[Canada] Down to 3 computers! Need Help!

[MasterOfPuffins]

Hello!

I think I narrowed myself down to a few choices, any opinions of picking the best would be wonderful (any any other suggestions are welcome)! The form that I filled out from the sticky is underneath.

Note: Intel 330 SSD and 3rd party ram will be installed by me.

Thinkpad T430 ($1139 after tax)

	Intel Core i5-3210M Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
	14.0" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit AntiGlare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
	NVIDIA NVS 5400M Graphics with Optimus Technology, 1GB DDR3 Memory
	4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
	UltraNav without Fingerprint Reader
	320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
	DVD Recordable
	6 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70+
	None
	Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200 (2x2 BGN)
	Mobile Broadband upgradable
	1 Year Depot/Express Warranty

Sony Vaio S 15" ($1276 after tax)

• 3rd gen Intel® Core™ i5-3210M processor (2.50GHz / 3.10GHz with Turbo Boost)
• NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 640M LE (1GB) hybrid graphics with Intel® Wireless Display technology
• 4GB (4GB fixed onboard + 1 open slot) DDR3-1333Mhz
• 500GB (5400rpm) hard drive
• Microsoft Windows® 7 Home Premium
• English only with Backlight
• 15.5" LED backlit Full HD IPS display (1920 x 1080)
• CD/DVD player / burner
• Internal lithium polymer battery (4400mAh)

Inspiron 15R SE ($1264 after tax)

• 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i7-3612QM processor (6M cache, up to 3.1GHz)
• Windows® 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-Bit, English
• 8GB³ Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz
• 750GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
• 8X Tray Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
• Radeon™ HD 7730M 2GB

General Questions:

1) What is your budget?
Up to $1500

2) What size notebook would you prefer?
c. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
d. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen

3) Where will you buying this notebook? You can select the flag of your country as an indicator.
Canada

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
a. Like: Dell, Lenovo (Those that I know to be good)
b. Dislike: Not sure. NOT a fan of cheap feeling laptops....

5) Would you consider laptops that are refurbished/redistributed?
If it is a good deal and the manufacturer has a great refurbished warranty.

6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?
Everyday stuff, light gaming, Mathematical work and eventually some modeling (Physics/Geophysics major), Linux through VM

7) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?
I'll be taking it with me to university every day. I have my own work area in my faculty so I don't have to carry it around with me all day.

8) Will you be playing games on your notebook? If so, please state which games or types of games?
Not too much gaming. Mostly RTS, strategy, MMO, some fps

9) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Would like 4+ hours. 6+ is ideal, though not totally necessary.

10) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK?
I would like to see it, but if I read enough positive reviews then I will consider buying it.

11) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista or Windows 7), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Windows 7; Linux through VM

12) From the choices below, what screen resolution(s) would you prefer?
1440x900/1600x900 minimum for 14"+. Full 1080p is probably not necessary. I've been using a 1280x800 13" MacBook for 4 years....I need an upgrade in resolution.

13) Do you want a Glossy/reflective screen or a Matte/non-glossy screen?
Not Picky. Leaning towards Matte

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Looks? Not incredibly important, but it should not look like a dull black box. I LOVE metal cases.

Build quality? Quite important. I don't mind paying for a well built computer.

15) When are you buying this laptop?
Within the next month or so. Can delay the purchase if something good is just over the horizon.

16) How long do you want this laptop to last?
~3+ years

17) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 640GB? Do you want a SSD drive?
Already own a 180GB Intel 330 SSD (Sata III). Would like to personally upgrade the computer to the SSD

18) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD Burner, Blu-ray Reader or Blu-Ray Burner?
No. Being able to replace the optical drive with a 2nd HDD would be nice.

Thanks!

[pepper_john]

T430 obvious for what you want to do: simulations are often very cpu intensive and can run several hours. You can also consider T530 as it has the 1080p display option and the quad core option.

[MasterOfPuffins]

Hmm, I was also looking at Dell and I found a nice Vostro. This has a 1080p screen, but is slightly heavier than the T430 from what I can tell. Seems like good value for the buck.

How is this vs the T430?

Dell Vostro 3560 ($1173 w/ tax)

Components
Windows® 7 Home Premium SP1, 64bit
3rd Gen Intel® Core™ i5-3210M Processor (2.50GHz, with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.10GHz)
15.6" Full High Definition (1080p) LED Display with AntiGlare™
Dell Chiclet Backlit Keyboard with Multi-touch Touchpad, English-Int'l
4GB Shared Single Channel DDR3 Memory
500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
90 WHr 9-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery for Select Dell Inspiron / Vostro Laptops

Options
3 Year ProSupport and 3 Year NBD Onsite Service

Also Includes
HD Audio 2.0 supporting Wave MaxxVoice Pro
AMD Radeon™ HD 7670M 1GB
8X Tray Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Dell Wireless 1704 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.0+LE
48 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Batt

[coolguy]

You can consider the HP dv6t quad, and the Lenovo Y580 too. They would be much cheaper and come with better hardware.

[pepper_john]

T430 is a business grade notebook, whereas Vostro is a consumer grade notebook. Business notebooks normally have better quality and fewer issues than the consumer ones.

The only reason I would go with a consumer notebook is to play 3D intensive games.

[rubbateckie]

Vostro is business is it not?
The Sony is pretty good build quality in my opinion but that's something you have to see in the store.
It's GPU can also be easily and safely overclocked so it gives it a big performance boost: Sony Vaio S Bios Mod For Gt640m Le