Gaming / School laptop

[riahim]

Hello, so I was looking at getting a new laptop for college needs. I'm doing computer engineering so I would need a decent laptop to run engineering applications plus do my coding. Plus for taking to classes/lounges. I don't perse need a gaming laptop, but I figured that I could use it occasionally for games if possible.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what would be a decent choice for around the $500-600 price point. I'm hoping with black friday coming up that I can find something that will fit my budget.
Thanks

 

[An AFK User]

This ASUS laptop looks decent.
http/www.amazon.com/F555LA-AH51-16-Inch-Laptop-Intel-Processor/dp/B00NGK7S1A/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1416187160&sr=1-1&pebp=1416187165435

 

[riahim]

This ASUS laptop looks decent.
http/www.amazon.com/F555LA-AH51-16-Inch-Laptop-Intel-Processor/dp/B00NGK7S1A/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1416187160&sr=1-1&pebp=1416187165435

Not bad, but it only has Intel HD Graphics 4400, right?

 

[dasulman]

http/www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-V3-572G-587W-15-6-Inch-Platinum/dp/B00K81O3PY/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1416261330&sr=1-6
add $10 more, its well worth it

 

[riahim]

http/www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-V3-572G-587W-15-6-Inch-Platinum/dp/B00K81O3PY/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1416261330&sr=1-6
add $10 more, its well worth it

This laptop looks like a good choice. Just a couple of general questions.
Do you need an i7 processor for engineering apps (more specifically, computer engineering major) or is an i5 enough? I've heard opinions for both sides.
I also have a desktop, but I would need a laptop for when I travel
Also, NVIDIA GeForce 840M is pretty standard for a light gaming laptop around this price, right?

 

[dasulman]

for $600 you won't get a quad core I7 processor. A quad core AMD is a joke.

 

[riahim]

How does the intel 4600 compare to the geForce 840m?

 

[riahim]

for $600 you won't get a quad core I7 processor. A quad core AMD is a joke.

How does the intel 4600 compare to the geForce 840m?

Also, what do you think about the lenovo y40? Which would you recommend between these two?

 

[riahim]

Ok so as of now I have 4 potential laptops I'm looking at. The y50 is a little pricey and so is the msi, but ignoring how much they cost, what would you recommend I get?


Lenovo Y40 Laptop - 59423030 $630
Intel Core i7-4510U Processor (2.00GHz) AMD Radeon R9 M275 2GB


Lenovo Y50 Laptop - 59428533 $770
Intel Core i5-4200H Processor (2.80GHz)  GeForce GTX 860M 2GB


Acer Aspire V3-572G-587W $600
Intel Core i5-4210U 1.7 GHz
NVIDIA GeForce 840M


MSI CX61 2PC-499US  $700
Intel Core i5-4200M 3.0 GHz GeForce GT 820M 2GB

Also. My main purpose would be using the laptop for school / coding, computer engineering related type stuff and secondary for gaming.

 

[dasulman]

the y50 easily.

 

[riahim]

the y50 easily.

What about a secondary choice?

 

[dasulman]

y40 easily if its for 2nd place.

 

[orlbuckeye]

How does the intel 4600 compare to the geForce 840m?

The intel 4600 in integrated graphics that shares memory with the system memory while the 840 is a discrete card that will have it own memory resulting in better performance for gaming.

 

[riahim]

So I was tempted to buy the y50 but that specific model sold out.
Why would you recommend the y40 over the msi?

edit: nvm, didn't notice the videocards were so different

 

[riahim]

So I still haven't bought anything, decided to wait until black friday/cyber monday. I've also decided to bump up my budget to a max of 800 so if anyone see's anything, please let me know. Thanks!

Edit: ended up buying the Acer Aspire V15 Nitro Black Edition VN7-591G