New Laptop

[iTz]

Hey guys, I am new to these forums, and I seek your advice.

I am about to graduate from High School, and I will be needing a new laptop for college. I have a budget of $1500, however, with the economy in the crapper, I think my dad would appreciate a less expensive computer. Also, I have a few requirements of my own, things that I refuse to go without.

4 GB of ram, preferably at 800Mhz, however 667 is fine. (1 exception to Apple, their ram is so expensive)
INTEL processor
Screen size 15''>
From a name brand (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc... are fine)

Here are some that I have been looking at, please tell me what you think of it. I am mainly worried about the quality of the machine. I am kinda a computer nerd, I have been gaming for 5 years now, but I still need some extra advice.

Apple: MacBook 2.0GHz

* Intel Core 2 Duo
* 2GB DDR3 Memory
* 160GB hard drive1
* NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
* Standard keyboard
* Aluminum unibody
Price: $1299

Dell: XPS M1530

*Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T6400 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
*4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
*320GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
*128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS
*Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
*Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
Price: $999

HP: dv5-1150us
*CPU Type: Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 2.0G
*Screen: 15.4" WXGA
*Memory Size: 4GB DDR2
*Hard Disk: 320GB
*Optical Drive: DVD Super Multi
*Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
*Graphics Card: Intel GMA 4500MHD
Price: $949
Link

HP: dv5-1160us
*Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
*CPU Type: Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 2.0G
*Screen: 15.4" WXGA
*Memory Size: 4GB DDR2
*Hard Disk: 320GB
*Optical Drive: DVD Super Multi
*Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS
Link


Any personal experience would greatly be appreciated. I am new to laptops, I am used to the desktops, so your input would really be helpful!

Thanks,
iTz

 

[Irishwhistle]

The MacBook is, without a doubt, the highest quality and the one I'd choose.

 

[thermophilis]

I'd recommend this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220465 haven't used that model but I've had really great experiences with asus laptops, plus for gaming it should blow the ones you linked out of the water.

 

[daisymtc]

Apple out of consideration if you play games.

Asus G50Vt-X1, Intel P8400, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, 9800M GS, 15.6", Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit with SP1.
$1050
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9050279&type=product&id=1218012519873

 

[iTz]

When I go off to college, I do not plan to play any games. Maybe online poker, but nothing on the scale of WoW or COD4.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Kill Bill]

When I go off to college, I do not plan to play any games. Maybe online poker, but nothing on the scale of WoW or COD4.

Thanks for your input!

Get the MacBook! You will love it and you can even game on it thanks to its 9400M and since you might just play WoW and COD4 you can run cross over games.

Also take into consideration for Mac 2GB would run like 4GB not to mention DDR3 1Ghz not to mention it has the best GPU 9400M

 

[iTz]

I have only heard good things from Apple, yet I have only bought 1 iPod from them. I am kind of worried about the switch to Mac. I am so accustomed to PC, and I do not want to have to worry about learning the difference curve between the two right before college. I will probably catch on rather quick, but the switch worries me a bit.

Thanks for the advice!