Would this be a good laptop? I can't tell!

[Chinaware]

Hello,
I'm preparing to buy my first laptop. I have a budget of $1000 (including tax.). To get the most for my buck, I'll probably end up going with Sager. The laptop I've been eyeing is the NP5160, which is set to be released around mid-march. I picked this one because of the processor (alls I know about that is that "intel core i7" is better than the one I currently have). Anyways, these are the specifications:

Display 15.6" HD LED-Backlit Display with Super Glossy Surface (1366 x 768)
Video & Graphics Card 1GB GDDR3 Nvidia GeForce GT 540M GPU with Optimus Technology / Embedded Intel HD Graphics
CPU Processor 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM Processor ( 6MB L3 Cache, 2.00GHz) [$30.00]
Thermal Compound Stock Standard Thermal Compound
Operating System Genuine MS Windows® 7 Home Premium 32/64-Bit Edition ( 64-Bit Preloaded )
Memory 6GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 1 X 4GB + 1 X 2GB [$45.00]
Primary Hard Disk Drive 320GB 7200rpm SATA 300 Hard Drive
Optical Drive Bay — Optical Drive or Hard Disk Drive in Optical Drive Bay with Caddy case 8X DVD±R/RW/4X +DL Super-Multi Drive & Software
Wireless Network Card Internal 802.11 B+G+N Wireless LAN + Bluetooth Combo Module
Primary Battery Smart Li-ION Battery Pack
Microsoft Office New! Microsoft Office Starter 2010 - Included in Price
Warranty Sager 1 Year Limited Parts and Labor Warranty

The total price (with tax) is: $934.00

So, since this is my very first timing buying a laptop (or a computer in general, my existing one was a Christmas gift), would this be a good laptop my dollar?

Is the processor fast?
Are the graphics good quality?
Should I upgrade it for another $60 to "full-HD"?(does it make a difference?)

Please give me your opinions, or point in the right direction if this laptop isn't what I should be looking at!

 

[WR2]

Hello Chinaware;

It's a really good looking option:
A really fast quad core CPU: Intel Core i7-2630QM 2.0Ghz (Turbo to 2.9Ghz)
A nice mid-range video card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M review 'Optimus' will let the GT 540 shut down to save battery live when not needed and the laptop will use the built into the CPU HD 3000 graphics. When more graphics power is needed the GT 540 will power up and get back to work.

The 'full HD' option will upgrade the monitor resolution from 1366x768 to 1920x1080 on screen pixels. That increase is screen resolution is pretty sweet. When you think of the size of the tool and menu bars you have up while doing editing tasks and reading, etc, it does give you a lot more on screen space for your work. You'll see more of your work at one time and spend less time scrolling around.

If you get a chance stand in front of two laptops, one with 1366x768 and one with 1920x1080 and compare them.

For comparison I checked the Dell website and look at it's XPS 15 offering.
@ $1070 you got a i7 2620M 2.7GHz dual core CPU, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 15.6" 1366x768 LCD & GT 525M video card. GT 540 option was $100 extra
The upgrade to full HD 1920x1080 was a $170 option on a different model than the one linked.

So the Sager has a better CPU and video card. And it has a much less expensive upgrade to 1920x1080.

 

[Chinaware]

Best answer selected by Chinaware.

 

[Chinaware]

Hello Chinaware;

It's a really good looking option:
A really fast quad core CPU: Intel Core i7-2630QM 2.0Ghz (Turbo to 2.9Ghz)
A nice mid-range video card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M review 'Optimus' will let the GT 540 shut down to save battery live when not needed and the laptop will use the built into the CPU HD 3000 graphics. When more graphics power is needed the GT 540 will power up and get back to work.

The 'full HD' option will upgrade the monitor resolution from 1366x768 to 1920x1080 on screen pixels. That increase is screen resolution is pretty sweet. When you think of the size of the tool and menu bars you have up while doing editing tasks and reading, etc, it does give you a lot more on screen space for your work. You'll see more of your work at one time and spend less time scrolling around.

If you get a chance stand in front of two laptops, one with 1366x768 and one with 1920x1080 and compare them.

For comparison I checked the Dell website and look at it's XPS 15 offering.
@ $1070 you got a i7 2620M 2.7GHz dual core CPU, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 15.6" 1366x768 LCD & GT 525M video card. GT 540 option was $100 extra
The upgrade to full HD 1920x1080 was a $170 option on a different model than the one linked.

So the Sager has a better CPU and video card. And it has a much less expensive upgrade to 1920x1080.

Thank you very, very much for writing for me that long and detailed reply! I'm definitely a lot more confident in my choice now.