Which laptop should I buy?

[huzisong]

I'm looking into a budget laptop for mild gaming and photo editing, hopefully below the 700 dollar mark.

The games that I need this laptop for are along the lines of Skyrim and The Witcher, generally RPGs, and would like to run them at at least medium setting.

I've found several options so far:

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-V3-571G-6602-15-6-Inch-Midnight/dp/B0085H63TC

http://www.amazon.com/7750G-6662-Notebook-2-4Ghz-Windows-Premium/dp/tech-data/B005OZUFRE/ref=de_a_smtd

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-AS7750G-6645-Notebook-i5-2450M-Windows/dp/B007GXN65K/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834158401&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3067296&SID=

I would like to avoid the last one, as it is refurbished.
If there are better options please list them. Thanks!
The screen should preferably be 15.4" or larger, and as high a res. as possible.
I would also prefer thin and portable, but that can take a backseat for performance.

Also, I will be buying extra RAM.

 

[huzisong]

Can you go up to 750-800$?

Preferably not, but most likely if it's a significant improvement.

 

[huzisong]

intel-HP dv6t-7000, GT 650M GDDR5, I5-3210M, 8GB DDR3 for 775$:
http://www.gaminglaptopsjunky.com/hp-pavilion-dv6t-7000-15-6-gaming-laptop-i5-3210qm-nvidia-gt-650m-2gb-gddr5-fullhd-display-6gb-ddr3-memory-640gb-hdd-for-795/

HP dv4t-5100 14.0", 4GB DDR3, GT 650M GDDR5, I5-3210M for 750$:
http://www.gaminglaptopsjunky.com/hp-dv4t-5100-14-0-gaming-laptop-with-intel-dual-ivy-bridge-i5-3210m-nvidia-gt-650m-2gb-gddr5-4gb-ddr3-and-500gb-hdd-for-770/

The GT 650M GDDR5 is way faster then the ones in the links you've posted. If gaming is a main issue, it's a good bet.
HOWEVER, these laptop do not have FHD screen and you better wait for better coupons that come from time to time.

If you really want to stay below 700$, you can take one of those (under 600$):
http://www.gaminglaptopsjunky.com/recommended-top-gaming-laptops-under-1000-summery-06-08-2012/2/

or the Lenovo Y570, I7-2670QM, 8GB DDR3, GT 555M, 500GB HDD which has a very high build quality and good performance. No FHD though:
http://www.gaminglaptopsjunky.com/lenovo-ideapad-y570-08626ju-gaming-laptop-intel-i7-2670qm-nvidia-gt-555m-gf108-500gb-hdd-8gb-ddr3-memory-good-screen-700-uspy56j726-coupon/

Alright, thanks.
I'll probably go with http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/829664-REG/Acer_LX_RNA02_008_Aspire_7750_AS7750_6458_17_3_.html.

 

[huzisong]

Best answer selected by huzisong.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Especially when ya buying in this price range, best to avoid the middle man and buy direct from manufacturer/distributor.

Lenovo doesn't make a laptop
HP doesn't make a laptop
Acer doesn't make a laptop

The vast majority of laptops on the market are manufactured by a small handful of Original Design Manufacturers (ODM). Major relationships include:

Quanta sells to (among others) HP, Lenovo, Apple, Acer, Toshiba, Dell, Sony, Fujitsu and NEC
Compal sells to (among others) Acer, Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo and HP/Compaq
Wistron (former manufacturing & design division of Acer) sells to Dell, Acer, Lenovo and HP
Inventec sells to Toshiba, HP, Dell and Lenovo
Pegatron sells to Asus, Toshiba, Apple, Dell and Acer
Foxconn sells to Asus, Dell, HP and Apple
Flextronics (former Arima Computer Corporation notebook division) sells to HP

I'd want something with at least ai5-3210M Processor, and nVidia 650M 2GB like Clevo W110ER or the equivalent from MSI or Asus but they are gonna run ya a about $790 - $850. A bit over ya $700 budget but IMO, the dollar difference is well worth it.

 

[danwat1234]

A used G50VT, not the BestBuy models (the ones with the 15.6" screens, get one with a 15.4")
Then put an X9100 in it (or just buy a G50VT with the P8700) and a SSD and/or hybrid drive and it will be just fine for light gaming.
Laptop can be had on Ebay for $450 or so. If somehow the one you get has a dead battery you can get an aftermarket battery for like $35.