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Advice on buying a laptop

  • 17-04-2008 10:24pm
    #1
    Lucifer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,467 ✭✭✭


    Hi, I am looking to buy a laptop, have a budget of 2000euro, want a laptop mainly for browsing the web etc but also want to be able to play games aswell. Have looked at a few dells working out at around this price inculding 4yr hardware and accidental breakage warranty.

    Inspiron 1720 € 1,872.20
    BASE Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 6 MB L2 cache) edit
    OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English edit
    HARDWARE SUPPORT 4 Year Consumer Hardware Support inc. Evenings and Saturdays edit
    COLOUR CHOICE Jet Black Colour with Matte Finish & 2.0mp camera edit
    LCD 17.0" Widescreen WXGA+ (1440x900) TFT Display with TrueLife™ edit
    MEMORY 4096MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048] edit
    HARD DRIVE 320GB (5.400rpm) SATA Hard Drive edit
    GRAPHICS CARD nVidia® GeForce™ Go 8600M GT with 256MB DDR2 dedicated graphic memory edit
    OPTICAL DRIVE Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including Software edit
    PRIMARY BATTERY Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr)

    Inspiron XPS M1530 € 2,072.20
    BASE Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 6 MB L2 cache) edit
    OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English edit
    HARDWARE SUPPORT 4 Year Consumer XPS Premium Hardware Support (incl. Gaming and On-site support) edit
    COLOUR CHOICE 2.0 mega pixel Camera & Tuxedo Black for CCFL Display edit
    LCD 15.4" Widescreen WXGA+ (1440x900) TFT Display with TrueLife™ edit
    BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION Biometric Fingerprint Reader with BLACK accent edit
    MEMORY 4096MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048] edit
    HARD DRIVE 320GB (5.400rpm) SATA Hard Drive edit
    GRAPHICS CARD NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 8600M GT with 256MB dedicated graphic memory edit
    OPTICAL DRIVE Fixed 8x DVD+/-RW Slim Slot Load drive, including SW edit
    PRIMARY BATTERY Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr)

    I also looked at another XPS 17" with a 512Mb graphics card but there is a wait time of 5/6 weeks so this is a non runner.
    Is a 17" too big, anywhere I bring it I'll will be taking it in a car so weight wouldnt be a huge issue.
    Also can anyone recommend a similar spec laptop or better for the same price.

    Thanks

    Kevin


Comments

  • #2
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    Vostro 1510 €1300 including delivery and Vat
    BASE Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.5 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz FSB)
    OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium - English
    SUPPORT SERVICES 3Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day
    LCD 15.4" Wide Screen WXGA+ (1440 x 900) Display with TrueLife™
    INTEGRATED WEBCAM Glossy Black with 1.3 MP Camera
    MEMORY 3072MB (1x2048 & 1x1024) 667MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
    HARD DRIVE 250GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
    GRAPHICS CARD 256 MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8400M GS (64 bit) Graphic Card
    OPTICAL DRIVE Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive
    PRIMARY BATTERY Primary 6-cell 58 WHr Lithium Ion battery edit

    okay, so the graphics card, hard drive and memory aren't the same as the machines you have above. The hard drive can be upgraded to 320gb for €75 and the memory you can upgrade yourself, but you won't need 4gb as windows will only recognise 3.5 i believe? could be 3. And i'm presuming you're not looking to play the latest and the greatest games? So that graphics card should cover you. So there's a 15.4" for 600/700 less with very similar spec.

    vostro 1700 €1244 incl delivery and VAT
    BASE Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB) edit
    OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium - English edit
    SUPPORT SERVICES 4Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day for the price of 3Yr edit
    LCD 17" Wide Screen WXGA+ (1440 x 900) Display with TrueLife™ edit
    INTEGRATED WEBCAM Matte Jet Black with 2.0 mega pixel camera edit
    MEMORY 3072MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (1x1024 + 1x2048 MB) edit
    HARD DRIVE 250GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive edit
    GRAPHICS CARD 256MB nVidia® GeForce® 8600M GT edit
    OPTICAL DRIVE Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including Software edit
    PRIMARY BATTERY Primary 6-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (56 WHr) edit

    17" with the graphics card and processor for a lot less than the ones above.


  • #3
    dulpit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,388 ✭✭✭✭dulpit


    Couple of things.

    1: Go through Dell's small business portal (it's where Alanstrainor would have found the Vostros) - much cheaper laptops there.

    2: Do you really need the 4 year cover?

    3: Bear in mind the 9cell battery sticks out a bit at the back, this can annoy some people (especially when it comes as a surprise)

    4: You could probably half your budget and still get a very very good laptop.

