Tony
Insider
Ah, after you said this I took it to mean "bigger is better". Which is usually true for a gaming laptop. Most people want as large of a screen as possible. But I can also understand wanting a smaller, lighter one if you don't have an easy way to carry it around (no carrying case or something similar - it would only fit in a larger sized backpack).In terms of size and weight, I would prefer a larger screen and more weight (15.6" is what I currently have and it is fine). In terms of other features, a webcam would be nice (but it doesn't have to be good).
Very few low-end laptops use IPS screens. This is why I was surprised the Sony Vaio had one.
This is a misprint. The Intel® Core™ i7-3610QM that the Asus has is actually a 3rd generation i7 processor, according to Intel's own web site. A "generation" of processors is simply a line of processors that has certain features (usually includes a die shrink to make a smaller chip). The Sony Vaio and the Asus both have 3rd generation processors which are 22 nm.I noticed that the Asus you recommended had a 2nd generation i7 processor. What's the difference between it and the Vaio (or the Clevo)?