First, thanks to those who replied to my recent question about wireless keyboard/mouse combos.

Now it appears as if I may need a new laptop, as mine has shut down for no apparent reason a few times this weeks. It's been running hot, too. It's a few years old already, so it's probably about time, anyway.

So, I'm looking for something relatively inexpensive, but that won't be obsolete next year. I don't need it to do much - I work at home, so it doesn't need to be ultra-light. My main uses for it are Microsoft Office, internet, and poker (I'm not a heavy poker player - max 4 tables, and I haven't been playing much recently, anyway). Won't be using it to watch movies or play graphics-intensive games (desktop for the games). I guess I may listen to music a bit on it when I work or subscribe to a music streaming service, but any computer can handle that.

I found one that seems to be a very good deal at Microcenter:

Compaq Presario 750US

Vista Home Premium
AMD® Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor TK-57 (1.9 Ghz)
512KB Level 2 Cache, 1600MHz Frontside Bus
1024MB DDR2 RAM (Expandable to 3GB)
120GB 5,400RPM Serial ATA Hard Drive
SuperMulti 8x DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support
15.4" Widescreen XGA High-Definition BrightView Display (1280 x 800)
NVIDIA GeForce Go 7000M Video Chipset
Up to 287MB Total Available Graphics Memory
High Definition Audio Chipset
Wireless b/g, etc

After rebates: $500.

The variable in this equation is that I also have a $100 Dell GC, which, of course, makes me want to take a look at Dell.

I attempted to price out a Dell that is as close to the Compaq as possible. Here are the key differences:

Dell Vostro 1500

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
2 GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8400M GS

Before GC: $758. After GC: $658.

I chose the CPU based on Ghz, just to try to match the Compaq as best as I could (I know the Intel chip rates better than the AMD). If I knock the CPU down to Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5270 (1.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache), I save $130, which would make the two computers close to the same price, although I don't know if the speed drop is a big deal or not.

Looks like the Compaq video card would not have a DVI connection for my stand-alone LCD monitor, which I guess doesn't really matter, as I really only use that monitor for poker. Of course, the DVI connection is a nice feature of the video card on the Dell.

Now, I can actually use the Dell GC to buy RAM to put into the Compaq, plus have some money left over. Thus, I could essentially get the Compaq with the same amount of RAM as the Dell for no extra money.

Sorry for the tl;dr. The Compaq seems like a deal I should jump on. Are there reasons I shouldn't get it/opt for the Dell/look for something else altogether/wait for better deals?

Thanks!

Thinking about it some more, I guess the real question is how the Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5270 (1.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache) and AMD® Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor TK-57 (1.9 Ghz/1600MHz FSB/512KB Level 2 Cache) compare.

Picking this Intel processor (the cheapest one available on the Vostro I configured) would bring the two prices to around even.

Pretty sure this will change your mind

$200 off Inspiron Notebooks $899+ Code: 2G81689?4FMXFC

good thru Jan 31, 2008

Yeah, I saw that coupon on Fatwallet.com.

Problem is, the Inspirons with the 15.4" display only come with the integrated Intel graphics accelerator. Since my post, I found a comparison between the AMD and Intel mobile processors (almost the same ones in the two laptops I'm looking at), which said that the Intel dominates AMD, but AMD catches up if you only have the integrated graphics accelerator on the Intel machine. Apparently, the graphics accelerator is crap.

The Vostro 1500 gives the option to upgrade the video card, which I did in that config.

Now, if I price out the Inspiron with the 14.1" display (it allows for a better video card), it still comes out to $700 after coupon, after GC, when I configure it as close as possible to the Vostro. One advantage is a 160 GB HD versus 120 GB, but that's it.

I'm leaning towards the Vostro right now. Even though the processor is 500 Mhz slower than the Compaq's AMD, it does sound like, from what I've read, that it performs just as well. Then, add in the Nvidia video card, and it should be fine for doing some work, web surfing, multi-tabling, and a couple other things at once.

I think.

I'll have to make the decision tonight as the sale on the Vostro is ending.

Thanks for the heads-up on that coupon, by the way.

EDIT: The Compaq is $450 after rebates at Office Depot right now.

I ended up going with the Vostro. I'll report back when I get it.

good choice.

I received the Vostro yesterday. Insanely fast shipping - ordered Friday, received it Tuesday.

I haven't used it much yet, as it took a while to get everything installed, transferred from my old laptop, and updated, but so far, so good.

My biggest concern was the display. I wasn't sure if 1200x800 would be good enough (I'm not concerned about poker multi-tabling, as the most I ever play is four tables, I don't play a lot nowadays, and I have a separate monitor), but it looks good to me. Obviously, I won't be cramming the screen full of windows, but it's fine. I had also read that with the True-Life or "glossy" finish that some people found the display looking "grainy." No problems here. Very sharp and clear.

Additionally, I was a little nervous about the reflection off the screen, as it is almost like the image is displayed on a glass pane. No problems here. When the screen is black, you can definitely see a reflection (you could easily fix your hair by looking at the screen), but once things are up and running, I don't notice it. I also view the laptop from straight-on.

While I am using a wireless keyboard and mouse (I posted a thread about this, too - once I get my desk cleaned up, I'll post a pic of the setup), I did test the Vostro keyboard. It's very nice. The touch to the keys is just right and the touchpad buttons click easily (unlike my old Compaq).

One thing I don't like is that most of the ports are on the sides of the computer. I guess it makes them more convenient, but having the VGA port on the right side encroaches on my desk space more than it would if it was in the back. Nitpicking - it would be nice if the mic and headphone ports were color coded like on most computers, as they would simply be easier to see when I swap the speakers for headphones.

So far (and again, I haven't used it much, so it hasn't really been taxed), it seems to run cool and the fan is pretty quiet.

I did have some trouble getting my wireless connection going. I expected to just be able to connect to my network, input the WEP ID, and get online, but I had to find the right screen to actually setup the connection before-hand, which took me a while to figure out. This is probably a Vista issue, though.

So, after less than 24 hours, I am pleased with my purchase. I haven't played any poker on it yet, or done much of anything to test its processing power, but if I have any problems when I do, I'll report back.

Feel free to ask me any questions.

I think you made the right choice. The Athlon 64 X2 is a great processor but isn't designed for mobile applications, and I'd expect it's power usage to be higher than the Intel (and battery life therefore lower). AMD chips have traditionally been a bit poor in laptops, at least in my experience.

For desktops, it's doubtful whether Intel chips are worth the extra money, but for laptops I think the decision is clear.

Coincidentally, I have an AMD in my Dell desktop, which I bought over Thanksgiving weekend. Works great.