Question:
HGL30, HEL80, S96J, E1705...tough call
Hi I'm buying my first laptop in the next few days, and I cannot decide over 4 laptops: HGL30, HEL80, S96J, and the Dell E1705.
I am a hardcore gamer, so I need a good graphics card, but I may also need to carry my laptop around a few times a week to and from class, which is about a 15 minute walk.
Here are the specs and price of each:
HGL30: 14.1", T5600, Go 7600 256MB, 1GB 667MHz RAM, 60GB 7200RPM, Wifi, weight: 5.5lbs, ~$1300
HEL80: 15.4", T5600, Go 7600 256MB, 1GB 667 RAM, 60GB 7200RPM, Wifi, weight: 7lbs, ~$1300
S96J: 15.4", T5600, X1600 256MB, 1GB 667 RAM, 60GB 7200RPM, Wifi, weight: 6.5lbs, ~$1300
E1705: 17", T2250, 7900GS 256MB, 1GB 533RAM, 80GB 5400RPM, Wifi, weight: 8.2lbs, $1198
Since gaming is my main concern, I researched the 3DMark05 scores of each computer, taking gpu overclockability into consideration. My understanding is that the ranking of these laptops in 3dmark scores is HGL30, HEL80, S96J, E1705. The first 3 get 3DMark05 scores in the 3000-4000, but the E1705 can achieve greater than 8000 in 3DMark05 and 4000 in 3DMark06. I know 3DMark is just a benchmark and real world results can vary, but it's clear that the 7900GS is about twice as fast as the 7600 and X1600.
So why don't I just go ahead and buy the E1705? Well, theres several reasons. First, I've never owned a laptop so I don't know how portable a 17" 8lb notebook is (can it fit in a normal sized backpack? i dont like carrying cases). Second, I've heard mixed reviews (mostly bad) about dells support, where as I would probably buy the HGL30 HEL80 or S96J from powernotebooks.com which has flawless support. Third, the E1705 comes with a 6cell battery, and I'm guessing that won't provide much juice for this computer. Finally, the CPU and HDD are a tad slower on the E1705.
On that note, I just read a comparison on anadtech testing a core1 vs a same speed core2, and the results showed that as far as gaming went, they were virtually identical. I don't really care about Merom being 64bit, and I'd be getting the 2MB cache version anyways so I don't think it's worth it at all. Also, I read that a 7200 RPM drive was not so much faster than a 5400RPM as to justify the price hike (dell wants an extra $90 for an equal sized 7.2k drive). I'd rather use that money and buy some more ram, I'm sure that'll make much more of a performance difference.
Phew...ok so what do you guys think: go with a more portable, but slowest gaming (relatively) HGL30 , a decent looking but kind of heavy HEL80 w/ a 9cell battery, an average looking but decent 3d performing S96J, or a cheap and fast but huge e1705?
Sorry for the long post, thanks a lot for the help!
Answer:
Re: HGL30, HEL80, S96J, E1705...tough call
If you are going to be taking it around with you, I would suggest you stick with 14.1" or 15.4". I would even go so far as to recommend the 14.1" for those 15-minute walks and class use.
Dell's upgrades can be rather pricey, but overall their systems are pretty good for what you pay for them.
I personally like the HGL30 and think it would work very well for you. But if you want higher benchmark scores, there is always the ASUS W3J and A8Jm.
Answer:
Re: HGL30, HEL80, S96J, E1705...tough call
I really only need to take it one day a week to class, though I'd like to take it 3-4 times a week. The difference in weight between the HGL30 and the 1705 is about 2 and a half pounds, but the difference in 3D performance is about 2:1, favoring the 1705. Is the size worth the tradeoff, considering this laptop is basically going to be a desktop replacement 90% of the time?
Also, does anyone have any experience using a 7200rpm vs a 5400rpm drive for gaming? Is there a big difference?
Answer:
Re: HGL30, HEL80, S96J, E1705...tough call
the difference wont be directly in gaming, its in loading times. if your worried about loading screens, or play games like oblivion with in game loading id def consider the 7200rpm, and its only an arm and a leg if u buy the upgrade from someplace like dell, most honest resellers dont charge too much for them
Answer:
Re: HGL30, HEL80, S96J, E1705...tough call
I would recommend the HGL30 as well. Even if you only take it to class once a week, a 17" 8lbs laptop will be way too heavy. If it stays home and on your desk 100% of the time then that'll be fine, but if you ever take it anywhere, even around your room, get the 5 lbs.
8lbs is the laptop but add to that all the accessories, you're talking about 10 lbs+, it will break your back. Do not underestimate the 2 lbs difference, it's huge. I lugged my 8lbs laptop, then tried my friend's 5.5lbs and hers is much more portable. When I bought my laptop 2 years ago I wanted a lot of screen space, and I thought 2 lbs difference was not a big deal. I read reviews and I thought people that complained about 8lbs being heavy are skinny, weak girls. My was I wrong.
Answer:
Re: HGL30, HEL80, S96J, E1705...tough call
17 inchers are freakin huge. You can carry them in freakin huge backpacks. :p
I'll third the HGL30 as best mixture of performance and portability. If screen resolution is a concern for you (sounds like it isn't) then i'd go with the HEL80 or Z96j -- both 15.4" laptops, but not quite so unportable as a 17"
I think in a practical sense the HGL30 and HEL80 are the same in gaming performance... I know stock the HGL30's graphics card is a bit less underclocked than the HEL80's; I think either of them will be only slightly behind the s96j in performance. Definately a large disparity between those three and the Dell though, as you've surmised.
Answer:
Re: HGL30, HEL80, S96J, E1705...tough call
Well I love my Dell E1705, although I believe it is a bit too bulky to take to class, unleass that is all you take.
Have you considered the Dell E1505? Its a bit smaller, but is also good I believe, and is better for portability.
As for Dell customer support, I don't think it is that bad, as I have used it myself,
Anyways, I'm sure that whatever your decision is, you will be happy with :)
Answer:
Re: HGL30, HEL80, S96J, E1705...tough call
ill third the hgl30, i own an s96j and would regret the purchase if not fo rthe hgl30's teal color.
Answer:
Re: HGL30, HEL80, S96J, E1705...tough call
Thanks a lot for your replies guys! It was a very tough choice, and it was ultimately between the HGL30 and the 1705 in the end; I chose the 1705. The Dell's amazing gaming performance and good price couldn't be matched.
Yea, it won't be fun lugging around an 8lb beast, but it'll be the only thing in my bag other than a small class notebook, and I really only need to take it 1 day a week.
Answer:
Re: HGL30, HEL80, S96J, E1705...tough call
The notebook in my signature is 9.4 pounds and it is not a problem to carry to and from my college's library building (a 10-minute walk)...... when it's all I'm carrying. This plus books would be murderous, but by itself is fine. Also consider what class you're taking it to: if it's one of those school chairs with a little board attached to it (ie, no actual desk), a 17-inch notebook will kill you.
Good choice anyway!
C.