<p>I've been looking around for a powerful yet cheap laptop for college, and I came across this one after doing a lot of searching.</p>
<p>I'm an architecture major, so i'll be requiring good processing power and a decent gpu for 3D (...and gaming, haha).
I also use Photoshop a lot and do a lot of image editing and graphic/website design.
I'm aiming to have a laptop for under $1100.</p>
<p>The specs of this build: Intel® Core i5 520M 2.4GHz (with Turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M GPU 512 MB (14" screen w/ 1600x900 resolution)
4 GB DDR3 RAM (3MB cache)
500 GB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
Blu-Ray Optical Drive
6-cell lithium-ion battery (probably only going to get like 3 hrs max... but i don't think that's a concern.)
<5.5 lb weight</p>
<p>Total Price: $979.99 ($1,083.28 after taxes and shipping)</p>
<p>That’s not a bad find, actually. I’d gripe about the weight and lack of battery life, but because you said the two aren’t issues for you, I’d pull the trigger.</p>
<p>I’d downgrade the Blu-Ray as well, esp with a screen only capable of 1600x900, but like you said, it’s non-configurable.</p>
<p>and my dad said to wait until closer to the beginning of the school year to buy, so i guess i’ll keep an eye out for a better deal in the meantime. :)</p>
<p>If that doesnt work, go to the best buy website, search for laptops, filter for sony, 4gb ram, $600-$899 range, and online only. it’ll be the last one on the list</p>