Whether the memory is soldered to the board or not doesn't actually matter; what matters is if the laptop has free expansion slots if you need them later. Personally, I think Asus is the way to go because they pack the most punch in terms of internal specs (CPU, GPU), making it the most logical choice. Aiming for the N or G (GL) series is also smart since they don't cut corners on build quality. So, you're making a good call regardless of which one you grab. The F series is a step down from those, lacks a backlit keyboard, and honestly, I don't see many models in that line offering decent CPUs or GPUs. Also, Asus gives a 2-year warranty plus some Asus promotions during the first year, though I think you have to register for that within 7 days of purchase.
Now for the nitpicks. Obviously, an IPS screen is better, but you pay a premium for it. As for the processor, the Intel i5 4200h is plenty, no question there, but for the money you're spending, you could find an Intel i7 4720HQ, an Intel i5 6300HQ, or an Intel i7 6700HQ. All these chips stay under 50W. The 6300 and 6700 are newer, so in terms of raw power, the weakest would be the Intel i5 4200h, then the Intel i5 6300HQ, then the Intel i7 4720HQ, and finally the Intel i7 6700HQ—though the gap between the last two is pretty minor.
Regarding graphics, the Nvidia GTX 950 is really the only option unless you want to blow your budget by about $167, in which case you can get the Nvidia GTX 960 in this
new GL model. Oh, and don't forget to mention the new GL series; it was supposed to be the successor to the G series, but that didn't happen. The G-series is still being sold and is priced slightly higher than the GLs. What's the catch? From what I can see, the G-series has an LCD panel covering 72% of the NTSC profile and a metal-plastic chassis, while the GL uses a 60% panel and a plastic body. Basically, they did a quick redesign using cheaper materials and a cheaper LCD panel to create the GL series for budget gamers—or as a sales manager would put it, "filling a market niche they identified."
That doesn't mean the new GLs are bad, just that they are "optimized" and built more economically. Regardless, I only see two models available: a cheaper one with the 4200h which is a pretty modest setup, and the one I linked that's over budget. And that cheaper one is still more expensive than the N-series with the same specs. You could say the price difference of about $117 is just paying for a "gamer" chassis. And even then, it's plastic, whereas the N-series should have aluminum.
If you ask me, the best move is this N-series model, unless looks are everything to you, because the N-line doesn't look particularly "gamer" 😬
I've been talking about the higher-end laptops with IPS screens, but like I said at the start, there are cheaper options with similar power in the K series. If build quality and materials aren't dealbreakers for you, and you don't care about an IPS screen, you could save some cash with something like this:
http://www.architect.com/shop/index.php...ducts_id=12349http://www.architect.com/shop/index.php...ducts_id=12841or similar models coming soon.
The only thing that could give Asus a run for its money is Acer, because their new Nitro models in the V5-591 series are coming out with new processors and Nvidia GTX 950m graphics. They are priced quite competitively, though it's worth noting that in the description for the V5 LCD panels...
Probably a typo saying it's got that ColorBlast panel with 90% NTSC coverage, since those screens are usually reserved for the VN7 and G9 series. If you want to check out my review on the V5, it's [URL='
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-Aspire-V5-591G-71K2-Notebook-Review.156375.0.html';]here, where I mention that specific LCD panel isn't exactly anything to write home about—but honestly, those Acers will still get the job done for what you need. Plus, Acer comes with the standard two-year warranty in the US.[/URL]