Help find a suitable laptop:Requirements DVI out and graphics

[SDSupraTT]

1)I have been looking at the Dell Vostro 1500 and was just about to order one when I discovered to my dismay that it only has VGA out builtin and no DVI. Docking port option which I was hoping it would attach to my Dell PR01X appears to be a no go. The other docking port options apparently wouldn't use the 8600GT, which is the graphics card I was intending to get. I was really planning on being able to plug this into a bigger LCD display at home. Is the quality loss doings so going to be annoying?

Are there any other options out there that would have both a graphics card and DVI available without going to much farther beyond $1000?


2) Also if someone could tell me the difference between the following processors
Intel® Core? 2 Duo T5270 (1.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Intel® Core? 2 Duo T5470 (1.6GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7100 (1.8GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)

Obviously Ghz are different, but other than that are the T5's crippled compared to a T7?

Also if it helps the primary purpose of this laptop will be Class and gaming, gaming mainly limited to CS:Source and FFXI.

 

[Brainonska511]

You mean DVI? I don't think you'll see too much of a quality loss by using VGA. It really depends on the monitor.

As for the processors, the only difference is the clock speed. Otherwise, they are the same. If you're trying to decide which processor, I'd say go for at least the T5470.

 

[SDSupraTT]

I meant DVI

Would probably be hooking it up to a new LCD in the 20-24 inch range, most likely a dell or samsung model

 

[Pardus]

They sell vga to dvi adapter cables. check out this laptop at newegg. It has DVI and lots of unique features. Loaded for $850, no way to extend the warranty though. I prefer 2-year on laptops as they tend to break faster than desktops.

 

[Brainonska511]

A VGA to DVI cable would be useless. He only has VGA-out - you cannot convert the lossy VGA signal into a higher quality lossless DVI signal.

You could check into USB docks, which may or may not have DVI out on them.

 

[SDSupraTT]

I already checked out the Docking stations, those that do have builtin video cards, so they wont be using the graphics processor for video. Which is why I was wondering if anyone knew of another brand in my price range that had equivalent specs to a Vostro 1500 and also the DVI out as well.

Your exactly right Activex, I am looking for preserving the digital signal, going throught a converter would just add additional degradation I would assume.

If no one has any other recommendations I will probably just get the Vostro 1500 and suffer with a less than Ideal VGA connection to a LCD monitor. I saw that Soyo 24 inch in the hot deals section and think I might get one of those to go with the laptop for gaming at home.