Back to School 2015 – LaptopMedia’s choice of market’s current best laptops

Laptop and apple on the desk

It’s that time of the year again! Children and seniors getting ready for school, university, college etc. and some of them are looking for a brand new notebook that should fit their needs as a daily driver. If you are one of them, proceed with this article as we have some interesting notebooks in different categories installed for you.

Below you will find a list of notebooks that offer great specs for the job, but we do recommend looking for laptops that are portable, durable and can last longer away from the charger. Energy-efficient hardware is a must in order to achieve good working hours in the library for example and the notebooks below are here to provide. However, there are some cases in which the above doesn’t apply. If you are an engineering student or you have to run some serious applications to get the work done, then a powerful hardware under the hood would be the order of the day. We’ve got that covered too, but you’ll have dig deeper into your pockets because computing and graphics power comes at a great price as well as good IPS panels for your design-related tasks.

Before you proceed, keep in mind that some of the specs might differ depending on your region.

Contents


€200 to €400

Some users will go for the entry-level notebooks because they will be a good daily driver and can handle the usual tasks with ease. We’ve got some cool notebooks with Core i3 CPUs and even discrete GPUs on board from HP and Dell. You can also settle with the offerings from Lenovo and Toshiba while the latter comes in various stylish colors.

Lenovo IdeaPad B50-30

This is as “basic” as you can get. For the given price, you get the most simple set of hardware for a daily driver. The CPU as well as the integrated GPU won’t get you too far, but for browsing, writing and using light applications the machine will do the job just fine.

You can check Lenovo IdeaPad B50-30’s price here: http://amzn.to/1Pv8cA8

CPUIntel Celeron N2840 (2-core, 2.16 – 2.58 GHz, 1MB cache)
RAM4GB (1x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600MHz
GPUIntel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)
HDD/SSD500GB HDD (5400 rpm)
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) TN panel – 1366×768, matte
Optical driveDVD burner
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth
Other
  • 2x USB 2.0
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • RJ-45
  • VGA
  • HDMI
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 4-in-1 SD card reader
  • fingerprint scanner
Battery4-cell
Weight2.32 kg


HP 250 G3

Another affordable solution, but this time from HP. With the 250 G3 series, the company brings the mainstream notebook at a reasonable price. You’ve got the Core i3-4005U CPU that will handle more serious applications and the discrete GeForce 820M (1GB DDR3) GPU will be perfect for an adequate multimedia experience.

For example, the CPU provided here scores better than most of the Celeron and Pentium chips and the same goes for the GPU – it can do way better than the integrated graphics, but you can’t rely on it for serious gaming. Online competitive games such as League of Legends, Dota 2 etc. the GPU will handle with ease. Of course, it’s advisable to go for an external display since the HD TN panel will not deliver the much-needed viewing experience.

You can check HP 250 G3’s price here: http://amzn.to/1KHZP0k

CPUIntel Core i3-4005U (2-core, 1.70 GHz, 3MB cache)
RAM4GB (1x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600MHz
GPUNVIDIA GeForce 820M (1GB DDR3)
HDD/SSD1TB HDD (5400 rpm)
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) TN panel – 1366×768, matte
Optical driveDVD burner
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth
Other
  • 2x USB 2.0
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • RJ-45
  • VGA
  • HDMI
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 4-in-1 SD card reader
Battery4-cell
Weight2.19 kg


Lenovo G50-80

Another notebook from the Chinese powerhouse – Lenovo G50-80. Definitely pricier than the other Lenovo offering in this class, but it’s worth the extra bucks. A more powerful Core i3-4030U CPU is in stored scoring better than half of the chips we’ve tested so far making the machine look like an even better bargain.

Larger 1TB HDD and all the basic connectivity options including an HDMI port and 2x USB 3.0 ports will prove useful for fast file transfer on the go and better productivity. Despite the fact that the G50-80 is a basic mainstream notebook, Lenovo has brought a rigid and strict design along with a comfortable AccuType keyboard.

