HP dv6700t or Dell Vostro 1500

[tibug]

HP dv6700t or Dell Vostro 1500

I need a new laptop because the hard drive just died on my 2000 era Thinkpad T23. I will be dual booting Linux and XP. My budget is up to about 900 (slightly flexible). I would like to do some gaming, but mostly multimedia and online stuff. I am liking the HP right now for its multimedia orientation (Altec Lansing speakers...yay). I'd like, for once, to have some audio with some actual bass rather than the tinny POS speakers on all laptops I've had or family members have had. I really would like a dedicated gpu, but will consider integrated. Looks are important, but not as important as function and durability. I will upgrade RAM aftermarket. Should I really upgrade Networking cards? i.e. Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN vs 3945ABG? Any difference? HDD space isn't a big deal for me...anything over 100 gigs is probably fine.

Is Intel really "in"? Is AMD that bad? I've looked at the benchmarks, but I'd like some real life opinions.

Should I go with a 7200rpm hdd, or will I notice a difference?

HP:
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Pprocessor T7250 (2.00 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS - For Core 2 Duo Processors
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection
250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive

-864 USD$

Dell:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT
160GB Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive, 7200RPM

-930 USD$

Which is the better deal?

I'm open to additional suggestions; I am a noob, and you probably know better than me what's good. All I know is that Ubuntu is good...real good...

Tim

 

[01001010]

I am liking the HP right now for its multimedia orientation (Altec Lansing speakers...yay).

Those speakers aren't going to make a huge difference.

Is Intel really "in"? Is AMD that bad? I've looked at the benchmarks, but I'd like some real life opinions.

It's not that AMD is bad, it's just that there are better alternatives for the price.

Should I go with a 7200rpm hdd, or will I notice a difference?

You'll save around 2-3 seconds in real life usage. I'll personally get it.

HP:
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Pprocessor T7250 (2.00 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS - For Core 2 Duo Processors
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection
250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive

-864 USD$

Dell:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT
160GB Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive, 7200RPM

-930 USD$

Which is the better deal?

This specific HP line will not have anything above a GeForce 8600 GS. If you're comparing specifications alone, the Dell is obviously the better deal.

I am liking the HP right now for its multimedia orientation

Right now, you're comparing a small business machine to a consumer oriented machine. The HP is obviously more suited for multimedia applications.

 

[tibug]

Those speakers aren't going to make a huge difference.



It's not that AMD is bad, it's just that there are better alternatives for the price.



You'll save around 2-3 seconds in real life usage. I'll personally get it.



This specific HP line will not have anything above a GeForce 8600 GS. If you're comparing specifications alone, the Dell is obviously the better deal.



Right now, you're comparing a small business machine to a consumer oriented machine. The HP is obviously more suited for multimedia applications.

Thanks a lot man. I think I'll hang around the Dell Outlet and see what kind of deals I can get on a Vostro, or maybe I'll customize one...

Tim

 

[bullzi]

sadly, ya i'd go dell, that 8600 sounds pretty good