I’m looking at purchasing either a Alienware M17x R3, XPS 17 or ASUS G73SW-A1. I’ve been able to find basically the same configuration for each and close in price. I’m wondering about items you can’t see or know about from the specs like the following:

Heating issues
Bad designs
Durability of case
Keyboard feel.

These are items that you could tell if you could see one in a store or a friend had. I have chosen these systems and not a system from Sager, cyberpowerpc, etc because I have the option 12 to 18 month interest free financing.

Any insight or opinions would be appreciated.

I would go with the first laptop for the sole reason that a Core i5 running circles around a Phenom X3 on a laptop. Intel has launched a new type of processor that will better graphics and CPU performance if you are willing to wait. The thing you say is wrong with a laptop is that you should not even bother to play with graphics on Intel xxx Corei5, although two laptop graphics is not much better.

Hey Rob, we're glad you're helping others but could you please remove that link in your sig? We don't allow sig spam/advertisements here.

sms: What are you going to use your laptop for? Budget?

If they are all about the same options wise, like I say to my customer, take the one your eyes are the most confortable with, after all they are the one who will be the first one to let you know. Good luck.

I'd like to go with this Lenovo IdeaPad Intel Core i7-720QM Quad-Core 15.6" Laptop, 4GB/500GB/Win 7/Webcam (http://www.dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?type=id&q=d248466&ru=28905521)$809.00. Looks cool stuff. It might meet your needs well. Hope u find the best bet.