You can check Lenovo G50-80’s price here: http://amzn.to/1KI00c2

CPUIntel Core i3-4030U (2-core, 1.90 GHz, 3MB cache)
RAM4GB (1x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600MHz
GPUIntel HD Graphics 4400
HDD/SSD1TB HDD (5400 rpm)
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) TN panel – 1366×768, glossy
Optical driveDVD burner
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth
Other
  • 2x USB 2.0
  • 2x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • RJ-45
  • VGA
  • HDMI
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 2-in-1 SD card reader
Battery4-cell
Weight2.50 kg


Dell Inspiron 3542

For an everyday notebook the Inspiron 3542 maybe is one of the few machines that are actually tested and designed for real life performance. Still taking time to check the quality of the entry-level products, Dell tests this machine in more extreme conditions like 65 °C environment, tens of thousands hinge openings, tens of millions keystrokes and touchpad performance after 40 000 pushes.

Also, the battery life should be around 7 hours that sounds plausible due to the use of only 15W processor (Core i3-4005U), yet the CPU will deliver a better performance than half of the notebooks on the market or at least according to our CPU ranking table. Furthermore, the integrated graphics will be able to handle light tasks and applications, but gaming on it will be just pushing your luck. So what’s better than a relatively powerful notebook that’s also life-poof?

You can check Dell Inspiron 3542’s price here: http://amzn.to/1ERcOLa

CPUIntel Core i3-4005U (2-core, 1.70 GHz, 3MB cache)
RAM4GB (1x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600MHz
GPUIntel HD Graphics 4400
HDD/SSD1TB HDD (5400 rpm)
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) TN panel – 1366×768, glossy
Optical driveDVD burner
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth
Other
  • 2x USB 2.0
  • 2x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • RJ-45
  • VGA
  • HDMI
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • SD card reader
Battery4-cell
Weight2.40 kg


Toshiba L50-B series notebooks

Despite the entry-level CPU, the Toshiba L50 is quite rich in features. For starters, the notebook weighs only 2.2 kg and has a thin profile of just 23 mm then add the great choice of colors and you are set to go. You also have a wide variety of connection ports and options, but the best part is that it supports 4K video playback via the HDMI port. The Skullcandy branded loudspeakers are a deal-breaker as well.

Add in a powerful entry-level quad-core CPU with Turbo Boost performance up to 2.66GHz rated at just 7.5W TDP and the notebook becomes an even better offering do consider. The graphics performance isn’t all that great, but can easily handle day-to-day browsing, writing or simple non-demanding applications.

You can check Toshiba L50-B’s price here: http://amzn.to/1ERcRqD

CPUIntel Celeron N2840 (2-core, 2.16 – 2.58 GHz, 1MB cache) / Intel Pentium N3530 (4-core, 2.16 – 2.58 GHz, 2MB cache) / Intel Pentium N3540 (4-core, 2.16 – 2.66 GHz, 2MB cache)
RAM4GB (1x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600MHz
GPUIntel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)
HDD/SSD500GB HDD (5400 rpm) / 1TB HDD (5400 rpm)
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) TN panel – 1366×768, glossy
Optical drive
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth
Other
  • 1x USB 2.0
  • 2x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • RJ-45
  • VGA
  • HDMI (supports 4K)
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • SD card reader
  • different color options
Battery4-cell
Weight2.20 kg


€400 to €600

In this price range we’ve picked a few powerful laptops with discrete GPU and the Aspire E5-527G standing out with a particularly capable CPU and GPU on board. The models from Lenovo and HP are good as well, but for those seeking more portability and flexibility, the Flex2-15 is the right choice here. It’s not very common to come across an affordable convertible.

Acer Aspire E5-572G

The new improved Aspire E5 series notebooks is hard to miss at this price range. The company promises better touchpad performance, comfortable keyboard, eye-caring features for more working hours in front of the screen and a wide choice of color palettes with stylish textile pattern. Don’t miss out on the particularly powerful CPU and discrete GPU perfect for multimedia and even light gaming with low resolution settings.

