Looking for Sub-$1500 Multimedia/Gaming Laptop

[krasher134]

Before diving into the form, here's a brief overview of my situation. I am preparing to apply to business schools for Fall 2013 (2 years full-time) and Fall 2014 (3-4 years part-time) and am looking for a laptop to replace my first generation MacBook Pro (literally, first-gen: Core Duo). I have a desktop computer that I use for a lot of my data storage and more complex gaming, but I'd like to have the portability to be able to game-on-the-go, as well as run 1080p multimedia. I won't be using the laptop for anything overly complex, like 3D modeling or intense gaming, but I will be using it for a lot of Adobe Creative Suite applications, including Illustrator, InDesign, Fireworks, etc. (usually simultaneously).

To give you an idea, here are some of the laptops I've been considering:

Lenovo T430 and W530, Asus N56, MSI GE60

Thank you all in advance for your help!

Now, on to the form.

What is your budget?
$1000-$1500. Not a lot of wiggle room here.
(Importance: 5/5)

What country will you be buying this in?
USA
(Importance: N/A)

What size notebook do you prefer?
14" or 15". No flexibility here.
(Importance: 5/5)

What brands do you like or dislike?
Like: Lenovo, HP, Asus, Acer.
Dislike: Sony, Dell. Had some bad, bad experiences with Sony laptops, so I will steer clear, and Dell's haven't struck me as super reliable in the past few years.
(Importance: 4/5)

Would you consider a refurbished laptop?
Maybe, but only if I could buy direct from a reputable manufacturer and get an extended warranty.
(Importance: 3/5)

What are the primary tasks you need this notebook for?
Everything, except 3D rendering or super intense gaming. Primarily, this machine will be used for note-taking, entertainment, movies, and some gaming. I'd like to have the device future-proofed, though, in case those needs change. See below.
(Importance: 4/5)

What games will you be playing?
D3 and TF2 primarily, with the possibility of more intensive games. I'd like to keep my options open, but I can always upgrade my desktop for intense gaming.
(Importance: 3/5)

Where will you be using this laptop?
Will be used different places, as I will be toting to and from class and study sessions. That being said, a 5- or 6-pound laptop is not out of the question, although I definitely dig a thin laptop.
(Importance: 4/5)

How many hours of battery life do you need?
3-6 hours. Wide range, but I'm hoping to get one that would last through two back-to-back classes.
(Importance: 3/5)

Will you be buying online or in store?
Either, although if I can't buy direct from the manufacturer (e.g. Acer/Asus), preferably in-store so that I can get a store warranty (e.g. from a Best Buy, etc.). Newegg is probably the only exception to that.
(Importance: 4/5)

Which OS do you prefer?
Preferably Windows 7, as Mac OS is likely outside of my budget. No Linux.
(Importance: 4/5)

List the screen resolutions that interest you:
High Resolution (minimum 1600 x 900) on a 14"
Max Resolution (1920 x 1080/1200) on a 15"
(Importance: 5/5)

Do you prefer a glossy or matte screen?
Matte.
(Importance: 4/5)

Is the laptops design important to you?
Yes, but not super important. Let's just say, I don't want an eyesore of a laptop.
(Importance: 2/5)

Approximately what date will you be buying this laptop?
Mid-Late June 2012. Currently laptop-less.
(Importance: 3/5)

How long do you want this laptop to last?
As I mentioned above, 3-5 years, while remaining relatively future-proofed. I would like it to last beyond grad school, as I won't be able to upgrade until a little while after graduation.
(Importance: 5/5)

How much storage capacity do you need?
32GB-1TB. Depends on the HDD setup... see below.
(Importance: 3/5)

Are you interested in SSD for storage?
I'd ideally like a laptop with a primary SSD for booting and then a secondary spinning drive for storage, but I'm not dead-set on this setup.
(Importance: 2/5)

