Question:
HP nc8430 or Dell 6400(E1505)
I am looking at the HP nc8430 or Dell 6400(e1505), this laptop will be used for University type activities. I want to be able to game on this laptop, playing BF2 and HL2. Battery life is somewhat important in that it needs to go at least 2hours just running a word application. I like that the HP has the X1600 but don’t like that the RAM is only 512DDR and the hard drive is only 60GB. The Dell has a full 2gb DDR2 RAM, 120gb Hard drive, but only a x1400 tho the Dell is a lot cheaper.
Price Range $1500-$2000CAN (plus tax and shipping and all that)
HP nc8430
Intel T2400 (1.8GHZ) processor
15.4-inch WXGA display
512MB 533MHz DDR SDRAM (1 DIMM)
60 GB (5400 rpm)
3 years parts, 3 years labor, 0 years on-site
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics controller with 256 MB of discrete video memory
ADI High Definition CODEC; integrated 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro compatible audio
Dell 9400(e1505)
Intel Core Duo processor T2500(2GHz)
15.4 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen SXGA+ Display with TrueLife
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 DIMM
120GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400 HyperMemory
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition
1 Yr Return to Depot Service with 1 Yr Tech Support
On a side note: Is getting a 7200rpm going to help with performance? Other then load times?
Is there a big difference between the:
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition
and
ADI High Definition CODEC; integrated 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro compatible audio
Answer:
Re: HP nc8430 or Dell 6400(E1505)
What was your price range?
Answer:
Re: HP nc8430 or Dell 6400(E1505)
$1500-$2000
The computers that I am looking at are at like the top of my budget.
HomeSkillet how did you manage to get the laptop you got for that price?
Answer:
Re: HP nc8430 or Dell 6400(E1505)
Thats a tricky decidion. It depends on what you want to do with the laptop. If you want to game, then the HP will be best, but its only 512 Mb. if i had to pick, then i would go with the Dell, because its got alot of RAM, a large hard disk, and the X1400 isn't too bad for occasional gaming.
Answer:
Re: HP nc8430 or Dell 6400(E1505)
The HP nc8430 is a business-class notebook. It is not as multimedia-oriented as the Dell, but has a far more powerful GPU (X1600 has 1.5-2x the power of the X1400) and is built much better. It will also be more durable. The HP comes with a three-year standard warranty and XP Pro as well.
Answer:
Re: HP nc8430 or Dell 6400(E1505)
Well in the HP I can always upgrade the RAM once I have it right?
Answer:
Re: HP nc8430 or Dell 6400(E1505)
Yes, its a simple case of undoing one screw and you have access to one slot, I think:o
And Chaz not all the HP business class notebooks come with three-year standard warranty, at least not in the UK.
Answer:
Re: HP nc8430 or Dell 6400(E1505)
In Canada, the nc8430 has a three-year standard.
http://www.hp.ca/products/static/not...8430/index.php
And Chaz not all the HP business class notebooks come with three-year standard warranty, at least not in the UK.
- I didn't state that all of them did. ;)
Answer:
Re: HP nc8430 or Dell 6400(E1505)
In your price range, there is also the COMPAL HEL80 and the ASUS Z96J to consider...
But of the two choices you present, I would go with HP...although I always thought you could make upgrades on their website.
Answer:
Re: HP nc8430 or Dell 6400(E1505)
I would go with the HP machine. Overall, it is a superior machine to the Dell.
(1) The 3-year warranty will keep you covered for most of your college career.
(2) The X1600 is faster than the X1400. I don't believe that the graphics are user-upgradeable in either machine, unlike the HDD and RAM, which are easy to upgrade
(3) The HP machine has a magnesium alloy lid and alloy internal structure. The Dell does not.
7200 RPM drives make the system more responsive overall. As the HDD is the slowest component in a computing system, it is generally to your advantage to get the fastest HDD possible.