Help with purchase, high graphics, $1000 max.

[Venzen007]

1. What is your budget?

Under $1000.

2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?

15-17"

3. What screen resolution do you want?

Full HD.

4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?

Will mainly sit on my desk; I will carry it on the road from time to time, and back and forth from work to home.

5. How much battery life do you need?

I will typically be near an external power source.

6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?

I will not be playing games.

7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)

I am purchasing this computer to run (with ease now and considering future upgrades) an HD animation software called ARAS 360 HD.

8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?

500 GB should be sufficient at minimum.

9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.

Other than DELL, I have no experience with other sites, but am open to any site deemed reputable.

10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?

4+ years before I'd have to start looking for a replacement.

11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?

DVD writer will be fine.

12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.

I do not have enough knowledge to stay away from certain things nor to prefer certain things; that's what I hope to get here.

13. What country do you live in?

USA

14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.

At least 8GB of RAM, as uptodate in terms of speed as possible.
GeForce GT 650M, equivalent, or better.
Intel i5 processor or better.
Decent warranty on all parts, at least one year minimum.
AND anything else this community may think appropriate.
Also, I'd prefer Windows 7 over windows 8.

Thank you in advance for all advice/recommendations.

 

[Venzen007]

I am considering, for a point of reference, a DELL 17R special edition for $899.99. Here is the link: http/configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/print_summary_details_popup.aspx?c=us&cs=19&fb=1&l=en&leadtime=2/20/2013&model_id=inspiron-17r-se-7720&oc=fncwn09&s=dhs&showleadtime=True&vw=icon&~lt=print

Should the link not work:

3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5-3230M processor (3M Cache, up to 3.2 GHz)
Windows 8, 64-bit, English
17.3" Full High Definition (1080p) LED Display with Anti-Glare
8GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 Memory
750GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M GDDR5 2GB
8X Tray Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
90 days Premium Phone Support + 1 Year In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis
48 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Battery
Intel® Centrino® Wireless 2230, 2x2 bgn + Bluetooth
Skullcandy Speakers with WaveMaxx 4.0
Integrated 10/100 Network Card
Backlit Keyboard with Multi-touch Touchpad W8USEBL
Power cord, 125V, 3.2 Feet, US USPWR
Intel® Centrino® Wireless 2230, 2x2 bgn + Bluetooth 2230DRV
NB & DT w/Webcam

Again, that is for $899.99

 

[Taylor_31]

I've heard great things about the Lenovo Y580. Here is a link:

http/www.lenovo.com/products/us/laptop/ideapad/y-series/y580/

It has 6GB RAM, i7-3630QM processor, and a GTX660M.

The base model is $850, while you can get a better resolution screen and bigger hard drive for $999. The $999 dollar one also comes with 8GB RAM

 

[Venzen007]

Thanks for that, Taylor. I've looked over that build and read some reviews of the system. PC Mag actually directly compared the Dell 17R SE I mentioned above with the Y580.

Another comparable seems to be the Clevo w150er. However, both the Clevo and Lenovo are 15".

Any other suggestions out there? Models to stay away from, etc?

 

[feeblepenguin]

Typing this from my lenovo y580:

Its awesome, gtx 660m is great, but the hard drive is slow, and the battery life seems to fade a little. (and its a little bit thick). All in all, an excellent buy.

Luckily, it has an open mSATA slot for an ssd, and you dont need great battery life.

P.S. I got the bluray 1080p version for $900, and there was even a $50 rebate through redflagdeals.