Help needed QUICK!!!!!

[Maron]

Okay Im getting a new laptop for a graduation present and I have about 2 days to make a decision so it will be here in time.

im stuck between the Alienware Area-51 m7700:

Intel Pentium 4 660 Desktop Processor w/ HT Technology 3.6GHz 800MHz FSB 2MB
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 533MHz - 2 x 1024MB
80GB 7200 RPM ATA100 HD
24x10x24 CD-RW / 8X DVD Combo
256MB NVidia GeForce Go 7800 GTX

for $3,359.00

or the Dell XPS M1710:

Intel Core Duo Processor T2500 (2MB Cache/2GHz/667MHz FSB)
2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHZ, 2 DIMM
80GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
8XCD/DVD Burner
512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GTX :sign_wow:

for $3,539

im not looking for the better deal really, Im looking for the POWER!!!

which one is going to run the Sh!t out games like BF2 and MTW2

should I go with the insane Graphics card of the dell?

is the duo core really all its cracked up to be even though its only 2 gb and does not support 64-bit?

should I go with the alienware's desktop processor and awesome reputation at the expense of increased graphic performance?

I wish I could combine the best of both into the perfect Gaming Notebook

[fatsheep]

That's a tough choice but I'd go with the Dell for the video card and slightly faster RAM. For gaming the Alienware has the better processor but the dual core one isn't bad either and it will really shine in multitasking. I wouldn't worry about 32/64 bit for now, there aren't really many advantages in 64 bit processing at the moment since the applications aren't there yet but I'm sure they will come in time.

[Neb]

This is a very basic search I did for benchmarks.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=2353&p=9

That one shows the P4 in the alienware a little bit below the X2 3800.

http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.aspx?i=2648

That one shows the Duo 2ghz very slightly behind (and in some cases ahead of) the X2 3800.

That's a very basic comparison based on one, possibly biased site. But it gives you a rought idea.

Couple that with: better ram, better HDD, better opticalm drive, better gpu.

Is this a question? really?

EDIT: just checked my links.. the first one is an Athlon 64 3800.. not an X2. Either way, I'd still go with the dell.

-Neb

[nahirean]

Wow. Terrible rip-offs. Both of them.

Build your own machine. You could build one of those for half that price. I know you said you're not looking for the better deal, but spending that much money on a machine you could build yourself for so much less borders on travesty. But when you do purchase one, let's go head to head in a benchmarking application - and then compare how much we spent

[Locky]

Wow. Terrible rip-offs. Both of them.

Build your own machine. You could build one of those for half that price. I know you said you're not looking for the better deal, but spending that much money on a machine you could build yourself for so much less borders on travesty. But when you do purchase one, let's go head to head in a benchmarking application - and then compare how much we spent

It's abit difficult to build a custom laptop, if not impossible....

[nahirean]

It's abit difficult to build a custom laptop, if not impossible....

Haha! Touche. I didn't even notice the "Laptop" part. My eyes jumped STRAIGHT to the SPECS and the PRICE! Sorry about that. I still maintain my position in the realm of "Desktops" though.

[Imperator of Rome]

The dell

[Legionary Jezza]

Dell also.

[Ahlerich]

alienware is specialized on chose hardware that works best together for gaming. if you want to spend that kind of money im sure you want to spend so much money for a good gaming experience. that is why i would go with alienware. its not about the best components only, it is also about how well they fit/work together.
your headline says help "quick"
if u spend that much money you shouldnt spend it quick.
finding benchmarks and readin reviews about both machines you should, young padawan

[Hadrian]

The Dell is the better gaming computer of the two. It has a dualprocessor and the 7800GTX is the 256MB version, which is definately inferior to the 7900GTX 512MB.
Dell also makes one bad**s laptop which I think is their forte.Alinware specializes in desktops, not laptops...

Nahirean councils wisely and would be right, if those were desktops....

Ahlerich gives good council also,about quick decisions with $3500.00,whether its your money or someone's who loves you enough to spend that kind of money on you!

Do the Dell.

[krazykarl]

Dell owns alienware

http://news.com.com/2061-10810_3-6070508.html

So either way, you are getting a dell.

[Incinerate_IV]

That Alienware is a rip-off, and a 3.6 ghz Pentium runs so hot, it will light your pants on fire (literally! I have a desktop processor in my laptop (Athlon 3000+) and it melted the paint off of my coffee table!). Also a 7900GTX 512 will blow 7800GO away, AND you get the dual core with Dell, which actually performs as good the 3.6 ghz Pentium. AND since the Dell's processor uses less power, it will be much lighter and have longer battery.

[Locky]

Yeah. Desktop's are cheaper, and a hell of alot faster then a laptop.

[Aristocrat]

Get the dell.
And laptops aren't hard to build, it's just a bother to find the dang parts.

[fallingstar]

Get the dell.
And laptops aren't hard to build, it's just a bother to find the dang parts.

Anybody here built laptops before how's its different to the inside of our current desktop ones?

Maron I think its the graphics card that tends to makes the game works better than the cpu speed, therefore graphics go for the Dell One.

[sunsmountain]

Building laptops is too difficult, even for the enthusiast. Basically you need the parts, and no one will easily sell them to you. You can't use "normal" desktop processors and graphics cards and stuff, because they won't fit, and they'll run too hot!

The choice is mainly centered around the 7900 GTX versus 7800 GTX. The first is simply better, seeing as you're going to use it for gaming get that one. But I would wait for Intel's new Core technology, i don't believe it's called Core Duo. Get the Conroe processor in June, it rocks much better than anything Intel is offering now.

If you want a gaming PC NOW, get an Athlon-FX or Athlon-X2 for happy multi-tasking. Both are better than Intel at gaming. >>I<< would get the X1900XTX if you're going to churn money and if it's available for laptops, since it performs better than the 7900GTX. Didn't even know the 7900GTX was in the laptops yet, are sure it isn't a 7900 Go? Have to update my laptop knowledge a little...

[Flogger]

I normally aren't a fan of Dells, but for the XPS I have to make an exception. Choose this, I based it on the fact that it has the better graphics card and processor.

[HorseArcher]

For that pricerange, you could by a cheaper laptop with less power - but good for the internet and simpler tasks, and also build or buy a respectable desktop.
I can't find a reason, why anyone want to play power-hungry games on a laptop.

[Maron]

Thank you all for your help in this matter.

I have listened to all of your "testimony" as well as that of several of my parents friends.

I have decided to get the dell xps. for reasons stated here (mostly the graphics card )

to answer several people question about: why a laptop?
because my parents said it had to be a laptop so i could take it into my college classes in the fall

once again thank you all,
Maron

[OTZ]

Defintiely Dell....it's a shame they are so pricey...For that much money think of the desktop you could build! It would be a sweet 3 LCD/SLI or Crossfire set-up...man the possibilities!!!