Question:
Choice between Two Laptops
I'm looking to do some semi-heavy game (new games with low to medium settings). Which do you guys think I should get (prices are CAD after tax):
Inspiron 9400
IntelŽ Core™ Duo Processor T2400 (1.83GHz/667MHz FSB)
17 inch Wide Screen XGA+ Display
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
8x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW)
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card (54Mbps)
6-cell Primary Battery and 9-cell additional Lithium Ion Battery
256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEONŽ X1400 HyperMemory
with 3 year full warentee for $2100
or
Inspiron 6400
IntelŽ Core™ 2 Duo processor T7200 (4MB Cache/2.00GHz/667MHz FSB)
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
256MB NVIDIAŽ GeForce™Go 7300 TurboCache
120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW)
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 Internal Wireless
6-cell Primary Battery and 9-cell additional Lithium Ion Battery
with 3 year full warentee for $1840
Is the extra $300 worth it?
Answer:
Re: Choice between Two Laptops
Wow, Im sure you can get a better deal on those two. Look around for some more coupons. The free 20% off ones are all used up but look on ebay if you are truly interested in Dells. Again, the x1400 is BETTER than the 7300. DONT CONFIGURE THE 6400 WITH A 7300. More things to think about: The 7900gs destroys the x1400 in performance. If you tone down your battery selection you could really future proof your laptop. Make it stay valuable throught that huge warranty. Just my two cents.
Matching the bus speed with your RAM is also good, though I think it is not necessary with the core duo. A Core 2 Duo would also future proof your laptop by allowing you to run 64 bit apps such as windows vista.
And Oxymoronic, if you are still planning to upgrade your card, the 1500m will most likely not fit in the 6400. Even if it did, the lack of a second fan and spacing would make it run VERY hot. Not Recommended.
Answer:
Re: Choice between Two Laptops
I'm planning to get this around X-mas so I figure I can get a better deal near then. Is there a Dell computer with the 7900gs for the same price?
Answer:
Re: Choice between Two Laptops
Only the 9400 and the xps 1710 offer the 7900gs right now and the 9400 is WAY cheaper. Keep checking the website for deals and updates between now and X-mas and you should get what you want for cheaper than those configs.
Dell had a 35% off promotion a month or two ago when I got mine. Look for another one of those and jump at it. Good Luck!
Answer:
Re: Choice between Two Laptops
I think it is better to choice low price and good quality laptop. Quality guaranty is important for user.
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Answer:
Re: Choice between Two Laptops
Thanks for the help derilict, one more question. Having decided to take your advice and get the 7900gs, I'm a little concerned about battery life. How long do you think I will get out of the standard 80 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery in the 9400 and how much out of the optional 9-cell Primary Battery and 9-cell additional Lithium Ion Battery.
Thanks a lot man.
Answer:
Re: Choice between Two Laptops
I get 2.5 hours out of my 6 cell and the guys with 9 cell batteries get 3.5 or so. Hibernate and hotswap batteries and you could get 6.5-7 hours with two 9 cells. If I remember right the 7900gs sucks about 11 watts, and the powermizer doesn't help too much, but considering the performance that is some pretty good battery life. Check out the 17" notebook threads under dell for more thorough information on this.
Also, the Core 2 Duos appear to be more energy effecient on battery, leading to possibly more battery life as it did in a XPS 1710 review I saw. I seem to remember a full hour of improvement although performance was much lower on battery than the core duo version...
Answer:
Re: Choice between Two Laptops
No it's not worth it. Get the one with the Core 2 Duo processor. The Core Duo is not compatible with Vista when it comes out since it's a 32-bit processor. But the Core Duo 2 is a 64-bit processor, which is compatible with Windows Vista. But if gaming is really that important to you, then get the one with the ATI X1400 graphics card since the differnce between the ATI X1400 and the Geforce 7300go is quite large.
Answer:
Re: Choice between Two Laptops
I think it is a good idea to go with the go 7900 GS in an Inspiron 9400. That is a very powerful system for an almost unbeatable price. As long as 17" is not too big for your needs.
You should be able to get a Core 2 Duo processor right now through Dell, and the price shouldn't be any higher.
Regarding battery life: I used to have the e1705 (same as 9400) with the go 7800. It got about 1:30 while gaming on battery. I think non-gaming life was about 2:40 or so but that was a while ago.