1. These suggested based on hardware performance. Other details are to your discretion.
Acer Aspire <-- Better GPU - 17.3" - 320GB - $719.99
Acer Aspire <-- Better CPU - 15.6" - 500GB - $769.99
With the difference in CPU being quite minimal, I'd go with the first one. These are only examples. You can keep looking, but be sure and get something more this calibur if you're spending well over $500. Don't go getting an integrated GPU, if anything.
2. 17 inch atleast? Again, the first one.
3. Well, it's hard to say there is "bad" brands, just less reliable or less renowned. I personally would go for ASUS, Toshiba or Acer before anything else.
4. I would consider "mobility" to be how easy it is to "lug" around. Being light weight can depend on battery size. Smaller battery = less battery life. It seems more like you're addressing battery life, though. Maybe I do not know...
5. It's hard to say. Do you think you're going to be dropping your laptop a lot, or something? Or are you talking about those "flimsy" laptops? Either way, you should expect quality from reliable brands. When you get down to it though, it depend on the design of the particular model. Reading reviews is the best way to find out for sure.
6. The new Core i processors are multi-taskers, indeed. They are all capable of running 4 threads.
7. Anyone that wants a laptop and intends on playing games should not settle for an integrated GPU.
8. .....?
9. I would go with less than a 320GB, either.
10. Optical Media: Yes (I like to be different)
11. Windows 7 = Vista working properly
12. Hello from Wisconsin!
--------------------------
Additional questions:
- Yes.
- Only bad news there is that you'll be leaving that particular one at home. 3.5" desktop HDD in an external enclosure will likely need it's own power (i.e. It'll have to be plugged into an AC outlet).
- I wouldn't call it a deal. It's about an appropriate price.
Acer Aspire <-- Better GPU - 17.3" - 320GB - $719.99
Acer Aspire <-- Better CPU - 15.6" - 500GB - $769.99
With the difference in CPU being quite minimal, I'd go with the first one. These are only examples. You can keep looking, but be sure and get something more this calibur if you're spending well over $500. Don't go getting an integrated GPU, if anything.
2. 17 inch atleast? Again, the first one.
3. Well, it's hard to say there is "bad" brands, just less reliable or less renowned. I personally would go for ASUS, Toshiba or Acer before anything else.
4. I would consider "mobility" to be how easy it is to "lug" around. Being light weight can depend on battery size. Smaller battery = less battery life. It seems more like you're addressing battery life, though. Maybe I do not know...
5. It's hard to say. Do you think you're going to be dropping your laptop a lot, or something? Or are you talking about those "flimsy" laptops? Either way, you should expect quality from reliable brands. When you get down to it though, it depend on the design of the particular model. Reading reviews is the best way to find out for sure.
6. The new Core i processors are multi-taskers, indeed. They are all capable of running 4 threads.
7. Anyone that wants a laptop and intends on playing games should not settle for an integrated GPU.
8. .....?
9. I would go with less than a 320GB, either.
10. Optical Media: Yes (I like to be different)
11. Windows 7 = Vista working properly
12. Hello from Wisconsin!
--------------------------
Additional questions:
- Yes.
- Only bad news there is that you'll be leaving that particular one at home. 3.5" desktop HDD in an external enclosure will likely need it's own power (i.e. It'll have to be plugged into an AC outlet).
- I wouldn't call it a deal. It's about an appropriate price.
