Custom Build Laptop for College Suggestions

Hi, I'm back! Anyways, your budget is moderate as in what?
What is your basic budget? Because I can list gaming laptops from $1200 to $3000!
Hmmm, no Alienware...

Anyway's I suggest you to invest in a SONY VAIO F-Series Laptop. (I'm still working on using BB Codes)



It can play Blu-Rays, 3-hour battery life but the power adapter is a brick, different screen sizes, a keyboard that lights up, webcam (standard).
For $1499, you can get a Intel Core i7 on it! Holy crap! But hold on there! It starts at $999! But you can customize it!

Here is the "up to" list (from: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644691998#overview)

Specs:

Intel® Core™ i7-820QM Processor (1.73GHz) available with up to 3.06GHz available with Turbo Boost Technology (which costs $300 more)
Up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM
16.4 inch screen
up to a 640GB HHD (or a 512GB SDD)
NVIDIA 1GB VRAM Graphics Card (which was a must for you)
it weighs 6.9 lbs.

But you might wan to updrade/customize some stuff.

Most expensive one that I customized had 8GB DDR3 RAM, Core i7 @ 1.7 GHz with 3GHz on Turbo, Win7 Ultimate 64-bit, 256GB SSD (get rid of this and $620 for a 320GB HHD), Blu-Ray player/burner(save $180 without it at all), no MS Office 2007 or Anti-Virus!

It was $2734.99!!!!!1

Holy crap, that is a lot of money! It depends on you on what you want and your budget, etc. Chances are, you wouldn't buy a gaming laptop that is $2734.99! Or this one at least.

 

Alright, sorry I have not been on in a while. Wow, it looks like this started a few arguments.

Anyways: I think I am going to buy from Newegg (I can not post any links because this blasted school blocks newegg.) I have decided that my price limit is $1,200.00.

Specs I am considering:
17inch screen
i7 Proccesor
4gb RAM atleast
1gb VRAM graphics card
500gb Hard Drive (7200 rpm)

Question I still have:
What graphics card brand is better? (NVIDIA, ATI, etc...) Games I plan to run on it include; Steam Source Games (HL2, TF2, Portal), Halo 3 (when it is released. ) and Modern Warfare 2.

 

There is not much choice though... ATI or Nvidia or otherwise some crap clone from Hong-Kong

 

Yes, but I was wondering which one is better.

So I am guessing it is the NVIDIA Gforce 1gb VRAM?

 

Do not guess. Its the best. You are perfectly well on your way to college with that graphics card.
Just dont forget the processor, k? You will never have a problem with battery life as long as you seat near a power outlet and just plugged and charge your battery. I almost never have a problem with netbook. It has 4-5 hours battery life but, I save it and used my power adapter as often as possible.

 

Alright thanks.

Thank you everyone who has given suggestions and helped with my questions. It has helped me a lot!