Budget laptop conundrum

[RTFM]

So I'm shopping for a budget laptop to replace my aging Dell Latitude C840. I've been using the C840 for some light development in C, C++ and Java, and I've been doing some SQL Query development in MS SQL Server. But mostly use the C840 for checking emails, browsing and some light gaming. (Which these days is about all the 64MB GeForce 4 MX 440 can handle. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic runs, but only with an external monitor, and Lego Star Wars won't run at all.)

I'm planning to integrate a new laptop into my "Theater Room", AKA the study, so I'm looking at adding a docking station/port replicator. Eventually I'll be picking up a second laptop for the wife as well. But we're tying to keep everything under $2,000. In looking at the sub $1,000 market I've notice the trade off seems to be processors vs graphics. I'm currently looking at the following models and I'll be upgrading the memory to 2GB via the 3rd party route.

HP DV6000Z AMD Turion X2 TL-50, 512MB Ram, 80GB HD, 8x DVD-DL-RW w/ LightScribe, Nvidia GeForce 7200, 15.4" LCD, 802.11A/B/G w BlueTooth.
$894 - $100 = $794

HP/Compaq Presario V6000T Intel Core 2 Duo T5300, 512MB Ram, 80GB HD, 8x DVD-DL-RW, Intel GMA 950, 15.4" LCD, 802.11A/B/G w BlueTooth.
$1005 - $200 = $805

Dell D520 Intel Core 2 Duo T5500, 512MB Ram, 60GB HD, 8x DVD-RW, Intel GMA 950, 15" LCD, 802.11B/G w BlueTooth.
$1074 - $265 = $809

Which brings us to the $1,000,000 question. What's the better long term trade off? The AMD Turion X2 with the Nvidia GeForce 7200 or the Intel Core 2 Duo with Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950?

 

[IlllI]

well the 7200 uses 'turbocache' which is only slightly better than integrated graphics. the 7200 is really not that great honestly.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: clandren
well the 7200 uses 'turbocache' which is only slightly better than integrated graphics. the 7200 is really not that great honestly.

Yes and no. (Actually, reverse that.)

The GMA950 uses only shared memory, and is a slower/less compatible core (no hardware vertex shaders) - the 7200 at least has 32MB of its own memory and hardware vertex/pixel shading.

For raw speed (coding) the C2Ds in question will be about equal (T5300) or have a slight edge (T5500). However, you might bump into compatibility problems with gaming if you use the GMA950, due to the lack of hardware vertex shaders. (Lego Star Wars still might not run.)

Oh, and buy more RAM. 512MB is not enough. At the minimum, you should be at 1GB. More realistically, if you're doing development & SQL, you should go for 2GB. If the laptop comes with 1x512MB, add 1x1GB stick and call it a day. If it comes with 2x256MB, sell them both and go for 2x1GB.

- M4H

 

[firebirdude]

Just did a ton of research into this topic as I have just purchased two notebooks of my own. The Intel GMA 950 is by far the slowest video choice around. Even the go 6150 is far faster. Snatch up a notebook with 1G RAM, TL-52 or 56 and the Go 6150 and you'll be happy and right in budget.

PS... if you don't mind buying used... you can often find AWESOME deals on Ebay. Was bidding on a high-end Core 2 Duo with 2G RAM and a stand alone 256MB ATI video card. My limit was $700. (Yeah I know, but bidding was real low until the very end). Sold for $810. A steal even at that price.

 

[IlllI]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Yes and no. (Actually, reverse that.)

The GMA950 uses only shared memory, and is a slower/less compatible core (no hardware vertex shaders) - the 7200 at least has 32MB of its own memory and hardware vertex/pixel shading.

For raw speed (coding) the C2Ds in question will be about equal (T5300) or have a slight edge (T5500). However, you might bump into compatibility problems with gaming if you use the GMA950, due to the lack of hardware vertex shaders. (Lego Star Wars still might not run.)

Oh, and buy more RAM. 512MB is not enough. At the minimum, you should be at 1GB. More realistically, if you're doing development & SQL, you should go for 2GB. If the laptop comes with 1x512MB, add 1x1GB stick and call it a day. If it comes with 2x256MB, sell them both and go for 2x1GB.

- M4H

well i did say slightly better

and i agree, get more ram.


ps. heres a chart to compare the mobile gpus. the 7200 isnt too far from igp graphics Text

 

[RTFM]

Thanks for all the suggestions and especially the chart Clandren. I've found several charts for NVidia or ATI cards, but not a combined chart, and certain not one that also looked at the GMA 950.

I'm planning to get 512mb initially, and upgrade to 2 x 1GB via newegg.com. If I get lucky and find some reasonable systems with 1 x 1GB initially, I'll move both to one system and replace the memory to 2 x 1GB for the second.

 

[geecee]

Your idea of budget is quite a bit different than mine. When I was shopping budget laptops, I was looking Celeron, Sempron or C7.

If you're looking for laptop memory, there are quite a few good deals (look in Hot Deals). I recently picked up 2GB of Crucial at buy.com for $70AR. I believe there is a deal for Corsair 1GB SODIMMs at ZZF for $27AR.

 

[geecee]

Double post. :| Sorry.