Which Laptop to Buy

[Question.Boy]

I am looking for purchase a laptop (I do programming - VB, VBA, PHP, ...) and was looking for advise as I have been out of the loop for over 5 years now. I am looking at a range of +-1000$ (that ballpark), minimum 15.6" screen and would like to be able to extend my screen to a 2nd screen to have my code in one window and my rendering... on the laptop.

To Extend my screen will 512mb videocard do or do I need 1Gig? Is there any value in buying name brands Dell, Sony, Asus vs. Acer,...?

I was looking for any advice, recommendation or even stay away from.

I was also wondering is it worth the extra bucks for and i7 vs. an i5? The i5 is faster but les cores? Do I understand this right? What about AMD vs. Intel?

I am looking at Staples, Best Buy, Future Shop, CostCo... anyone have any specifics they could recommend?

Would either of these be a good option?
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/sony-sony-vaio-16-4-laptop-featuring-intel-core-i7-quad-core-processor-740qm-vpcf132fdb-black-vpcf132fdb/10156571.aspx?path=8fcc6ca36cf3804dafeb4627d84ff279en02

http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10339402&whse=bcca&Ne=5000001+4000000&eCat=bcca|84&N=4011462 4294966517&Mo=3&No=0&Nr=P_CatalogName:BCCA&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-CA&Sp=C

Thank you for your help!!!

 

[spynoodle]

If you're up for it, you can try building your own laptop with an MSI whitebook:
http://www.msiwhitebook.com/
You can buy all your own components, so it'll fit all your needs.

 

[powerpack]

Try this, link. It walks all over the others.

 

[daisymtc]

ASUS N61JQ
http://www.shopbot.ca/m/?m=ASUS+N61JQ

Although GT540m is slightly slower than 5730, Sager NP5160 would probably worth the money than Asus