Deciding Between 2 Laptops Choices

[rijet0711]

Hey guys.
I am going to be buying a laptop soon with a $1500 CAN budget (including taxes/shipping). I am going to be using the laptop for school work, word processing, research, internet browsing, downloading, gaming (depending on which laptop i get) all the usual stuff.

Both laptops are the Dell Inspiron 6400 (E1505 equivalent of U.S.) with different configs.
So here is laptop #1:

-Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
-Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (4MB Cache/2.00GHz/667MHz FSB)
-15.4 inch Wide Screen SXGA+
-1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
-256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory
-120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
-85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
-1 Yr Return to Depot Service with 1 Yr Complete Care and 1 Yr Tech Support

Laptop #2:
-Windows® XP Home
-Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5600 (2MB Cache/1.83GHz/667MHz FSB)
-15.4 inch Wide Screen SXGA+
-2GB Shared DDR2 SDRAM
-Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
-120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
-85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
-1 Yr Return to Depot Service with 1 Yr Tech Support

Total for both after taxes/shipping: $1531 CAD

As you can see, laptop #1 has a better CPU, video card (will prolly be playing CSS... will I be able to get decent FPS with the X1400?), and a better warranty. However, laptop #2 has 2gb of RAM while the first one only has 1gb.

Considering all these factors, which laptop will you decide to buy and why?

Thanks, appreciate the help.

 

[Bill Brasky]

From what I understand, if you plan to do any 3D gaming integrated graphics is not an option. I'd recommend option one because of the hardware. I haven't had any experience with Windows Media Center, but I think 1 gig should be enough.

 

[rijet0711]

1) Gaming isn't necessary. If the second laptop will last me longer then I am ok with that.
2) Will be doing some photoshopping though. Would integrated gfx be ok for that or would I need the x1400.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Both good laptops - but you can get better deals than that, I'd wager.

- M4H

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you are 100% sure you will never want to game on the laptop, then the extra RAM is better for PhotoShop (it uses the card in 2D mode so even intel craphics are OK for it).

However: #1 can be upgraded with more RAM later, but from what I've read in the SFF forum laptop #2 can't have its graphics upgraded. Dell is allegedly shipping the intel gma version without a graphics slot so you're stuck with intel gma forever.

If you're one of those people in a Vista frenzy you'll want laptop #1 so you can actually see some of the fancy 3D user interface.

 

[benplaut]

Go for the first one. You can always upgrade RAM later on, but you can't change out a video card...

 

[KeithTalent]

I agree with everyone above except for M4H

I say go for the first one, since if you ever decide to game you will be much better off and it is next to impossible to upgrade graphics on a lappy.

As far as Vista goes, I am running RC1 on my 1.6PM and 1GB RAM with no problems whatsoever.

 

[rijet0711]

Thanks for all your responses guys. I guess its the first one then.
MercenaryForHire... for laptop #1, I am already using a $100 coupon. Dell apparently wont adjust the component prices to reflect our strong dollar.