Lenovo IdeaPad Z580 Laptop?

The biggest issue with the IdeaPad Z580 is that it comes with a 15.6" 1366x768 display. 1366x768 resolution in a 15.6" display makes things onscreen large, and 15.6" displays that have 1366x768 resolution tend to be low-grade LCD panels with very poor image quality due to low contrast.

This issue is less significant for the cheaper models because you're pretty much limited to that type of display in that price range, but you should not be looking at the $699 Core i7 model. It should not be a priority for you to get a laptop that has a Core i7 processor. If you're looking for game performance, game performance tends to be bottlenecked by the GPU before it is bottlenecked by the GPU. If you're just a basic user, it will make absolutely no difference what type of processor you have. If you're looking at spending $699, you should be spending it on features other than the processor.

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The Lenovo Thinkpad T530 is of more worthy consideration. Its offered 15.6" 1600x900 display has significantly better image quality than the Z580's 15.6" 1366x768 display and also allows you to fit a bit more onscreen at a time. It has better build quality as well due to its magnesium rollcage chassis design.

**Lenovo Thinkpad T530** (with the 15.6" 1600x900 display) through the Barnes and Noble Gold discount
- Sign up and sign in here: http://shoplenovo.i2.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/na/StdAffinityPortal/en_US/Lenovo:EnterStdAffinity?affinity=barnesnoblegold
- Barnes and Noble Gold discount T530 link: http://shoplenovo.i2.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/barnesnoblegold/StdAffinityPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087¤t-category-id=DC8F3B79220E3BCF3B7C12AAA11F7BFB&action=init (you will need to create a free Barnes and Noble Gold account)
- Start with the cheapest base configuration.
- On the configuration page, upgrade the "Display type" to at least HD+ (1600x900). You should not buy the Lenovo Thinkpad T530 in any configuration that includes the default HD (1366x768) display. 1366x768 resolution in a 15.6" display makes things onscreen large, and 15.6" displays that have 1366x768 resolution tend to have very poor image quality due to low contrast. But the upgraded 15.6" 1600x900 and 15.6" 1920x1080 displays have great contrast, and also allow you to fit more onscreen. The availability of the upgraded displays upgrade is part of my reasoning for recommending this computer.
- Recommended: Get the free Wi-Fi adapter upgrade to the "Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200", because some have reported issues with the stock "Thinkpad 1x1 b/g/n" adapter.
- Note: The Core i5-3210M from the Core i3-2370M isn't a bad upgrade choice. It may also help with battery life since it's IvyBridge instead of SandyBridge.
- Upgrading to the NVS 5400M dedicated GPU will help with moderate gaming. It isn't the greatest GPU, but it's a good step up from integrated graphics.
- Does not come with a Webcam by default. If you want one, you need to select the upgrade.
- In the cart, click the green "Activate eCoupon" button to get your discount.

Not the best idea, but good enough. Sometimes it will lag, but don't expect it to run games or programs like video editing or 3D modeling. Those programs need desktops with a lot a capacity.

I3 low i5 medium i7 over kill, 4gb memory is average 8gb is great thats about the 2 main things that matter in a laptop