need help choosing a dell

holdemfoldem

Hi All,

Im basically looking to get a laptop for multimedia and poker online ( for poker it needs good resolution for multi tables ).. I have narrowed it down to two ( one being mor up to date than the other ) but both have qualities i like ie studio has bigger screen, and number pad on keyboard while the studio xps has DDR3, with full HD screen plus 1gig vid card.

Anyway heres the spec's.. PLease help me decide

studio:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40Ghz, 3MB, 1066MHz)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 (64 BIT) - English
Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English - (Does not include Microsoft® Word)
1 Year Limited Warranty - Collect & Return
17.0" Widescreen WUXGA+ CCFL (1920x1200) TFT Display with TrueLife™
6144MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [1x4096 + 1x2048] (with 64bit OS only)
640GB (5.400rpm) Serial ATA Dual Hard Drive (2x 320GB)
256MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3650
Fixed Internal DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive including Software
Primary 9-cell 85 WHr Lithium Ion battery
Intel WiFi Link 5100 (802.11 a/b/g/n 1X2) 1/2 MiniCard
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module
2.0 Mega pixel Integrated Web Camera - CCFL
Internal UK English Qwerty Keyboard
No security option selected
Jet Black Colour with Matte Finish
Accessories
No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English
Services & Software
No Accidental Damage Support
DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 year
Also Includes
1 Meter Power Cord (3 Wire) - UK
English - Documentation Studio 1737
N0873505
1Yr Limited Warranty - Collect & Return
90W AC Adaptor
Studio 1737 Order - Ireland
No Carrying Case
Studio 1737 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)
Travel Remote Control Express Card
Wireless Label (Intel Wireless Cards) - Core 2 Duo
Datasafe Local 2.0 Basic

OR

studio xps
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8600(2.40Ghz, 1066MHz, 3MB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 (64 BIT) - English
Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English - (Does not include Microsoft® Word)
Black Leather back cover : 15.6" (inch) Truelife 1080p Full HD WLED Edge to Edge Display
15.6" (inch) Truelife 1080p Full HD WLED Edge to Edge Display
4096MB 1067MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x2048]
500GB (7,200rpm) Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive
1Yr Premium Warranty Support
Primary 6-cell 56 WHr Lithium Ion battery
INTERNAL BLU-RAY ROM COMBO (BLU-RAY, DVD AND CD READ, DVD & CD WRITE) SLOT LOAD DRIVE WITH SOFTWARE
1GB ATI® Radeon™ HD 4670 graphics card
Integrated DVB-T TV Tuner and Antenna (MLK base)
Accessories
No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module
Intel WiFi Link 5100 (802.11 a/b/g/n 1X2) 1/2 MiniCard
Services & Software
No Accidental Damage Support
DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 year
Also Includes
N08X1603
Studio XPS 16 Order - Ireland
English - Documentation Studio XPS 16
Datasafe Local 2.0 Basic
Studio XPS 16 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)
90W AC Adaptor
No Carry Case
1 Meter Power Cord (3 Wire) - UK
Internal UK/Irish Qwerty Keyboard
1 Year Premium Warranty Support
2.0 Mega Pixel Integrated Camera with Facial Recognition Software
Wireless Label (Intel Wireless Cards) - Core 2 Duo

Many Thanks

petes

What does each cost?

I reckon both are well over spec for what you are looking for.

holdemfoldem

hi Insurgent,

Sorry should have put up the prices at the start, below are the prices with epp and 5% voucher out at the moment.

Studio = €1058
Studio xps = €1149


Ok i see what you mean about them being over spec but I do watch alot of mkv / hi def stuff plus i wanted to get one that would hold up over time. If i were to drop the spec and buy a cheaper model then i feel it would be out of date quicker meaning i'd have to buy another one again anyway.

Also i have a studio xps desktop ( higher end model ) and am considering selling it and using this as a replacement.

Thanks again!

Barrypr

They do seem over spec, but I do have an XPS myself, have it around 1.5 years now, work as systems engineer and use it in work too, great machine nice and powerful, like yourself I play the odd bit of poker online and use it for movies, true-life screen good sound quality, both should do what you want though so I guess its up to yourself!

holdemfoldem

Barrypr wrote: »

They do seem over spec, but I do have an XPS myself, have it around 1.5 years now, work as systems engineer and use it in work too, great machine nice and powerful, like yourself I play the odd bit of poker online and use it for movies, true-life screen good sound quality, both should do what you want though so I guess its up to yourself!

thanks lol.. no closer to makin my mind up though;)

Alanstrainor

holdemfoldem wrote: »

thanks lol.. no closer to makin my mind up though;)

As said, those machines are overkill...big time. Unless your needs change dramatically, i would expect any machine around the 700 price range to last you 4+ years. 700 buys you a lot of laptop these days. And you're not going to notice the difference between DDR3 and DDR2 RAM with your needs.

holdemfoldem

cool cheers for the advice..

we give it a few days and at least look around at other ( cheaper ) ones to see if i change my mind