M14x w/ Farmer's Discount (-21%)? Or pay extra with different brand for better GFX card?

[psycheight]

Trying to figure out whether I should take advantage of the 21% Farmer's discount and purchase a M14X with the following specs:

Alienware M14x:
-i7 2630QM 2.0Ghz
-8GB Dual Channel Memory
-1.5GB GeForce GT 555M
-500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
-14.0" HD 900p 1600x900 LCD

Price w/ Farmer's discount: $1219.76

Or...should I try to find a laptop which has at least a GTX 460M, and pay extra?

I would like to be able to take the laptop to school for basic word processing, but use it as my main game machine when I'm at home to play mmorpg's, FPS's, and upcoming titles. I thought about the M17x r3 but I don't think I could comfortable lug around a 17" notebook to classes lol.

So if you have any other laptop brands you might recommend me with my budget being $1300-$1400, lemme know please! I'm just concerned about how well the GT 555M will perform in new/future game releases. Should this be a legitimate worry?

[psycheight]

Currently looking at the Sager NP8130:

-i7 2630QM 2.0Ghz
-8GB Dual Channel Memory
-nVidia GeForce GTX 460M
-500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
-15.6” FHD 1920x1080 Matte Screen
Price: $1337.63

Is this a better deal?

[Tthursday]

They're both good deals. If you'll be taking the laptop to classes though I would probably go with the M14x for the portability and somewhat longer battery life. The GT 555M should be able to handle most games on reasonable settings for another 2-4 years at least.

[psycheight]

Sounds good. Thanks Tthursday. I will probably end up going with the M14x.

[Patrck_744]

Yeah GT 555M should be able to get low - medium quality settings on games. What kind games do you play OP? That way we have more idea on what hardware you require.

[psycheight]

I'll be playing steam games like counter-strike source, and hoping to play Rift on high settings along with upcoming titles like Guild Wars 2/Diablo 3.

[psycheight]

Going crazy here trying to decide. My options are the 14" M14x, 15.6" NP8150, or the 15.6" Asus G53SW. The Farmer's discount for Alienware ends tomorrow :O

I just wish the M14x had a better GPU

[Rykoshet]

Lotus P151HM1 - MALIBAL

$1163 cash price for the 8130.

Larger resolution, equal weight more or less (maybe not if you add in the power brick) and cheaper with much stronger specifications.

[hizzaah]

if battery life is a concern, go with the m14.. it's the only one with switchable graphics.

i had an 8150, and three hours is like the absolute max battery life (my specs were: upgraded screen, 485m, 12gb ram, 120gb ssd, 2720qm..)

[psycheight]

That Lotus P151HM1 by Malibal is looking tasty for the price. I've never heard of the company though, so i'll have to look into them more. :3