I need some advice on a purchase

by susceptor Nov 14, 2004 1:41PM PST

I know computers pretty good, but I need a second opinion because I can't decide what to do.

I am a student, so I use my laptop on the go. primary use is home, but I take it with me. I use my laptop as my primary computer for pretty much everything. The two most hardware intensive things it does is of course videogames, and DVD playback. I'm not a hardcore gamer, so I don't expect a laptop to play Doom 3 or anything like that, But I like it to have enouph power to play a decent 3d game such as World Of Warcraft, or Warcraft 3. Anotherwords it needs to be capable of 3d acceleration, but nothing super fancy.

The problem is that The laptop needs to balance battery, weight, screen size, and power, and this brings me to my dilema. Of the current crop of laptops I have narrowed down the list to just two potentials.

They are:
Sony VAIO VGN-S260
and
HP DV-1040

The primary difference between these two models is that the sony has a smaller screen (13.3 inch vs 14 on the HP), the weight is less (4.2 lbs vs 5.3) and that it comes with a dedicated video card. The videocard is weak, it's a ATI 9200, with 32MB, but the HP comes with a shared memory Intel Extreme 2, 64MB shared. This presents a problem for me because I am not sure which laptop will give a better performace, and whether said performance is worth the extra you pay for the sony.

So I guess my question is really 2 questions:
1) Which is better, the ATI 32MB, or the Intel Extreme 64MB shared?
2) The price difference aside, which of these two machines is better, and will last longer?

help appreciated! thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Re: I need some advice on a purchase

by susceptor Nov 14, 2004 2:14PM PST

just wanted to add something to my last post:
2 other differences is that Sony runs on 333MhZ RAM, while HP runs on slower 266MHZ. The difference is not huge, but it matters. Also the Sony comes with 1.7GHZ Centrino, while the HP is a 1.6GHZ Pentium M.

And before anyone mentions, yes I know the 64 bit chip is comming, and I dont really care. I think that my next purchase will last me at least a good 3 years, and I fugure At that point I can get another thin and light for about the same price with a 64 bit chip.

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Re: I need some advice on a purchase

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 14, 2004 8:49PM PST

Sony service left a company I worked for with a dozen laptops that never worked right from day one. How naive we were to expect that with 20 plus or the same model Sony would fix it. You can give me a Sony, but I will not give them money for it.

Sony came in dead last on a report on service. You may like it's devices, but you are betting the farm if you need repair or service.

1. The non-shared memory video display wins most, if not all competitions. Shared is ok for non-gamers.
2. The laptop that will last longer will likely be the one that is treated with the best care and not dropped, banged around and such. The battery will fail after some 18 months or around 500 complete discharges but people go into denial that these batteries have such a short lifespan.

Bob

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Re: I need some advice on a purchase

by KenSanramon Nov 15, 2004 4:24AM PST

You do not want shared video memory if you are playing any modern game and that includes the newer versions of Warcraft.

The HP 1000 series is great for its 5.3 pound weight, instant on CD and DVD functions and built in remote but it is not intended for gaming at all.

The HPZT3000/Compaq X1000 series I have is a 15.4" widescreen Pentium M Centrino and that has up to 64mb dedicatd video with the ATI 9200 -- by ordering custom you can get the 64mb for only $50-$75 over the 32mb and you can't even play some games at all with the 32mb that you can on 64mb (reduced settings in some cases like Doom 3 for example). This model is 6.5 pounds and can still be carried in a Targus 15" notebook backpack easily. Pricing is in the $1,000-$1500 range depending on other options ordered -- you can save $ by ordering 256mb RAM 1 stick and adding the PC2700 512mb Kingston Notebook RAM (on sale at Best buy this week through 11/20) for only $79.99 after rebate.

Some models that have either the ATI 9600/9700 and/or 128mb dedicated video (like the Dell 8600) will do more but for your use get at least 64mb dedicated video and that gives you many more options.

See X1000forums.com for pricing and specs on the HPZT3000 and Compaq X1000 (and find out about discounts you can use on any HP/Compaq custom order at hpshopping).

Also, keep in mind that even if you don't play many games shared video memory takes a chunk of your system RAM to operate so if you have 512mb RAM you really only have 512-64 = 448mb RAM available -- that bogs down your system somewhat under any circumstance so dedicated video is better for that reason alone.

Many people will like the HP DV1000 series for its lighter weight and built in DVD/CD controls but not for any use requiring dedictated video RAM as it does not have it.

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Re: I need some advice on a purchase

by luxx Nov 22, 2004 11:45PM PST

Hi,

As R. Proffitt said, the Sony support is terrible, at least here in Europe. Don't know about HP.

I have an ATI 16MB and it is a poor video card, try to get at least (non shared) 64 MB if you're going to play games.

luxx.

I need some advice on a purchase

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