Recommendations for a laptop

[connda]

I'm considering a new laptop.  Something that can be purchased at a brick and mortar shop in Chiang Mai or Lamphun.

Actually, I'm pretty ignorant regarding the advances in laptop architecture. There have been major advances in graphics and processing and the number of options and configurations are enough to make my head hurt.

What I'm really ignorant about is integrated graphics in laptops. 

 

(This is off topic buy needed for comparison): For my desktop system it's pretty easy.  I'm currently running Nvidia Geforce GT730 which at the time I bought this desktop was sufficient as I don't game.  However, I'm starting to play with AI applications that require a minimum of 4GB VRAM powering the GPU via the graphics card (if that doesn't sound correct, again, I am ignorant about the new tech but I'm open to learning).  Anyway, I need GPU power for the application(s) I may be running in the future. For my desktop is seems there are a number of Nvidea GTX series of graphic cards with upwards of 4 to 8 GB VRAM for between 3500 to 5000 THB which would fit my needs.

Now - laptops.
As far as I know (I may be wrong) the graphic card components in a laptop are integrated onto the motherboard?  Yeah? No?  And with the laptop graphic components from what I've been reading they may share memory with the CPU as opposed to having their own dedicated memory.  I've looked on Lazada and it was enough to make my head hurt - too many options.  Also when looking at a few of the laptops they indicated they came loaded with Android.   Android?  On a laptop (not a tablet)?  That confuses me as well as the architecture in the description sounds as though it should run Win11 (and in my case Linux (Ubuntu)).  I don't need or want a touch-screen.

 

So I'm looking for guidance and ideas.  I want a laptop which includes graphic components with a minimum of 4GB VRAM and using an Intel i5 or i7 series of processors.  As this is not a gaming system I'd like to keep the price around 20K THB.  And the laptop needs to be capable of running Windows 11.  And it needs to be capable of running Zoom or other conferencing apps.

Anyway - I'm open for suggestions. 

 

I'd prefer to buy it at a store (as opposed to Lazada or online) in case there are problems with the hardware.  Shipping computers back and forth and dealing with the seller online is more hassle then I want.  If things don't work as expected I want to be able to speak with the seller directly.  So looking for information about suggested makes and models based on my needs.

[Photoguy21]

What will you be using the laptop for? General emails and the like or for gaming?

[novacova]

Personally I’d go with a Lenovo thinkpad carbon or x14. PowerBuy carries lenovo laptops and seen them in another shop at airport central, don’t know if they have the thinkpad models there

[connda]

Normal use Internet, writing, online conferencing, but also using Whisper AI as a transcription tool  Minimum VRAM on a graphics care (GPU) needs to be 4GB.

[NowNow]

Not a recommendation. Only an example within your budget: https://www.bnn.in.th/en/p/acer-notebook-aspire-a715-76g-52ad-black-4711121685934_rq5428

 

 

[NowNow]

3 minutes ago, novacova said:

Personally I’d go with a Lenovo thinkpad carbon or x14. PowerBuy carries lenovo laptops and seen them in another shop at airport central, don’t know if they have the thinkpad models there

 

For 20k or are you just being silly?

[novacova]

20 minutes ago, connda said:

the graphic card components in a laptop are integrated onto the motherboard

Some are and some are not. The integrated gpu’s these days are pretty good. I have an older Lenovo t540 and a graphics module and it renders cad and mapping software pretty well, no lag. I just recently bought a Lenovo P3 desktop mini with integrated intel graphics, it’s more than enough to handle anything.

[novacova]

2 minutes ago, NowNow said:

 

For 20k or are you just being silly?

No im not being silly, I stated “personally”

[NowNow]

https://th-store.msi.com/products/msi_thin15_b13ucx-1610th

 

Delivery should be free. If not, chat with them and they'll give you a promo code.

[NowNow]

7 minutes ago, novacova said:

No im not being silly, I stated “personally”

 

Not useful...

[novacova]

1 minute ago, NowNow said:

 

Not useful...

👍 not now, I’m busy 😊

[NowNow]

3 minutes ago, novacova said:

👍 not now, I’m busy 😊

 

Busy being silly 😊

[Pouatchee]

56 minutes ago, connda said:

I'd prefer to buy it at a store

 

factoring that in, did you ever look at aliexpress? i know its not 'a store' and prolly many people here wont think much about my suggestion, but there are some nice options on there and fairly cheap

 

[novacova]

47 minutes ago, connda said:

Something that can be purchased at a brick and mortar shop in Chiang Mai or Lamphun.

Another place you could check is Siam TV. You’ll just have get and do a little shopping, it’s hard telling what these shops have in stock until you get there.

[Robert Paulson]

Stay away from asus. 100% crap. Lenovo good

[NowNow]

22 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

 

factoring that in, did you ever look at aliexpress? i know its not 'a store' and prolly many people here wont think much about my suggestion, but there are some nice options on there and fairly cheap

 

 

...and then no useful warranty nor after sales service. What are you thinking? 😊

 

Why not post one of the 'nice options' to give us a taste of what you mean?

