Need help choosing a laptop?

[tntenigma]

I'm trying to decide between the following two laptops. I need something that's light enough for school, and yet powerful enough to handle computer engineering apps (e.g. matlab, altera, visual studio). I'll also be running photoshop and expression studio.

I realize they're both pretty close in specs. My main issues are price and quality.

Alienware (I'm thinking either the core i5 or the core i7):
http://www.dell.com/ca/p/alienware-m11x/fs
or
Gateway:
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/prod...spx?path=8a299eaee38b045a808a6e6f4713f211en02

 

[daisymtc]

gateway only has integrated video card, out of consideration

M11x don't have optical drive, culv cpu is slower than the standard cpu, unless long battery life is important

you should consider ASUS K42 Series K42JV-X1 instead.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220739&Tpk=K42JV-X1

 

[computer_freak1]

Check out this:

http://www.droushiotis.com/product.php?product_id=811

I think it's the best value for price deal you can take.

 

[Ankur]

From the two laptops that you posted I would go for Dell Alienware.
But other than that you could even go for ASUS.