Suggestions please on my new laptop

[chriskmee]

i plan on buying a laptop for gaming/college. i don't know what kind of games i will be playing, but i want to be able to play some games like counterstrike, maybe fear, and other fps games. I am not too worried about max settings, but i just want to know if this laptop configuration will be good enough. i am willing to spend about 2.3k max (edit: with printer and portable mouse and carrying case included). If you have any suggestions on other laptops, please let me know.

the main things i want are:
intell t7700 processor
about 200 gigs at 7200rpm
2 gig ram
webcam / mic
enough battery life for normal computing in college setting
microsoft word/exel/powerpoint


here is my current config of a laptop im looking at


HP Pavilion dv9500t customizable Notebook PC
RL653AV

• – Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
• – Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7700 (2.40 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
• – 17.0" WXGA+ High-Definition Ultra HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1440 x 900)
• – $50 Off upgrade from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• – 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
• – HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
• – Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection
• – 240GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)
• – FREE Upgrade to LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support!!
• – No TV Tuner w/remote control
• – Extra High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Batteries
• – System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
• – Microsoft(R) Office Home and Student 2007
• – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

[him61]

I personally use Open Office.

It can read and write in any Microsoft Office format plus it's own, and the best part about it is it's free.

Other than that, the build up above looks pretty good.

[chriskmee]

yea, ive heard about open office, ill look into it. the main thing i was kindof worried about with the config is the graphics card, alot of people say to get the gt, not the gs. Although they were talking about the 256 version, not about the 511mb version i selected. Will this graphics card be good enough for games as demanding or more demanding than fear on medium to max settings?

[him61]

The GT would definately be the better choice. Hands down. It's about as power efficient as the GS, so if you have the money for it, I'd suggest you get that instead.

[chriskmee]

unfortunatly i cant, hp doesnt give me that option. im just wondering if the one i have will be enough for games like fear on medium settings

[him61]

Probably... I'd personally look for a laptop that allows you to get a GT instead, even if you have to get a slower processor.

[chriskmee]

ok, ill look around, do u have any suggestions on what brand i should go with?

[him61]

I personally favor Dell notebooks, but almost any company would be able to build you a fine Laptop. Here are 2 sites that give you much more customization options, but most of the time you could get a cheaper one from Dell or HP:
www.cyberpowerpc.com
www.ibuypower.com

[chriskmee]

PROCESSORIntel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
SYSTEM COLORJet Black
DISPLAYHigh Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1440x900)
VIDEO CARD256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
MEMORY2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
HARD DRIVESpeed: 160GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
OPTICAL DRIVECD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
WIRELESS NETWORK CARDSIntel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
INTEGRATED WEBCAMIntegrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
BATTERY OPTIONS9-cell Primary Battery and 9-cell additional Lithium Ion Battery
SOUND OPTIONSExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi® Xtreme Audio Sound Card



here is my other option i looked at, its a dell inspiration 1520, processor isnt as good, but it has the graphics card.

Just a few questions, what is the difference between the 2 wireless cards (between the dell and hp) and is the gt better even though its 256, and the gs is 511?


ill take a look at the links u sent me





which one do u suggest? the dell or hp?

[him61]

It all depends on your wants/needs. As far as gaming goes, a T7500 and an 8600GT would be better than a T7700 and an 8600GS. The ammount of memory the card has will not do anything for performance, unless of course it's less than 128 MB, but there is no difference in performance between 256MB and 512MB cards.

What I'm wondering is if that hard drive is enough for you? You said earlier that you want 200 gigs, so that would be something to think about... Otherwise, I'd take the Dell you listed over the HP.