New Laptop Q's

SnowAddict · 16th May 2008, 9:04 AM

Hey All,

My parents want a new laptop. It will mainly be used for simple tasks such as internet and home office type applications, however, my old man does like to play video games occasionally (would like to play HL2 and COD4).

Budget is around $1000 and I'm looking at two laptops ATM (both around the same price)
Dell Vostro 1510
Dell Inspiron 1525

Currently, on the Vostro, you get a free 1GB Ram upgrade.
Main difference between the two notebooks that I can find is the Processor on the Vostro is the Intel Core 2 Duo T5670, while on the Inspiron its the T5550.
The other difference is the Vostro comes with Vista Business, while the Inspiron come with With home premium.

My Questions are -
Will the average user (for Internet/gaming/office apps) notice a difference between Business and home premium?
As my old man likes to game, is it worth the upgrade from an Integrated X3100 to the GeForce8400M GS for $99 extra? Or should I be looking at a different GPU, if so is it possible to find a laptop with, say, an 8600M in it for less then $1200?

As I have not had all that much research time - are there any other suggestions for a sub $1000 laptop?

Thanks for any help/advice!
SnowAddict.

CHINNO · 16th May 2008, 1:37 PM

EDIT: Sorry didn't see the gaming in there.

EpHeSuS · 17th May 2008, 9:38 PM

In terms of the GPU, the X3100 won't get you very far at all, especially with HL2 and CoD4. You'd be MUCH better off getting a 8400M GS or a 8600, but I'm not sure if you can get a 8600 in a laptop for $1k.

haydio · 18th May 2008, 8:23 AM

I cant get cod4 smooth on my macbook with x3100 and 4gb ram, I'm not sure how well it would go with a 8400 but I wouldn't bother with the x3100

16th May 2008, 9:04 AM	#1
SnowAddict Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Latrobe Valley, Vic Posts: 9	New Laptop Q's Hey All, My parents want a new laptop. It will mainly be used for simple tasks such as internet and home office type applications, however, my old man does like to play video games occasionally (would like to play HL2 and COD4). Budget is around $1000 and I'm looking at two laptops ATM (both around the same price) Dell Vostro 1510 Dell Inspiron 1525 Currently, on the Vostro, you get a free 1GB Ram upgrade. Main difference between the two notebooks that I can find is the Processor on the Vostro is the Intel Core 2 Duo T5670, while on the Inspiron its the T5550. The other difference is the Vostro comes with Vista Business, while the Inspiron come with With home premium. My Questions are - Will the average user (for Internet/gaming/office apps) notice a difference between Business and home premium? As my old man likes to game, is it worth the upgrade from an Integrated X3100 to the GeForce8400M GS for $99 extra? Or should I be looking at a different GPU, if so is it possible to find a laptop with, say, an 8600M in it for less then $1200? As I have not had all that much research time - are there any other suggestions for a sub $1000 laptop? Thanks for any help/advice! SnowAddict. Last edited by SnowAddict; 16th May 2008 at 1:56 PM. Reason: rephrased question

16th May 2008, 1:37 PM	#2
CHINNO Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Moama Posts: 444	EDIT: Sorry didn't see the gaming in there. __________________ Main PC:Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 / Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3 / 8GB 800MHz 5-5-5-15 (4x2gb Sticks) / 8800GT 512MB Galaxy / 2xWD1tb 1xSeagate160gb 1xSeagate750gb / Lian Li PC-K7B / 600W Seasonic M12 (Modular) Super Silent HTPC: AMD5600X2 / Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H / 2gb Adata 800mhz / 1x Seagate 80gb / Generic 550w PSU / In Slightly Modded Dell Case (yet to be complete)

17th May 2008, 9:38 PM	#3
EpHeSuS Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bentleigh, Melbourne Posts: 2,674	In terms of the GPU, the X3100 won't get you very far at all, especially with HL2 and CoD4. You'd be MUCH better off getting a 8400M GS or a 8600, but I'm not sure if you can get a 8600 in a laptop for $1k. __________________ Canon 1d MK II \| 20D \| 24-105 f/4L IS \| 50 f/1.8 \| 135 f/2L \| 580EX II \| Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 EX DC \| 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 DC OS \| 100-300 f/4 EX

18th May 2008, 8:23 AM	#4
haydio Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rockingham, WA Posts: 366	I cant get cod4 smooth on my macbook with x3100 and 4gb ram, I'm not sure how well it would go with a 8400 but I wouldn't bother with the x3100 __________________ Core i7 920 @ 4ghz - 6GB DDR3 - 1TB RAID0 - 9600GT - 2x 19" 1x 32" Toshiba TV Black Macbook 2.2ghz - 4gb Ram - 320gb HDD Nikon D40 - 18-55mm - 70-300mm Volvo S40 - 1999