15 replies to this topic

[orangewrath]

Hey,
I am planing on getting a new laptop.
I have narrowed it down to either

Dell Studio XPS 13 - Rs.64,109.45 (prior to tax)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz/ 1066 FSB/ 3MB Cache
(Customized to add the 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 9500M-GE
and 4GB DDR3 Ram)

HP Pavilion dv4-1242tx Entertainment Notebook PC - Rs.53000(prior to tax)
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T6400 2.0 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz
(It has the 4GB DDR2 Ram and 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS card)

My Budget is up to 65K (can extend to 70K)

My Questions are

1: How much better is the Dell's processor?
2: DDR2 vs DDR3 Ram?
3: Comparing the Graphics cards on both?
4: Are there any other options that I can consider?

I will be buying either of these in about a week, so please post your replies asap.

[gforce]

You seem to be slightly confused here. The XPS M1330 is an older laptop while the Studio XPS 13 is an entirely different model. I suggest staying away from the M1330 due to the well known nvidia GPU issue for which the company was sued last week.

Assuming you need opinions on the HP vs Studio XPS 13:

1. The P8600 is much faster and a lot cooler due the lower TDP which should result in longer battery life.
2. Not a hell lot in terms of performance at the moment. Cost is obviously a slight issue but it shouldn't matter in the long run since prices of DDR3 sticks are falling like gravity.
3. The XPS doesn't really have a "GF 9500" card but rather two lesser cards, a 9200M GS discrete and 9400M G on-board cards working together in SLI. So think of it as the HP card + a 9400M for a slight performance boost. Note that hybrid SLI is not supported under WinXP, so you won't be able to use that OS in the XPS.
4. What are the options that you're considering? BT, memory card reader, more RAM, faster processor?

[clank]

I believe you've received quite an inflated quote for the dv4. I was looking at the same laptop less than a week ago and the quote I received was Rs. 46,000 all inclusive from Computer Empire, Nehru Place (New Delhi). T6400, 3GB ddr2, 9200m gs, 320gb hdd etc.

The Dell would clearly perform better but is also a fair bit more expensive mainly due its form factor (13.3" vs. 14.1"). A friend just picked up the same for 62k all inclusive sans the 9500 upgrade - seems to be a very nice machine although they really should have included the LED screen in this price.

Also if you're fine with 14.1", have a look at Dell Studio 14 and Lenono Y430 series.

[muzux2]

ditch both, have look on Dell Studio 15 with P8600 + Radeon HD4570 + 3GB DDR2 @ ~ 50k only..:)


Dell Studio Laptop 15 Details

[orangewrath]

clank said:

I believe you've received quite an inflated quote for the dv4. I was looking at the same laptop less than a week ago and the quote I received was Rs. 46,000 all inclusive from Computer Empire, Nehru Place (New Delhi). T6400, 3GB ddr2, 9200m gs, 320gb hdd etc.

The Dell would clearly perform better but is also a fair bit more expensive mainly due its form factor (13.3" vs. 14.1"). A friend just picked up the same for 62k all inclusive sans the 9500 upgrade - seems to be a very nice machine although they really should have included the LED screen in this price.

Also if you're fine with 14.1", have a look at Dell Studio 14 and Lenono Y430 series.

Ah, I got the quote for the dv4 1242tx .. it has the 4gb ram and a dedicated 512MB card. I believe the one you are referring to is the 1240

I will look into the other options that you mentioned.

[orangewrath]

gforce said:

You seem to be slightly confused here. The XPS M1330 is an older laptop while the Studio XPS 13 is an entirely different model. I suggest staying away from the M1330 due to the well known nvidia GPU issue for which the company was sued last week.

