Dell Studio 17 vs HP Envy 17

[dg27]

My job has changed and I need to get a high-performance laptop. I don't do gaming, but am a big Adobe CS 4 user (Photoshop, Illustrator).

I've spec'd out two nearly identical systems that are admittedly pricey items, but since it will be my only machine when I am in India for several weeks at a time, several times a year, I'm not concerned about portability per se and know this is a lot of $$$ for a laptop.

They both come in at about $1900 plus tax.

Basic specs are as follows:

HP Envy 17

* Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
* Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-720QM Quad Core processor (1.6GHz, 6MB L3 Cache)
with Turbo Boost up to 2.8 GHz
* 6GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* 1TB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (500GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart
* 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5850 Graphics
* 17.3" diagonal Full HD HP Ultra BrightView Infinity LED Display (1920x1080)
* SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
* HP TrueVision HD Webcam
* Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
* System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
* Corel(R) PaintShop Photo(TM) Pro X3 + Corel(R) VideoStudio(R) Pro X3
* Full-size island-style backlit keyboard
* 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard)
* 50% OFF! HP Pavilion additional 120W AC Adapter
* Microsoft(R) Office Starter 2010
* FREE Upgrade to Computrace LoJack for Laptops, Four Years from One Year
* HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Oddly, there's no spec on the HP for the sound card. I do not want integrated audio...

Dell Studio 17

Studio 17 Laptop
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional, 64bit, English with XP Mode
Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Quad Core Processor 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
6GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
Back-lit Keyboard
17.3” Full HD (1080p) B+RG LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera
1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650
1TB (2 x 500GB) Dual SATA Hard Drive (7200rpm)
Black Chainlink
8X CD/DVD Burner + Roxio Easy CD & DVD Burning - Enhanced Burn/Authoring
Soundblaster X-Fi Hi Def Audio - Software Enabled
Intel© Centrino© Advanced-N 6200
Microsoft® Office Starter 2010
McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
85 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
1 Year Basic Service Plan
1Yr LoJack for Laptops Theft Protection
Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year

Which of these would be the smarter investment?

I was hoping to get these closer to $1500 plus tax. Is the i7-720QM the way to go?

There are a few particulars that are must haves: I really want the 2 X 500 GB HD option and would prefer the 1080p screen.

Any other ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

DG

 

[cbn]

The laptops you have listed are ATI Radeon equipped.

How do you feel about using Nvidia mobile graphics with Adobe CS? How significant of a role does CUDA play into using those programs?

For example, In this video Nvidia demonstrates the benefits of a 192 CUDA core GPU over a CPU with an unknown amount of cores? Will a Radeon GPU be able to do tasks in the same way? (I have never used the Adobe CS programs myself)

 

[dg27]

Thank you for weighing in.

The ATI Radeon was the only option offered in both cases (lower priced versions had integrated graphics). About the CUDA, I honestly do not know what role it plays with programs like Photoshop: Is this a potential problem?

I was actually more hung up on whether the processor was worth it or whether I should go with an i5.

 

[erikistired]

isn't the sb audio on the dell just a software add on, rather than an actual creative chip/card in the computer?

honestly "integrated" audio these days is pretty good. i haven't even bothered installing a sound card in my gaming desktop, the on board works fine.

 

[IlllI]

isn't the sb audio on the dell just a software add on, rather than an actual creative chip/card in the computer?

yeah i think you are right

 

[dg27]

Regarding the audio, I guess it makes sense that there's no actual card in these laptops (nowhere to put them).

Still wondering whether it's worth ponying up for the i7. I thought I read on this forum that it's better to get a better i5 than one of the smaller i7's (in terms of GHz)...

dg