[connda]

17 minutes ago, novacova said:

Another place you could check is Siam TV. You’ll just have get and do a little shopping, it’s hard telling what these shops have in stock until you get there.

True that, but what I've attempting to do is wrap my head around configurations that fit my needs, ie, Processor, graphic setup that is in my price range.  Examples are good, but if the store doesn't have a specific make/model then I'm looking for similar rigs with similar configurations.  But I got to start with examples to give me an idea of what to look for.

 

[connda]

17 minutes ago, Robert Paulson said:

Stay away from asus. 100% crap. Lenovo good

Yeah we have been discussing that haven't we. 

[connda]

55 minutes ago, NowNow said:

Not a recommendation. Only an example within your budget: https://www.bnn.in.th/en/p/acer-notebook-aspire-a715-76g-52ad-black-4711121685934_rq5428

 

 

Good example of what I'm looking for and at the right price.

Also now I know one of the integrated graphic cards you can find in a laptop:  GeForce RTX 2050

 

55 minutes ago, NowNow said:

Not a recommendation. Only an example within your budget: https://www.bnn.in.th/en/p/acer-notebook-aspire-a715-76g-52ad-black-4711121685934_rq5428

 

 

Same here.  The GeForce RTX 2050 would be a good fit. 

I think I may be making a trip to Chiang Mai to visit Banana Computers.  They have a bunch of branches in CM.  Way cool! 

[Woof999]

Something that you may have already considered but...

 

If mobility is not the primary reason for you wanting a laptop, I'd personally spend most of my money on a desktop and then buy a cheap laptop if needed when I'm on the move.

 

A laptop by its very nature brings LOTS of compromises on performance (heat being only one of them).

[connda]

11 minutes ago, Woof999 said:

Something that you may have already considered but...

 

If mobility is not the primary reason for you wanting a laptop, I'd personally spend most of my money on a desktop and then buy a cheap laptop if needed when I'm on the move.

 

A laptop by its very nature brings LOTS of compromises on performance (heat being only one of them).

I already have a desktop.  Yeah, this is about being mobile in the future. 

[NowNow]

4 minutes ago, connda said:

I already have a desktop.  Yeah, this is about being mobile in the future. 

 

Be aware that having dedicated graphics will shorten the battery duration between charges.

[Woof999]

2 minutes ago, connda said:

I already have a desktop.  Yeah, this is about being mobile in the future. 

 

In that case I'd put weight as a key factor. I bought a Dell Precision M4800 for around $7k some time ago and, while it's a fantastic piece of kit, it eats up much of any carry on allowance even without its power brick. Sat on my lap for too long and the heat and weight start to become tiresome too. Using it in bed to watch movies... even worse.

 

Hitting your 4GB VRAM target should be pretty easy. Personally I'd give the guys at invadeit.co.th a call and see what they say. Always given me good advice.

 

Last laptop I bought in a mall (Acer Spin something) turned out to be a piece of crap and now only plays YouTube videos via ChomeOS Flex on karaoke nights.

[NowNow]

44 minutes ago, connda said:

Good example of what I'm looking for and at the right price.

Also now I know one of the integrated graphic cards you can find in a laptop:  GeForce RTX 2050

 

Same here.  The GeForce RTX 2050 would be a good fit. 

I think I may be making a trip to Chiang Mai to visit Banana Computers.  They have a bunch of branches in CM.  Way cool! 

 

When making a choice, do a little research on upgradability. How easy or difficult or impossible to upgrade RAM for example. The steps needed to replace the SSD; a simple removal of the underside or a complete disassembly. Most people don't think of those things until they need to do it. 

[novacova]

6 minutes ago, NowNow said:

 

Be aware that having dedicated graphics will shorten the battery duration between charges.

And run much hotter 

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, connda said:

I'd like to keep the price around 20K THB

Buy a 2nd hand ThinkPad. 

[novacova]

53 minutes ago, connda said:

True that, but what I've attempting to do is wrap my head around configurations that fit my needs, ie, Processor, graphic setup that is in my price range.  Examples are good, but if the store doesn't have a specific make/model then I'm looking for similar rigs with similar configurations.  But I got to start with examples to give me an idea of what to look for.

 

Siam TV has Lenovo and HP machines that are in your price range specs. You’ll just have to plan some time to go have a look at a few shops. Bring your phone take some photos of the specs and make a decision. Ultimately you’ll have to make a decision on your own. 

[NowNow]

3 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Buy a 2nd hand ThinkPad. 

 

Perhaps link to an example with 4GB of VRAM? Easy to just throw things out without much aforethought...

[NowNow]

Just now, novacova said:

Siam TV has Lenovo and HP machines that are in your price range specs. You’ll just have to plan some time to go have a look at a few shops. Bring your phone take some photos of the specs and make a decision. Ultimately you’ll have to make a decision on your own. 

 

Since you've already looked, link us to a couple in his price range specs...

[novacova]

1 minute ago, NowNow said:

 

Since you've already looked, link us to a couple in his price range specs...

We were there last week, the wife was looking at laptops.