Good spec / value? £650 budget!

[Kristoph]

Ok, I'm after a laptop that doesn't look like it was made in the 90's.

Needs to have a decent CPU for occasional gaming, movies, multi-tasking.

I want something fairly quick basically. With some potential for playing games.


Something I've looked at so far is the Dell Vostro 1510.

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T8100 (2.1 GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz FSB)
Windows® Vista™ Ultimate with Service Pack 1
3072MB (1x2048 & 1x1024) 667MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
256 MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8400M GS (64 bit) Graphic Card
250GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
15.4" UltraSharp™ Widescreen WUXGA (1900 x 1200) Display with TrueLife™


£656 delivered.

If need be I can always replace the 1GB stick with a 2GB stick. I'm wondering if the gfx card is adequate too?

Any suggestions? I'll be buying on July 30th, just before the deal runs out (£50 off and free del.)

 

[taz488]

id go for the higher model vostro, 17" screen, 1440 * 900 res and an 8600gt (gs if gt not possible)

i have that res on my 19" widescreen so its still a high res for a 17" screen

this adds much more potential gaming

 

[Kristoph]

The Vostro's did have the 8600M GT available, but its vanished now

Only the GS is available.

The 17" version with the 1400x900 screen is £50 more.

Do I go for a 15" with Ultrasharp and TrueLife (1920x1200) for £650

or a 17" with anti-glare (1400x900) for £700

To be honest screensize doesn't bother me, and I'll be taking it to lectures so smaller is better I think.

 

[Raikiri]

Inspiron 1720 - £649

Components
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7250 (2.00 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista SP1™ Home Premium - English
1 Year Base Warranty
Jet Black Colour with Matte Finish & 2.0mp camera
17.0" Widescreen WXGA+ (1440x900) TFT Display with TrueLife™
4096MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]
320GB (5.400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
nVidia® GeForce™ Go 8600M GT with 256MB DDR2 dedicated graphic memory
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including Software
Primary 6-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (56 WHr)

Something nice and small/portable - Vostro 1310 - £504

Components
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T8100 (2.1 GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows® Vista™ Home Premium with Service Pack 1 - English
13.3" Widescreen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display with TrueLife™
Glossy Black with 1.3 MP Camera
2048MB (2x1024) 667MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
250GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
128 MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8400M GS (64 bit) Graphic Card
65W AC Adaptor (3 Wire)
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive including Software
Primary 6-cell 58 WHr Lithium Ion battery

 

[Kristoph]

Cheers Raikiri, not so sure on a 13" laptop though - the inspiron looks good though.

I've just noticed the new Dell Studio range,

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8100 (2.1 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 3 MB L2 Cache,)
Windows Vista SP1™ Home Premium - English
1 Year Base Warranty
15.4" Widescreen WXGA+ WLED (1440x900) TFT Display with TrueLife™
4096MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]
320GB (5.400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
256MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3450

£689 delivered.

Wondering what the Radeon HD 3450 is like though?



I may wait till the 29th/30th of July and then see whats available in the Outlet store.

I just found this, but I expect it will b gone by then.

XPS M1530 CORE 2 DUO T9300 2.50GHz
Vista Home Premium
Dual Channel 4.0GB (2x2048) 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
320GB HD SATA (5400rpm)
256MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600M GT
15.4 Widescreen WUXGA (1920x1200) TFT Display

£655 excluding del.