Which of these three laptops is the best buy? Thanks.

onething1

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Hi Tom's contributors,

Once again, I'm in need of your sage advice and suggestions.
Im going to buy a laptop, mainly for homework and web browsing, and maybe TF2 or L4D2, nothing too hardcore. (my desktop is a beast).
I've picked out three I like, and am torn between them. Which one would you buy and why?
Thank you so much for your time! :)
-Jon

Samsung Series 5 NP530U3B-A01US 13.3-Inch Ultrabook (Silver):
Intel Core i5 2467M Processor 1.6GHz
4GB DDR3 RAM
500GB Hard Drive
13.3-Inch Screen, Intel HD Graphics 3000
$834.98

Samsung NP-QX411-W01US 14-Inch:
Intel Core i5 2410M 2.3GHz Processor
512MB Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M
6GB DDR3 Memory / 750 GB S-ATA
DVD Super Multi Burner / 4-in-1 Media Card Reader / Integrated Webcam
1 HDMI port and 3 USB 2.0 ports
$696.88

Acer Aspire S3-951-6646 13.3-Inch Ultrabook:
Intel Core i5 Processor 1.6GHz
4GB DDR3 RAM
320GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
13.3-Inch Screen, Intel HD Graphics 3000
$778.99
 
Solution
I'm an acer fan, so I would many times say acer, however I am thinking the Samsung. Fastest processor, 2 extra gb of ram, and has a little better gfx card I think. Plus price is lower than the others. I think I would used the money saved and go to squaretrade.com to purchase a 3 year warranty in case you have problems later.

ohiou_grad_06

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I'm an acer fan, so I would many times say acer, however I am thinking the Samsung. Fastest processor, 2 extra gb of ram, and has a little better gfx card I think. Plus price is lower than the others. I think I would used the money saved and go to squaretrade.com to purchase a 3 year warranty in case you have problems later.
 
Solution

mobrocket

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since u already have a desktop beast for gaming
i would consider weight then as a factor in your evaluation

my vote is for
Samsung Series 5 NP530U3B-A01US 13.3-Inch Ultrabook (Silver)
if price isnt an issue
 

optimus1883

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Samsung NP-QX411-W01US 14-Inch:
Intel Core i5 2410M 2.3GHz Processor
512MB Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M
6GB DDR3 Memory / 750 GB S-ATA
DVD Super Multi Burner / 4-in-1 Media Card Reader / Integrated Webcam
1 HDMI port and 3 USB 2.0 ports
$696.88

I vote the 14" one, quicker processor
http://ark.intel.com/compare/52224,56858

better video
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

and more ram, but in the end it really comes down to your preference of size, battery life, and look of the laptop.

From the specs I would think you could tell a difference in the performance, and you are saving money by picking that as well
 

onething1

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I went to Best Buy and tested out the samsung, used dxdiag to look at the graphics card. however it didn't say NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M, rather intel 3000. Is that normal? Or thats not supposed to be right? Thanks.
 

ohiou_grad_06

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HD 3000 is an integrated Intel gfx chip I think. However I know some of the higher end units, I saw an alienware with the option, having a dedicated card and the built in Intel card, and the laptop switched back and forth depending on the load.
 

ohiou_grad_06

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Something like the vaio listed may be worth a look. I know a tech personally though who used to work on a lot of Sony vaio laptops and said they are junk. But on the other hand I know another guy who's got one and has had good luck. In either case I would suggest a squaretrade warranty.