Mid-Range Gaming Laptop

[khenderson42]

Off to Uni in a couple of weeks and looking for a decent laptop as I am going to do computer science. However, I have almost no budget as I can't wait for my loan to come in so the most I can spend is £400, maybe £420 at a push. My other dilemma is I'd like to do some gaming on it, games such as Fifa 13, Half-Life 2, Portal 1 & 2, maybe G.R.I.D. 2 etc. I am aware I will need to use medium settings most likely but anyway hereare my options.
http/www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/GRADE_B_-_Acer_Aspire_Timeline_Ultra_M3-_1461216.html
or
http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acer-Aspire-5560G-Quad-Core-Gaming-Laptop-/161092563499?pt=UK_Computing_Other_Computing_Networking&hash=item2581dd722b
My main worry with the M3-581TG is the CPU, it seems a little underpowered when paired with that GPU. Anyway I am not sure and I can't really stretch my budget but with a 40 minute train journey two and from uni most days I need some games to keep my occupied. Thanks for any wisedom that you can part with.

 

[khenderson42]

Came across this as well for a bit extra, only problem is it is giant and has a max battery life of 4hrs which is far from ideal.
http/www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Toshiba_Satellite_Pro_L870-18R_1349497.html
I could possibly push to this but no further, if it is worth the price? Also it is brand new rather than a refurb.
http/www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_Z500_1474675.html

 

[khenderson42]

I think it will need to be dedicated, researched and exhausted all the integrated and discrete options and none of them seem to suffice for my needs unfortunately.
Found this http/www.medion.com/gb/prod/MEDION%C2%AE+AKOYA%C2%AE+P7815+%28MD98303%29/30015360A1
which with a voucher is £495 delivered. I can only find two reviews on it, they're in German but it seems to get a decent score, due to Google Translate being quite terrible though I can't make out some stuff it is saying really as it is incoherent. What do you think? It is 17" though which seems more like a "Desktop Replacement" if there is such a thing.
This is the last viable option I have found, seems decent.
http/www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/hp-envy-m6-1232ea-15-laptop-black-21321360-pdt.html
£100 cashback means it will only cost £450 effectively.

 

[khenderson42]

Ok I think I solved this problem myself, configured a laptop on PCSpecialist with i5-3230m 2.6GHz, 4gb RAM (have some laying about to upgrade), 500gb HDD, DVD Drive, GeForce GT 650m and just the other essentials for £500 on the dot, built and delivered.

 

[Zammer]

Ok I think I solved this problem myself, configured a laptop on PCSpecialist with i5-3230m 2.6GHz, 4gb RAM (have some laying about to upgrade), 500gb HDD, DVD Drive, GeForce GT 650m and just the other essentials for £500 on the dot, built and delivered.

Which one of their laptops did you configure may I ask? Like the sound of yours and I am in the exact same market as you are except uni is next year

 

[khenderson42]

I configured the Enigma 4 model. It starts at 490 but once you take off the windows seven install you can upgrade the CPU to the i5-3230m 4gig of RAM and a 500gb hdd. Whether you have a legit install of windows at home or not is none if my business aha but you can save a lot by not getting an OS. It will go from £500 to £579. Think windows 8 may be cheaper.