college is an institution for whoring, learning, experiencing new things, making new friends, and by the 3rd or 4th year you have to figure out what it is you want to do with your life...
that being said, its $100 dollars difference in price, which to me, when I'm buying something, it has to be over $500 to be considered a major difference. so it comes down to conveniences. look at the laptop, feel the laptop. the reviews are mostly positive so it comes down to personal usage and desires.
I HATE ATI. my 2 cents.