Assuming you need opinions on the HP vs Studio XPS 13:

1. The P8600 is much faster and a lot cooler due the lower TDP which should result in longer battery life.
2. Not a hell lot in terms of performance at the moment. Cost is obviously a slight issue but it shouldn't matter in the long run since prices of DDR3 sticks are falling like gravity.
3. The XPS doesn't really have a "GF 9500" card but rather two lesser cards, a 9200M GS discrete and 9400M G on-board cards working together in SLI. So think of it as the HP card + a 9400M for a slight performance boost. Note that hybrid SLI is not supported under WinXP, so you won't be able to use that OS in the XPS.
4. What are the options that you're considering? BT, memory card reader, more RAM, faster processor?

Thank you for the quick reply.
Yes my bad, its the studio xps 13. :)

Primarily I want a laptop that is a bit on the lighter side (weight wise)
So preferably one that is lesser than the 15.4 inchers

The price is a consideration but not much of a restraining factor
The cost of the HP after tax is Rs 55,000
and of the Dell XPS Studio 13 is about Rs 67,000

I am not looking to play a lot of the high end games, just casual gaming, watching movies and emailing and stuff. Not very performance driven.

I just need an idea of how much better the Dell's processor is
If the HP's processor is rated at a 5/10, how much better is the Dell's one?

I would prefer a faster processor, better ram, but the price difference is about 12000. So is Dell really worth it? Or am I just paying for the tag?

[orangewrath]

muzux2 said:

ditch both, have look on Dell Studio 15 with P8600 + Radeon HD4570 + 3GB DDR2 @ ~ 50k only..:)


Dell Studio Laptop 15 Details

Thank you, I did consider the Studio 15
But, it has the same processor as the HP Dv4,
It has 3GB ram, whereas the hp has 4GB

Primarily I am looking for a laptop in the 13" bracket.

[clank]

The HP I'm talking also had a 512mb dedicated 9200m gs so the only difference I can spot from your config. is 3gb vs. 4gb ddr2 ram which is maybe worth 1k max.

With regards to the processor, I would hazard a guess and say the P8600 would be a 7.5/10 based on better performance, lower heat and better battery life. However, since you've said that you don't need a very performance driven laptop, you probably wouldn't notice the performance difference that much.

The price here is quite a bit and unless you really need the extra firepower and portability, not really worth it. Also if you need to carry around your laptop at all, stay away from the 15.4/15.6 inchers bcoz most people i know (myself included) don't like carrying around a 15.4 incher.

PS: The Dell Studio 14 is a better option than the HP in terms of performance/price and you can even add nifty little extras like the backlit keypad.

[delguy19]

just one suggestion stay away from xps 13 reason lots of issue and if dont believe me ask dell sales person

[acer]

can u list out the issues ? and ure name here states "delguy.." is that for Dell or Delhi ? I just thought i'd get some insider info if u were at dell :P

[MohitPreet]

yes stay away from xps 13
it has got major design flaw and heating issues coz of that!!

[delguy19]

i am from delhi thats why its dellguy and i always said or take side if things are good check my past post yr back i said dell is good cos dell was good even still inspiron and other latitude is awesome but when they have accpeted that problem is with current series than accept it and if dont trust me call and ask dell sales team

And if suggestion is crime than i am sorry i suggested. but if still you wana go for xps 13 or 16 my request buy with 3 yr complete cover else will regret it just a suggestion

read the review link below and see whats the bad part and search more for other reviews

http://www.binarytur...-xps-13-review/

[orangewrath]

Well, considering all the opinions that you guys have given me;

I think I am going in for the Dell Studio 14,customized to add

Midnight Blue Colour with Black U-Trim
14.1" Widescreen WXGA+ WLED (1280x800) TFT Display with TrueLife™
4GB ( 2 X 2048MB ) Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450
90W AC Adapter

It adds up to 55K prior to tax, maybe around 59K with tax.

Is this good? or Will the HP Dv4 1242tx having almost the same configuration be more VFM?

[MohitPreet]

dell studio 14 is good!

[delguy19]

yea go for studio 14 no issues and its fine.

[orangewrath]

Yea, I'm gonna get the dell studio 14.

I have another question posted in the Networking section, Id appreciate it if you guys helped me with that too.

Here is the link to the post - http://www.techencla...tml#post1132064