Verified answer

Personally, I would choose the HP, as that is what I use and is very reliable (at least in my case). I haven't had much experience with Samsung, but from word of mouth information from friends, they aren't the next Alienware. Windows 8 is actually what is going to be your problem, as all program purchases (Up-Front Adobe Creative Suite Type Purchases, not In Application purchases like Steam games) have to go through the Microsoft Store, and it reputably, even this early on, has had some pretty noticeable issues with video games. If possible, try and find a Windows 7 laptop, it is tried and true, and has been out long enough to have full support from most, if not all PC application developers, and will continue to have support through Microsoft until sometime in 2019 (Guaranteed 10 years of support). You may have to do some searching to find a good Windows 7 PC though, as most stores have taken down Windows 7 displays.

Also, Intel has a good reputation for performance and reliability, I prefer AMD for my usage, but for the fairly basic stuff you will be doing (i.e. Office-Type Applications and Light Gaming) Intel should do fine.

if you can go with an AMD processor instead of Intel then i would get this

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavilion+17.3%26%... it has USB 3.0, Better video card, 1600 x 900 display, quad core processor but after all that it would be better to find a $500 - $600 you really need 6gb of memory and a dedicated instead of a built-in video card, and usb 3.0 and bluetooth.

The Samsung is better.

The 3rd generation i3-3110 processor will give pretty good performance, and the graphics card, while is an integrated card is not too bad either as it is an intel HD4000 which seems to have gotten some good reviews.

Well, im not that experienced, so probably you should get a second opinion.