    5: I can't imagine you'd need 4gb of RAM, it just makes things expensive. Vista can only see 3.5gb anyways... Personally i find 2gb plenty (but that's just me)


  • #4
    Sqaull20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,044 ✭✭✭Sqaull20


    Either get a €1000 dell or go all out
    
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 6 MB L2 cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
Base Warranty - 1 Year Hardware Support, Next Business Day
17.0" UltraSharp™ WUXGA (1920x1200) TFT with TrueLife™ with Integrated 2.0MP web cam
Crimson Red with White LED Backlights
2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]
320GB Free Fall Sensor Raid 0 Stripe - 2 X 160GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive
DUAL SLI 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800GTX card
Ageia PhysX Processing Unit Card
UK/Irish Additional 220V AC Adapter Power Cord
Fixed 8x DVD+/-RW Slim Slot Load drive, including SW
Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr)

    Dual 8800gtx :cool:


  • #5
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    Sqaull20 wrote: »
    Either get a €1000 dell or go all out
    
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 6 MB L2 cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
Base Warranty - 1 Year Hardware Support, Next Business Day
17.0" UltraSharp™ WUXGA (1920x1200) TFT with TrueLife™ with Integrated 2.0MP web cam
Crimson Red with White LED Backlights
2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]
320GB Free Fall Sensor Raid 0 Stripe - 2 X 160GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive
DUAL SLI 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800GTX card
Ageia PhysX Processing Unit Card
UK/Irish Additional 220V AC Adapter Power Cord
Fixed 8x DVD+/-RW Slim Slot Load drive, including SW
Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr)

    Dual 8800gtx :cool:

    how much?


  • #6
    Lucifer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,467 ✭✭✭Lucifer


    I am also considering this 17 XPS which seems nice and has a 512Mb graphics card, but the processor is slower. Which would be better? 2.1GHz with 512 graphics card or 2.5Ghz with 256 graphics card? both with 4 Gb ram

    BASE Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7400 (2.16 GHz, 667 MHz FSB, 4 MB L2-cache) edit
    OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English edit
    HARDWARE SUPPORT 4 Year Consumer XPS Premium Hardware Support (incl. Gaming and On-site support) edit
    LCD 17.0" UltraSharp™ Wide Screen WUXGA (1920x1200) TFT Display with TrueLife™ edit
    MEMORY 4096MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048] edit
    HARD DRIVE 320GB (5.400rpm) SATA Hard Drive edit
    GRAPHICS CARD 512MB DDR3 nVidia® GeForce™ Go 7950 GTX graphics card edit
    OPTICAL DRIVE Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including software - Vista edit
    PRIMARY BATTERY 9 cell Lithium-Ion Battery (80 Whr)


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  • #7
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Alanstrainor wrote: »
    how much?

    I'm guessing 1,000 euro ;)


  • #8
    AlmightyCushion
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,125 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    Lucifer wrote: »
    I am also considering this 17 XPS which seems nice and has a 512Mb graphics card, but the processor is slower. Which would be better? 2.1GHz with 512 graphics card or 2.5Ghz with 256 graphics card? both with 4 Gb ram

    BASE Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7400 (2.16 GHz, 667 MHz FSB, 4 MB L2-cache) edit
    OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English edit
    HARDWARE SUPPORT 4 Year Consumer XPS Premium Hardware Support (incl. Gaming and On-site support) edit
    LCD 17.0" UltraSharp™ Wide Screen WUXGA (1920x1200) TFT Display with TrueLife™ edit
    MEMORY 4096MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048] edit
    HARD DRIVE 320GB (5.400rpm) SATA Hard Drive edit
    GRAPHICS CARD 512MB DDR3 nVidia® GeForce™ Go 7950 GTX graphics card edit
    OPTICAL DRIVE Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including software - Vista edit
    PRIMARY BATTERY 9 cell Lithium-Ion Battery (80 Whr)
    For gaming the better graphics card will be better.


  • #9
    silvine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,132 ✭✭✭silvine


    Either get a €1000 dell or go all out

    Code:

    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 6 MB L2 cache)
    Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
    Base Warranty - 1 Year Hardware Support, Next Business Day
    17.0" UltraSharp™ WUXGA (1920x1200) TFT with TrueLife™ with Integrated 2.0MP web cam
    Crimson Red with White LED Backlights
    2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]
    320GB Free Fall Sensor Raid 0 Stripe - 2 X 160GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive
    DUAL SLI 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800GTX card
    Ageia PhysX Processing Unit Card
    UK/Irish Additional 220V AC Adapter Power Cord
    Fixed 8x DVD+/-RW Slim Slot Load drive, including SW
    Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr)

    What type of Dell is that? I can't find anything with that spec for a grand?


  • #10
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    silvine wrote: »
    What type of Dell is that? I can't find anything with that spec for a grand?

    That's because it costs well over a grand, as squall said, "either get a €1000 dell or go all out" the going all out was referring to the machine spec he posted. I can't imagine there being a machine with dual 8800GTX cards for €1000, infact there's no way you'll find one for €1000


  • #11
    Lucifer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,467 ✭✭✭Lucifer


    Ive ordered, after talking to dell on the phone they have now said that they made a mistake and the 17inch XPS will take a few weeks as the screens are not available or something like that, so I went with the 15inch xps spec I posted. I got it with the 4 years warranty which for the price i think is worth it and 4 years accidental breakage cover also. got the lot with a second battery and case for 2098euro. Got a bit off accessories buy buying over the phone as the guy gave me a discount that I wouldnt of got online. After reading alot of review on the laptop I think it should be decent enough.


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