To put things into perspective, the GeForce 840M GPU sits somewhere between 830M and 850M, but outperforms the 930M for example. Games such as F1 2014, FIFA 15 or 14 and online competetive games are absolutely playable, but you may want to lower the graphics settings on some. As for the CPU, it’s capable of great computing performance despite being just dual-core, the 37W TDP means serious business.

You can check Acer Aspire E5-572G’s price here: http://amzn.to/1ERcY5o

CPUIntel Core i5-4210M (2-core, 2.60 – 3.20 GHz, 3MB cache)
RAM8GB (2x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600MHz
GPUNVIDIA GeForce 840M (2GB DDR3)
HDD/SSD1TB HDD (5400 rpm)
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) TN panel – 1366×768, glossy
Optical drive
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth
Other
  • 2x USB 2.0
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • RJ-45
  • HDMI
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • SD card reader
Battery6-cell
Weight2.50 kg


Lenovo Flex2-15

Thin, light and flexible. It’s all achievable with the affordable Flex2-15 notebook from Lenovo. It offers two different modes specially optimized for easier and more intuitive usage whether you are using the keyboard or just the touchscreen. The 360-degree hinge will give you the much-needed comfort in all modes.

The keyboard also features AccuType keys, touchpad with all supported gestures and Dolby Advanced Audio stereo speakers for better multimedia experience. As for the hardware, the Core i3-4030U and integrated graphics will make a fine day-to-day companion without excessively draining the battery in order to keep the notebook away from the charger.

You can check Lenovo Flex2-15’s price here: http://amzn.to/1Pv8FCr

CPUIntel Core i3-4030U (2-core, 1.90 GHz, 3MB cache)
RAM4GB (1x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600MHz
GPUIntel HD Graphics 4400
HDD/SSD500GB SSHD (8GB SSD + 500GB (5400 rpm))
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) TN panel – 1366×768, touch
Optical drive
ConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
Other
  • 2x USB 2.0
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • RJ-45
  • HDMI
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • SD card reader
Battery4-cell
Weight2.50 kg


HP ProBook 450 G2 series notebooks

Another field-tested notebook, but this time from HP. The company claims it tested the laptop in over 115 000 working hours in various conditions to ensure good performance all the time. Also, the machine offers exclusive protection of the sensitive data on the machine with HP BIOSphere.

The rest is all known – Core i7-4510U capable CPU, 8GB of RAM and AMD Radeon R5 M255 discrete GPU for your multimedia experience. However, the best part is that the notebook is offering configurations with extended storage options like 128GB SSD paired with 1TB of HDD or you can go even further with 256GB of SSD.

You can check HP ProBook 450 G2’s price here: http://amzn.to/1ERd5Oe

CPUIntel Core i7-4510U (2-core, 2.00 – 3.10 GHz, 4MB cache)
RAM8GB (1x 8192MB) – DDR3, 1600Mhz
GPUAMD Radeon R5 M255 (2GB DDR3)
HDD/SSD1TB HDD (5400 rpm) / 1128GB (128GB (128GB SSD + 1TB HDD (5400 rpm)) / 1256GB (256GB SSD + 1TB HDD (5400 rpm))
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) TN panel – 1366×768, matte
Optical driveDVD burner
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
Other
  • 2x USB 2.0
  • 2x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • RJ-45
  • HDMI
  • VGA
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • SD card reader
Battery4-cell
Weight2.40 kg


Lenovo IdeaPad G510

It’s basically another mainstream notebook from Lenovo that offers home computing at a reasonable price. Strict design, enough connectivity options, big storage and AccuType keyboard are in place. However, the most important feature here is the hardware offering more than good computing performance due to the Core i5-4210M CPU and GPU capable of running some of the games on the market, but ideal for multimedia – AMD Radeon R5 M255 (2GB DDR3).

Looking at the numbers, the battery life might not be as impressive, due to the power-hungry GPU and 37W TDP CPU, staying away from the charger will be a challenge. For the record, the one inside is 4-cell rated at 48Wh – some ultrabooks have bigger capacity.

