Silent laptop, purchase advice needed

[steimm]

Hi there,

I'd like to get some suggestions about what kind of laptop I should buy.

The main priority is that it should be as quiet as possible.

Other prereqs:
Windows-based machine.
Minimum 15" screen
Minimum screen resolution is 1366x768, preferably higher.
Main activities: Surfing, watching movies (HD, DVD's etc)
Max price ~$1000
Gaming is not so important at all.

The one that I have for the moment is way too noisy and that disturbs me soo much (tried to undervolt it but that didn't make much difference and I don't dare to disassemble it for replacing the thermal grease and try to change the fan). I have tried to "clean" it with compressed air but that didn't help.

Best regards

/s

 

[steimm]

I think I've changed my mind a little, it will probably be a 17" screen.

Anyone has any thoughts about these two?

ASUS K72JK
http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=NqTBfKrWQHc4AcRu

or

MSI CR720
http://www.msi.com/index.php?news_no=939&func=newsdesc

 

[MJinZ]

Get a Dell Studio 16 or similar.

Good screens are what will be challenging to find if you're not looking for gaming prowess.

 

[steimm]

Thx!
I'm looking at a Dell Studio 17" as we speak. (The 16" version is only in XPS-family and a little too expensive for me)

The noise factor is the most important one for me. Is it better to get integrated graphics rather than dedicated graphics? With integrated the CPU will work more and get hotter and then the fan might kick in to get noisy.

Or with dedicated graphics the GPU might ease the load from the CPU and then the whole system can be cooler and not as noisy?

 

[MJinZ]

I don't know if the Studio 17s have good screens though. Just make sure you get an RGB LED screen if you get a Studio.

Other good screens out here: The Alienware M15x 15.4" 1080p screen is brilliant (I owned one). The Asus G73Jh has a good 17" screen (1080p only). Expensive Sonys tend to have good screens. I believe HP's Envy line touts some good screens, so that would be a good place to look into as well.

 

[MJinZ]

Thx!
I'm looking at a Dell Studio 17" as we speak. (The 16" version is only in XPS-family and a little too expensive for me)

The noise factor is the most important one for me. Is it better to get integrated graphics rather than dedicated graphics? With integrated the CPU will work more and get hotter and then the fan might kick in to get noisy.

Or with dedicated graphics the GPU might ease the load from the CPU and then the whole system can be cooler and not as noisy?

Noise wise, it is system by system. High powered GPU or not makes no difference. The G73 has a Mobility 5870 for example and is a completely silent machine on full load.

It all depends on the thermal design and fan speed settings the manufacturer sets things to.

Before buying, I would go to notebookreview.com forums and ask people who own the system what the noise is like.

 

[cbn]

Hi there,

I'd like to get some suggestions about what kind of laptop I should buy.

The main priority is that it should be as quiet as possible.

Other prereqs:
Windows-based machine.
Minimum 15" screen
Minimum screen resolution is 1366x768, preferably higher.
Main activities: Surfing, watching movies (HD, DVD's etc)
Max price ~$1000
Gaming is not so important at all.

The one that I have for the moment is way too noisy and that disturbs me soo much (tried to undervolt it but that didn't make much difference and I don't dare to disassemble it for replacing the thermal grease and try to change the fan). I have tried to "clean" it with compressed air but that didn't help.

Best regards

/s

I am still learning notebooks, but these computer tasks you have listed don't seem too demanding from my standpoint.

If you didn't have "Windows" and "15" LCD" listed someone might even suggest using an ARM based Tablet. (those don't even need fans)

Noise wise, it is system by system. High powered GPU or not makes no difference. The G73 has a Mobility 5870 for example and is a completely silent machine on full load.

Good point about the size of the cooling system being the strongest determinate of noise.

 

[steimm]

If you didn't have "Windows" and "15" LCD" listed someone might even suggest using an ARM based Tablet. (those don't even need fans)

Actually, what I really would like is a device that I could use as a "surfboard" in the knee or set up to be a "movie-presenter" if needed.
If I'd find that piece then the budget is much more higher.

Windows is not needed, what I want is support for:
surf
flash (yes, I know it is totally crap)
mkv-files
iso
avi
play these things from network (have a network with windows-based machines)

 

[cbn]

Actually, what I really would like is a device that I could use as a "surfboard" in the knee or set up to be a "movie-presenter" if needed.
If I'd find that piece then the budget is much more higher.

Windows is not needed, what I want is support for:
surf
flash (yes, I know it is totally crap)
mkv-files
iso
avi
play these things from network (have a network with windows-based machines)

http://convergeddevices.net/products/vega.html#

Well this product is 15" with a 1366x768 resolution you mentioned in your intial post.

I think it is supposed to be released sometime this year? I am not sure how well it will work for your purposes though.

 

[cbn]

I was also going to mention ASUS EeePAD EP121 (it runs Windows 7 Home premium), but apparently it won't be released until beginning of next year.