Help me build my m15x

For $2174 you could go with a higher processor (2.6Ghz) and skimp somewhat on the GPU with a 8700.

However, if you really need the GPU horsepower go with the 8800 and scale back on the processor and get the 2.5Ghz. This config will cost just a tad higher than $2200.($2249 to be a little more accurate.) Reason for the 2.5Ghz processor is that it has the 6MB Cache which helps over the 3MB cache of the 2 cheaper (lower) processors.

As for resolution I would stick with the 1440x900, but then again I'm getting up there in years so the higher resolution is worse on my eyes.

MB is right on the money - get the 6MB cache, and 1440 x 900 should be fine for a 15" notebook. Try to swing the 8800 GTX if you can.

For your stated purpose, you can skimp on everything imo.

programmng ( c++, c#, the whole visual studio 2008suite ) is neither grfx nor proc intensive. Compiling time benefits from a faster proc, but there aint gunna be any compiling you'll be doing thats large enough to show any real world difference. That said Id recomend the 9300, it has 6mb cache on the faster bus, which at this point is way more important than clock speed. You'll pretty much be wasting money going any faster, for programs to load 1/4 second quicker or to shave 1 second off of a one minute compile time.

3d design( maya, 3ds max , zbrush, lightwave etc) will gain from the 8800 over the others, but it will not be any significant benefit compared to the rooms loaded with networked quad and octo core professional workstations running quadro sli's as used in the industry. Your just not going to see any sparkling difference here on these mobile grfx cards, if your doing anything that it really super intensive ala pixar type animation its all gunna destroy even the m8800.

So you can really skimp on it all (that is from the top end) unless your also have a (unmentioned) need to game, then the 8800 provides a significant real world difference for games, but even then the 9300 proc is sufficient as you'll still be gpu bound.

For 3d design the 19x12 screen is the way to go, for programming the 19x12 is great b/c of aqll of the real estate it provides, you can have lots of tools open and still see lots of code. Unfortunately it comes at a cost, everything is soooo damn small, eye strain on a 19x12 on a 15 inch screen at 3am is not ideal. But you can always bump your 19x12 down to a smaller res, for everyday/programming use, you lose real estate but not your eye sight!!!

Looks mentioned to me

I'll agree, it depends on what games, but if he's got the money, I'd get the 8800 and use this to play current and next gen games and as you pointed out arch, he'd still be able to do everything else on his list with this hardware or less.

Well I could argue "some gaming" could be casual flash games and not crysis.....

But that would be B.S. I just missed it haha.
Doesnt matter though my info and suggestions (even w/ respect to gaming) still hold.

Sounds cool. Congrats and good luck with your endeavors.

Where did you sell your laptop?
I wanna sell my m9750 read bad and get the m15x,

ebay.

good for you man. I'm planning on buying my 15x with almost the same specs on memorial day weekend. 2.5 ghz, 8700m, 1440 x 900...

I'd honestly sacrifice EVERYTHING for an 8800m GTX. I'd put every single component on the minimum specs to get an 8800m GTX. You can buy a new processor, new ram, or a new HD. It's very hard and expensive to buy a 8700 then replace it with an 8800.

Without an 8800 GTX, there's almost no point in the m15x, unless you really like the design. Lots of laptops at 15.4" have an 8700.

Honestly, if I didn't need an 8800m GTX, I'd get a mac book pro and bootcamp into windows xp.

yeah what he said.... I dont need one, but damn I love AW styles!!!!

To add to the original question, what OS would you guys get? XP or Vista and why?

Vista. DX10. It's really not anywhere near as bad as everyone says.

maybe its just me but I crash it all the time doing simple things...

My computer's on about 22 hrs a day. It hasn't crashed yet or given me any error that wasn't my fault.

everytime I use my friends vista it crashes on me when I have simple programs open like internet explorer and like burning a DVD or something like that... but I never have issues on XP with doing that..

There's your problem.