Help me decide between these three laptop configs...

<p>1) Intel i5-2410 dual core (2.3 GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) + 1920x1080 Anti-Glare (matte) screen.</p>

<p>2) Intel i7-2630 Quad core (2.0GHZ to 2.9GHZ with Turbo, 6MB L3 Cache) + 1366x768 Glossy screen..</p>

<p>3)AMD A8-3530MX Quad Core (2.6GHz/1.9GHz, 4MB L2 Cache) + 1920x1080 Anti-glare (matte) screen.</p>

<p>All three are essentially the same price. They come with 6GB ram, 500-640GB 7200rpm HDD, Blu-ray, a Radeon 6770m graphics card, and Windows 7.</p>

<p>I'm a casual gamer. Would like to play Starcraft 2, Bioshock 2, Skyrim, and similar games on the laptop. Watch some movies and surf the web as well. I will also be an ECE major with concentration in software at Carnegie Mellon in the fall, so I'd like it to last me all four years (and then some maybe? lol).</p>

<p>Any suggestions would be nice. The rational behind your suggestions will be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>If you are wondering, these are variations of the dv6 series from HP.</p>

<p>I just wow when I said “6 GB” of rams. Who needs 6 GB rams anyway. More isn’t necessary. If you can get something lower with 3, 4GB, just stick with 3, 4GBs. 2GB is enough for playing two games and watching HD DvD. Your CPU is more important in that case.</p>

<p>–</p>

<h1>6770M is enough and shouldn’t have a big problem. i5 is enough. i7 is not necessary. Just pick the one you really like. If I can save money I would rather to use the saved money for good warranty. If it only comes with 1 year, extend it to 3 years.</h1>

<p>This is not a PC forum, just saying.</p>

<p>The extra 2 gigs of ram are free.</p>

<p>Any suggestion on the screen?</p>

<hr>

<p>I know it isn’t a PC forum. =o I would just like the opinion of the people who frequent this board.</p>

<p>Definitely 2…</p>

<p>But only if you like draining batteries…</p>

<p>How much does each cost ?</p>

<p>I wouldn’t worry about battery as most people would carry the charger with them anyway.</p>

<p>Yeah it’s staying plugged in most of the time. All three are a little over 800 before taxes.</p>

<p>Choice 2 for sure. I personally don’t like AMD processors, plus the i7 is obviously better than the i5; stick with Intel.</p>

<p>People keep telling me to not skip out on the resolution upgrade/matte, and I’m not spending anymore money just to get the i7 and the 1080p screen. There lies my real indecision.</p>

<p>Such a high resolution seems like an eyesore though on a 15inch screen. And I will probably be using this laptop rarely outside. Only added benefit I see is improved looks in games when run on 1080p, but I doubt that the 6770 can handle many games at high settings at 1080p, and I doubt that outweighs getting an i7 quad.</p>

<p>And the AMD is intriguing because it comes with the Fusion, which would boost the GPU significantly. However, I’m not sure where it holds up compared to the intel processor line.</p>

<p>EDIT: And umm, what’s with the tags? I didn’t put that there, and I can’t delete it.</p>

<p>Forget the resolution upgrade. Go for the i7.</p>

<p>I would go with #1. You don’t need the quad and the low resolution really sucks. I bought a new laptop recently and it’s pretty much #2, i7 quad with the lower resolution, also 15". I wish I had gone with the i5 and the higher resolution instead. I’m also a casual gamer and in ECE by the way.</p>

<p>Take this with a grain of salt though because I’ve never actually owned an i5 or a 15" with the 1080p resolution.</p>

<p>Please for the love of god do not go for 2. I am guessing that you are purchasing a DV6T Quad Edition or other flavors of the Dv6T, no? In that case, please please GET THE RESOLUTION UPGRADE. The screen on the higher resolution upgrade is much better in terms of viewing angles, colors, etc. The i5 is more than enough for most people, everyone seriously overstates the power of the i7. Yes, if you can pay for it, get it, but otherwise the i5 is good enough. The AMD is a nice alternative, but if you are planning on gaming, I would go for the 6770m.</p>