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Help upon a decision please........

post #1 of 10
2/8/06 at 5:40am
Thread Starter 
I know many people make these posts about what to get and blah blah so sorry but I'll toss mine out there also:

I been checking out laptops for about a week strong and looking at all the different types/brands/ what not about them. I was knew into the world of laptops, kinda know what I'm doing but not quite sure about it all though. Worked w/ desktops all the time. I'm lookin at two systems right now that I'm mainly trying to compare. One being the Hypersonic Aviator CX7 (seems very popular I know ) and the Dell Inspiron E1705. Now I'll just toss the specs out there and see if someone could help me out with my choice...(P.S. I work at Best Buy so I can get the memory for cheap, thats why neither system will have over 512 MB)

Inspiron E1705 Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2400 (1.83GHz/667MHz FSB)
Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
LCD Panel 17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen UXGA Display with TrueLife™
Memory 512MB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
Video Card 256MB NVIDA® GeForce™ Go 7800
Hard Drive 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
Combo/DVD+RW Drives FREE!8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card (54Mbps)
Office Software (not included in Windows XP) No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor only
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) No Security Subscription
Primary Battery 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Hardware Warranty 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Operating System Backup & Recovery PC Restore recovery system by Symantec
Media Center Enhancements Remote Control for Windows XP Media Center Edition
Dell Digital Entertainment Starter Entertainment Pack - Basic digital Music, Photo and Game experience

TOTAL1,361.00
($1,488.88 Shipped w/tax)

Aviator CX7

Aviator CX7: High Performance 17" Centrino Gaming Notebook - Qty: 1
Aviator CX7 in Silver with Tinted Brushed Aluminum Cover - Qty: 1
2.0GHz Intel® Pentium-M 760 Processor w/ 2MB Cache (Sonoma) - Qty: 1
Intel® Alviso 915PM+ICH6-M Mobile Motherboard (CX7) - Qty: 1
512MB PC4200 DDR2-533 SODIMM Qty: 1
Nvidia GeForce Go 7800 GTX PCI-Express 256MB - Qty: 1
80GB 5400rpm Serial-ATA Hard Drive with NCQ & 8MB Cache - Qty: 1
8X DVD ± R/W Drive Dual Layer w/ DVD Recording Software (Pioneer) - Qty: 1
17" WUXGA 1920x1200 VividView™ Display w/ Super Clear Glossy Surface - Qty: 1
Built-in High Definition 3D Sound System for CX7 - Qty: 1
Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Controller - Qty: 1
Internal 802.11A/G 54Mbps Wireless Mini PCI for CX7 - Qty: 1
Integrated V.92 56K Fax/Data Modem - Qty: 1
MS Windows XP Home Edition CD & Manual SP2 Pre-Installed & Configured - Qty: 1
Custom Hypersonic Disaster Recovery DVD (Recommended) - Qty: 1
1 Year Platinum Warranty with 24/7 Toll-Free Tech Support - Qty: 1

Sub Total: $2,183.00
Discounts: $0.00
Shipping: $65.76
Tax: $0.00
Final Total: $2,248.76


Now I understand that the GO 7800 GTX is better for gaming than the GO 7800. I guess my question would be is the extra $760 between the two systems justifiable? I mean isn't the new Core Duo even a better processor than the Pentium M 760? ( and how does it perform for games? vs. the current Centrinos. And yes I am aware of the USB Power Drain currently w/ the new Duos). Believe me, I've been looking around for the answers as I'm more of a lurker on the forums than anything, and I wouldn't make a post like this unless I was looking for some feedback. I guess I just would like to bounce my ideas around with some people. Is there something else between these two systems that I'm missing two legitimately cause such a difference in price????(mobo, paying for Hypersonic custom build....something?). I just don't wanna make a decision on one and regret it.
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post #2 of 10
2/8/06 at 11:36am
I personally despise Dell, but that looks like a sweet deal. The only huge disparity between those machines is the screen. I'd also upgrade to at least 1gb of memory, but you could do that through an online vendor.
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post #3 of 10
2/8/06 at 1:32pm

Its hard to choose

The Duo is new, and reading about all the benefits compared to single, its a toss up. You really wont see that much difference until the programmers get in gear with the hardware. And from what I am reading it wont be until later this year.

What I have been hearing is that its up to you, single is good, duo is good. If what you do demands you to do duo then thats the way to go.

You may want to wait with duo, I plan on waiting, just to see what happens later this year. Its going to come fast and furious around May and June. There is going to be a CPU war happening and chips will be flying all over the place. Just be in a position where you can swap.
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post #4 of 10
2/8/06 at 1:52pm

You probably

Can do without all the crap that Dell loads on your HD as well. And I would go 2GB ram, 1 is now or soon will becomie obsolete.
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post #5 of 10
2/8/06 at 2:14pm
I am a very big fan of the CX7 (except for the speakers) and in most cases, I would lure you this way. However, that price difference is just too large. True - the 7800 GTX is going to be a better card, but the dual core is appealing as well. I went to play with the configurators on Hypersonic's site, and there just isn't a 17" that can compete at that price. As Soloman stated - it is new, but how long do you want to wait before any bugs are worked out of it.

The CX7 is a great system and does very well for normal surfing usage and gaming. The graphics card is awesome and the system is really sleak for a 17" system. My only complaint has been the sound coming from the speakers, but I can't tell you what it is like on that Dell.

I agree with BT as well - you want to upgrade that memory. 512mb is just bare minimum now adays. Working at Best Buy will help on that route, but you definitely want more than 512mb. I don't go less than 2gb nowadays.

One note though - get a better warranty than just 1 year. Desktops are easy to deal with, but laptops aren't. If you want to protect the investment, invest now rather than later. On now that the Dell listed three different types of warranties - just make sure they don't run concurrently. I am not sure if they do or not, but play it safe and ask!

Good luck!
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post #6 of 10
2/8/06 at 4:33pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys, thanks for all of the advice. I do plan on upgrading like you guys suggest. Hopefully seeing if i can get 1.5 GB (512 in one 1 GB in the other slot). Once again I really appreciate all the input. Thanks so much, and yes, will most likely go w/ the fresh install so I can rid myself of all that garbage that'll be put on there.
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post #7 of 10
2/8/06 at 4:44pm
Keep in mind. If you go with the memory as you stated above, you will not be able to get the benefits of dual channel. I am not sure about the Dell, but on the CX7 side, this is definitely going to get you.

Just wanted to make sure you were aware.

Good luck!
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post #8 of 10
2/8/06 at 5:48pm
ratmyr, what is the benefit of dual channel?

THanks,
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post #9 of 10
2/8/06 at 6:04pm
Dual channel is the ability for the system to use twice the data throughput on the RAM (or through the RAM controller). But to do this, the RAM must be the same type. I am not sure about brand, but it needs to be the same size and latency.
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post #10 of 10
2/8/06 at 7:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ratmyr
Dual channel is the ability for the system to use twice the data throughput on the RAM (or through the RAM controller). But to do this, the RAM must be the same type. I am not sure about brand, but it needs to be the same size and latency.
crucial has a memroy finder, and while the CX7's speakers may be engh, compare them to the dell.
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