Pros: Let me start by saying that I'm a filthy casual when it comes to gaming, and my tech knowledge isn't astounding. I basically know what specs to look for and how to update drivers, and some other various small things. About average knowledge when it comes to that sort of thing. Now that that's out of the way, I love this laptop. I use it daily for several hours to play games and generally browse the internet. -It's fast. -Plays games like Witcher 2, Dishonored, and similar on high graphics. -The speakers are fantastic for a laptop. -Backlit keyboard is a definite plus. Now, let me address some issues people have been having in the reviews: -The touchpad: it really isn't that bad. I found it intuitive, and while a bit of a pain, it really isn't a deal breaker. If you're using this for gaming, it's pretty silly to use the touchpad, find yourself a nice wireless mouse. But I do use the touchpad for browsing the internet. -The keyboard: Obviously, it's going to be quite small compared to a regular keyboard. And while the shift and backspace keys on the right are absolutely tiny, nearing the size of regular keys, I took to it rather quickly. It doesn't "mush" to me and I don't have to press down hard, like other reviewers claim to. -The battery melts away while gaming: that is a given. You can't expect to play an intensive game unplugged. -The heat: Any time you game, you're going to need a cooling pad. It's the same with all laptops, honestly. They get hot, and if they aren't cooled properly, or don't have a good cooling pad, you're going to fry it. -The ventilation: Someone complained about this in the reviews, and I'm not really sure why. It has the standard vent on the left, and another on the right where the second graphics card is. It also has a large vent on the bottom going nearly side to side in the back. I've have zero issues with it getting hot so far.

Cons: -Charger is literally brick sized. -The screen has a bit of a blue glow that gave me an awful headache/eye strain. I downloaded f.lux, though, and that fixed the problem for me. -The edges are a bit sharp while typing, but it isn't a deal breaker for me. -There's a learning curve to the touchpad. -It definitely IS an oil/fingerprint magnet.

Overall Review: Overall, if you're just an average Joe that enjoys gaming, but aren't over the top crazy about it, this laptop will definitely suit you. It's the best price for everything you get. I'll have to agree with another reviewer in saying, that obviously, this isn't the best laptop in the world, but it is the best for a practical gamer on a budget. I paid $820, and I'm incredibly pleased with it. If I have any issues with it, I'll likely try to update this review.