What to buy - NVIDIA Quadro 1000M 2GB DDR3 or NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M?

Oritbt

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Nov 26, 2011
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Hi,

I'm looking to buy a new laptop today to catch the black Friday deals.
I need a laptop for CAD, some 3D and rendering, some graphics and heavy surfing (lets say, about 40 chrome tabs open at once :) )

I thinking about one of the following models, and my questions are - what would you recommend? do you think the difference between NVIDIA Quadro 1000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory and NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M 1GB worth the $650 difference (or maybe there are more differences? I'm afraid I'm not much of an expert...)


Thanks a lot in advance!



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these are the models:

ThinkPad W520
1400$


Processor

Intel Core i7-2760QM Processor (2.40GHz, 6MB L3, 1333MHz FSB)

Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64

Operating system language Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 English

Windows XP Mode Microsoft Windows 7 XP Mode - English

Display type 15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready

System graphics NVIDIA Quadro 1000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory

Total memory 8 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (4 DIMM)

Keyboard Keyboard US English

Pointing device UltraNav with TrackPoint & touchpad plus Fingerprint reader

Camera 720p Camera

Storage subsystem Internal RAID - Not Enabled

Hard drive 500 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm

Optical device DVD recordable multiburner

System expansion slots Express Card Slot & 4 in 1 Card Reader

Battery 9 cell Li-Ion Battery - 55++

Power cord Country Pack North America with Line cord & 170W AC adapter

Bluetooth Bluetooth 3.0

Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2x2 AGN)

Integrated mobile broadband Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable

Language pack Language Pack US English

Microsoft productivity software preload Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010 (North America) - English

Fingerprint Reader


41C9169 2Yr Base Warranty Extension


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ASUS N55SF
1190$


Intel® Core™ i7 2670QM/2630QM Processor

Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate

Intel® HM65 Express Chipset
DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM, 2 x SO-DIMM socket for expansion up to 8 G SDRAM
15.6" 16:9 HD (1366x768)/HD+ (1600x900)/Full HD (1920x1080) LED Backlight
NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M 2GB DDR3 VRAM
2.5" SATA
750GB 5400rpm/7200rpm
OR:
500GB 7200rpm With 4 G SSD

Super-Multi DVD

3 -in-1 card reader ( SD/ MS/MS Pro Duo/ MMC)
HD Web Camera
Integrated 802.11 b/g/n
Built-in Bluetooth™ V3.0+HS (Optional)
10/100/1000 Base T
1 x Microphone-in jack
1 x Headphone-out jack (SPDIF)
1 x VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin for external monitor
2 x USB 3.0 port(s)
2 x USB 2.0 port(s)
1 x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert
1 x HDMI
Built-in Speakers And Microphone
Bang & Olufsen ICEpower®
SonicMaster
6Cells : 5200 mAh 56 Whrs
Output :
19 V DC, 6.3 A, 120 W
19 V DC, 4.74 A, 90 W
Input :
100 -240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal
37.9 x 26.1 x 3.5 ~3.55 cm (WxDxH)
37.9 x 26.1 x 3.7 ~3.75 cm (WxDxH)
*1
2.7 kg (with 6 cell battery)
2-year limited International hardware warranty. *different by country
On-line problem resolution through web interface (BIOS, Driver update)
OS (Windows 7 ) install/uninstall consultation
Bundled software install/uninstall consultation
ASUS software supporting
*1
37.9 x 26.1 x 3.5~3.55 cm (WxDxH) (Dual-core CPU type)
37.9 x 26.1 x 3.7~3.75 cm (WxDxH) (Qual-core CPU type)


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IdeaPad Y470 Laptop - 08552EU - Dusk Black
$859.50


System components
2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7-2670QM Processor ( 2.2GHz 1333MHz 6MB )
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64
NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M 1GB
8 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz
14.0" HD Glare with integrated camera 1366x768
Integrated 2.0MP Camera
Industry Standard Touchpad
750GB 5400
DVD Recordable (Dual Layer)
6 Cell Lithium-Ion
Intel 1000 BGN Wireless
Bluetooth Version 2.1 + EDR
HDMI (Out)
None
One Year
Services and software
3Yr In-Home Warranty Next Business Day
Accessories
Wireless Mouse N3903A(US&WE-Metal)
Targus Eternity 15" Backpack CB2650








 

legendkiller

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Jun 19, 2011
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The only different between those cards is that the 1000m Quadro video card is that it's performance is ment for 3D design and so, the low end cards or about $2000 or less is useless awhile the upper price is much better... Get 550m than the Quadro...
 

Oritbt

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Nov 26, 2011
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Sorry, not sure I understand.... do you mean I should buy the ThinkPad W520 (1400$) with Quadro 1000M or the IdeaPad Y470 08552EU ($859.50) with the 550M?

(by the way, I can also add 250$ and upgrade the W520 to Quadro 2000M).
 

Oritbt

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Nov 26, 2011
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I'd love to hear more opinions - not just about the graphic card but also about the the laptops in general and what do you think will fit my needs best.

Thanks guys!