$900 is the very most I can spend. I don't care what it looks like, and I don't mind if it's not new, so keeping an eye out on Craigslist or getting a refurbished laptop is not out of the question.
Also, specific hardware tips that I should look for in my laptop research would be a huge help too!
:) Thank you!
Lenovo has a Y510p with the specifications you need listed at $899 on sale at Lenovo.com plus tax.
Y510p Laptop - 59405673 - Dusk Black: Weekly Deal
You may be able to get an email signup discount,
$20 discount through a student portal
http://shop.lenovo.com/.../students/
10% cashback bonus Discovercard shopping
possible web coupons http://www.retailmenot.com/view/lenovo.com?c=5877207
The model gets you:
4th Generation Intel Core i7-4700MQ Processor (2.40GHz 1600MHz 6MB)
benchmark 7930 http://www.cpubenchmark.net/...u_list.php
Operating System Windows 8.1 64
15.6" FHD LED Glossy (1920x1080)
NVIDIA GeForce GT755M GDDR5 2GB
benchmark 1684 http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu_list.php
8.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3L SDRAM 1600 MHz
1TB Hybrid 5400 RPM + 8GB SSHD hdd accelerator
DVD Recordable (Dual Layer)
Intel 7260 b/g/n Wireless (2x2 BGN)
Bluetooth Version 4.0
One year warranty
6 Cell 72 Watt Hour Lithium-Ion battery - removeable
Possible touchpad issues occasionally reported - use a mouse or have it repaired
$850 for an MSI drops to i5-4200M GT 840M as 48% drop in cpu power and 13% drop in graphics power
http://www.newegg.com/...6834152570
Sales tax collected in CA, NJ, TN
same unit at bhphoto in new york city so you should get around sales tax upfront
best buy shows it at plus tax
$872 in a 17.3 model
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...black.html
$859, a 17.3" Lenovo Z710. Has the same i7, but GeForce GT 745M 18% drop in graphics power
http://www.newegg.com/...6834313743
$899 a Y510p SLI version, but i5-4200M
http://www.newegg.com/...6834313739
Great for gaming, but graphics design could have issues with the i5
The graphics is GT 755M SLI where the DVDRW is replaced with a 2nd GPU
The graphics is 47% above the 1st one shown.
There's only 6GB ram.
I do not recommend getting a refurb without a 1 year warranty.
I only considered 1920x1080 resolution for a graphics designer.
Get a Macintosh!
They are the best at everything! (gamers can run windows on a mac if they require it, but most don't)
You can get refurbished ones that come with the same warranties and guarantees as any brand new ones.
http://store.apple.com/...ldeals/mac
If you're not from Australia, just go on the site above and change the country which you can do at the bottom of the web page (i'm referring to the one mentioned above).
You can get a MacBook air for AUD$ 979.00
http://store.apple.com/...el-core-i5
You may even find a better price somewhere, just scroll around.
Apple even have special financing to make it more affordable and easier to purchase.
You can look at the specs and compare the macs here:
http://store.apple.com/...ac/compare
You can also choose other computers or look at reviews from another source:
http://www.cnet.com/...w.cnet.com