Laptops with Geforce GT 630M vs 650M Gfx card?

First, you shouldn't buy the HP DV6 in any configuration that includes the stock 1366x768 display and not the upgraded 1920x1080 display. This is an upgrade you need to get. 1366x768 resolution in a 15.6" display makes things onscreen large, and 15.6" displays that have 1366x768 resolution tend to be low-grade display panels with very poor image quality due to low contrast. You should make a point to avoid displays like this when it is reasonable to do so, unless you require the larger text for eyesight-related reasons. The 1920x1080 display is excellent, with high contrast, wider viewing angles, and in that it allows you to fit onscreen, but the reason you need to get the upgraded 1920x1080 display and not the stock 1366x768 display isn't just because of how good the 1920x1080 display is, it's also because of how bad the 1366x768 display is.

Second, one of the primary selling points of the HP DV6 is the offered GT 650M, which is considerably faster than the GT 630M. If the GT 630M is good enough for you, then you generally shouldn't be considering the HP DV6 (especially in a configuation that includes the stock 1366x768 display). You should probably be considering an entirely different laptop that allows you to get GT 630M level performance and a decent display at the same time.

------------

Lenovo is not a trash brand per se. You cannot generalize Lenovo, or any brand for that matter. Lenovo has a vastly differing selection of models, some of which may be unreliable, and some of which are very reliable (Lenovo Thinkpad T and W Series Business-grade machines). There is a big difference between the build quality of, for example, a Thinkpad T530, and a Lenovo Thinkpad Edge or a Lenovo Essential series. You need to look at individual models to determine reliability; you cannot judge by the average of the brand or much less judge by the experience with one specific model.

------------

Consider instead a configuration of the Lenovo Thinkpad T530 that includes the upgraded 15.6" 1600x900 or the upgraded 15.6" 1920x1080 display, and the upgraded NVIDIA NVS 5400M GPU.

The upgraded 15.6" 1600x900 display is a higher-grade display much like 15.6" 1920x1080 displays tend to be, with higher contrast and slightly wider viewing angles.

The NVIDIA NVS 5400M GPU should provide slightly better game performance than the GT 630M.

Plus, the Lenovo Thinkpad T530 has much better build quality than a lot of consumer-oriented laptops like the HP DV6 and Lenovo Y480.

**Lenovo Thinkpad T530**

- Sign up and sign in here: http://shoplenovo.i2.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/...

- T530 base configs through the discount: http://shoplenovo.i2.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/... (Generally, start with the cheapest)

- On the configuration page, upgrade the "Display type" to at least HD+ (1600x900). You should not buy the Lenovo Thinkpad T530 in any configuration that includes the default HD (1366x768) display.

- The i5-3210M is not a bad upgrade choice from the stock previous-gen i3-2370M. Even if the performance difference doesn't affect you, it's a more efficient chip that might make a difference in battery life. Not a mandatory upgrade though, and get the 1600x900 display upgrade first.

- Get the free Intel Centrino 2200 WiFi adapter upgrade. Some have reported issues with the stock adapter.

- Note that, unlike most laptops, the Webcam is an upgrade, it isn't included by default.

- Don't select any memory upgrades on the configuration page. Do them yourself if you need to, because they're a lot cheaper that way.

- Get the NVS 5400M GPU upgrade if you plan on playing games that benefit from it.

------------

The 650M will provide significant performance increase, though that's not to say higher graphics quality. You may still be running on Medium settings, but it should operate much smoother than on the 630M, and with fewer overheating issues.

As for the Lenovo Thinkpad, I would say go for it! Lenovo is anything but a "trash brand". Formerly IBM, Lenovo makes one of the most solid PC's out there, and they don't come nearly as bogged down with bloatware as a Dell (and certainly not as bad as an HP). Keep in mind that HP are also notorious for their poor cooling systems in their laptops. The entire DV6 line got recalled a few years ago due to motherboard damage (heatsinks literally melting from the intense heat). In my honest opinion, I would got with Lenovo before any other prefab system, followed closely by Samsung, ASUS, and Sony.