laptop for college thinkpad vs latitude

[nscueng13]

Hi, I am going to NC state university in the fall to study engineering and I have been looking at the laptops that the college of eng. recommends, I have pretty much narrowed it down to the thinkpad w520 or the dell latitude E6520 but from there I am stuck. I will basically be using the computer daily for the next four or five years, probably upwards of 2 or more hours a day for writing papers/doing homework, playing games like startcraft 2, and running graphic intensive design programs.

shared specs: 2.2 ghz Intel Core i7-2720QM processor, 6mb L2 cache, 4gb DDR3 1333 MHz ram, running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, 3 year comp warranty/1 year battery warranty, 9 cell lithium ion battery, sd card reader, esata reader, firewire 400 port, 4 usb ports, 15.6 in display, HD webcam

w520 ($1,419): negligibly smaller in size, 1600 x 900 resolution, 2gb Intel HD Graphics 3000 (shared) and nVidia Quadro 1000M (discrete) with automatic switching nVidia Optimus system, 500gb 7200rpm hdd, 8x DVD±R DL, fingerprint reader, VGA and DisplayPort output, 2 usb 3.0 ports

E6520 ($1,479): 512mb nVidia NVS 4200M discrete gpu, 1920 x 1080 screen resolution, 320gb 7200rpm hdd, 8x DVD±R, VGA and HDMI output, backlit keyboard, no usb 3.0, computer weighs more.

I like that the w520 has such much video memory, and a larger harddrive; however, I like that the e6520 has hdmi output and high resolution. I know that both computers will probably serve my needs but I am just looking for some outside input. I think I am leaning towards the thinkpad right now.

 

[diduknowthat]

Also to take into consideration is build quality. Thinkpads are renowned for their superior build qualities. Also the thinkpad will probably squeeze out a bit more battery life as it can switch to integrated graphics when you're not gaming or rendering.

 

[voyagerfan99]

I can't speak negatively on either. Both the Latitude and Thinkpad lines are amazing. I myself have the E6500 that I purchased a year and a half ago and it's a great machine. The guy that lived next door to me in my dorm has one. It took some serious falls off his bed and still worked like a charm....though the bezel cracked and the case had some dents.

As much as I love the Latitude, I must agree with Did on the Thinkpad, as it can switch between the graphical processors and help your battery life. The Thinkpad may also be slightly lighter, which is always nice when you have to carry the laptop around.