Torn between 2 Labtops for college/gaming

[SonoInc]

Basically I'm torn between these 2 computers the Alienware Aurora m9700 and the Dell XPS M1210. I need a labtop for basic college uses (typing papers, iTunes, movie's on PC and TV tuner on PC, etc.) and Playing Computer games such as Crysis Online, World in Conflict, Supreme Commander, Warhammer Online, and Dark Age of Camelot ( I do NOT need ultimate performance, i would just like to be able to play these games with NO lag.) So, basically, which one will give me both of those? Is it worth the extra $700 for 256MB of Video memory, a bit faster processor, and other stuff? My cap for spending is $3,000.

Here are the 2 systems specs:

Alienware Aurora m9700 ($2,977):

Processor: AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile ML40 2.2GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 - With USB Mini Media Center Remote Control and Single NTSC TV Tuner
Chassis: 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD with Clearview Technology - Cyborg Green
Motherboard: Alienware® NVIDIA® Mobile SLi Chipset
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR SO-DIMM at 400MHz - 2 x 1024MB
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 100GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Optical Drive: 24x DVD-ROM/CD-RW Burner w/ Nero Software
Video/Graphics Card: Dual 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS - SLI Enabled
Sound Card: High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Wireless Network Card: Internal 802.11b/g WiFi Card w/ Airgo MIMO Technology
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth® Device
Primary Battery: Alienware® m9700 12-cell Lithium-Ion Smart Battery Pack
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
AlienRespawn: AlienRespawn v1.0 Recovery Kit – Windows XP Edition
Games: Supreme Commander
Wireless Routers: Netgear WPN824 RangeMaxTM Wireless MIMO Router

Dell XPS M1210 ($2,262):


PROCESSOR   Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB)   
OPERATING SYSTEM   Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium   
A/V COMMUNICATION PACKAGE   Integrated Webcam and Mobile Broadband Antenna   
MEMORY   2GB Dual Shared Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
HARD DRIVE   Speed: 100GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)   
OPTICAL DRIVE   24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive   
VIDEO CARD   256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7400 TurboCache™   
SOUND OPTIONS   Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™HD Software Edition
BATTERY OPTIONS   9-cell Primary Battery and 9-cell additional Lithium Ion Battery   
POWER OPTIONS   4-Port Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Pocket Hub & Travel Surge Protector Bundle
DOCKS, KEYBOARDS & MICE   Logitech VX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse
WIRELESS CARDS   Intel PRO/Wireless 3945a/g
TV TUNERS   Dell External USB Combo Analog/Digital TV Tuner with Media Center Remote
EXTERNAL BACKUP & STORAGE   SanDisk 2GB Cruzer Micro U3 USB Flash Drive   
PRODUCTIVITY   Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 - Word, Excel + PowerPoint   
ANTI-VIRUS & SECURITY   McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 15-months
WARRANTY AND SERVICE   1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day
ACCIDENT AND THEFT PROTECTION   Add Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 4Yr Warr.
DIAL-UP INTERNET ACCESS   No ISP requested
NETWORK CARD   Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem   
Adobe Software   Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0   
Miscellaneous   Award Winning Service, Support   
Labels   Windows Vista™ Premium   
Processor Branding   Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor

Thank you!

[unlovedwarrior]

i would remove you email because of spammers and with alienware your paying the extra amount for the name.. and any computer will do for basic stuff like internet and music.. for gaming you need a good video card and good amount of ram..

[Calum]

I advise against either laptop to be honest.
The first is much better for gaming, the graphics card is a lot more powerful.
However, the second has a more powerful CPU which is also dual-core.
If it came down to only those two, the first is better for gaming.
However, I advise finding something else entirely- Dell XPS and Alienware PCs are often very expensive and not good value.

What to look for - Core 2 Duo CPU, 1.8GHz or more.

1-2Gb of RAM, it can be easily upgraded.  1Gb is nice to have and is generally the "sweet spot" where it gives god performance without costing the earth, and 2Gb gives more performance but can be costly.

7600 class card or higher - this is the most important component for gaming.  A 7900 class card would give much better performance at the cost of some battery life, higher heat production, and the necessity of a larger laptop.

7200rpm HDD - your games and programs will load much faster than with a 5400rpm drive.

OS - XP or Vista, your decision.  Vista is still having teething troubles and will sap performance more than XP, but it is newer and has more features which you may or may not find useful.

I hope all of this helps you a little - you'll be able to find what you want, just keep looking.

[SonoInc]

So what Labtop would you recommend for my needs?

What do you think of this one:

    * Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
    * – Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz/4MB L2Cache)
    * – 17.0" WXGA+ Ultra BrightView Widescreen (1440x900)
    * – $50 off upgrade from 1GB (2 Dimm) to 2GB (2 Dimm)!
    * – FREE Upgrade - LightScribe DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer
    * – 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
    * – HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader +Webcam
    * – Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection
    * – 200GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (100GB x 2)
    * – HP Expresscard TV Tuner for Windows Vista Notebook
    * – High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
    * – Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
    * – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

   This ships free    $2,321.99    

HP Surge Protector, 8 Outlet, Phone/DSL/Coax Protection
Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router with Speedbooster

Thanks for advice!

[patio]

Gaming ....and College.

What's your Major ? ?

[SonoInc]

Don't have one yet. I will be a senior in high school starting in september, but I plan on going into business once I enter college, still not sure what college though.

What do you think of that HP laptop?

[Calum]

That's a great laptop.
Fairly powerful graphics which support DX10, good RAM, fast CPU, and a TV tuner.
Plus Vista Ultimate if you're into that.
Nice price and good extras too, very nice find.
I'd say go for it.

[SonoInc]

Does that really support DX10? I thought that Nvidie 8800 was only DX10 supported video card?

[Calum]

All GeForce 8 series cards and ATI Radeon X2XXX series cards support DX10.

[honvetops]

  This ships free    $2,321.99   

lol  "free shipping"   

[SonoInc]

Wow, lucky me. Did not know that. That's the one I'm buying.

Thanks for you advice all!

I really appreciate it.

[Calum]

You're welcome.
Enjoy.