Deciding on laptops (for my bro and I) for college.

[Darknecron]

We have until fall term before we start classes at OSU, so I will be watching laptop prices for a while. We will not be staying in dorms. I am trying to keep the price at around $1100 per laptop.
These laptops will be used for gaming, CAD, running simulations, and everyday browsing.

These are the, options I am seeing ATM:

MSI GE70 Apache Pro-012 - $1300
SPECS:
17.3" Screen
Intel Core i7-4700HQ 3.2 GHz
12 GB DDR3
1TB 7200 HDD
NVIDIA Geforce GTX860M 2GB
PROS:
2-year warranty
Nice backlit keyboard
Weighs only 6 pounds
CONS:
Expensive....would wait for it to be on sale for <$1200

Custom-built CyberPower - $1070
SPECS:
17.3" Screen
Intel Core i7-4810MQ 2.8 GHz
8 GB DDR3
1TB 7200 HDD
NVIDIA Geforce GTX860M 2GB
PROS:
Slightly better processor
Not overkill on memory
Cheap (relatively speaking)
CONS:
Unknown weight...looks a bit heavier.
Only 1-year warranty
Not sure about customer support

Custom-built Sager - $1270
SPECS:
17" Screen
Intel Core i7-4810MQ 2.8 GHz
8 GB DDR3
1TB 7200 HDD
NVIDIA Geforce GTX860M 2GB
PROS:
Upgraded thermal compound
2-year warranty
Slightly better processor
Not overkill on memory
CONS:
Expensive

Any comments / suggestions?

 

[ATMINSIDE]

What's the usage going to be? Gaming, CAD, programming, internet?

 

[Darknecron]

What's the usage going to be? Gaming, CAD, programming, internet?

Usage description added.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

I'm not sure why you're listing 8.1 as a con. It's faster, will be supported longer, and will get DX12 (Win7 will be stuck on DX11).
Win7 should be in the con position, not 8.1.

Honestly the only problem (to me) with the MSI is the manufacturer.

Don't forget about Dell, they have some great machines
Have you looked at Sager?

 

[Darknecron]

The Windows 8 thing is just a personal preference, but will not be a deciding factor in my purchase, thus I have removed it from the pro / con list.

What are the problems with MSI's manufacturer?

I also notice that Sager only has a 1-year default warranty.
EDIT: Once configured as the MSI I listed above, the Sager is actually $50 cheaper, even with the 2 year warranty and upgraded thermal compound.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

I see a lot of issues on the forums of issues with random failures on MSI desktop boards.
Makes me leery of anything MSI branded.

Most laptops only have a 1 year warranty unless an extended warranty is purchased.

 

[hajalie24]

If you're not in a tiny dorm why do you need such an expensive laptop? IMO get a sub $500 laptop that will actually give you decent battery life, and use your desktop for everything else.

 

[Darknecron]

If you're not in a tiny dorm why do you need such an expensive laptop? IMO get a sub $500 laptop that will actually give you decent battery life, and use your desktop for everything else.

I may. My bro will need a decent one, so I will still be purchasing one of the discussed laptops for him.


The question now is:
Sager vs MSI

 

[pcgamer4life]

IMO, a laptop with a 17" screen is a hassle. I had one my freshman year of college and didn't care for it at all. They're too large and heavy to cart around with any sort of convenience.

Personally, I'd get a cheap laptop for class, and build a desktop for gaming. You'll still come in around the $1,100 - $1,300 range, and be much better off.

 

[Adragontattoo]

If you mandate a laptop, look at Dell and check their refurbs. Actually I would check there regardless. If/when I decide to replace this DV7, or my m6400 I will probably look for another 17" "base" model and upgrade it.

Be sure to look at the Warranty options as it USED to be that they offered one that basically covered everything including you giving it a beer bath.


Instead of paying an extra few hundred bucks initially, I upgraded using the service manual. The M6400 is maxed out except for the GPU (it has one better GPU available) but otherwise it is maxed out with a C2Q, 16gb, and 2 HDD. The DV7 only needed a 2nd HDD.

 

[Badbonji]

I see a lot of issues on the forums of issues with random failures on MSI desktop boards.
Makes me leery of anything MSI branded.

Most laptops only have a 1 year warranty unless an extended warranty is purchased.

I owned the MSI GT725 gaming laptop, came with a 3 year warranty as standard and when I had a problem around 2.5 years into its life they picked it up from my house in the same week I reported it (although I am in the UK). My personal experience has been pretty good. Have since been given a MacBook Pro for free from my uni so I'm using that for portability and battery life for my PhD - I definitely found 17" a bit on the large side during my undergraduate.

 

[NiHaoMike]

IMO, a laptop with a 17" screen is a hassle. I had one my freshman year of college and didn't care for it at all. They're too large and heavy to cart around with any sort of convenience.

Personally, I'd get a cheap laptop for class, and build a desktop for gaming. You'll still come in around the $1,100 - $1,300 range, and be much better off.

I used a 17" laptop in college and I rarely had problems finding a place to put it.