Need help deciding on a laptop - Please help?

Jx3xz

Honorable
May 22, 2013
3
0
10,510
I am not sure if I put this in the right spot, I am new here and I apologize. Feel free to move this if needed.

I am deciding between 2 laptops, so it is not a major amount of deciding.. I narrowed it down the past few weeks. I am on a budget of around the laptop not being anymore than 500, it being ok to be a little more with shipping and tax.

I am hoping to make my order tomorrow if I get advice by tomorrow (hopefully).

I am choosing between:

Gateway NV76R23u NX.Y2DAA.005 Notebook PC - 3rd generation Intel Core i5-3210M 2.5GHz, 4GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, DVDRW, 17.3" Display, Windows 8 64-bit, White
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7586527&sku=G180-173402

and

Lenovo® IdeaPad Z580 (59350984) Laptop Computer With 15.6" Screen & 3rd Gen Intel® Core™ i5 Processor
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/859489/Lenovo-IdeaPad-Z580-59350984-Laptop-Computer/?cm_cat=509618

The main difference is the Gateway having a 17 inch screen, but the Lenovo having a cool button in case of overheating. I am worried the Gateway may have heating issues, but am unsure. I read around in the past they had heating problems, but, this is a different model and can't find much on it.

Has anyone had personal experience with this model of Gateway? Or, would you suggest I would be better off with the 15 inch screen Lenovo with the cooler?

To note:
I use my laptop daily.

I currently have:
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
CPU
AMD C-50
Ontario 40nm Technology
RAM
5.00GB DDR3 @ 485MHz (7-7-7-20)
Motherboard
Hewlett-Packard 3577 (Socket FT1) 66 °C
Graphics
Generic PnP Monitor (1366x768@60Hz)
384MB AMD Radeon HD 6250 Graphics (HP)
Hard Drives
233GB Western Digital WDC WD25 00BEVT-60A23T0 SATA Disk Device (SATA) 44 °C
Optical Drives
hp CDDVDW TS-L633R SATA CdRom Device
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio

It works pretty well for me, and the graphics card is not the best, it being but it ran the games I like to play. Some games I play are Command & Conquer Generals, Tropico 4, and Minecraft. I am not a big time gamer on computers. I do do graphic editing, but those seemed to do fine on this computer. I would like an upgrade for increased speed.

I think that is all the info needed to help me decide between the two laptops I listed. Thanks for those who read this, and I appreciate your input if you decide to do so.
 

fball922

Distinguished
Feb 23, 2008
46
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18,580
Initial reaction is the Lenovo, based purely on form factor. 17.3" is gigantic... I would not want to lug that around. If battery life is not a huge concern, I think the AMD APUs offer great bang for the buck, like here for $330 (most of the reviews I see are poor battery life, around 4 hours, and oddball issues like not getting it to boot from a PXE server -__-). Thin, light weight, and 14" is my preferred form factor! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834312242
 

Jx3xz

Honorable
May 22, 2013
3
0
10,510
I should note that I don't mind a big screen or if it's heavy, I rarely move it around, but do once in awhile. I wouldn't want a desktop (a lot for monitor and desktop and not in my current budget). Battery isn't a major factor for me either. I would prefer the two I have so far, I would like at least a 15.6" screen. I just found the Gateway a major deal, it has good reviews from that page. I just fear from their past products of overheating problems and if anyone has info if it has been improved. If not, I will go for the Lenovo most likely.
 

fball922

Distinguished
Feb 23, 2008
46
0
18,580
Between those two I still go with the Lenovo. Good brand (even after being bough from IBM), and more RAM. Neither laptop should overheat during normal usage on your lap. I had a Samsung that did constantly... Three trips in for warranty repair and finally they had to send me a new one! I am on an i5 laptop now and the fan isn't even on while on my lap.
 

g-unit1111

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Moderator


Me either - moving from my 16" Toshiba to my 15.6" Lenovo and the difference is like 7 pounds lighter. No way would I want to lug a giant laptop around again.