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Torn... Dell vs. Toshiba

post #1 of 29
8/12/07 at 4:00am
Thread Starter 
I will be heading off to college in the fall and am in search of a gaming/media powered laptop. My budget is around $2,000. I have been looking at the Dell XPS line, especially since the new M1330. Though, recently I have also been looking at the gaming competitor in laptops... Toshiba. Specifically the...

Satellite X205-S9349 specs:
Processor:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7100
-1.80GHz, 2MB L2, 800MHz FSB with 64-bit3

Memory:
Configured with 2048MB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM (both
memory slots may be occupied). Maximum capacity 4096MB

Hard Drive:
240GB (5400RPM) using two Serial ATA hard disk drives
-Primary + Secondary drive: 120GB + 120GB

Graphics:
PCI-Express™ x16 graphics subsystem, featuring:
-NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8700M GT with 256MB DDR3 discrete
graphics memory, plus up to 255MB dynamically allocated
shared graphics memory using NVIDIA® TurboCache™
technology.12

It looks great in terms of specs and for only $1,999.99. Then again I do love Dell's service. I'm real torn at the moment and am looking for some good advice and possibly other options.

After checking out the Dell website and fiddling around with different builds. I found that the Inspirion 1720, though larger than the XPS M1330, it can be build to be more powerful. Here are the specs I got after building the Inspirion 1720:

My Components:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
Anti-glare, widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440 x 900)
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-Card
Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
High Definition Audio 2.0

All that for only $1,742. Now in comparison with the Toshiba above how does this Inspiron match up?

So what I'm looking at is the Toshiba Satellite X205-S9349, Dell Inspiron 1720, and the Dell XPS M1330. If you all have any other suggestions of other good gaming/media laptops within $2,000 feel free to pitch in as well.
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post #2 of 29
8/12/07 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 
39 Views and no replies.. Anyone out there have some good feedback/advice to give me here? It would be greatly appreciated.
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post #3 of 29
8/12/07 at 5:13pm
I don't know about those particular models, but in general, I'd put Dell ahead of Toshiba in build quality and reliability. You also may want to check out the Asus G1S- it's got the same video card as the Dell Inspiron 1720, but it's more portable- it has a 15.4" screen as opposed to the Dell's 17" screen.
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post #4 of 29
8/12/07 at 9:15pm
I'd go with the Dell cause u get more for less, u could probably put a 2.4ghz and still be under 2k
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post #5 of 29
8/12/07 at 10:19pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the input guys. I looked into the Asus G1S series as well as the G2S. I found they are a little cheaper with the same gfx card as the Dell. THOUGH, the processor speed for the Asus models are slower compared to the 2.4 Ghz I can input into the Dell Inspiron while staying within $2,000 as shown below. The Asus G1S also has a 15.4" display size as well. The price differential is not to wide spread. Take a look:

Components: Dell Inspiron 1720 (Price - $1,964)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7700 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
Anti-glare, widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440 x 900)
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
Size: 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
High Definition Audio 2.0


Compenents: Asus G1S (Price from Best Buy - $1,749.99)
Warranty Terms - Parts 1 year
Warranty Terms - Labor 1 year limited
Product Height 1.5"
Product Width 13.9"
Product Weight 6.8 lbs.
Product Depth 11.2"
Processor Brand Intel® Core(TM)2 Duo Mobile
Processor Speed 2.0GHz
Display Type WSXGA+ widescreen OLED with Asus Splendid video enhancement technology (1680 x 1050)
Screen Size 15.4"
System Bus 800MHz
System Memory (RAM) 2GB
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To Nonexpandable
Type of Memory (RAM) PC2-5300 DDR2
Hard Drive Size 160GB
Optical Drive DVD±RW/CD-RW
Optical Drive Speeds Drive speeds not specified
Direct-Disc Labeling Yes
Digital Media Reader or Slots Yes, digital media card reader
Diskette Drive No
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600M GT
Video Memory 256MB DDR3
Personal Video Recorder (PVR) No
TV Tuner No
MPEG Yes
Modem 56 Kbps* ITU V.92 *Capable of receiving 56 Kbps downloads. However, current regulations limit download speed to 53 Kbps.
Networking Built-in 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet LAN
Wireless Networking Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965 network connection (802.11a/b/g/n)
S-Video Outputs 1
Audio Azalia audio chip
Speakers Built-in stereo
PCMCIA Slots 1
USB 2.0 Ports 4
IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports 1
Parallel Ports None
Serial Ports None
Game Ports None
Notebook Weight Standard (more than 6 lbs.)
Battery Type Lithium-ion
Pointing Device Touchpad
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium
Included Software Asus DVD; PowerDirector; Medi@Show; NERO Burning ROM and more

