Computer Options

dvilimek

New Member
Hi everyone,

I hope you can help me with my next laptop purchase. I’ve tried to narrow down my criteria, and I think I can get a good laptop with the minimum following criteria:

• 15” screen
• 4GB RAM
• 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo 45 nm Intel processor
• under $1500 Canadian

My typical use is for web browsing, web design, and working with large Excel files. However, I do use my laptop quite frequently for some Cinema 4D and InDesign/Photoshop work. In my case, I thought 4GB RAM was the priority over getting more than a 2 GHz processor.

I’ve attached my “narrowed” down list of options, bearing in mind that I live in Canada. The “rank” field is from a processor list at notebookchek – just to help me sort my thoughts.

Any thoughts what I should go for?

Thanks!
Dino
 

Attachments

Is the canadian worth more than the American? I have three choices for you. And this is saying OS doesn't matter to you.
1. Macbook 1200$
2.Dell Studio 17 999$ http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DNDWSA3&s=dhs
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T6600 (2.20GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
Jet Black
Microsoft® Works Plus 2008
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
Glossy widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440x900)
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
Size: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
8X Slot Load CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Intel®WiFi Link 5100 802.11agn Half Mini-Card
Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
56 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™ Advanced HD Software Edition
Standard Keyboard (included in the price)
Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
Glossy widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440x900) w/ 2.0M pixel Camera
Windows Vista™ Premium
Intel® Centrino® Processor
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0Compatibility AlertRecalculating Price



3. HP HDX 16 1099.99$ http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/cto.do
• Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
• Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0GHz)
• 16.0" diagonal High Definition HP BrightView Infinity Display (1366x768)
• 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
• 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
• HP Color Matching Keyboard
• Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
• LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
• No TV Tuner w/remote control
• 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
• No Productivity Software
Accessories
Printers

I'm not sure of the exchange rate but that is the best I can do for you. For price I would say the Dell studio 17, as far as for what you want to do your best choice is the macbook. OSX being unix based will be better for your designing stuff. The HP is just listed if you didn't like my first two option. Let me know what you think.
 
Last edited:
Thanks DMGrier!

1. My wife has a Mac -- I just can't do it! ;)
2. Dell 17 came to $1179 on Dell Canada - do you think a Dell's quality rivals HP?
3. FutureShop in Canada has a similar model on sales for $1199 Canadian - better processor by smaller hard drive (model #X16-1155CA) -- leaning towards this one.

Cheers!
Dino
 
I would say that HP and Dell build the same quality. But HP are a little wierd. I have a HP desktop for my wife and there are certain programs that won't run on her desktop that will run on my laptop and there both using the same OS. If I was you go with Dell, I have a laptop that I have put though hell and it going on four years old and everything still works on it.
 
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