Do you want a built-in optical drive, what type?
Preferably yes, but again, not dead set on it. If I have one, I'd like it to be Blu-Ray capable, as I have an external multi-DVD drive, but not a deal-breaker.
(Importance: 2/5)

[Defengar]

Asus G55vw
Amazon.com: ASUS G55VW-ES71 15.6-Inch Gaming Notebook (Black): Computers & Accessories

[krasher134]

Asus G55vw
Amazon.com: ASUS G55VW-ES71 15.6-Inch Gaming Notebook (Black): Computers & Accessories

Thanks for the response. I've looked at the G55 and have been considering it, but I'm concerned about just how portable it is at 8.4 pounds. Carrying it on my back walking around all day will take a toll...

[Defengar]

Hmmm. the Alienware M14x is also an option, and can pack all the stuff the G55 has at about the same price, and at over a pound lighter. AW is owned by dell though... they have great warranty so I wouldn't worry to much really.

[krasher134]

Hmmm. the Alienware M14x is also an option, and can pack all the stuff the G55 has at about the same price, and at over a pound lighter. AW is owned by dell though... they have great warranty so I wouldn't worry to much really.

Thanks again for your response. I think Alienware falls under the Dell category, plus I personally think you pay for the brand name rather than the quality of the product.

So you know, in terms of gaming, I'm not going to be doing any intensive stuff, as I have a desktop I can use for that. The laptop is primarily for entertainment and productivity, but I just want to have the flexibility of being able to play games on the go, such as DIII or TF2.

[niffcreature]

Another option is the Lenovo y480p with GTX 660m, I think it weighs like under 5 lbs

[krasher134]

Another option is the Lenovo y480p with GTX 660m, I think it weighs like under 5 lbs

Lenovo Y480p? Is that available in the US? All I see on Lenovo's website is the Y470p and Y480. Also, does it have a screen resolution greater than 1366x768? Big deal breaker for me otherwise...

[NextDoor]

Hi,

The laptop with your requirements is hard to find. But this may do Gigabyte P2532N-CF1. (Core i7-2630QM/ 8GB / NVidia GT550M). The processor and graphic card may not be the best but it weights only 5.7 pounds with Full HD 1920x1080 LED screen.

That is if you like to try relatively new brand.

Cheers.

[reNeglect]

Hey,

While this laptop is weighing in at 6.8lbs, it will definitely be future proofing.
Sager NP9130 The base model comes in at 1066, you can get the latest ivy bridge 3610QM, 750GB 7200RPM HDD, GTX 675M, 1080p Matte display with 95% color gamut and diamond thermal compound for around 1279.43 + Taxes. If you swap out the optical drive and replace it with a boot SSD you're looking at around another 200~250$ Depending on which SSD you want. I'd recommend doing this by yourself as the SSD selection is pretty limited for Xotix. But recently the Crucial M4 128GB's are going around for 120$ and 256GB's going around for 230$ (Locally for me and some online retailers). Another 10~30$ for the caddy, OH also 80$ for the home premium Windows 7 if you get it from Xotic.

In summary this laptop will be a great multimedia laptop with its matte finished screen and 95% color gamut movies and such will look amazing. While the GTX 675 will give you the performance you need when you call upon it, Switching over to the Integrated Intel graphics for basic graphical tasks and such to preserve battery. I'd personally say if you want the SSD for performance, I'd recommend getting the 128GB Crucial M4 using as a boot drive and for basic programs and a caddy off ebay or newegg or some other online retailer and installing it yourself.

[krasher134]

Hi,

The laptop with your requirements is hard to find. But this may do Gigabyte P2532N-CF1. (Core i7-2630QM/ 8GB / NVidia GT550M). The processor and graphic card may not be the best but it weights only 5.7 pounds with Full HD 1920x1080 LED screen.

That is if you like to try relatively new brand.

Cheers.

Thanks for the reply. I hadn't been looking at Gigabyte, so I'll have to start doing some research on the company. Any recommendations from their Ivy Bridge models?