Components: Asus G2S (Price from Best Buy: $1,999.99)
Warranty Terms - Parts 1 year
Warranty Terms - Labor 1 year limited
Product Height 1.8"
Product Width 16"
Product Weight 9.6 lbs.
Product Depth 12"
Processor Brand Intel® Core(TM)2 Duo Mobile
Processor Speed 2.2GHz
Display Type WUXGA widescreen OLED with Asus Splendid technology (1920 x 1200)
Screen Size 17"
System Bus 800MHz
Cache Memory 4MB on die Level 2
System Memory (RAM) 2GB
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To Nonexpandable
Type of Memory (RAM) PC2-5300 DDR2
Hard Drive Size 160GB
Optical Drive DVD±RW/CD-RW
Optical Drive Speeds Drive speeds not specified
Direct-Disc Labeling Yes
Digital Media Reader or Slots Yes, digital media card reader
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600M GT
Video Memory 256MB GDDR3, with up to 1GB of TurboCache memory
Personal Video Recorder (PVR) No
TV Tuner No
MPEG Yes
Modem 56 Kbps* ITU V.92 *Capable of receiving 56 Kbps downloads. However, current regulations limit download speed to 53 Kbps.
Networking Built-in 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet LAN
Wireless Networking Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965 network connection (802.11a/b/g/n)
S-Video Outputs 1
Additional Audio/Video Connectors S-video, HDMI, A/V-in
Audio Azalia audio chip
Speakers Built-in stereo
PCMCIA Slots 1
USB 2.0 Ports 4
IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports 1
Parallel Ports None
Serial Ports None
Game Ports None
Notebook Weight Standard (more than 6 lbs.)
Battery Type Lithium-ion
Pointing Device Touchpad
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium
Included Software Asus DVD; PowerDirector; Medi@Show; NERO Burning ROM

(Sorry if this is too much info, just figured I'd show it all.)
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post #6 of 29
8/12/07 at 10:36pm
just so you're comparing similar deals between the Dell and the Asus, you get a bit more if you buy the G1S from a smaller Asus Reseller online as opposed to buying from Best Buy

Asus Reseller - Best Buy
2.2 Ghz CPU - 2.0 Ghz CPU
2 year global warranty by Asus - 1 year warranty (serviced by BB?)
backpack & mouse included - no accessories included
$1805 (GenTechPC*) - $1750 + tax (Best Buy)

*GenTechPC is just one Asus reseller- there are several others as well. I made a list of all the ones in the US and Canada along with their general locations here: http://www.notebookforums.com/thread94364.html
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post #7 of 29
8/13/07 at 1:13am
Thread Starter 
Yeah. I just pulled up Best Buy for a general idea. That's a great thread you have there. Very resourceful. Though, I'm still feeling the Dell Inspiron 1720, at least the way I have built it above, is a little bit more powerful in means of the processor and hard drive.
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post #8 of 29
8/14/07 at 12:49am
Thread Starter 
Anymore resourceful feedback anyone can pitch in?
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post #9 of 29
8/14/07 at 12:55am
Thread Starter 
Or I could go with the Dell Inspiron 1520. It doesn't have the faster processor as the 1720 build I have posted above and the screen size is smaller, obviously. But the 1520 is cheaper with only few changes. What do you think? What's a better buy. I'm still open to other laptop suggestions rather than these dells.

My Components: (Price - $1,714)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache)

Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic Edition

Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)

256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT

3GB, DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (1GB x 2GB)

160G 7200RPM SATA HDD

CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)

Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card

Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam

56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)

High Definition Audio 2.0
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post #10 of 29
8/15/07 at 1:39pm
if portability isnt an issue, get the Asus g2, if it is, get asus g1, you wont regret it, i swear

the g2 because of the wuxga screen will look amazing, g1 for the wsxga screen and the video cards both use will handle a lot

oh and last thing, BUILD QUALITY matters when going to college, or taking it on a road trip, Asus g1 and g2 are carbon fiber chasis, so its strong


soulsaver
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post #11 of 29
8/15/07 at 2:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by soulsaver_8229 View Post
if portability isnt an issue, get the Asus g2, if it is, get asus g1, you wont regret it, i swear

the g2 because of the wuxga screen will look amazing, g1 for the wsxga screen and the video cards both use will handle a lot

oh and last thing, BUILD QUALITY matters when going to college, or taking it on a road trip, Asus g1 and g2 are carbon fiber chasis, so its strong


soulsaver

well, actually...
While I would definitely agree that the Asus G series notebooks are better built that Dell's Inspiron notebooks, they have a straight plastic chassis- there's no carbon fiber integrated in. Only the V, VX, & W series have carbon fiber chassis.
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post #12 of 29
8/15/07 at 2:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djembe View Post
well, actually...
While I would definitely agree that the Asus G series notebooks are better built that Dell's Inspiron notebooks, they have a straight plastic chassis- there's no carbon fiber integrated in. Only the V, VX, & W series have carbon fiber chassis.

