Just wanted input on laptops; almost identical HP vs. Toshiba vs. Gateway

C

CoreyK

New Member
Hello,
I am looking to buy a new laptop within the next week or so.
I plan on using it for basic web browsing, Itunes, some multimedia (nothing too demanding), and I'd like to be able to do some casual gaming; basically an all around machine that will outperform my current desktop (~5 year old 2.7ghz Dell).
I've given myself a budget of less <$800; the less the better.

I headed over to Best Buy today to check things out, and found that I liked the HP, Gateway and Toshiba computers the best (surprisingly was not crazy about the Dells).
Decided that I liked the 15" screen range the best (I don't plan on lugging it around much), but the lighter the better.

The 3 machines that I think I've zeroed it down to are:
HP:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9167652&type=product&id=1218041150023

Gateway:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172646&type=product&id=1218044029503

Toshiba:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9036027&type=product&id=1218011395791

Their specs are all extremely similar except that the Gateway has a bigger hard drive (500GB vs. 320) and the Toshiba has a different graphics card (ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3470 vs. Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD).
I kind of doubt that I would need the Gateway's 500GB, and if I did I could just use an external. The HP was the lightest, while the Gateway seemed a little big and heavy for it's screen size, but had very cool media controls and look.
So, I suppose my questions are:

1: Which is a better graphics card, the ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3470 or Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD? Is the ATI integrated or separate? (I don't know much about computers).

2: What are your opinions on the general quality of these brands? Of the choices, which would you recommend?

Any input is much appreciated,
Thanks!
 
90% of most laptops have integrated graphic cards but the ati will be a faster and better card. In the order that I like the laptops is toshiba, gateway and hp.
 
Thanks for the quick reply.
I've been researching all afternoon, and have come to accept that in my price range I won't be able to get a gaming laptop; I'd just like to get the best graphics card/processor combo I can so that some casual gaming might be possible.

Is the ATI a dedicated graphics card or integrated?
 
Thanks for the responses.

I ended up going with the Toshiba, and it's exceeded my expectations so far.
Like I said this isn't in any way intended to be a "gaming" computer, but it does play Crysis just fine (albeit at lower settings), as well as do everything else very well so far.
 
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