Currently I've got a Dell Studio 17 with an ATI 3650. I use it for programming, a bit of graphics stuff and gaming. I want to upgrade - my laptop annoys me for a few reasons:
So I want a new laptop:
I'm looking at the following. Prices include discounts I've managed to find, but I won't go in to any detail about that for obvious reasons.
Dell XPS 17
Pros: Nvidia 445M. Core i7 1.6Ghz
Cons: Doesn't look so great - quite plasticy. Crap monitor - no choice to upgrade. Apparently monitor has same banding problem as my current dell.
~£800
HP Pavilion dv7-4180ea
Pros: Looks alright. Core i7 1.6Ghz. Monitor is supposedly good.
Cons: Graphics card (ATI 5650) isn't as good as a 445M.
~£850
HP Envy 17-1190ea
Pros: Looks brilliant. Core i7 1.6Ghz. ATI 5850 graphics card.
Cons: Proper expensive. Would expect a 1080p at this price but is 1600x900. I can barely afford this but maybe it's just the price I have to pay.
~£1150
... so ... what would you do?!
- Poor graphics
- Battery sticks out the bottom. Hurts my lap. (Seriously! This makes me basically not want to use the laptop!).
- The colours on the monitor are rubbish. Loads of banding in gradients.
So I want a new laptop:
- Good graphics card
- Doesn't look silly (sorry but if you ask me, the MSI GX740 does look silly)
- A good monitor
- Good build quality
I'm looking at the following. Prices include discounts I've managed to find, but I won't go in to any detail about that for obvious reasons.
Dell XPS 17
Pros: Nvidia 445M. Core i7 1.6Ghz
Cons: Doesn't look so great - quite plasticy. Crap monitor - no choice to upgrade. Apparently monitor has same banding problem as my current dell.
~£800
HP Pavilion dv7-4180ea
Pros: Looks alright. Core i7 1.6Ghz. Monitor is supposedly good.
Cons: Graphics card (ATI 5650) isn't as good as a 445M.
~£850
HP Envy 17-1190ea
Pros: Looks brilliant. Core i7 1.6Ghz. ATI 5850 graphics card.
Cons: Proper expensive. Would expect a 1080p at this price but is 1600x900. I can barely afford this but maybe it's just the price I have to pay.
~£1150
... so ... what would you do?!