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General discussion

Laptop Shopping

by MSUJulz May 11, 2009 12:45AM PDT

I am looking for a new laptop. My little Toshiba I received for graduation (four years ago) just can't cut the mustard anymore even for normal day to day tasks. I am currently a student and much of my work is studio graphics in which Photoshop is an absolute must along with several other programs like Sketch-up and Blender.
I spoke to my brother about this (he did tech support for a few years before his current job) and he suggested for the graphic abilities I need and speed I should look at gaming computers especially ones with a NVIDIA card. He also requested that I steer away from most Dells (except the XPS) and Gateway. The forerunner for me at the moment is, in fact, the Dell XPS M1730 but with the features I choose is a little more expensive than I anticipated.
The other snafu is that I am a creature of habit and really really would prefer to continue using Windows XP. One of the big reasons I'm leaning toward the XPS M1730 is, as I understand it, can have XP installed on it. The problem being I just read somewhere that the NVIDIA cards aren't compatible with XP.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I would appreciate any assistance.

Discussion is locked

9 Posts
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The problem isn't that XP isn't compatible but the
by orlbuckeye May 11, 2009 1:01AM PDT

problem when Nvidia releases a graphic card they develop the drivers to run in the current OS and with Windows 7 around the corner Nvidia and ATI will be putting their resources into Windows 7 drive developmetn for their new products. That pushes you back 2 generations of OS's (with Windows 7)rather then just 1 with Vista and XP.

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Okay
by MSUJulz May 11, 2009 1:30AM PDT

Thank you. I will be sure to take that into consideration. The OS is not the decision maker for me I just don't like Vista and, as Windows 7 hasn't really been released yet as I understand, XP is my only other option.

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If they deliver it with XP then it works.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator May 11, 2009 2:04AM PDT

What many complain about is the DX10 support in XP (there is none.) So the full effects are not found in XP and there you have people claiming that Nvidia (and ATI and everyone) does not support that GPU in XP.

If there is any hope you can delay till Windows 7 I advise you do that.
Bob

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Windows 7
by MSUJulz May 11, 2009 2:22AM PDT

Thank you.
My main concern with delaying is timeline. I wanted my laptop by this summer so I can get things installed and whatnot in time for school in the fall. Is there a verified estimate of a release date for Windows 7?

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Your research?
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator May 11, 2009 2:26AM PDT

All I know is it's do or die by December. The RC is out and now it's time for the makers to do their work.

-> No I do not have said dates.
Bob

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Windows 7 Out by the Holidays
by RonS [WINDOWS-TEAM] May 12, 2009 1:32AM PDT
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Dell and XP...
by TimWoodChip Intel staff May 11, 2009 3:12AM PDT

I agree with orbbuckeye, you don?t want to fall behind the OS 8-ball too far, at some point MS will cut off support of XP. While I don?t know the details around Win 7 launch, I know about a quarter prior to the Vista launch, MS came out and offered free upgrades to help sell all those XP systems still on the shelf. I suggest you inquire with a retailer and ask if MS is doing the upgrade again and when it begins; this will allow you to buy a Vista NB and get the Win 7 upgrade when it launches. I do own a Dell XPS 17xx and I love it. It is a bit heavy but the performance is worth the trade off to have a good DT replacement. If you don?t mind more weight and less battery life, several OEMs will have mobile quad-core systems this summer (using Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000). Hope this helps.

TimWoodChip
#tomorrow

=======
Disclosure: TimWoodChip is an Intel employee and self-described consumer PC expert

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XP
by Renegade Knight May 11, 2009 7:06AM PDT

You can get XP installed on Lenovo's T400, T500, and W500 Thinkpads without special ordering. All of those have discrete graphics cards, or one can be added as an option.

The Dell you are looking at is fairly well equipped. (or can be if you get the upgrades). We had to reformat it once already. I'm not sure why you can't seem to access the hard drive restore partition. It made the reformat that much more difficult.

Having seen the ThinkPads vs. the XPS I would not hesitate to get a ThinkPad. I would not repeat my purchase of the XPS. You may want to get the high nit screens (more backlight).

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Thank you
by MSUJulz May 19, 2009 10:47AM PDT

Thanks, everyone, for your help and information!

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