BleepingComputer.com: Buying new laptop, Around $887 price range

Hey guys. Longstory short, I spilt milk on my main laptop (no use crying over spilled milk? :|), and now I need to buy a new laptop. However, for once I'm deciding AGAINST buying from BestBuy and FutureShop after I realized they are nothing but trouble. Meanwhile I've heard nothing but good things about newegg!

So here I am. Searching for a laptop to order online, preferably from Newegg.ca around the $887 dollar price range.

The product which originally caught my eye was this:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230133

However, it is out of stock. Unless it's REALLY worth it for my dollar, I don't feel like waiting since I got a LAN party coming up!

What I'm hoping to do with the laptop:
- Basic 3d modeling (Blender and Google Sketchup)
- Team Fortress 2
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (And its many mods)
- Doom modification (Meaning frequent use of OpenGL)
- n64 emulation (In order to play the upcoming awesome Zelda 64 hacks! )
- Faster image previews in folder browsers! (500 images in a single folder or so I must sort through for my game development)
- Faster file access
- FL Studio
- Photoshop
- Visual Novel Creation
- Linux MINT

My Preferences:
- Decent Numpad
- Good soundcard
- 15" inch screen or more
- NVidia 540 graphics card or better
- Fast drive
- i5 core or more

Don't care for:
- Battery life
- Storage space
- Keyboard lights
- Blutooth
- Speed of the disk drive or USBs
- HDMI or video port

In short, a laptop with decent specs. I'm looking to play OLDER PC games on higher configuration levels, while I'm not necessarily wanting to play new games either. Additionally, I'm looking to enjoy Linux Mint, so I hope the laptop is compatible!

Most importantly, I want quick file access, and searching. I like gaming, but I feel they're secondary to file access.

Any recommendations for the best bang for my buck?

Two laptops I've had my eyes on:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230074CVF

And

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230190CVF

But I'm just a writer creating a visual novel, and outlining video game plots. I'm not expert on PC specs. From what I understand I probably want a good drive and graphics card. But I'm just an innocent n00by here who has been victimized by BestBuy products for years. So I need your help!

Thank you!

I would get the one with the i7 since that is perfect for the tasks you are doing.

Sure I should get the i7? No reviews yet, but according to amazon, not many in stock left. I need one more opinion before I buy it, so could anyone here please voice to me their opinion also?

edit:

NVM can't buy it. Emergency.Out of money Q_________Q

This post has been edited by Lishy: 12 February 2012 - 01:07 PM