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Socoder -> Hardware and Technology -> New Laptop - May 2024

Sun, 19 May 2024, 01:33
therevillsgames
New laptop time for us, I've been spending hours on review sites, thinking about a ThinkPad (pun!), budget is $1k AUD, the E16 fits into that bracket, but the choice would be Intel vs AMD...? Any advice?
Sun, 19 May 2024, 01:33
Pakz
Amd normally has the better build in GPU. But before buying I usually spend time comparing benchmarks and workloads. I went for Intel last time for its single core performance.
Sun, 19 May 2024, 01:52
Jayenkai
I very recently had this same discussion in an email thread, and we all agreed that, if you're specifically hoping to "future proof", then now is likely the worst time to be doing so.
It's the PC version of buying an Intel Mac the year before the M1 processors launched.

I'm not 100% sure how big of a leap the upcoming ARM systems will be, especially not the first generation of them, but in a couple of years we'll likely be seeing the Windows version of M3's, and by that point, I think even I might be tempted, and that's saying something.

So, I honestly believe that if you're going to buy something, specifically right now, then you have to forego the usual "it'll last a good 5 years +" mentality that most of us have when buying a system.

Maybe look for something middle-range. Not too cheap that you're stuck with garbage for a few years, but nothing too expensive that your heart sinks when the ARM stuff inevitably takes off.

External GPUs might be something to look into. I've never really looked into those. But if you can get a half-assed laptop that "does the job", but that you can sit on your desk and plug into the GPU for intense gaming.. maybe that might be the better option?

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Sun, 19 May 2024, 02:57
Jayenkai
Additional thought.
Microsoft are having a big announcement event thing, tomorrow. (and apparently over the next few days..)

I'm not sure if it's going to include new ARM-based Surfaces, or if it's just going to be straight up "We have all the AI, too!!" news, but it might be a good idea to wait and see what happens, there.

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Sun, 19 May 2024, 17:03
therevillsgames
Thanks guys.

Normally I go with Intel by default, the last AMD was a Thunderbird CPU years ago!

In Australia we have the end of the financial year at the end of June so companies have started the sales so it's a good time to get a bargain 😉
Mon, 20 May 2024, 00:44
Pakz
If you get a system with 16gb of memory. You should be able to use any future ai. I bought these cheap 2 mini pc's a while ago which both had 16gb of memory.

Audacity its ai, as an example, requires 16gb of memory as I understand.
Mon, 20 May 2024, 03:16
cyangames
I mean, it depends what you want to do with the laptop and how long you expect it to last.

Also, be sure it doesn't have any traces of "magnesium iron silicone hydroxide" on the case, it has been known to negatively effect performance.

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Web / Game Dev, occasionally finishes off coding games also!
Mon, 20 May 2024, 13:00
HoboBen
No opinion on Intel vs AMD (usually it's the faster per-core Intel vs lots more cores AMD tradeoff)

But a Thinkpad is always a great choice!!

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Mon, 20 May 2024, 16:25
therevillsgames
Yeah always liked ThinkPads, with the Intel vs AMD on these cheap models it looks like the main factor is the integrated graphics and AMD is better in that regard (based on advice and benchmarks).
Fri, 24 May 2024, 20:32
therevillsgames
Ordered a ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 AMD running the Ryzen 7 7735U, should last a while
Sat, 25 May 2024, 01:17
Jayenkai
\O/yeay\o/!
I look forward to stats
Optimisationalism!

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