Which would you buy?

[DButler76]

I am currently looking into buying a new laptop between the $1300-$1400 range. I found two Toshiba's that are pretty similar, I am just unsure of which one would have the better specs. I am also open to other suggestions. The use of this laptop will include some gaming.


Laptop #1 Satellite A500-ST6644
*i5-430M Processor
2.26GHz (2.53 Turbo Boost, 3MB L3 Cache, 1066Mhz)
*6GB DDR3 1066MHz SDRAM (4096MB+2048MB)
*320GB HDD (7200rpm, Serial ATA)
*NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M with 1GB GDDR3 discrete graphics
*High Capacity Lithium Ion Battery (12-cell)
TOTAL: $1,333.00

Laptop #2 Satellite A500-ST6647
*i7-720QM Processor 1.6 GHz (2.8 GHz with Turbo Boost ), 6MB L3 Cache, 1333MHz DDR3
*6GB DDR3 1066MHz SDRAM (4096MB+2048MB)
*500GB HDD (7200rpm, Serial-ATA)
*NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M with 1GB GDDR3 discrete graphics
*High Capacity Lithium Ion Battery (12-cell)
TOTAL: $1,453.00

 

[OvrClkr]

Personally I would go with laptop #2 since it is only around 110.00$ more and the fact that you are getting a faster CPU and bigger HDD.

BUT before you drop your hard earned cash on a lappy I would suggest that you make sure that the internal parts are upgradable. I purchased a 2,500$ laptop a year ago but only because I was 100% sure that the RAM/GPU/CPU are fully upgradeable.

 

[DButler76]

#2 has a faster CPU, more HDD space, same ram & GPU, you did not list the monitor specs

I believe that both monitors are the same.

Display8
 16.0” diagonal widescreen TruBrite® TFT LCD display at 1366 x 768
native resolution (HD)
o Native support for 720p content
o 16:9 aspect ratio

 

[DButler76]

Personally I would go with laptop #2 since it is only around 110.00$ more and the fact that you are getting a faster CPU and bigger HDD.

BUT before you drop your hard earned cash on a lappy I would suggest that you make sure that the internal parts are upgradable. I purchased a 2,500$ laptop a year ago but only because I was 100% sure that the RAM/GPU/CPU are fully upgradeable.

I'm not really sure how to make sure it's upgradable...
but here's the detailed product specs:

http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/detailed_specs/satellite_A500-ST6647.pdf

 

[DButler76]

Also, is the graphics card going to hinder my ability to play games in the future?

 

[OvrClkr]

By looking at that PDF I would not know for sure if the GPU is upgradeable or not.

What I do know is that this Asus lappy is fully upgradable and it even comes with a mobile 5870. It's priced right around the same as the Toshiba.

http://computershopper.com/laptops/reviews/asus-republic-of-gamers-g73jh

 

[xaira]

i7 no contest

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Screen res would put it off my list....but HD res (1920 x 1080) .... custom built, HD resolution, GFX upgradeable (within limits) laptop from a Clevo distributor would cost you $1650-$1800

W860CU
15.6" 1920 x 1080 Full HD (16:9) LED Backlit GlassView LCD
Intel Core i7-720QM Processor, 1.6 GHz, 6MB Smart Cache
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz
ATi Mobility Radeon HD 5870 w/1GB GDDR5 DX11
500/7200rpm GB SATA-300 (SATA II 3GB/s)
Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit
8X Max. DVD±R/RW Burner/4X Max. +DL Super-Mulit Drive
# Built-In 2.0M Pixels Digital Video Camera
# Built-In Fingerprint Reader
# Built-in 56K V90 Fax/Modem
# Built-In 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet LAN Card
# Built-In 7-IN-1 Flash Memory Reader(MMC/RSMMC/MS/MS Pro/MS DUO/SD/Mini-SD)
# 1 IEEE-1394a Fire Wire
# 1 Express Card 34/54 Slot
# 4 USB 2.0 Ports
# 1 eSATA Port
# 1 HDMI Output
# 1 DVI-I port
# 1 Kensington Lock Port
# Built-in Microphone and 2 Speakers
# 4 Audio Jacks for Line-Out, Line-In, Microphone-In, and S/PDIF-Out
# 100/240V Autoswitch AC Adapter
# Standard Carrying Bag with Strap

$1685 (before discounts)

W870CU
same as above w/ 17.3" 1920 x 1080 Full HD (16:9) LED Backlit GlassView LCD, add $109

Add TV Tuner $85

price source: http://www.pro-star.com/index.cfm?mainpage=product&filter=6

Other Clevo distributors: