New Gaming Laptop

[StealthArsenal]

Hello all,
I am looking to purchase a new laptop to replace my now aging Lenovo Ideapad Y550. I do not do a large amount of gaming on my laptop as I have my desktop for that, but I find myself traveling overseas more and more for work. With that said, I am looking for something a bit more adequate to replace my current laptop.

Here are its specificaitons:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo - 2.13 GHz - Processor - P7450
Memory: 4gb DDR3-1066
Harddrive - 300gb
Display - 15.6" HD LED Backlight display
Video - Nvidia Geforce Gt240 - 1GB GDDR
Internet Connectivity: 10/100/1000 ethernet and Wireless 802.11n (Intel WiFi Link 5100)
Operating System - Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
Connections: VGA output, HDMI output, 2x USB, 1x USB/eSATA combo, headphone, mic, ethernet, 6 in 1 SD card reader (Memory Stick, , Memory Stick Pro, Multi Media Card, SecureDigital Pro, Secure Digital)
Built in 1.3 MP webcam
DVDRW Optical Drive

I had extended the laptops life by adding an SSD, but I am now having issues with most modern games. Playing on low settings just isn't working for me any longer. Now with that in mind I am looking a couple of machines. I will be putting a 90gb ssd into any machine I buy as well.

Machines:

1. Lenovo - Y510P - $899.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8748445&CatId=3982

2. Toshiba Qosmio - X70 (There is not direct link so I will post the specifications of the unit as I customized) Core i5-4200m, 8gb Ram, Nvidia GTX 770M 3gb, 750gb 5400rpm spin drive - 999.99

3. MSI GE60 - 999.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152406

I know in the desktop environment, the difference between an i5 and i7 for gaming is virtually no existent. Does this hold true for the laptop versions as well? In other words, would I see enough of a performance increase to justify going to the i7? Keep in mind, battery life isn't really important to me. The Qosmio is a bigger laptop overall which isn't an issue, but again allows me customization. I think it also has an additional harddrive bay where I could slap my ssd into and not use an external.

ANy thoughts about those machines versus others that might be on the market? I would like to keep the budget around 1100 at most as I don't travel enough to justify one more expensive than that.

Thanks
Chris

[Hashiyan]

Lenovo, you may have to deal with SLI issues it has better frames then the MSI laptop. I do not see the 765m doing well in anything so yea. LENOVO!

[F0xX]

it may be a bit old but still viable

[lani100]

Go with the Lenovo the build quality of the MSI is horrible and Toshiba isn't that good of a brand imo

[MeesterJackson]

Get the Lenovo 510. It's great. Just make sure you pick the right one you want. One has an i5 and 6GBs of ram, another has an i7 for not much more money and 8GB of ram. Their products are cheaper on their site.

[StealthArsenal]

I was leaning heavily on the Lenovo myself.  I took a look on Lenovo's website and the sli version of the notebook over there is $1199.  Albeit it has an i7, but that seems like a pretty substantial price hike from an i5 to i7.  Does anyone potentially have a link to another Y510p that I am not seeing?

 

What are the thoughts on the 765m?  I am wondering if a single GPU would help with any microstuttering that the sli might incurr. 

 

Thanks

 

Chris