Buying a new laptop and looking for some help.

[ThatCraftySOB]

I am buying a new laptop primarily for school. I am an engineering major and therefore will be running a few intensive programs. However, I would also like to be able to run some less intensive games, like Minecraft and some indie games that I may come across. I also watch movies on my laptop regularly, but i use headphones generally so speaker quality isn't too huge of a deal.

I am looking to spend no more than $850 but have been trying to stick closer to $800. Buying in America and preferably, but not exclusively, form Amazon.com.

I would prefer the brands of Asus, Acer or Lenovo but am open to suggestions.

http/www.amazon.com/Lenovo-14-Inch-Touchscreen-Laptop-80JK0021US/dp/B00TR05R9I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1435648279&sr=8-2&keywords=lenovo+flex+3&pebp=1435648286715&perid=1275J17MK00A7M0DAJJX

That is an example of the kind of laptop i have been looking for and a general idea of the things i have been looking at.
My only real concerns with that one specifically is that it has integrated graphics. Also, it has an hdd rather than an ssd but thats not as big of a deal.

If someone could take a look at that laptop and tell me if it would run adequately for what i am asking that would be much appreciated. I would also love it if you could give me some other suggestions that might suit my needs better.

Thank you in advance for your help, if you have any questions i am more than happy to answer them

 

[boosted1g]

Here is what I would go with:

This ASUS: http/www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9095406&CatId=3998

or this Lenovo: http/www.amazon.com/Lenovo-15-6-Inch-Touchscreen-Gaming-59428535/dp/B00L8LTN3K/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1435674164&sr=1-6&refinements=p_n_feature_four_browse-bin%3A2289792011%2Cp_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A3012497011%2Cp_89%3ALenovo

Then Lenovo has a little bit better of a GPU, but is not sold by amazon directly.
The asus has little bit weaker of gpu but should not be a problem for your indie games.

Make sure you get a Q version of an i7 and not a U. The Q is closer to a true desktop version and has 4 cores and 8 threads while a U version is only 2 cores 4 threads, so there will be a noticeable difference between the two for your engineering applications.

 

[ThatCraftySOB]

Here is what I would go with:

This ASUS: http/www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9095406&CatId=3998

or this Lenovo: http/www.amazon.com/Lenovo-15-6-Inch-Touchscreen-Gaming-59428535/dp/B00L8LTN3K/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1435674164&sr=1-6&refinements=p_n_feature_four_browse-bin%3A2289792011%2Cp_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A3012497011%2Cp_89%3ALenovo

Then Lenovo has a little bit better of a GPU, but is not sold by amazon directly.
The asus has little bit weaker of gpu but should not be a problem for your indie games.

Make sure you get a Q version of an i7 and not a U. The Q is closer to a true desktop version and has 4 cores and 8 threads while a U version is only 2 cores 4 threads, so there will be a noticeable difference between the two for your engineering applications.

I had been looking at the Lenovo Y50 but it seemed a little more expensive then i was hoping to spend. As a result i went searching on Ebay to see what i could dig up and found a lot of ones that are "factory refurbished" anywhere between $770 and $850 which was a little more promising. However i have never purchased from Lenovo and dont know whether i should trust their refurbished models. Is that something you would recommend or should i stick to buying brand new?

The Asus looks like a very good option, i had not seen that one yet and it looks great for what i am trying to do. If you dont think I should buy a refurbished model then i will probably go with the Asus.

Thanks for the recommendations

 

[boosted1g]

If it is Lenovo refurbished and carries warranty I would not worry at all about it. Most things are either going to fail in the first month or 2+ years.

 

[ThatCraftySOB]

If it is Lenovo refurbished and carries warranty I would not worry at all about it. Most things are either going to fail in the first month or 2+ years.

I found this one which claims 16gb RAM which i havent seen in any others. It does not specify a touch screen but im assuming it does. If you could take a look and tell me what you think.

http/www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Y50-1080P-IPS-i7-4720HQ-16GB-1TB-8GB-SSHD-GTX860M-4GB-HDMI-Gaming-Laptop-/151727728571?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2353ad67bb

Here is another i found just like the one you sent form Amazon

http/www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Y50-1080P-FHD-Touch-i7-4700HQ-8GB-1TB-8GB-SSHD-GTX860M-2GB-Gaming-Laptop-/171839265582?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item28026b1b2e

 

[boosted1g]

Originally missed the part where you listed ebay was vendor you were looking at.

I would be skeptical about buying laptop on ebay, epically one claiming to be refurbished. No way to know for sure whether or not Lenovo is actually providing refurbished warranty or not. Not to mention the risk of it being a stolen laptop.

 

[ThatCraftySOB]

Originally missed the part where you listed ebay was vendor you were looking at.

I would be skeptical about buying laptop on ebay, epically one claiming to be refurbished. No way to know for sure whether or not Lenovo is actually providing refurbished warranty or not. Not to mention the risk of it being a stolen laptop.

good point that is understandable. I will see if i can find a refurbished one elsewhere, seeing as the Lenovo seems to be the better of the 2 that you listed.

 

[boosted1g]

Bam!: http/outlet.lenovo.com/outlet_us/itemdetails/59421836/445

 

[ThatCraftySOB]

Bam!: http/outlet.lenovo.com/outlet_us/itemdetails/59421836/445

Oh wow thanks that is great, you find these things fast haha. I guess you know where to look.

Just to clarify that is a touch screen model correct?

 

[ThatCraftySOB]

Bam!: http/outlet.lenovo.com/outlet_us/itemdetails/59421836/445

I read it more carefully and realized i had glanced over where it said "multi touch"

Thank you very much for all of your help, it is much appreciated and saved me a lot of time and stress. Have a good one