Two Laptop Considerations

[Jowanda]

I am gearing up for Black Friday and planning to purchase a laptop.
These are both at $500. I plan to wipe the HD clean and install linux.

The first contendent:
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-AS5742-76.../dp/B003ZUXWVQ
* Model #: AS5742-7653
* Processor: Intel Core i5-460M 2.53GHz with Turbo Boost Technology
* Memory: 4GB DDR3 Dual-Channel SDRAM
* Display: 15.6"
* Hard-Drive: 500GB
* Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
* Optical Drive: DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive
* Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium

The second contendent:
http://bfads.net/Best-Buy-Black-Frid...op-w-Windows-7
(model number not listed, seems to be an outdated model of the EB series)
* Processor: Pentium Dual Core
* Memory: 4GB
* Display: 15.6"
* Hard-Drive: 320GB
* Graphics: Radeon 5650
* Optical Drive: Blu-Ray
* Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium

My gut tells me to go with the Acer for the i5 but then again it only has 128mb of dedicated vram. Am I able to dedicate more through the bios? My old 2004 laptop had the option to increase vram that way. The Vaio seems good with the 5650 and the screen is a lot nicer but Pentiums are pretty dated.

Any suggestions?

[Cilraaz]

It looks like this one got caught in the moderation queue because of the links... so here's a free bump!

[Asera]

I personally would never buy an Acer laptop. And a Sony would generally be overpriced for what you get.

Can you find an Asus notebook anywhere for around the same price point?

[Kripparrian]

For wow/games, the second choice is far superior has it as a discrete video card, which makes a huge difference when compared to onboard.

Neither are too great though. Decent gaming laptops start around $650.