After a lot of searching a thorough research I have zeroed in on two laptops:
The first option is a Dell Inspiron 15R SE:
Intel Core i7-3612QM quad-core, eight threads (Ivy bridge)
8GB DDR3 RAM @1600MHz
AMD Radeon 7730M w/ 2GB dedicated RAM. (Does not specify as to GDDR3 or GDDR5, I assume GDDR3, because the card is not offered in GDDR5)
Note: comes standard with a full high-definition 1080P display, 15.3".
The second option is a refurbished Asus G74S-HBK7
2nd gen Intel i7-2630QM, quad-core, eight threads (sandy bridge)
8GB DDR3 RAM @ 1333MHz
NVIDIA GTX 560M 3GB dedicated RAM
(note about GPU: GDDR3 or GDDR5 is unspecified, but the GTX560M is supposed to be offered in only GDDR5 with a MAXIMUM 1.5GB RAM. This laptop offers 3GB, which contradicts NVIDIA's specifications of the card. My guess is that it has been equipped with 3GB of GDDR3, not 5. But again, this complicates things, because apparently it is only offered in GDDR5.)
Note: equipped with 1600x900 display, but is a 17.3".
Also worth noting, is that the dell is equipped with a 750GB 7,200RPM harddrive, while the ASUS is equipped with a 1.5TB 7,200RPM drive.
According to notebook check, the 560M in the ASUS performs overall 26% better than the 7730M.
The Dell costs $1000, and the ASUS $900, but still keep in mind that the ASUS is a refurbished model. That being said, would the refurbished model still be eligible for the windows 8 upgrade?
On the site, "new laptops purchased after July 2nd will be eligible for the $14.99 windows 8 pro upgrade." Does a refurbished laptop count as new? --I emailed microsoft about this, but I have not received a reply. I sent the email on Monday.
I will use this as a casual gaming laptop and a school laptop. I will be playing games like Skyrim and Fallout, possibly StarCraft, and definitely running a Minecraft server. I will also do a lot of media editing for school, and begin computer science.
Given the above information, which laptop would you go for. I am sure that both are more than capable of media editing and programming, which is why I am more focused on the gaming. The 1080P screen would make games look better, but the GTX560M would make them run better. Again, the ASUS is refurbished. Also keep in mind that not being able to upgrade --at the discounted price-- to windows 8 upon release is a definite game-breaker.
I understand that this is the internet and this is a long post, so I appreciate your time in reading to this point very, very much --even if you don't have, or wish not to offer your input.
The first option is a Dell Inspiron 15R SE:
Intel Core i7-3612QM quad-core, eight threads (Ivy bridge)
8GB DDR3 RAM @1600MHz
AMD Radeon 7730M w/ 2GB dedicated RAM. (Does not specify as to GDDR3 or GDDR5, I assume GDDR3, because the card is not offered in GDDR5)
Note: comes standard with a full high-definition 1080P display, 15.3".
The second option is a refurbished Asus G74S-HBK7
2nd gen Intel i7-2630QM, quad-core, eight threads (sandy bridge)
8GB DDR3 RAM @ 1333MHz
NVIDIA GTX 560M 3GB dedicated RAM
(note about GPU: GDDR3 or GDDR5 is unspecified, but the GTX560M is supposed to be offered in only GDDR5 with a MAXIMUM 1.5GB RAM. This laptop offers 3GB, which contradicts NVIDIA's specifications of the card. My guess is that it has been equipped with 3GB of GDDR3, not 5. But again, this complicates things, because apparently it is only offered in GDDR5.)
Note: equipped with 1600x900 display, but is a 17.3".
Also worth noting, is that the dell is equipped with a 750GB 7,200RPM harddrive, while the ASUS is equipped with a 1.5TB 7,200RPM drive.
According to notebook check, the 560M in the ASUS performs overall 26% better than the 7730M.
The Dell costs $1000, and the ASUS $900, but still keep in mind that the ASUS is a refurbished model. That being said, would the refurbished model still be eligible for the windows 8 upgrade?
On the site, "new laptops purchased after July 2nd will be eligible for the $14.99 windows 8 pro upgrade." Does a refurbished laptop count as new? --I emailed microsoft about this, but I have not received a reply. I sent the email on Monday.
I will use this as a casual gaming laptop and a school laptop. I will be playing games like Skyrim and Fallout, possibly StarCraft, and definitely running a Minecraft server. I will also do a lot of media editing for school, and begin computer science.
Given the above information, which laptop would you go for. I am sure that both are more than capable of media editing and programming, which is why I am more focused on the gaming. The 1080P screen would make games look better, but the GTX560M would make them run better. Again, the ASUS is refurbished. Also keep in mind that not being able to upgrade --at the discounted price-- to windows 8 upon release is a definite game-breaker.
I understand that this is the internet and this is a long post, so I appreciate your time in reading to this point very, very much --even if you don't have, or wish not to offer your input.