You can check Lenovo IdeaPad G510’s price here: http://amzn.to/1ERd9xI

CPUIntel Core i5-4210M (2-core, 2.60 – 3.20 GHz, 3MB cache)
RAM8GB (2x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600Mhz
GPUAMD Radeon R5 M255 (2GB DDR3)
HDD/SSD1TB HDD (5400 rpm)
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) TN panel – 1366×768, glossy
Optical driveDVD burner
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
Other
  • 1x USB 2.0
  • 2x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • RJ-45
  • HDMI
  • VGA
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 2-in-1 SD card reader
Battery6-cell
Weight2.60 kg


€600 to €850

Now we are talking serious business. In this class, you have the luxury of choosing a powerful set of hardware or a portable everyday notebook with decent battery life. For starters, the Lenovo Yoga 2-13 is a good choice for an affordable convertible, but if you are looking for more horsepower under the hood, you can choose from the Aspire V15, Acer Aspire E5-572G (another E5 notebook, but this time with quad-core high-voltage CPU and discrete GPU) and ASUS K550JX bringing the highest in its class mobile processor from Intel – Core i7-4720HQ paired with GeForce 950M for some light gaming in the spare time. However, the latter lacks the FHD IPS panels that its competitors from Acer and Lenovo have.

Lenovo Yoga 2-13

A more expensive version of the Flex2 notebook from Lenovo, but it really is worth the extra money. We’ve got thin, light and flexible body again presented with different modes integrated into the OS and several other pre-installed apps. Also, Lenovo is opting for 8-hour long battery life with Core i5-4210U CPU and 13.3-inch portable Full HD IPS panel.

The upgraded storage is also worth mentioning – 500 GB SSHD (8GB SSD cache + 500GB HDD 5400 rpm) delivering hybrid performance (somewhere between a conventional HDD and SSD).

You can check Lenovo Yoga 2-13’s price here: http://amzn.to/1KI0H59

CPUIntel Core i5-4210U (2-core, 1.70 – 2.70 GHz, 3MB cache)
RAM4GB (1x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600Mhz
GPUIntel HD Graphics 4400
HDD/SSD500GB SSHD (8GB SSD + 500GB HDD (5400 rpm))
Display13.3-inch (33.78 cm) – 1920×1080 (Full HD) IPS panel, touch
Optical drive
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
Other
  • 1x USB 2.0
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • micro-HDMI
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 2-in-1 SD card reader
Battery4-cell
Weight2.60 kg


Acer Aspire V15 (V3-574G)

It goes without mentioning that this notebook is one of the greatest choices in this class. A well-balanced powerful hardware with Full HD IPS panel equipped with Acer’s Blue Light Shield technology perfect for multimedia and day-to-day use. However, the screen uses PWM across all brightness levels, according tou our findings, which will lead to eye fatigue, but only for those with sensitive eyes since the screen emits only light with high frequency (around 25 kHz).

Rather than that, the stylish aluminum design, comfortable port placement, sturdy construction and high-quality sound will make you want the Aspire V15. Nonetheless, for more information, you can read our full detailed review here:
http://laptopmedia.com/review/acer-aspire-v-15-v3-574-review-a-successful-mix-of-power-and-style/

You can check Acer Aspire V15 (V3-574G)’s price here: http://amzn.to/1Pv8RS5

CPUIntel Core i7-5500U (2-core, 2.40 – 3.00 Ghz, 4MB cache)
RAM8GB (1x 8192MB) – DDR3, 1600Mhz
GPUNVIDIA GeForce 940M (4GB DDR3)
HDD/SSD1TB HDD (5400 rpm)
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) – 1920×1080 (Full HD), IPS matte
Optical driveDVD burner
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0
Other
  • 1x USB 2.0
  • 2x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • HDMI
  • VGA
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • SD card reader
  • keyboard backlight
Battery4-cell
Weight2.40 kg


Acer Aspire E5-572G

Yet another Aspire E5 notebook, but this time with noticeably more powerful hardware that will suit the needs of consumers looking for computing and graphics power for less money. This variant carries a powerful high-voltage quad-core Core i7-4712MQ CPU paired with 8GB of RAM and NVIDIA GeForce 940M (4GB DDR3) GPU. It can also serve as a multimedia notebook or light gaming, but it’s advisable to use an external monitor for better viewing experience due to the TN panel used for this machine.

