Help speccing a laptop

themistry · 3 Jul 2006 at 22:49

Hi guys, im in a position where I need a performance laptop that is also portable. I really really need some expert advice on feautures that can be scrapped in order to achieve portability.

Originally I planned to buy the Acer TravelMate 8204WLMi, basically the top of the line acer notebook. Its only when i used a smaller toshiba tecra M3 that i realised this notebook may actually be too big to use on the move (i.e. train) and haul up and down the country (im in the UK).

Ok, as for useage, i may be doing a lot of virtualisation (i.e. running VMWare) and so I wanted something with a dual core proc and at least 2gb of ram. In terms of graphics, I wanted something DX9 compatible such that it would work well with Vista, in my field it is important that I appear to be using the latest technologies. I may also be developing on the move and so wanted a screen res greater than 1024x768.

So portable and powerful come to mind, I need to buy something pretty quick but im just totally confused as to what to purchase!

Guys (and gals), please help! All your advice is welcome!

Please, can we keep this to just laptop models and types such that is doesn't break any ocUK rules.

Kind Regards
Thanks!

Energize · 3 Jul 2006 at 23:16

Dell xps range.

Andy100 · 4 Jul 2006 at 00:10

Seconded

Dell XPS M1210 is the one you want.

An increadibly powerful laptop for the size.

themistry · 4 Jul 2006 at 14:48

Andy100 said:
Seconded

Dell XPS M1210 is the one you want.

An increadibly powerful laptop for the size.

Any opionions on the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ1VP? Same spec as the dell but looks much nicer imo.

Kind Regards

Bobbler · 4 Jul 2006 at 22:13

tarunmistry said:
Any opionions on the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ1VP? Same spec as the dell but looks much nicer imo.

Kind Regards

I would agree with that also, even though I own the M1210 myself

Looked at the Vaio amongst the many I was choosing at the time, only thing that the Dell won on in the end was when I found I got £300 off the price by getting it through my workplace Dell account manager. Left me with the extra to get the RAM upto 2GB, a case and some other bits and bobs.
Bad point of the M1210 is the keyboard is a wee bit flexy in places (bottom right corner mainly) and some of the accessories Dell show in the owners manual aren't actually available to buy - Component Video/SPDIF dongle which is something I was really looking forward to as I have a decent sized telly and fancied some gaming on it. Neither our account manager or Dells parts outlet can find a stock code for it unfortunately.