Help us pick a laptop!

My Resident Geek wants to get me a notebook computer for Christmas. Whee!

I want something that isn't too big and heavy, so I can take it on the road. But it still has to have enough screen area and computing power to run SL (of course!) I think the 15" models are a pretty good compromise.

After a lot of searching, we think we have it narrowed down to three.

Dell XPS 1530
HP Pavilion dv6500t
Sony VGN-FZ290

All of them have dual core processors around 2.2 GHz, 4 GB of RAM, GeForce 8xxx graphics, and Vista (at least two of them in the 64 bit flavor). All of them are priced in the range $1,500-2,000.

What can the experts tell us to help break the three-way tie?

We got the HP 6500 for our son and its really nice. If you’re going to be doing a lot of SL on it you may want to consider the 9500 series with the 17” screen.

The XPS 1530:

If you take this route, get the "256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT" video upgrade and make sure it has the 2gb's of system RAM. If you plan to go 64-bit and it fits in your budget get the 4gb's. Don't bother with the 4gb's if you stick to 32-bit.



This is from a PC world review for the HP:

the dv6500t can handle any type of application, from mainstream to multimedia, except 3D shooter games. The dv6500t's integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 can use up to 358MB of main system memory; but for real gaming muscle, you'd want to upgrade to the optional 256MB nVidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics chip.

If you went with the HP you would definitely want the upgraded video card. Avoid 'integrated' video at all costs. If that wont fit in your budget pass on it.


I would personally take the Dell system. Main factor being price, what you get for your money and extended warranty.

I do agree with Calveen, avoid the Sony. Hope my 2 cents helps.

Thanks, Theo. Yes, I should've made it more clear that the HP would include the graphics upgrade to Nvidia. I hear Intel graphics and SL don't get along well.

/me is waiting for delivery of Dell XPS T7200

My pleasure. I'm the resident geek for my group of friends and my family.(I'm the dork that builds a new PC every 6 months)

I'm still reading reviews on the HP and the Dell out of curiosity. Mostly the tech/geek forums i frequent and what I'm finding is the Dell would be the best 'bang for your buck'.

The thing to remember, with laptops you always want the extended warranty.

I passed by the XPS 15 incher and got a Dell Precision Workstation 15 inch laptop, with the 256 VPU that can also share 256 or RAM for a "total" of 512 megs for video. It works like a charm and is a real screamer with SL. Beautiful fit and finish, nice design. The XPS is nice too, though, and I took a look at it!

Those workstations look sweet, says my RG. I take it that the Quadro card works OK with SL? It's not on the supported list, 'cause it's not mainstream.

Tabby, ginger or maybe siamese are fine. The purr decibel level is important in laptops, as is the claw sharpness factor.

HP Pavilion dv6500z CTO NB
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
- AMD Turion(TM) 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-58 (1.9 GHz, 512KB+512KB L2 Cache )
- 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
- FREE Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
- 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
- HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
- 802.11b/g WLAN
- 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
- SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
- No TV Tuner w/remote control
- 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- Microsoft(R) Works 8.0

logged in 3 avies no problem, runs quiet and cool from what i can tell so far. Is the perfect laptop for me now when i'm travelling.

Is upgradeable to 4 gig of RAM, dell offered the 256 nvidea card for an extra 200$ but i got more features out of this one.

Dell XPS.. the new ones are wonderful.

(and get full 3 or 4 year warranty and if you are clumsy at all, get the Accidental Damage protection.)

Wow...both the Dell XPS and the Precision mobile workstation look hot. And both are quite a bit more expensive, when fully tricked out, than we'd thought.

But the XPS has that sexy red case option....

Dell has been dealing with some issues lately.. service and quality issues.

Also, some of their laptops used to catch on fire.. I think its fixed by now.. but just an FYI.

.d

I'm running SL on the latest Santa Rosa MacBook Pro revision, albeit in Windows XP Pro via Boot Camp until they work out the stupid OpenGL driver issues.

It is relatively similar to the Dell you are looking at...
15" 1440x900 Display
2 GB RAM
2.40 GhZ Core 2 Duo Santa Rosa
256 MB Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT

Runs SL Windlight un 'Ultra' mode flawlessly (aside from general SL bugginess), so long as I keep the draw distance at a reasonable level (I usually hover around 128 unless I'm taking pictures). So I would have to assume you'd have a similarly excellent SL experience on the Dell system.

Hi,

I want to buy new laptop from Dell.I like Second life but until this moment I have problem when I am in.... My PC is old. I now minimum System Requirements .

Can anyone,please give me suggestion which laptop from Dell(to $1700-1800) is great for Second life. I don't want Vista....

Thank you,

Elivana