Highish End Multimedia Laptop

Revolution. · 5th October 2007, 12:29 PM

I'm after some advice.
I turn 18 on the 26th of October, and my parents have asked me if I'd like a laptop for my birthday.
They asked me to come up with the specs I'd like, then find some prices for them.
I do game a bit, so decent dedicated graphics is essential, preferably an 8600M-GT or HD2600.
2gb RAM is a must have, as well as a quick Core 2 Duo, 2ghz+.
I'm looking for a 15.4" model, preferably >1280x800, although that isn't essential.

I've done a bit of research and the models that seem to fit the bill are the gaming-oriented Asus G1S, the 'Gemstone' Acer Aspire (apparently it was co-designed by BMW), the Dell Vostro 1500 (plain looks, but cheap and powerful), the Dell Inspiron 1520 (not half bad looking, the colour options are nice, and just as cheap and powerful as the Vostro) and of course the ubiquitous Macbook Pro.

To be honest I find the Asus to be just a tiny bit tacky looking, the whole glowing gamer's laptop slathered in carbonfibre is nice, but not really my style. Acer looks decent, and supposedly has excellent speakers, but most people seem to recommend that I steer clear of Acer in general. The Dells seem to be awesome value, on the online configurator a machine with 4gb RAM, 250gb HDD, 1680x1050 LCD and a 256mb 8600GT came out to be just over $2500! And the Inspiron in chocolate brown looks quite nice. The best looking one of the lot of the Macbook Pro, and most of the appeal of the thing for me is in how it looks. As a bonus it is well-specced and there's always the bonus of OSX, which seems to be a good thing, although I've no preference one way or the other, I'll be installing Windows on it anyways, as like I said, I do game. I find them to be decent value too, once you factor in the Student Discount.

So, recommendations/responses? Anything I've missed? Anything I should take a closer look at?

Cheers, Revolution

oli · 5th October 2007, 1:10 PM

I'd take the MBP.

I might be biased though cause I got one a month or so ago and love it.

SSJX · 5th October 2007, 1:31 PM

Did you check out the Dell XPS range? they're designed for gamers

invisable · 6th October 2007, 12:58 PM

i am looking at getting one of these

they look nice and if you click here you can get a code to get 8% off

i read a review and the only con was "Two USB ports fewer than its predecessor."

Revolution. · 7th October 2007, 12:06 PM

I had a bit of a look at the Dell XPS machines, but I'm really looking for a 15.4" laptop, and the XPS machines are in 17" and 13.3" sizes only.

Pity, because I'd love an M1330 but in 15.4" size.

Any other suggestions?

5th October 2007, 12:29 PM	#1
Revolution. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 39	Highish End Multimedia Laptop I'm after some advice. I turn 18 on the 26th of October, and my parents have asked me if I'd like a laptop for my birthday. They asked me to come up with the specs I'd like, then find some prices for them. I do game a bit, so decent dedicated graphics is essential, preferably an 8600M-GT or HD2600. 2gb RAM is a must have, as well as a quick Core 2 Duo, 2ghz+. I'm looking for a 15.4" model, preferably >1280x800, although that isn't essential. I've done a bit of research and the models that seem to fit the bill are the gaming-oriented Asus G1S, the 'Gemstone' Acer Aspire (apparently it was co-designed by BMW), the Dell Vostro 1500 (plain looks, but cheap and powerful), the Dell Inspiron 1520 (not half bad looking, the colour options are nice, and just as cheap and powerful as the Vostro) and of course the ubiquitous Macbook Pro. To be honest I find the Asus to be just a tiny bit tacky looking, the whole glowing gamer's laptop slathered in carbonfibre is nice, but not really my style. Acer looks decent, and supposedly has excellent speakers, but most people seem to recommend that I steer clear of Acer in general. The Dells seem to be awesome value, on the online configurator a machine with 4gb RAM, 250gb HDD, 1680x1050 LCD and a 256mb 8600GT came out to be just over $2500! And the Inspiron in chocolate brown looks quite nice. The best looking one of the lot of the Macbook Pro, and most of the appeal of the thing for me is in how it looks. As a bonus it is well-specced and there's always the bonus of OSX, which seems to be a good thing, although I've no preference one way or the other, I'll be installing Windows on it anyways, as like I said, I do game. I find them to be decent value too, once you factor in the Student Discount. So, recommendations/responses? Anything I've missed? Anything I should take a closer look at? Cheers, Revolution

5th October 2007, 1:31 PM	#3
SSJX Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,746	Did you check out the Dell XPS range? they're designed for gamers __________________ Good Trader list: click here 164 unique users and counting Add your PSN ID to OCAU's Wiki Sony Vaio Club Member #2

6th October 2007, 12:58 PM	#4
invisable Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Noosaville, QLD Posts: 219	i am looking at getting one of these they look nice and if you click here you can get a code to get 8% off i read a review and the only con was "Two USB ports fewer than its predecessor." __________________ a company that will go to the ends of the earth for its employees will find that it can hire them for 10% of the cost of australians if you want to get to the top, prepare to kiss alot of the bottom never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups

5th October 2007, 1:10 PM	#2
oli Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,797	I'd take the MBP. I might be biased though cause I got one a month or so ago and love it.

7th October 2007, 12:06 PM	#5
Revolution. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 39	I had a bit of a look at the Dell XPS machines, but I'm really looking for a 15.4" laptop, and the XPS machines are in 17" and 13.3" sizes only. Pity, because I'd love an M1330 but in 15.4" size. Any other suggestions?