You can check Acer Aspire E5-572G’s price here: http://amzn.to/1ERdksM

CPUIntel Core i7-4712MQ (4-core, 2.30GHz – 3.30GHz, 6MB cache)
RAM8GB (2x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600Mhz
GPUNVIDIA GeForce 840M (2GB DDR3)
HDD/SSD1TB HDD (5400 rpm)
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) – 1366×768 TN panel, matte
Optical driveDVD burner
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth
Other
  • 2x USB 2.0
  • 1x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • HDMI
  • VGA
  • RJ-45
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • SD card reader
Battery6-cell
Weight2.50 kg


ASUS K550JX

The cool concentric design signature isn’t the only thing that makes this notebook worthwhile. Add in a powerful quad-core Core i7-4720HQ top shelf CPU and NVIDIA GeForce 950M GPU and the machine turns into a capable workstation with the only thing missing a quality IPS panel, but for this price range you are lucky to have such powerful internals at your disposal.

Besides, an external monitor is always an option if you want to play a game or watch a 4K movie that are potential due to the multimedia-capable hardware inside. Moreover, the keyboard provided here is the final finishing touch for your work-related experience with evenly spaced keys and comfortable keyboard thanks to the Chiclet keyboard design.

You can check ASUS K550JX’s price here: http://amzn.to/1ERdpgb

CPUIntel Core i7-4720HQ (4-core, 2.60 – 3.60 Ghz, 6MB cache)
RAM6GB (1x 2048MB + 1x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600Mhz
GPUNVIDIA GeForce 950M (2GB DDR3)
HDD/SSD1TB HDD (5400 rpm)
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) – 1366×768 TN panel, glossy
Optical driveDVD burner
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0
Other
  • 1x USB 2.0
  • 2x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • HDMI
  • VGA
  • RJ-45
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • SD card reader
  • Sonic master loudspeakers
Battery4-cell
Weight2.30 kg


Over €850

Of course, we have some premium offerings as well ranging from absolute powerhouses with quality IPS panels to a portable ultrabook with ridiculously good battery life and yes, we are talking about the MacBook Air 13. However, a more balanced approach here would be the Toshiba Satellite P50-B or the ASUS N551JW with detailed IPS panels and powerful internals that will be able to run the latest games or just to run the more demanding applications.

Although, the most exclusive offerings here are from ASUS. The G501 comes in a thin and light body, yet packing some serious hardware capable of running again the latest games. It’s an ideal choice if you are looking for a portable and powerful notebook. A good hybrid, that you can read all about in our detailed review. But if portability isn’t an issue here, we suggest going for the insanely powerful ASUS G751JY notebook that offers Alienware-like performance for almost half the price and the best part is that the display is G-Sync enabled which will ensure a more fluent gameplay.

Toshiba Satellite P50-B notebook series

Premium aluminum chassis, stunning display and powerful hardware are the order of the day. Toshiba has always excelled in image quality and the new Satellite P50-B series don’t disappoint. Quad-core high-voltage Core i7-4720HQ will handle even the most demanding applications and games especially when paired with the AMD Radeon R9 M265X (2GB GDDR5) GPU and 8GB of RAM.

The IPS panel delivers nearly perfect viewing experience and the Harman Kardon branded loudspeakers will deliver the finishing touch. Various storage options are also available and you can combine up to 256GB SSD with 1TB HDD. You can also take advantage of the 4 USB 3.0 ports every time knowing you’ve plugged into the right port. The best part is that all of this doesn’t come at the expense of portability as the notebook remains 25.8 mm thin and weighs just 2.2 kg.

