Building the Optimum Laptop from Dell: From MTW to College

[Zephyrus]

As mentioned above, I've recently started searching for the right dual-purpose laptop, and I also want to find the one that has the lowest possible price. Since TWC is filled with people who are experienced at this sort of thing, I leave it to you guys to determine if my first choice, copied/pasted here, is a sweet deal by itself. The system is:
XPS 1530
SYSTEM COLORTuxedo BlackPROCESSORIntel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB, 6MB Cache)editOPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1editLCD AND CAMERAHigh Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900) & 2MP CameraeditMEMORY2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)editHARD DRIVESpeed: 160GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive Free Fall SensoreditINTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVESlot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)editVIDEO CARD256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GTeditWIRELESS CARDSIntel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-cardeditBATTERY OPTIONS56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary BatteryeditSOUND OPTIONSIntegrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software EditioneditFINGERPRINT SCANNERFinger Print Reader XPS M1530editPRINTERDell AIO 948 (PRODUCT) RED - Includes FaxeditPRINTER CABLEDell 10ft USB Printer CableeditSERVICE & SUPPORT1Yr Ltd. Warranty, 1 yr HW Warranty Support, 1 yr Advance ExchangeeditDELL 948 (PRODUCT) REDDell 948 All In One (PRODUCT) RED™editPRINTERDell USB Printer Cable - 10 ft. (Not Required With a Wireless Printer)editANTIVIRUS SOFTWAREMcAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 36-monthseditPRODUCTIVITY SOFTWAREMicrosoft® Office Home and Student 2007 - Word, Excel + PowerPointeditPHOTO, VIDEO & BURN SOFTWAREAdobe Photoshop Elements + Adobe Premiere ElementseditGAMING ACCESSORIESSteelseries 5H v2 USB Gaming Headset with Pull-out MicrophoneeditCOLOR COORDINATED BAGS Slim Backpack - Fits Notebooks of Screen Size Up to 15.4-inch – Grey/BlueeditCOLOR COORDINATED MICE Logitech V220 Wireless Mouse - Midnight BlueeditPOWER OPTIONS4-Port Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Pocket Hub & Travel Surge Protector BundleeditWARRANTY AND SERVICEGet $70 Dell Gift Card with 4Yr In-Home Service, Parts Labor- Next DayACCIDENT AND THEFT PROTECTIONAdd Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 4Yr Warr.editTECH TEAMYour Tech Team Unlimited 1 YRGETTING-STARTED HELPDell On Call How-to Assistance, 30 dayeditDATASAFE ONLINE BACKUPDataSafe Online Backup 20GB for 1 yearPC TUNE UP3 Year Automated PC Tune Up 2.0DIAL-UP INTERNET ACCESSNo ISP requestedENVIRONMENTAL OPTIONSRecycling Kit and Plant a Tree for MeDell Printer DriverWindows Vista™ PremiumSoftware - AdobeAdobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1Processor BrandingIntel Centrino Core Duo ProcessorDoms Camera and ColorHigh Resolution,Black glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900)&2MP Cam
The total cost for this system is around $3,000.00, so I want to make sure that the configuration is worth it. Any suggestions?:hmmm:

[Brusilov]

If you want to play M:TW (Medieval Total War) then the 8 series card may cause you problems. If you want to play M2:TW (Medieval 2 Total War) then there isn't a problem.

2Gb of memory should be OK, however, if you can get another 1Gb then it would be worth it. I think Visa will recognize more than 3Gb while Windows XP will only recognize 3Gb.

Ideally for the same price you would be able to get a better desktop. However, if you need to take it to lessons then a laptop will have to do!

[Zephyrus]

Thank you! I was actually considering getting the alienware laptop just because it looked like it had all the high end technology needed for both gaming and school functions, but since you are suggesting that this laptop described above is good enough for the purposes i have in mind, I can rest easier knowing i havent missed out on anything. Although truth be told, I'm a bad bargain-hunter myself!

[Brusilov]

Thank you! I was actually considering getting the alienware laptop just because it looked like it had all the high end technology needed for both gaming and school functions, but since you are suggesting that this laptop described above is good enough for the purposes i have in mind, I can rest easier knowing i havent missed out on anything. Although truth be told, I'm a bad bargain-hunter myself!

I worked with someone who had bought an Alienware laptop and he was very happy with it.

I would have a look at other laptops to see if you can get something similar but cheaper.

I am based in the UK and don't know if you are in North America or Australia (given that the price is quoted in dollars).

There must be specialised forums out there that compare laptops.

[Zuwxiv]

I have the 8600 in my desktop and it works great, I've no complaints about it. It has excellent bang for the buck. The laptop version sometimes isn't quite the same, but it should be fine.

A couple warnings: Alienware computers are fast, but they're expensive and use less reliable parts. I wouldn't stick with them; my friends who have them have had to replace them numerous times.

Also, if you're using it for class, get a small screen. Very good laptops suck batteries like nothing else. My MacBook can get 8 hours of battery life if I really stretch it. Under normal to more heavy use, I can get a very decent 4-5 hours. Right now it displays more than 5 hours remaining on a full charge.

Compare that to my friend's alienware, which can under pretty much no circumstances take much more than 2 hours. If you're using it for gameplay, you better have it plugged in for more than an hour's use.

Also, it's just easier to bring along a smaller laptop, if you're using it to take notes in class.


So my recommendations: the 8600 is good, you won't regret it. Getting something better will bring the price up and will make it more future-safe, but buying anything top-of-the-line is just wasting money.

If you're increasing RAM, keep them paired. 2x1GB sticks for 2 GB, 2x2GB sticks for 4GB. Especially with dual-core processors (which you have a good one). RAM is much easier and cheaper to upgrade, so go for 2GB now and buy 4GB a year from now. You'll save some dough.

Also, shop around. Don't just look at Dell. You might want to look around at Newegg because you might find something for half the price...

[Zephyrus]

Excellent advice, Zuw. This can definitely help me when E TW or spore get released, or when I have to finish my studies at the cafe. Is the 8600 ur mentioning a macbook or intel btw?