I finally selected my next laptop after almost a week of researching and checking out different options, learning about new technologies (which still is a bit confusing) I have finally picked the one I want. (doesn't hurt the fact that if I hate it I can send it back within 15 days)
MSI GX660R
http://www.xoticpc.com/gx660r060us-gaming-laptop-p-2864.html
2 Part Video Review on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9PNcShLNqo&feature=channel
There are a few others but tough to find, this one pretty much covers everything. I'm not too crazy about the lights but everything else is fine. Screen is apparently not the best but, I'm already use to having to look at a screen directly so its not a deal breaker for me.
MSI GX660R-060US - Gaming Laptop
- 15.6†FHD 16:9 LED Backlit Wide screen (1920x1080) Super Clear Glare Type Screen
- - Intel® Core™ i7-740QM, 1.73-2.93GHz, (45nm, 6MB L3 cache) - Standard
- ATI Mobility Radeonâ„¢ HD5870 1024MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11
- - 6,144MB (6GB) DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (2GBx3)
- - 4X Blu-Ray Reader / 8X DVDRW/CDRW Super Multi Combo Drive - Standard
- - 320GB 7200RPM WD or Seagate (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s) - Standard
- - 320GB 7200RPM WD or Seagate (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s) - Standard
- Internal 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Built-in 802.11 Wireless B/G/N - Stock Wireless Card (this is a Intel 5100 according to the video)
- Integrated Digital Video Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (9-Cell)
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Pre-Installed + Drivers & Utilities Disk
- 2 Year MSI US Parts & Labor 1 Year Global Warranty w/ Lifetime Tech Support
- 1 Year of Accidental Damage Protection
$1599.99
2 upgrades I am considering
80GB Intel G2 X25-M Solid State Drive (SSD Serial-ATA II) ( + 273 )
Intel® Advanced-N 6200 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module ( + 35 )
More than I planned on spending for sure but It should be more then enough to play FFXIV comfortably and everything else I need from a computer for years to come. The Audio setup is what really attracted me to this computer + it will fit in my backpack even if heavy.
So my questions for you techno gurus are these.
The standard twin 320GB 7200rpm 16mb cache in Raid 0 vs. getting a 80GB SSD and leaving the other 320GB for storage. The loss in storage does not bother me at all as I will probably never fill up 1 - 320GB anyway but the price is a big jump. As I understand it this is the fastest top of the line way to go, but is the performance worth it?
Also as a side note, I'm not worried about losing my information in RAID 0 as I back all my music and important stuff on a external HD.
2nd the Intel 5100 vs 6200 on the wireless. They both have 2 antennas and both say support 300mbps so I'm not sure what to think on here. Intel's site did not give me much info other than stats.
Thanks again for all the help guys/and or ladies.