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My first notebook, need advice

post #1 of 6
11/28/07 at 2:26pm
Thread Starter 
I've built my desktops and currently have 2 gaming setup, but I never owned a notebook. I want a gaming notebook, and also use it to dump my digital photos, ipod/itunes, excel/word, and email.

I like Alienware so far, now the specs are what I need to decide.

1. Operating Sysyem.

Vista or XP? I've heard/read Vista has issues until service pack 1, but I want to enjoy this laptop over the xmas weeks, I have 2 weeks vacation coming.

If I got Vista, is getting the Vista Ultimate worth the extra $100 ?

2. Video Card, single or dual SLI configuration?

I only play World of Warcraft nowadays and some Warcraft 3 Dota map still.

I occasionally play nice high graphics games like Oblivion. I want to try the latest Counter Strike or Battlefield game soon.

Is going SLI worth the + $150 extra cost.

3. For a 17" monitor, what max res is good and comfortable?

1920 x 1200 or 1440 x 900 ?

I also plan to get a cable to hook up my display to my 46" Aquos LCD panel for games and DVD viewing.

4. RAM: 2GB or 4GB? + $300 difference. I've had 2 GB in my desktop and it seems fine.

5. Wireless card.

What's the Draft-N?

There's the standard a/b/g.
Will this be enough to get online while in Starbucks or other wifi hotspots?


6. Warranties. Anyone have experience in buying 3 year warranties? I can get 1 or 2 years. But I want this laptop to last at least 3 years. Is that 3 year worth it for $300?

Thanks in advance.
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post #2 of 6
11/29/07 at 12:39pm
1) xp is just more familer, easier to use, and just easier, works well with games, and applactions alike, nothing too wrong with vista just needs a bit more improvment before world wide gamers use it

2) for the games you want to play, a laptop with a single 7950gtx or 8700gt would play rather easy, speicaly WoW, you could max fps/eye candy that game

3) its personal prefrence, google 1900x1200 vs 1440x900 and see if you find pictures showing the diffrence some people with not such great eye site tend to shy away from 1900x1200 cause everything is tiny, upping the DPI helps i supose

4) 300 dollars for 2gb of ram is ungodly retarded, just get the lowest spec ram, and buy some from newegg.com its about 30 dollars a gig now or maybe lower

5) draft-N is upgrade to 802.11g, faster, longer range its not a standard yet i believe, but prolly will be, you have to pay to get online at starbucks, find another java place that has free wifi (alanta bread co. is across the street from starbucks here and i pick it up fine, and its running B lol)


6) if youre carefull with the laptop, and always clean it and take care of it, you shouldnt have too much of a problem, 300 dollars for a compete care (fix anything no labor) for 3 years is great, id get that, but if its just parts and you pay labor or you pay parts and free labor it isnt worth it

try www.xoticpc.com out, Justin is a great guy there, plenty of laptops to choose from

hope that helped

soulsaver
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post #3 of 6
11/29/07 at 12:42pm
i think draft N is still a draft......so it isnt the norm or whatever word you want to use

its basicly 802.11G but with beefier upload/downloads and longer range


keep in mind if you want to use it, youll need a new wifi 802.11N router


btw......i think i got a bit ahead of myself, what is your buget?


soulsaver
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post #4 of 6
12/3/07 at 12:27pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the replies soulsaver.

My budget is over $1k as I have pretty much upgraded about that much every year. I have 2 working desktops: a P4 and and AMD dual core.

If I get a laptop, it would be my 3rd; and I might just try 3-boxing a game World of WarCraft (I only have 2 account this time).

I would go up to $3k but I'm trying to find justification to spending that much "if" I won't be upgrading for 3 years.

I would end up giving the P4 system to my son who just turned 8 probably.

Anyway, I am leaning on Alienware because I seem to feel the 3 year warranty is a good buy.

I checked other places such as Sager in powernotebooks and the xoticpc. I don't seem to get the consumer "trust" compared to when looking at the AW site.

I have this week to browse, then I will need to make a buy so that I can get my pc by xmas.
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post #5 of 6
12/3/07 at 4:48pm
Thread Starter 
Merry xmas and Happy bday to me!

Ordered from Alienware:
Genuine Windows® XP Professional
Video/Graphics Card: Dual 512MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7950 GTX - SLI Enabled
Chassis: 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD with Clearview Technology - Stealth Black
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7200 2.0GHz 4MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz – 2 x 1024MB
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 160GB 7,200RPM (8MB Cache)
Optical Drives : 8x Dual Layer CD-RW/DVD±RW Burner w/ LightScribe Technology - View Demo
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Sound Card : Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio
Mobile Essentials: Alienware® Odyssey Backpack
Warranty: 3-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
AlienRespawn: AlienRespawn v1.0 Recovery Kit – Windows XP Edition
Security Software: McAfee® VirusScan Plus – 36-Month Subscription Factory Installed!

Est ship date: Dec 10, 2007. Hopefully they don't mess it up.
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post #6 of 6
12/4/07 at 11:22pm
Happy birthday! And congrats on your new system! nice (and the high res screen!! )
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