Please help me decide between these Windows 8 AIO Desktops?

Posted by Solicitor on December 14, 2012 02:36 pm 2

1) http://www.johnlewis.com/231740072/Product.aspx

Lenovo IdeaCentre A720 27" AIO Desktop PC

  • Intel i7 3630QM 2.4Ghz
  • 8GB RAM
  • 1TB HDD
  • 2GB nVidia GT650 Graphics Card
  • 27" Full HD Screen 1920x1080
  • Windows 8

Price:- £1399.95 (Not yet in stock anywhere)

2) http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/lenovo-a720-27-touchscreen-all-in-one-pc-17392856-pdt.html

Lenovo IdeaCentre A720 27" AIO Desktop PC

  • Intel i7 3630QM 3.0Ghz
  • 8GB RAM
  • 1TB HDD
  • 2GB nVidia GT630M Graphics Card
  • 27" Full HD Screen 1920x1080
  • Windows 8

Price:- £1499.99 (Available to buy today)

MY THOUGHTS

I need a desktop ASAP and have settled on a touchscreen AIO with Windows 8.

My preference is for as large a Full HD touchscreen as possible, with an i7, at least 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD, with Windows 8 Pro. My use will be mostly internet and Microsoft Office, with SOME gaming, like Football Manager 2013 and CIV V.

The Lenovo A720 is the closest I have found with a 27" Full HD touchscreen, an i7, 8GB RAM, but I'll have to manually open it up and upgrade the HDD to an SSD and purchase my own copy of Windows 8 Pro to install.

I can't work out the difference between these models though? The first is cheaper, with what I'm guessing is a better graphics card (?) but a slightly lower clock speed i7? It is also not yet available (listed "coming soon" everywhere)

The second is more expensive, with an entry level graphics card (?) but a slightly higher clock speed i7? (listed as available to buy right now)

Help? Should I wait for the first one with the GT650 or pull the trigger now on the 630M? Is there anything else I'm missing?

I'm new at desktop purchases and would be very grateful for some help! :)