I am looking at two laptops in my budget at this time. I plan to buy this weekend but it may be next weekend before I actually pull the trigger. To keep the fanboys at bay, I'm not revealing the laptop brands, models, or other specs until after this is over, if then.
LAPTOP #1:
Intel Core i5-2430M 2nd Gen processor
Intel HD3000 graphics on board
nVidia GT520M graphics card
has only one drive bay (I would have to swap to an SSD)
LAPTOP #2:
Intel Core i7-3632QM 3rd Gen processor
Intel HD4000 graphics on board
no discrete graphics card
has a second drive bay (I could add an SSD)
Usage Notes: I am a virtual admin doing data entry, web development, social media, and content management. I often have anywhere from 20 to 50 tabs open in a browser at any given time, 3 to 6 hours a day. I generally work with the laptop plugged into power and on wireless internet. I will also have other apps running like Skype, messenger services, an ftp client, a work timer that takes screenshots, and I spend quite a bit of time watching YouTube videos related to work and hobbies.
Gaming Notes: I have a fast X58-based desktop system on which I play primarily GTA IV when I do game, maybe four to six hours a week. I would like to be able to casually play GTA IV on the laptop. I have watched YouTube videos sampling both GT520M with an i5 and HD4000 with an i7 and they perform the same to my eyes and ears.
Both laptops have 6GB of memory and I believe 8GB is the maximum they will run. Both are 15.6 inch screens at 1366x768 (my current laptop has 15.4 inch and 1280x800 and I'm used to it) and both weigh about six pounds. Both have 5400rpm SATA hard drives. Both the laptops I'm looking at are priced at about $500. Both have HDMI but neither has USB 3.0 that I'm aware of.
LAPTOP #1:
Intel Core i5-2430M 2nd Gen processor
Intel HD3000 graphics on board
nVidia GT520M graphics card
has only one drive bay (I would have to swap to an SSD)
LAPTOP #2:
Intel Core i7-3632QM 3rd Gen processor
Intel HD4000 graphics on board
no discrete graphics card
has a second drive bay (I could add an SSD)
Usage Notes: I am a virtual admin doing data entry, web development, social media, and content management. I often have anywhere from 20 to 50 tabs open in a browser at any given time, 3 to 6 hours a day. I generally work with the laptop plugged into power and on wireless internet. I will also have other apps running like Skype, messenger services, an ftp client, a work timer that takes screenshots, and I spend quite a bit of time watching YouTube videos related to work and hobbies.
Gaming Notes: I have a fast X58-based desktop system on which I play primarily GTA IV when I do game, maybe four to six hours a week. I would like to be able to casually play GTA IV on the laptop. I have watched YouTube videos sampling both GT520M with an i5 and HD4000 with an i7 and they perform the same to my eyes and ears.
Both laptops have 6GB of memory and I believe 8GB is the maximum they will run. Both are 15.6 inch screens at 1366x768 (my current laptop has 15.4 inch and 1280x800 and I'm used to it) and both weigh about six pounds. Both have 5400rpm SATA hard drives. Both the laptops I'm looking at are priced at about $500. Both have HDMI but neither has USB 3.0 that I'm aware of.