Deciding between 4 laptops...or is there something better?

[lostpike]

1_What is your budget? $550 max

2_What is the size of the notebook that you are considering? 15.6 or smaller

3_What screen resolution do you want? the best i can have.

4_Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop? Portable. I plan to lug this thing with me EVERYWHERE!

5_How much battery life do you need? Not that important. Figure I will just plug in.

6_Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)? Yes, Medium. Fallout, Dragonage, the new Battlefield 1942 when it comes out, starcraft

7_What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo / Video editing,watching movies, Etc.)
Watching HD movies (1080p). Studying for Bar(reason it comes everywhere with me)

8_How much storage (H.D.D Capacity) do you need?
Not important. I have multiple external hard drives
9_If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
newegg, compusa. ect...
10_How long do you want to keep your laptop?
2-3yrs

11_What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?
none needed. but liked.
12_Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
No preference
13_What country do you live in?
USA

14_Please tell us any additional information if needed.
I am currently looking at 4 laptops I have found all within my price range from a reputable dealer.

A. Dell Studio XPS 1645
•Processor speed: 1.6 GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
•Processor: Intel Core i7-720QM Quad Core Processor
•RAM: 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
•Hard drive: 500 GB (7,200 RPM)
•Optical drive: 8X Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
•Graphics: ATI Mobility RADEON HD 4670 1GB Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi MB
•Display: Full HD Widescreen 15.6 inch WLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP
•Network: Integrated 10/100 Network Card
•Webcam: Yes
WIEGHT???
WINDOWS 7
EXTRAS:3x USB, eSATA / USB, HDMI, Display Port, VGA, 3x Audio, Firewire, ExpressCard, card reader
Graphics card benchmarks:
http/www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4670.13881.0.html

B. Sony VAIO VPCCW22FX/R
•Processor speed: 2.13Hz Processor 3MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB Speed
•Processor: Intel Core i3-330M
•RAM: 4GB DDR3 1066MHz RAM (2GB x 2, 8GB max.)
•Hard drive: 500GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
•Optical drive: CD/DVD Burner
•Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M 512MB RAM
•Display: 14”(1366x768) LED
•Network: ??
•Webcam: Yes
WIEGHT???
WINDOWS 7 Premium 64Bit
EXTRAS:HDMI, Bluetooth
Graphics Benchmarks:
http/www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-330M.22437.0.html

C.Acer Aspire 4740G
•Processor speed: 2.13Hz Processor 3MB L2 Cache,
•Processor: Intel Core i3-330M
•RAM: 2GB DDR3-1066 (Max 4GB)
•Hard drive: 320 GB (5400rpm)
•Optical drive: DVD-SuperMulti Double Layer Drive
•Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 310M
•Display: 14” HD (1366 x 768 pixel) Acer CineCrystal LED-backlit TFT LCD 16:9 aspect ratio
•Network: Acer InviLink™ Nplify™ 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™
•Webcam: Yes
WIEGHT???
WINDOWS 7 Premium 64B
EXTRAS: Bluetooth, HDMI

D.ASUS G50VT-X5
•Processor speed2.13 GHz 3 MB L2 Cache, 1066 MHz Bus speed
•Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P7450 2.13 GHz Processor
•RAM: 4096 MB DDR2 (PC2-6400) RAM
•Hard drive: 320 GB (7200RPM) SATA Hard Drive
•Optical drive: dvd burner
•Graphics: 512MB Nvidia GeForce 9800M GS
•Display: 15.6 inches 1,366x768, 16:9
•Network: ?
•Webcam: Yes
WIEGHT: 7.4lb
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Edition
EXTRAS: Power 4 Gear Extreme, Life-Frame 3, ASUS Direct Console, VGA-out, HDMI, eSATA
Graphics card Benchmark:
http/www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9800M-GS.12932.0.html


Any help deciding between these would be greatly appreciated

 

[Maziar]

I would go for the XPS one,it has the best CPU and VGA between this options(also its display is superior too)

 

[lostpike]

How does the ATI Mobility RADEON HD 4670 1GB stack up though? They all seem pretty close from the reviews...

 

[Maziar]

No they aren't close really,HD 4670M performs quite better than all of them
It can handle those games you mentioned fine on medium settings

 

[lostandwandering]

If you look at notebookcheck's game list, the 9800M GS and the 4670 trade wins and losses depending on the game. However, the 4670 is a newer card and should be able to handle newer games better. The 4670 does lose in some games to the GT 330M, but most of those losses are pretty close. Compare that to the games it wins where it seems like it's averaging about 20 FPS better in most cases.

I'd stick with the Dell XPS. You are getting an i7 processor, larger HDD, faster RAM and a higher resolution screen.

 

[lostpike]

Best answer selected by lostpike.

 

[lotri]

How are you getting an XPS 16 for 550?