:48

    yeah, yeah for uni, that's what they all say. that laptop will be your death warrant son!

    buy a mba which should prevent you from playing these games

    • Jebediah_Kerman on 28/07/2013 - 15:42

      Lol, you know students too well!

      I promise I won't install anything fun until the end of semester!

      But once semester has ended, I do want the ability to have a little fun!

  • ethereal88 on 28/07/2013 - 16:19

    Unless you want to play on maximum ugly settings, I'd buy a $500 laptop with an mSATA slot (for an SSD) for uni and a $1K desktop for the rest. That slow 5400RPM HDD will also be hilariously slow.

    • Jebediah_Kerman on 28/07/2013 - 18:00

      You're probably right about buying a desktop PC for gaming, however the truth is I don't really game all that often so ugly settings will do for now =D. I may end up building a desktop in future but currently I am looking to compromise and just get the lappy by itself.

      Is there any reason why the laptop linked wouldn't be able to be upgraded to an SSD in future? It's not given in the specs but I'd have to assume the hdd would be sata connected.

      Are you suggesting a laptop with an additional sata port so you could run both SSD and HDD?

      • ethereal88 on 29/07/2013 - 08:16

        Yes, my Lenono E330 has a 128GB mSATA SSD for Win 8 and a 500GB HDD dump drive. Win, win. Not many laptop have an mSATA slot you can actually use.

  • 1bug on 28/07/2013 - 22:15

    If you don't mind other brands, you can get a Dell Inspiron 15R Special Edition with higher specs inc FHD 1920x1080 screen for $849 from the Dell Outlet (bundle# DFO-2340371IP)…

    i7-3632QM, 8GB RAM, 1.0TB 5400RPM HDD, Windows 8, 12.7" Tray Load Blu-ray Combo Drive, AMD Radeon HD 7730M DDR3 2GB, Backlight Chiclet Keyboard, 15.6" FHD Anti-glare (1920x1080).

    http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/product…

    • Jebediah_Kerman on 28/07/2013 - 22:44

      ooh… That is a nice competitor… I do like Toshiba, but brand loyalty is for suckers.. Thanks for the link…

      • 1bug on 28/07/2013 - 23:40

        Outlet stock are limited quantity and usually get snapped up quickly.
        There are currently only 4 x 15R SEs with the above specs/price available.

  • Charlotta on 12/08/2013 - 14:14

    $699 today at Dick Smith
    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/113082

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