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need help choosing: asus v1s-a1 or dell xps 1330 or alienware m5550

post #1 of 9
8/27/07 at 1:11am
Thread Starter 
Hi there, I haven't been keeping up with laptops recently and I've always been an amd guy so I thought I'd ask for some help now that I'm looking for a new laptop.

Here are my main criteria:
1) I will run mostly linux (hence no ATI, I currently have a ferrari 4005)
2) Dual core & 64bit are a must (computational chemistry stuff)
3) I use a 2405fpw most of the time, but when I use the laptop I like to have a decent amount of real estate (this is the main hold back for me with the dell)
4) I play games every now and again, so if it will run UT3 when it comes out I'll be happy, but I'm by no means a gamer
5) I don't want anything too large, 15.4" or smaller

I'm going to post the configs. Please let me know what you think of the various choices and if there are other factors I should consider. Thanks.

Asus v1s-a1 or g1s-a1 (does anybody know the difference?) $1899 : Best vid card and I like their styling, not to mention it's the cheapest. I'd probably replace the stock HD with a 200GB 7200rpm one from hitachi.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220203

EDIT: after poking around it looks like the main differences between the v1s and g1s are that the v1s has turbo memory by default (which hasn't been proven to help), 512MB vid memory instead of 256MB, and a fingerprint reader. Did I miss anything?

Dell $2602: Small screen and weakest vid card (7400gs). LED backlit screen is a nice feature.
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...TP1&s=dhs&sm=2

alienware $2314 : This one seems like the middle of the road in terms of price
http://www.alienware.com/configurato...de=SKU-DEFAULT
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post #2 of 9
8/27/07 at 9:51am
stick with an AMD machine if ur main criteria is Linux (just my 2 cents)

cheers ...
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post #3 of 9
8/27/07 at 11:04am
Thread Starter 
Why would you choose AMD for linux? I know tons of people who use intel chips and linux. Also, do you have any recommendations for a rough equivalent that has a turion x2? Thanks.
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post #4 of 9
8/27/07 at 4:23pm
Well, I've got an Asus that I like, so I'm partial to them. The difference between the G1 & the V1 is in features and focus.

The G1S has a slightly better version of the 8600M GT graphics card (it uses GDDR3 video memory instead of DDR2), a small screen just above the keyboard that you can use to check email or IMs or look at the time, etc. while using applications full-screen, side lights that flash when using DirectX, an is designed to look like a "gaming machine"

The V1S is made from sturdier materials (carbon fiber-embedded plastic and magnesium), has a spot to plug into a dock/port replicator, and has a spill-proof keyboard, a fingerprint reader, and a modular bay (the DVD drive can be taken out and hot-swapped with a second battery or a second hard drive). It's aimed more for business, and has a more sleek & subdued look.

Personally, I'd go with the V1S, but of course I'm not you.

edit: and regarding Linux compatibility, Intel systems work just as well as AMD systems. I haven't heard or read anything that indicates either Intel or AMD has an edge in that regard.
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post #5 of 9
8/27/07 at 5:17pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Djembe. Are you running vista or have you put xp on it? I really don't like vista as a concept, but it sounds like installing xp is a bit of a pain. I don't mind losing some performance with the graphics card b/c most anything will be better than my current ati x700.
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post #6 of 9
8/27/07 at 5:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wazoo42 View Post
Thanks Djembe. Are you running vista or have you put xp on it? I really don't like vista as a concept, but it sounds like installing xp is a bit of a pain. I don't mind losing some performance with the graphics card b/c most anything will be better than my current ati x700.
Well, I dual-boot XP and Ubuntu Linux, but I don't have any of the new models you're discussing. I just know a bit about them because I read a lot about notebooks and I'm a part of a couple large computer forums. I've got an Asus Z71v that came with XP back when I bought it in April 2005, and I've got an Nvidia 6600 graphics card, so when I buy I new notebook, most anything will be better than my current graphics card as well! I've tried out Vista on some notebooks in Best Buy and I wasn't that impressed, but that was only a brief impression.
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post #7 of 9
8/27/07 at 10:55pm
Thread Starter 
Now it is getting more confusing. The Dell vostro 1500 has replaced my previous dell offering, and I've added the Sager NP2090. I can get both of these with 4GB of RAM for about $1700-1900, and saving $500 makes it worthwhile over the asus and the alienware.
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post #8 of 9
8/27/07 at 11:48pm
you'll save more if you buy the RAM off Newegg and install it yourself....that may push you over the edge and getting the dell.
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post #9 of 9
8/28/07 at 12:09am
Thread Starter 
Any thoughts on brand? I've been using kingston in all of my workstations/cluster, but I don't know how they are for notebooks. It looks like that could save about $60 or so, thanks for the tip.

Also, any thoughts on whether dell would put a 200gb 7200rpm drive in it if I called them and asked? That way I wouldn't have to re-install xp.
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