On a lookout for a laptop for AE, about the quadro...

Hi gentlemen,

I'm now looking for a laptop to do some editing work. Although I used to be pretty tech savvy, I've not kept up with the development of the laptop for a long time and the nomenclature of the models is maddeningly complicated and misleading.

After researching for a while, I narrow my option down to two model:

Asus G73SW-XT1 and DELL M6600. specs are listed here:

Asus G73SW-XT1

Screen Size: 17.3"

Maximum Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Capacity: 500G

Hard Drive Speed: 7200 RPM

Processor Brand: Intel

Processor Class: Core i7

Processor Type: Quad-Core

Processor Number: 2630QM

GPU/VPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M

Video Memory: 1.5GB DDR5 VRAM

Memory: 8G

DELL M6600:

17.3 inch UltraSharp 1920x1080 Wide View Anti-Glare LED Backlit

9 cell battery

Backlit Keyboard

Intel Core i7-2720QM Quad Core Processor (2.2GHZ base frequency)

4GB RAM -



Hard Drive: 500GB SATA 7200RPM



2.0 Nvidia Quadro 3000M GDDR5 Graphics

I can get a new asus for 1100usd while a refurbished M6600 from Ebay will cost me 1500usd.

since I can install ram and hard drive myself, they are not the deal breaker in each case.

so the comparison boils down to a simple showdown

2630qm+gtx460m vs 2720qm+quadro 3000m

I understand quadro is a touted "professional" video card, but as far as the benchmark test is concerned,it is more or less the same as gtx460, so what makes it "professional" or it's just another marketing ploy? I'm still a student, so the cost-effective performance is first priority for me.

The application I will use:

After effects &Premiere(Everyday),cinema4d &photoshop (sometimes), maya(rarely)

Your advice is appreciated!