Titan_X

Ah, I was mistaking the notebook i5 for the desktop i5. Notebook i5 is more like the desktop i3.

Great, will consider the i5. Don't really need the hyperthreading for what I do. I am leaning towards the y510p, so feel free to share the info on the heat limiting. Thanks for the suggestions. I do like the looks of the y50. I'll wait to see what folks say about it after it comes out.

True, but I'm looking for performance and reliability. The y510p is getting mixed reviews because it just can't handle the heat. It's a fantastic laptop; I loved the one I had, but I don't want to have to be bothered with warranty replacements from overheating. Either way, I'm not looking to play BF4, just StarCraft II mainly. At this point, I'm between trying another Lenovo Ideapad y510p (59388313 or 59406636) or the MSI GT60 2OC-022US.

Just checked the MSI web site and confirmed this is indeed the case: http://service.msicomputer.com/msi_user/TechFAQdetail.aspx?formid=3070 "You are allowed to upgrade the internal components of your system without voiding your warranty as long as no damages are inflicted during the upgrade process." MSI GT60 2OC-022US is on my short list. Thanks, aselwyn1!

Also, looking at photos I see the warranty void sticker on the bottom of the laptop. Is that blocking any screws that would prevent me from installing an SSD without voiding the warranty? I'm assuming you're using the GT60 2OC: http://www.msimobile.com/level3_productpage.aspx?id=402

It sure looks like a beast. Price and specs are in the ballpark. The two year warranty is a definite plus. I'll look into this one. Thanks! It sure seems to be a common issue with the Lenovo Ideapad y series. Otherwise, I've used Lenovo laptops at work to great success; I've bought close to 100 Lenovo ThinkPads without a single factory defect. What games have you played on the MSI GT60, and how were the temps?

I was thinking of doing that, but I couldn't find a USA retailer that carried the DEMCifilter set for the Carbide Air 540. I also get a bit nervous when purchasing internationally. http://www.demcifilter.com/p0431/Corsair-Air-540-Dust-Filter-Kit.aspx http://xsearch.xoxide.com/?keywords=demciflex&vwcatalog=yhst-39083765508394&x=27&y=11

The first y510p I'm sure could have been fixed by replacing the ultrabay GPU, but Lenovo wouldn't send me a replacement and told me to return the entire laptop to the retailer. The second y510p could possibly have been remedied if I replaced the TIM and the springs that hold down the heatsink; I found it's a common issue with the y510p that the heat transfer system was poorly engineered and Lenovo either put too much TIM on, or in some cases none at all. http://forum.notebookreview.com/ideapad-essential/734442-y500-y510p-spring-mod-spacer-guide.html EIther way, I'm certainly not trying the latter while the laptop is still under warranty and within return period. I always install a fresh copy of Windows when I buy a new computer; I'd rather spend the same time installing the OS and drivers rather than trying to clean up every last bit of crapware the manufacturers put on it. I'm just AR that way. I'm certainly open to considering Dell. The deal Probenja posted looks pretty good, but I'm still weighing my options.

I play a lot of games, but I have a desktop to play my more graphics intensive games. I'm mainly looking for something to play StarCraft II and Civ V when away from home.

Sorry for the blurry cell phone pics, but here's my current Air 540 build: https://www.dropbox.com/photos/album/HS4tjtar7kOdfi1

+1 for the Carbide Air 540. Very roomy and very quiet. Only complaint I have would be the lack of a dust filter on the bottom.

I'm not as much of a brand loyalist as I used to be. I still like to buy most of my components from the same brand since I prefer to have matching parts and peripherals. I used to swear by Logitech keyboards, but their lack of a basic mechanical keyboard without macro keys that I never use had me looking elsewhere with my new build.

I do like the specs on the Sony VAIO Flip 15; in fact I wouldn't mind the tablet form factor. My only reluctance comes form the fact Sony is discontinuing the VAIO line, and the availability of warranty and support because of it.

Hello, all. Long time lurker, first time poster. I've been looking for a new laptop for a few months now. In fact, I've bought three laptops recently, and believe me when I say I've had the worst run of luck: The first laptop that caught my eye was the Lenovo y510p. Core i7 4770MQ, 2x GeForce GT750M in SLI, 16GB RAM. It fit the bill just fine and worked perfect for the first two months, then the second/ultrabay GPU failed. Very strange, since I monitored the temps pretty closely and the hottest they got was in the 80-85ºC range. I sent the first laptop back to the retailer. Thinking it was just a fluke, I exchanged the laptop for another Lenovo y510p. Worked just fine, but when playing a game, even Minecraft, the GPU1 temp would shoot up to 98ºC and throttle in a matter of 10-15 seconds. Even playing a 1080p movie would raise the GPU1 temp to around 66ºC. I tried a gaming laptop cooler and it didn't help. I sent the second Lenovo back for a refund, and picked up the ASUS N56JR-EH71. Core i7 4770HQ, GeForce GTX760M, 12GB RAM. Out of the box it failed to load the GTX760M drivers. Called ASUS and confirmed it was indeed a failed GPU. So now that I've sent the ASUS back for a refund, being the third laptop I've returned in the last two months, I'm a bit disheartened and unsure what to try next. I'm considering trying a different model of the Lenovo y510p as I loved the first laptop I bought; I'm looking at the 8GB version with 2x GeForce GT750M. I'm also considering the new version of the 16GB Lenovo y510p with 2x GeForce GT755M, but as it just came out I want to wait to see some feedback on this model. Regardless, I'm open to suggestions. Specs I'm looking for: Core i5/i7 Haswell At least 8GB RAM Discrete GPU HDD doesn't matter - I have a 500GB SSD ready to pop in 15.6" 1080p screen HDMI port At least 2 USB 3.0 ports ODD optional Good built-in speakers Reputable brand; I tend to avoid Acer, Gateway, etc. Under $1,300 USD I want to be able to play StarCraft II and Civ V on it. Not looking to play Crysis 3 or Metro Last Light. Any thoughts or suggestions are certainly appreciated. Thanks in advance. tl;dr - I want a 15.6" laptop I can take to LANs and play StarCraft II and watch movies.