Laptop nerds please help

I'm looking at buying a new laptop any suggestions? I haven't kept up lately with what is good.

1. Lenovo - ~$1,300
Processor: Intel� Core? 2 Duo Processor P8400 ( 2.26GHz 1GHz 3MB ) 1
Operating system: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium 64 1
Display type: 17.0 WXGA+ TFT with integrated camera LCD Glossy 1440x900 1
System graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 512MB 1
Total memory: 3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz 1
Hard drive: 320GB 5400 1
Optical device: DVD Recordable (Dual Layer) 24X Max 1
Bluetooth: Bluetooth Version 2.0 + EDR 1
Communication adapter: Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 5100 1
Pointing device: Industry Standard Touchpad 1
Weight: 8.05 lbs 1
Battery: 6 Cell Lithium-Ion 1
Warranty: One year parts and labor (system battery: one year) 1


2. HP Pavilion also ~$1,300

HP Pavilion dv7-1020us NoteBook
Intel Core 2 Duo P7350(2.00GHz)
17.0" Wide XGA+
4GB Memory 320GB HDD 5400rpm
Blu-ray Disc / Super Multi
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - Retail

The thinkpad gets my vote.

I recently purchased an HP a few months ago when they do the "$400 off laptops over $1200" that I've been quite happy with.

I usually just troll Slick Deals until they run a nice deal. I'd also reconsider a 17" screen unless you're not going to move it around that often (17" kind of defeats the purpose of a laptop's mobility). From my experiences, 15.4 is plenty for a lappie.

Also, consider an extra battery if the price is right for reduncy as they can be a PITA/expensive to find in the future. It's also handy if you travel a bit since you'll always have a backup handy.

Between the two you've posted, I'd go with the HP (biased) mainly because the P7350 tends to be a little better on battery life. You'll only see the benefits from the p8400 if you're going to be doing a lot of video editing/rendering, etc.

My 2 cents.

How big of a difference is the RAM going to be? 3g vs 4g?

I'm not super worried about the screen size as it's mainly going to be a mobile gaming platform for home and not really a travel laptop that I take down to Starbucks everyday to look pseudo-important.

I personally went ahead and maxed out RAM on mine as some laptops can be a doozie to upgrade (some modules can be under the keyboard).

Some will also argue that you can get the lowest amount of RAM offered from the manufacturer and then buy more online...but really, unless you're pinching pennies, I'd just get the max amount (4GB).

3g vs 4g of RAM shouldn't be noticeable unless you want to 2-box a game like WOW or multi-task with CPU intensive apps.

Or if you buy Warhammer. I initially said the thinkpad because of the better proc, vid card and not having a bluray player. Tbone's right about the screen n stuff. If you are getting it mainly as a puter on the go the smaller screen and tamer CPU will make battery life and portability better.

If you are set on one of those two though its not really a definitive choice either way because they are very close overall. If you are getting them at a store it might just come down to which one you like using more, the design, keys etc. Like PB said, lest ye be rendering 3dsmax while playing wow and alt+tabbing porn, either one will be able to do the job without breaking a sweat.

I'm not necessarily set on those two they just seemed to be the two that I found that were around my price point and had similiar features. My buddy was trying to convince me to get the IBM, but I'm leaning towards the HP. One of biggest draws to the HP is it's big enough to have an actual number keypad which I found desirable.

So its going to be more of a couch computer than an on-the-go type thing?

Exactly a couch computer, I want the mobility move around and get comfortable while gaming without building the leaning tower of pizza boxes like TR.