You can check Toshiba Satellite P50-B’s price here: http://amzn.to/1Pv91sI

CPUIntel Core i7-4720HQ (4-core, 2.60 – 3.60 Ghz, 6MB cache)
RAM8GB (1x 8192MB) – DDR3, 1600Mhz
GPUAMD Radeon R9 M265X (2GB GDDR5)
HDD/SSD1TB HDD (5400 rpm) / 1120GB (120GB SSD + 1TB HDD (5400 rpm) / 1256GB (256GB SSD + 1TB HDD (5400 rpm))
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) – 1920×1080 (Full HD), IPS glossy
Optical driveDVD burner
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0
Other
  • 4x USB 3.0
  • built-in FHD webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • HDMI
  • RJ-45
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 5-in-1 SD card reader
  • Harman Kardon loudspeakers
Battery4-cell
Weight2.20 kg


ASUS N551JW

A bulkier, yet reliable option from ASUS that’s main orientation is multimedia. The design is matching its price as well as the hardware inside that can handle some of the most demanding games on the market. Quad-core Intel Core i7-4720HQ CPU and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M (2GB GDDR5) GPU look and feel great inside this machine and will handle each task with ease. The Core i7-4720HQ CPU for example ranks in top 10 in our CPU ranking table while the GeForce GTX 960M is also in the top 10 in our GPU rankings. With that being said, more serious gaming is plausible.

But the excellent image quality and rich sound are the features that steal the spotlight here. Furthermore, ASUS has included an external subwoofer inside so you can take your music everywhere you go. Portability might be an issue for some, though.

You can check ASUS N551JW’s price here: http://amzn.to/1Pv96MV

CPUIntel Core i7-4720HQ (4-core, 2.60 – 3.60 Ghz, 6MB cache)
RAM8GB (1x 8192MB) – DDR3, 1600Mhz
GPUNVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M (2GB GDDR5)
HDD/SSD1120GB (120GB SSD + 1TB HDD (5400 rpm)
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) – 1920×1080 (Full HD), IPS matte
Optical driveDVD burner
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0
Other
  • 3x USB 3.0
  • built-in FHD webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • HDMI
  • RJ-45
  • mini Display Port
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • 5-in-1 SD card reader
  • Sonic Master Premium loudspeakers
Battery6-cell
Weight2.70 kg


MacBook Air 13

It goes without saying that this ultrabook here is one of the best premium choices on the market. With unmatched battery performance, portability and built with excellence body the MacBook Air 13 will be the perfect companion for those willing to take a deeper dive into their pockets in order to achieve maximum portability and productivity. Despite the small and light chassis (1.35 kg), the MacBook Air 13 can make things bigger with the Thunderbolt display adapter and for longer periods of time thanks to the huge 54Wh battery crammed inside.

You will also notice the insanely good performance of the SSD which uses M.2 PCIe x4 storage device delivering NGFF (Next Generation Form Factor) read/write speed. The CPU will also deliver fluent performance on all work-related applications with clock speeds near the Core i5-5200U, but with greatly improved GPU performance due to the Intel HD Graphics 6000 featuring 48 EU (Execution Units) and up to 1000 MHz GPU clock.

You can check MacBook Air 13’s price here: http://amzn.to/1Pv99IO

CPUIntel Core i5-5250U (2-core, 1.60 – 2.70 GHz, 3MB cache)
RAM4GB (1x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600Mhz
GPUIntel HD Graphics 6000
HDD/SSD256GB SSD
Display13.3-inch (33.78 cm) – 1440×900 TN panel, glossy
Optical drive
ConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11ac/a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
Other
  • 2x USB 3.0
  • built-in FaceTime webcam
  • Thunderbolt
  • built-in microphone
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • SD card reader
  • keyboard backlight
Battery54Wh
Weight1.35 kg


ASUS G501 series notebooks

If you are always torn apart from the choices of being portable or powerful, the ASUS G501 might be the notebook for you. Premium all-aluminum design with thin profile and light chassis (2.27 kg) come hand in hand with the powerful Core i7-4720HQ CPU and GeForce GTX 960M (4GB GDDR5) capable of running some of the latest games in the highest settings.

