[Year's_End]

Gaming isn't the top priority, but it's still a strong factor. A 15" gloss screen is preferred.

The dudes at Best Buy have been trying to convince me to go with Asus or some sort of VAIO. Not sure if I'm digging the Asus notebook designs, and I'm not particularly familiar with the brand, nor do I know if they're reliable. Plus, Asus doesn't have any exclusive features. The VAIOs seem relatively underpowered by comparison, and their plastic shells feel flimsy.

What about HPs? If I had an extra grand I'd buy an Envy without question, but my budget is going to stick at the $1k point (maybe $1200 if I'm convinced the extra coin is worth it).

TIA

[rgpwr]

Configure one on HP's website. You can get an i7 quad / 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 320M for about a grand

[bluespeed117]

my recommendation, Buy a desktop. Lap tops are kool and all, but once they are out of date, its pretty much done for. Soon as you buy it, its out of date as where a desktop is out of date, but its much easier to upgrade.

[BMW F22]

I'd buy this laptop here- http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+V...ny%20vaio%20cw

It's got blu-ray, i5 processor, nvidia GT 330M, 1600x900 resolution, etc. I think that's pretty much all you need in a laptop. There's also a 10% cash back through Bing so it's just gonna be under your budget.

Originally Posted by bluespeed117

my recommendation, Buy a desktop. Lap tops are kool and all, but once they are out of date, its pretty much done for. Soon as you buy it, its out of date as where a desktop is out of date, but its much easier to upgrade.

Not necessarily. You could update a desktop but like you said, it's out of date very quickly after you've bought it. So to buy the latest stuff would require a boatload of money. So the trick is to buy what you need and just keep it for as long as possible. There really is no point in getting the newest thing.

Hell I've had my laptop for about 5 years now and it's been fine. I don't play games on it so I don't need the latest and fastest. I recently just upgraded the ram for about $40 and never felt the need to upgrade anything else.

[Year's_End]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm interested in that VAIO you posted.^

I need a laptop because I'll be taking it around with me a lot. I can only configure a 13" HP Envy on their site. I'd prefer a 15" screen because I'm going to be using illustrator programs frequently.

[BMW F22]

Be sure to check out that laptop in person (as well as other 15.5" ones). Most laptops nowadays are widescreen so they look quite a bit smaller than in previous years. For example, a 15.5" screen is now actually a little bit lower/shorter vertically yet only a bit longer horizontally.

[LaYzEe]

check out this notebook too

Get 10% Cashback from Bing = $800 + Tax + $15 shipping - $80 bing = about $735 shipped.

Specifications:
Intel® Core5 i5-430 processor 2.26GHz
4GB DDR3 memory (DDR2 WAS A TYPO)
17.3" LED high-definition widescreen display
With 1600 x 900 resolution
500GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics 1GB GDDR3
Built-in 1.3MP webcam
Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with dual-layer support
Weighs 6.3 lbs. and measures just 1.6" thin
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit

EDIT: its backorder atm.

[BMW F22]

^ nice- looks like a good laptop. The OP said he will be taking it with him a lot so I think 17.3" is a bit too big. At 6.3 pounds it's not terribly heavy so that's not a factor. I still think the Vaio is the better option: DDR3 instead of DDR2, blu-ray player, firewire (not a big deal) and faster processor. Throw in the premium that usually comes with Sony products and it's a pretty good deal at $950 ($150 more than the samsung). I think it's definitely worth the $150 difference. Of course the 14" screen might be too small for OP since he said he wanted a 15" laptop.

[BMW F22]

just listing another option for you - http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1764612

Be sure to check that site out. Do a search for stuff or go to forums, hot deals and click on the system icon at the bottom.

[LaYzEe]

slickdeals.net is the holy bible