Which one is better??

[kumarprabhatn]

Hi there.. I m looking for my desktop replacement laptop.. After searching everywhere I shortlisted 2 laptops..
Dell Vostro 1500:
Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz, 4MB cache, 800MHz FSB)
2GB RAM
Nvidia Geforce 8600M GT (256MB) Graphics
120GB SATA Hard disk
8X DVD+/-RW Combination drive with dual layer capabilities
and some extras...... It costs approx $1280 in US

HP dv9500t series:
Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz, 4MB cache, 800MHz FSB)
2GB RAM
Nvidia Geforce 8600GS (512MB) Graphics
160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
and some extras (similiar to dell's)..... It costs $1325 in US

Which one is better?? I stay in India. Here Dell Vostro 1500 configuration as given above costs about Rs. 66000 which is approximately $1630 if converted to US currency I m not sure about HP, which I think will definitely be costlier.. I will be using my laptop for movies, music, GAMES and sometimes encoding videos (which takes long time and a lot of processor & RAM usage).. Somebody please suggest me which one is better?? Thanks..

 

[Ruptga]

Well, since you put games in caps, I assume that's most important to you, and the two spec sheets are the same except for hard drive size and the GT vs GS, so I'd go with the Vostro. The GT is a good bit beefier than the GS (at least on paper), and the 512MB of memory is meaningless because those cards use a 128bit bus (the bus is too small to take advantage of more than 256MB).

And since this is a desktop replacement anyway, look at getting yourself an external hard drive to hold all your movies and all that, 120GB fills up faster than you'd think.

 

[JustaGeek]

Get the HP - no brainer here!

BTW, Vista can take advantage of 512MB of VRAM or more, so in the end it will be better.

My Compaq laptop V5305WM with 2GB RAM has 128MB shared Radeon Xpress 200 chipset, and the Graphics Properties (Adapter Information) tab shows:

Total Available Graphics Memory:....831 MB
Dedicated Video Memory:...............128 MB
System Video Memory:......................0 MB
Shared Video Memory:...................703 MB

So... Vista actually uses 831 MB of memory in my system for graphics!

 

[Daleon]

No brainer? I don't see that heh. I'd get the 8600M GT. First person was right, those video cards don't have enough bandwidth to seriously use 512 megs of ram. Throwing more ram at a crappy video card doesn't make it a great video card.

 

[JustaGeek]

Let me rephrase then...

Get the HP - no brainer here!

 

[Daleon]

It must be a nice world when the answer to everything is HP.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Let me rephrase then...

Get the HP - no brainer here!

dude i have an HP and i'm saying the dell is better.

1. vostro's cheaper cheaper
2. the hp 9000 series has a 17" monitor right? and what's the weight? something like 9lbs?
3. gpu is stronger in the dell

the HP has its positives but i don't think it'll be ideal here

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: alimoalem

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Let me rephrase then...

Get the HP - no brainer here!

dude i have an HP and i'm saying the dell is better.

1. vostro's cheaper cheaper
2. the hp 9000 series has a 17" monitor right? and what's the weight? something like 9lbs?
3. gpu is stronger in the dell

the HP has its positives but i don't think it'll be ideal here

Laptops are very personal and important pieces of equipment, like cars. Cost doesn't always need to be first row.
Why compare a 17 to a 15 laptop. IMHO having a 17 rules.
Sometimes the VRAM is more important then the power. I have the GS and it can truly use all that VRAM.

If it ain't clear from the forums already, I hate everything dell and I love the HP.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: Daleon
It must be a nice world when the answer to everything is HP.

See, I have used different brands of different components over the years, and have purchased some OEM computers.

And, as all of us here, listened to opinions, and read the reviews.

When I get convinced about the quality of the brand, their customer service and, especially, the support websites and the availability of the drivers and other sofware, I stick to them.

My all time favorites: Antec, ASUS, ASRock, some ACER, Crucial, G.Skill, EVGA, LG, Cooler Master, Seagate, and of course - HP.

 

[Daleon]

Everyone is entitled to their favorites. Just so you know, I can dig up thousands of forum complaints all over the net specifically aimed at HP. I can do it for Dell, Gateway, etc. These companies sell MILLIONS of computers. I would even say that 75% or more of those complaints are PEBCAC issues to and not directly hardware related.

Its safe to say either laptop will probably be very nice, and do a good job of gaming. I know the machines with the 8600M GT are the most popular right now with gamers. Until more machines come out with the 8700M GT. The Asus c90 with the 8600M GT 512 would be the answer to both questions, just have to build it yourself though.

If you plan for a comlete desktop replacement and won't be moving it then I'd defintely get a 17". If you plan to carry it with you on any consistant basis do yourself a favor and get the 15".

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: Daleon
Everyone is entitled to their favorites. Just so you know, I can dig up thousands of forum complaints all over the net specifically aimed at HP. I can do it for Dell, Gateway, etc. These companies sell MILLIONS of computers. I would even say that 75% or more of those complaints are PEBCAC issues to and not directly hardware related.

Its safe to say either laptop will probably be very nice, and do a good job of gaming. I know the machines with the 8600M GT are the most popular right now with gamers. Until more machines come out with the 8700M GT. The Asus c90 with the 8600M GT 512 would be the answer to both questions, just have to build it yourself though.

If you plan for a comlete desktop replacement and won't be moving it then I'd defintely get a 17". If you plan to carry it with you on any consistant basis do yourself a favor and get the 15".

You can always dig up complaints about any company around. But show me big complaints about the 9500 series. Sure you always have the ones that passes under QC, but that doesn't make the whole group bad. The 9500 is a good laptop backed by a good company. The warranty system is second to none. The HP has backing, the Dells I have noticed have a shady history. Maby their good, maby their still garbage anyways.

 

[corkyg]

Sometimes it pays to look at the bigger picture - the best value usually comes with the company that is doing the better job. Right now, Dell is in deep kimchee and it's current QC is in shadow.

Winners and losers

Nothing like resurrecting a two month old note and making an irrelevant statement. (Vacuum below) Asus? That was not the question. This is a good example of neffing.

Anyway, tech support by HP is probably better in India because that's where it's at!

 

[vacuuum]

I'd say get the Asus C90
If you're serious about gaming and would like to keep your desktop replacement for a long time.
The C90 is the way to go, and if you don't feel like putting it together just google it and some sellers offer to build it for you.
This is one serious and sexy machine... I'd buy one if I can afford it >.<