Best laptop deals: quad-Core machines for gamers & HD fans from $549

The best laptop deals this week include three quad-core systems with top-of-the-line specs starting at just $549 – great laptop deals for PC gamers and HD fans alike. 

PC gamers and HD fans alike, prepare to salivate. This week's roundup of the best laptop deals includes three quad-core systems with top-of-the-line specs starting at just $549. There's also a spiffy new Lenovo sporting Intel's latest Broadwell processor.

Lenovo G510 2.4GHz 15.6" Laptop
Store: Micro Center
Price: $549 via coupon code "USPG507212" with free shipping
Lowest By: $151

Is It Worth It?: The Lenovo G510 Intel Haswell Core i7 2.4GHz 15.6" Laptop is no stranger to our roundup. This all-purpose 5.7-lb. notebook features an Intel Core i7-4700MQ 2.4GHz Haswell quad-core processor, 15.6" 1366x768 LED-backlit LCD, 8GB RAM, and a 1TB hard drive. This configuration is currently at an all-time price low.

HP Pavilion 17t 2.2GHz 17.3" Laptop
Store: HP Home & Home Office
Price: $774.99 via coupon code "FEB125" with free shipping
Lowest By: $125
Expires: February 28

Is It Worth It?: The 6.9-lb. HP Pavilion 17t Intel Core i5 2.2GHz 17.3" 1080p Touchscreen Laptop packs Intel's latest energy-saving Broadwell Core i5-5200U 2.2GHz dual-core processor. Accompanying the new processor, you'll find top-of-the-line hardware like a generous 12GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive, and a 17.3" 1920x1080 (1080p) touchscreen LCD. Though it's pricier than a similarly-configured Haswell notebook, this Broadwell-based laptop is a better value if you're looking for a future-proof machine.

Asus N Series 2.4GHz 15.6" Laptop
Store: Adorama via eBay
Price: $699.99 with free shipping
Lowest By: $500

Is It Worth It?: The Asus N Series Intel Haswell Core i7 2.4GHz 15.6" Laptop is a serious entertainment system for the HD fanatic. It features an Intel Core i7-4700HQ 2.4GHz Haswell quad-core processor, 15.6" 1920x1080 (1080p) LCD, 12GB RAM, 1TB hard drive, and an NVIDIA GeForce GT840M 2GB video card. It's currently $500 off list and the best price we could find for this system.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 2 14" Laptop
Store: Lenovo
Price: $599 via coupon code "USPF14681219" with free shipping
Lowest By: $400

Is It Worth It?: Though you might mistake this laptop for a Yoga, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 2 Intel Haswell Core i5 2GHz 14" Touchscreen Laptop is a different beast. Its screen doesn't flip back completely, but instead swings 300 degrees into what Lenovo calls "stand mode." When in stand mode, users can touch the screen without having the keyboard get in their way. Although it costs $100 more than last week's mention, this configuration upgrades every hardware aspect of this 4.1-lb. laptop starting with the 14" 1080p touchscreen LCD, which is joined by a Core i5-4510U Haswell 2GHz dual-core processor, 8GB RAM, and a 1TB hard drive with 8GB SSD.

Alienware 18 2.5GHz 18.4" Laptop
Store: Dell Home
Price: $1,749.99 via coupon code "WLZ51CWCLDRMFC" with free shipping
Lowest By: $450
Expires: March 27

Is It Worth It?: "The Alienware 18 gaming laptop is an unapologetic show of opulence and riches," says PC Mag. But this laptop isn't just bells and whistles. According to PC Mag, it has the power to play AAA gaming titles at full 1080p HD resolution with all the eye candy and quality settings turned up. It features an Intel Haswell Core i7-4710MQ 2.5GHz quad-core processor, 8GB RAM, 1TB hard drive, and dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M 2GB cards (4GB total).

Louis Ramirez is a features writer for DealNews, where this article first appeared.