As for the viewing experience – it’s more than good thanks to the Full HD IPS panel excelling in color accuracy, maximum brightness, contrast ratio etc. However, the panel uses PWM across all brightness levels and users with sensitive eyes should reconsider. Various storage options are available as well with M.2 PCIe SSDs, but more about this thin and light beast can be read in our full review here:
http://laptopmedia.com/review/asus-rog-g501-review-the-new-standard-for-next-generation-gaming-laptops/

You can check ASUS G501’s price here: http://amzn.to/1Pv9evZ

CPUIntel Core i7-4720HQ (4-core, 2.60 – 3.60 Ghz, 6MB cache)
RAM8GB (2x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600GHz / 12GB (1x 4096MB + 1x 8192MB) – DDR3, 1600Mhz
GPUNVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M (4GB GDDR5)
HDD/SSD1TB HDD (5400 rpm) / 1128GB (128GB SSD + 1TB HDD (5400 rpm) / 1256GB (256GB SSD + 1TB HDD (5400 rpm)
Display15.6-inch (39.62 cm) – 1920×1080 (Full HD) IPS panel, matte
Optical drive
ConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0
Other
  • 3x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • built-in loudspeakers Bang & Olufsen ICEpower Sonic Master
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • HDMI
  • Display port
  • card reader (SD, MMC)
  • keyboard backlight
Battery4-cell
Weight2.27 kg


ASUS G751JY series notebooks

If you are looking for an excuse to get a hold of one of these, back to school time of the year might be the perfect timing. With some digging around the retailers’ websites will get you an Alienware-like performance for almost half the price. The GTX 980M GPU will chew up and spit practically everything you throw at it as well as the CPU. Of course, this comes at the expense of a bulky, but beautiful chassis and huge 17-inch screen that also holds something that’s worth considering.

The 17.3-inch Full HD IPS panel offers G-Sync capable chip for smooth gaming experience and Sonic Master stereo loudspeakers with built-in subwoofer for richer sound. Basically, you get all of the top-shelf goodies a gamer would dream of, packed inside a notebook for better LAN parties if you attend those, of course.

More information about the model – in our detailed review here:
http://laptopmedia.com/review/asus-g751-review-17-inch-gaming-beast-with-the-most-powerful-graphics-card-on-the-market-geforce-gtx-980m/

You can check ASUS G751JY’s price here: http://amzn.to/1ERdHUc

CPUIntel Core i7-4720HQ (4-core, 2.60 – 3.60 Ghz, 6MB cache)
RAM8GB (2x 4096MB) – DDR3, 1600GHz / 16GB (2x 8192MB) – DDR3, 1600Mhz
GPUNVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M (4GB GDDR5)
HDD/SSD1TB HDD (7200 rpm) / 1128GB (128GB SSD + 1TB HDD (7200 rpm) / 1256GB (256GB SSD + 1TB HDD (7200 rpm)
Display17.3-inch (43.94 cm) – 1920×1080 (Full HD), IPS matte, G-Sync enabled
Optical driveDVD burner
ConnectivityLAN 10/100/1000 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11ac – Wi-Di, Bluetooth 4.0
Other
  • 4x USB 3.0
  • built-in webcam
  • built-in microphone
  • built-in loudspeakers Bang & Olufsen ICEpower Sonic Master
  • built-in subwoofer
  • 3.5 mm audio jack
  • VGA
  • Thunderbolt
  • RJ-45
  • HDMI
  • card reader (SD, MMC)
  • keyboard backlight
Battery8-cell
Weight4.30 kg

LaptopMedia’s team wishes you all the best throughout the 2015-2016 school year. Choose wisely when shopping for a new notebook or new electronics, in general, because the market is packed and only a few devices will match your criteria. Don’t opt for the best, opt for what’s best for you.

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