New Laptop: Gaming but not expensive

[Heligrin]

I have been looking at laptops recently because i will be heading off to college in a month. I have narrowed my choices down to two laptops based on availability at Best Buy ( dad wants to buy it from there because of financing)

The first candidate is the Asus G1s

The second is the
Toshiba X-205


Which would you guys go for? I'm in to gaming(which includes performance) and reliability.

If you could configure a dell with similar specs, i would be interested.

 

[Oil]

Toshiba:
- Better graphics with 8700M GT
- T7100 1.8ghz 2mb cache
- 17" 1440x900
- 9.4lbs.

Asus:
- 8600M GT
- T7300 2ghz 4mb cache
- 15.4" 1680x1050
- 6.8lbs.

Since this is for college, are you planning on bringing the laptop around campus with you? If so, the Toshiba is way too big and heavy. If it is only going to be on your desktop with very little moving, the Toshiba would be the way to go IMO because of the superior GPU and 17" screen. The Asus is lighter and smaller with a larger resolution screen @ 15.4"

 

[Fraggable]

I just got done making the decision between the Asus G1S and Inspiron 1520 and the Toshiba A205. I went with an Inspiron 1520 for $1600 with the following:

T7500 2.2GHz CPU
8600M GT 256MB
160GB 7200RPM HDD
1680 X 1050 LCD
2GB DDR2 667
9-cell extended battery
carrying case

That's a good $300 less than the G1S and has a better CPU. The build quality of the 2 seem to be about the same, but the 1520 doesn't have those weird lights on the side that flash and get in the way when you're trying to put it in a bag.

The A205 was a consideration for me because it's the only 15" lappy with a dual hard drive option. The only one I'm aware of.

Oh yeah, I got a 3-year at-home warranty too.

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: OSx86
Toshiba:
- Better graphics with 8700M GT
- T7100 1.8ghz 2mb cache
- 17" 1440x900
- 9.4lbs.

Asus:
- 8600M GT
- T7300 2ghz 4mb cache
- 15.4" 1680x1050
- 6.8lbs.

Since this is for college, are you planning on bringing the laptop around campus with you? If so, the Toshiba is way too big and heavy. If it is only going to be on your desktop with very little moving, the Toshiba would be the way to go IMO because of the superior GPU and 17" screen. The Asus is lighter and smaller with a larger resolution screen @ 15.4"

I still say these guys need to bone up. 10lbs. Big Whoop. For the extras you can fit in the DTR's compared to the mobile laptops I'll carry the weight. My Biology book ways more than my HP laptop will and its a 17" 9500t.

 

[Heligrin]

SO what do you guys think? Is the extra $100 worth it?

 

[Eureka]

Well, a Dell Inspiron at that price would cost $1400, + coupons at dealcatcher.com which would bring the final price at $1140.

Inspiron 1520 Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache) CT730HN [222-9008]
Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition VHP3E [310-9093][420-5769][420-5924][420-6436][420-6556][420-6995][420-7024][420-7244][463-2282]
System Color Jet Black BLK [313-5395]
Memory FREE! 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz 2G2DP [466-8372]
LCD Panel High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1680x1050) 15SXGAT [320-5462]
Video Card 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT 256AC [320-5639]
Hard Drive FREE! 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) 160GBP [466-8377]
Network Card and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem INTNIC [430-0493]
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.08 ADOBER [412-0917]
Combo or DVD+RW Drive CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive) 8XDVDRW [313-5197][420-6464]
Sound Card High Definition Audio 2.0 IS [313-4783]
Wireless Networking Cards Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card IP3945 [430-2334]
Camera Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam

Sub Total $1,148.00

 

[hugekebab]

you have to remember; a 1440 rez screen is going to put out beter frames per second than a 1680 rez screen; especially as the 1680 one has the less powerful 8600gt.

 

[alimoalem]

10lbs is light, but not for a laptop. it doesn't matter whether 10lbs is easy for you to carry or not. when you first get the laptop, you'll think it's not bad but after a couple weeks you'll realize something smaller/lighter would've been ideal. i don't generally take my laptop to class but sometimes you just need to and a 17" definitely WOULD NOT be what i'd want with me.

plus, i handle my laptop with 1 hand a lot and am very grateful it's no more than 14" and 5.xlbs. i'm not exactly sure how to say this so i'll just say it with an example: if you were to hold a 10lb 17" laptop with one hand, it would feel heavier than a 10lb 14" laptop. there' more weight away from your hand so it feels heavier. not sure why, but it does.

anyway, take advice from the college student ATers. wait for more people to post in this thread. i'm sure 95%+ of the college students on here will tell you a 17" laptop is WAY too much a 15.4" laptop is starting to push it.

now about what you're looking for, are you absolutely set on a DX10 card? as it stands, the inspiron looks to be the best deal.

 

[Oil]

Originally posted by: alimoalem
10lbs is light, but not for a laptop. it doesn't matter whether 10lbs is easy for you to carry or not. when you first get the laptop, you'll think it's not bad but after a couple weeks you'll realize something smaller/lighter would've been ideal. i don't generally take my laptop to class but sometimes you just need to and a 17" definitely WOULD NOT be what i'd want with me.

plus, i handle my laptop with 1 hand a lot and am very grateful it's no more than 14" and 5.xlbs. i'm not exactly sure how to say this so i'll just say it with an example: if you were to hold a 10lb 17" laptop with one hand, it would feel heavier than a 10lb 14" laptop. there' more weight away from your hand so it feels heavier. not sure why, but it does.

anyway, take advice from the college student ATers. wait for more people to post in this thread. i'm sure 95%+ of the college students on here will tell you a 17" laptop is WAY too much a 15.4" laptop is starting to push it.

now about what you're looking for, are you absolutely set on a DX10 card? as it stands, the inspiron looks to be the best deal.

Great advice. Also, don't forget that most universities have very small desks which would not be big enough to hold a 17" laptop properly