strange i saw in a review that it had carbon fiber chasis, my bad then


soulsaver
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post #13 of 29
8/15/07 at 3:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by soulsaver_8229 View Post
strange i saw in a review that it had carbon fiber chasis, my bad then


soulsaver

The lid of the G1 has a printed design that's supposed to look somewhat like carbon fiber, but it's not. The only notebooks I know of with actual exposed carbon fiber weave are the W1 carbon and the black VX2. Asus' high-end notebooks use plastic impregnated with carbon fiber in their chassis, which makes the notebooks better able to withstand chassis impact, jarring, etc. without damaging the notebook or its components.
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post #14 of 29
8/15/07 at 6:30pm
Thread Starter 
So would you both say the Asus G1 or G2 over the Inspiron? Even though the processor for the Inspiron is faster.. at 2.4 Ghz and the hard drive is at 250gb versus the Asus' 160gb?
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post #15 of 29
8/15/07 at 7:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NateTheGreat503 View Post
So would you both say the Asus G1 or G2 over the Inspiron? Even though the processor for the Inspiron is faster.. at 2.4 Ghz and the hard drive is at 250gb versus the Asus' 160gb?

In a way, yes. What I'm saying (I can't speak for soulsaver) is that I'm willing to give up some performance in favor of better build quality. However, how much performance drop is acceptable to gain a somewhat better build quality is highly subjective. For me, I'd probably say that losing the extra .2 Ghz in CPU power isn't that big of a deal. Losing the hard drive space could be a big deal if you know that you're likely to fill up more than say 120 GB of the hard drive, but that's your call, and you can buy an external drive or a larger internal one down the road if you need it.

While it's true that Dell's warranty will cover you if/when something goes wrong, the hope is always that as little will go wrong as possible. Well built machines using decently high quality parts are likely to have fewer problems than slightly less well built machines. And that's the reason why I'd recommend the Asus.

However, as I said earlier, it's up to you to determine if the better build quality is worth giving up the faster CPU and bigger hard drive.
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post #16 of 29
8/15/07 at 8:23pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, that makes sense. I understand completely. That really gives me a good perspective. I appreciate all your guys' input. I'll probably do a little more research and make my decision here within the next week or so.. Please feel free to add anything else if one wishes to.
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post #17 of 29
8/15/07 at 11:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djembe View Post
In a way, yes. What I'm saying (I can't speak for soulsaver) is that I'm willing to give up some performance in favor of better build quality. However, how much performance drop is acceptable to gain a somewhat better build quality is highly subjective. For me, I'd probably say that losing the extra .2 Ghz in CPU power isn't that big of a deal. Losing the hard drive space could be a big deal if you know that you're likely to fill up more than say 120 GB of the hard drive, but that's your call, and you can buy an external drive or a larger internal one down the road if you need it.

While it's true that Dell's warranty will cover you if/when something goes wrong, the hope is always that as little will go wrong as possible. Well built machines using decently high quality parts are likely to have fewer problems than slightly less well built machines. And that's the reason why I'd recommend the Asus.

However, as I said earlier, it's up to you to determine if the better build quality is worth giving up the faster CPU and bigger hard drive.

you did speak for me, and thank god i dont have to type all that :P QFT what he said!

soulsaver
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post #18 of 29
8/16/07 at 4:34am
Thread Starter 
Is this 8700M GT going to withstand some of these up and coming games?
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post #19 of 29
8/16/07 at 5:05am
Thread Starter 
I also just took a look at the Dell Vostro 1700 which is practically the same as the Inspiron 1720... Can build it the same.. And it can be cheaper.. Also there is no delay in shipping. lol Haven't heard much on the Vostro.. Anyone got any input on it?
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post #20 of 29
8/16/07 at 5:30am
asus. two years down the road, current specs will all blur together into no appreciative difference, while the build design and tactile feel of your machine will still maintain its merit. you will enjoy a comfortable keyboard, a vibrant screen, sturdy palmrest, etc. over 2 seconds in bootup speed. don't go for the bendy plastic.
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