lenovo IdeaPad Y580 (20994CU) Notebook Intel Core i7 3610QM(2.30GHz) 15.6" 6GB Memory DDR3 1600 750GB HDD 5400rpm DVD±R/RW NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M

Pros: Stable fast platform with excellent architecture for the price point. I purchased this computer to work with VMWare Workstation 9. It is exceptionally fast. I can run full OS installations of many popular desktop, mobile, and server platforms while performing vulnerability tests. I also play recent gaming titles and have never had a skip or lag in performance.

My Considerations for the Purchase:
1) Price - under $1,000.00 (came in at 899.99 after instant rebate)
2) CPU - Performance and Virtualization. I was targeting Core i7 Quad-Core only.
3) Discrete GPU - The computer has excellent handover and application level control to transition between the integrated graphics and discrete graphics card.

This system exceeded my expectations, even with the impressive stats.

Cons: The memory configuration is irregular at 6 GB (1 x 2 GB and 1 X 4 GB), which could be better if both sticks of the installed DDR3 1600 Mhz RAM were identical. Also, the HDD could be a little better, but for the cost of the base unit, not bad.

Other Thoughts: If you're looking of an inexpensive performance and reliable system that has good driver support and settings control, then this is the platform for you.

Pros: Boots fast, the graphics card is very impressive and this computer can handle some current gen games. Not at the highest specs but pretty good when you factor in the price point.

Cons: Have had some issues with the lenovo boot optimizer rebooting my machine unless I turn it off. I have owned the machine 2 months now and no other issues outside of that.

Also I love the finish of the laptop but I decided to get a wireless keyboard and mouse combo so I can keep the finish from getting worn and greasy over time... I have noticed some wear already where my hands rest.

Pros: .

Cons: Had to RMA and still waiting on the $100 rebate from the original purchase

Pros: Soild CPU and GPU.
Awesome light up keyboard. Did not expect it.
Amazing price.

Cons: The battery could be a little better, but it's a gaming laptop I don't expect it to last more then 2 hours tops.

Other Thoughts: I am having a bit of software issues with too many Windows updates being installed at once.

Pros: nice package for decent price

Cons: had a driver related issue a week into the purchase. when booting up Windows would not load my LAN driver or wireless network driver as well as one USB driver. i fix the issue by disabling and enabling it but it is annoying and I believe it is causing issues with my DNS.

Pros: Corei'7
Gtx660m
900 bucks!
Battery is good not great,but that is just because its a powerful laptop.

Cons: When playing bf3, gta4 it heats up quickly ,so you should probably get a cooling pad.
.

Other Thoughts: All the games runs fine on high but if you can, buy the other y580 model that has ssd.

Pros: I did a rediculous amount of research before making the purchase and at the time of the writing on this review this is probably the best value gaming laptop on the market. I'm don't mean value in terms of just being cheap, but you are able to get the higher end perforance for the lowest available price.

**GREAT PRICE
Has everything you could want in a Laptop
Sharp looking
Fantastic Sound, even beyond laptop standards.

I haven't really dug that deep into it yet, however I think it might even have a built in TV tuner for you Media ppl.

By the numbers this has everything, if you're like me wanting to save a buck without sacrificing features then this is the laptop for you. It is basically normally laptop size. I have a PC at home that is huge, I want more portability. The laptop itself is average in my opinion, however its noticably quite heavy.

Only reccomended for tech savvy ppl, because it may be prone to issues.

Cons: -Runs hot. Would definitely want a cooler for any long term gaming session. It has the dual video so for regular stuff the performance is fine.

-Decent possibility you could get a lemon and need to return it.

- Tons of Bloatware

-Not a fan of boot optimizer (lenovo software). Booting from a regular drive it takes maybe 0:45-1:30 to boot normally, boot optimizer may or may not shave 15 seconds of that in my testing, and was inconsistant. I feel like it's just another Bloat slowing my boot.

-mSata is only Sata II. Still lightning fast with my Mushkin 128 msata SSD which is Sata III capable, but whatever. No screw provided and hard to find. I got one from a local computer shop free from a tech. Screw size is M2x3mm buy one online for $5.

**up until about 2 weeks ago there was no official NVIDIA driver for the video, only a Beta. This is no longer the case, and the driver has been working fine for me.

Other Thoughts: This laptop is a steal for the money in my opinion. An Alienware with the same specs I'm guessing is like $2-3k. This is a very diversely reviewed laptop. There have been issues (alot related to a fixed video issue). My first one was a total lemon. First crash in the first 10 minutes. I think it had hardware AND software issues. Definite crashing from overheating, and related to the previous mentioned video driver now fixed.
For an online seller, the RMA process was easy; couple days there, few days back and had my replacement.

Replacement runs perfect. Less heat, smooth running. RAM max is stated 8 GB however after some research I installed 16 GB with no issue.

First thing I did was boot to Windows 8 beta DVD, and load that OS to my SSD. Formatted other hard drive and downloaded latest drivers from Lenovo site. Might have to do some Google searching. Intel has special drivers for Win 8, everything else worked fine, and SWtor runs flawless at Max settings.

Pros: nice while it works

Cons: it stopped charging with less than 20 days of use.

Pros: Plays wow on ultra settings at 60+FPS

Cons: none at this time

Other Thoughts: faster HDD couldnt hurt

Pros: N/a

Cons: Warranty

Other Thoughts: Newegg shipped me a computer with no CPU and said that that voids the warranty after I sent it to be replaced. They sent it back to me me pretty much saying too bad. I don't recommend buying from newegg for anything important.