New laptop with some spec questions...

[Cuda1447]

Im looking at three models, all priced around $1000.

I intend to use this notebook for most everything. Light to moderate gaming on it (mid tier graphics should suffice) some photo editing here and there. DVD burning, movie playback. MP3ing, experimenting with other OS's or shells like litestep. Online poker, web browsing etc.... basically a bit of everything. So I want a pretty powerful laptop, but I don't want to go crazy cause Im trying to stay within a price range here.


Three models Im looking at.



1. Dell Inspiron series.
PROCESSOR Intel® Pentium® dual-core T2080(1MB Cache/1.73GHz/533MHz FSB
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista? Home Premium
LCD PANEL 15.4 inch UltraSharp? Wide Screen SXGA+ Display with TrueLife?
MEMORY 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 DIMM
HARD DRIVE 160GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
VIDEO CARD 256MB ATI MOBILITY? RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory?
SOUND OPTIONS Integrated Audio
MEDIA DIRECT Media Direct 3.0
BATTERIES 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Never used a dell laptop, so not sure on these.

2. Compaq dv6000z series
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic (32-bit) edit
Processor AMD Turion(TM) 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-50(1.6GHz/512KB) edit
Display 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800) edit
Graphics Card NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 6150 w/Productivity Ports edit
Personalization Imprint Finish + Microphone + QuickPlay edit
Memory 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) edit
Hard Drive 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive edit
Primary CD/DVD Drive Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support edit
Networking 802.11a/b/g WLAN and Bluetooth edit
TV & Entertainment Experience No TV Tuner w/remote control edit
Primary Battery 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery edit

3. HP dv6000t
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic (32-bit) edit
Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) dual core T2080(1.73GHz/1MB) edit
Display 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800) edit
Graphics Card 256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7400 edit
Personalization HP Imprint Finish + Microphone edit
Memory 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) edit
Hard Drive 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive edit
Primary CD/DVD Drive FREE Upgrade: 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support edit
Networking Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth edit
TV & Entertainment Experience No TV Tuner w/remote control edit
Primary Battery 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery edit


Basically the big issue here is CPU performance - what do you guys think?

 

[Blain]

Get the HP

 

[Cuda1447]

Any reason why? The HP has a bit better graphics card from what I can tell, but the diplay should be a bit better on the Dell. Other than that they are pretty similar all in all.

 

[wetcat007]

I'd avoid HP/Compaq from how many hardware issues I see from them, I personally bought a Dell I like it. Ideally get a Thinkpad. Dell also gives u the option to get XP instead of Vista

For dell make sure to goto their small business website, you can sometimes find better prices there.

 

[Cuda1447]

Thats what I did, dell SB, better deal. c

 

[Cuda1447]

Slow forum lately it seems

 

[Cuda1447]

Nobody else has any opinions?

 

[bruceb]

I would go with the Dell myself

 

[Cuda1447]

Any specific reasons why? Im looking for some more detailed responses here what did you guys like/dislike about certain brands?

 

[bruceb]

Dell Inspiron Laptops are very reliable ... and they do not weigh a lot. They are a good value for the cost.

 

[corkyg]

Right now, I would seriously look at this one - just a bit over your budget, but worth it. (Just wait a month. )

Dell