Decision Help

[RailGun88]

I'm currently looking at 2 different notebooks, 1 from Dell, and 1 from Acer. The Acer I will be getting from Newegg.com, and the Dell from Dell's website.
I'm not really concerned about money since I will be doing a payment plan either way. I'm just wondering which of the two will be better. It will be used for gaming, converting movie files, and ect. Basically a desktop replacement.

The Acer's hardware:
Model: Aspire AS7750G-9621
CPU: Intel Core i7 2630QM 2GHz to 2.9GHz
RAM: 8GB of DDR3 1066mhz
HDD: 750GB
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 6650M 1GB VRAM
Screen: 17.3" at 1600x900
ODD: BD Combo
Battery Life: 3 Hours
Price: $1200

The Dell's hardware:
Model: XPS 15
CPU: Intel Core i7 2820QM 2GHz to 3.4GHz
RAM: 8GB of DDR3
HDD: 640GB
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GT540M 2GB VRAM and tv tuner
Screen: 15.6" at 1080P
ODD: BD Combo
Battery: 9 Cell
Price: $1800

There are other little things, like the XPS 15 has a backlight keyboard and such which is nice. But I'm wondering what would be a better buy. Cause I play my games on high settings, and my movies are usually going from one blu-ray format to another so they're pretty large files. I think I'm getting better hardware with the Dell but I just want a second opinion.

 

[Bacterius]

The GPU's are mostly identical in terms of performance, but the GT540M has a slight edge. Don't expect to play Crysis at high settings on 1080p though - the card is not powerful enough - see here:

http/www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards.13849.0.html

(and that's at low resolutions)

The CPU improvement on the XPS is quite significant, but it has a larger screen (in terms of physical size, not resolution).

IMO it comes down to this: are you willing to sacrifice a bigger screen (but keeping the same resolution) for a better CPU? As for the HDD I think 640GB will be enough anyway but it's up to you.

And in my personal opinion Dell wins hands down, because:
- better CPU
- better GPU
- better battery (apparently)
- it's a Dell

But it's just my opinion.

 

[WR2]

Hello RailGun88;

Since you're looking at the 17" Acer do you want to look at the Dell XPS 17 also?
With that choice you can upgrade your graphics to the GT 555M graphics card to go with the 1600x900 resolution.
Dell XPS 17 17.3-inch Laptop with 2nd gen Quad Core i7 Laptop
Configure the left most option to include:
2nd generation Intel Core i7-2630QM processor 2.00 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz
NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M 3GB graphics with Optimus
92 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030 and Bluetooth 3.0
Configured price = $1,324.99

apply $300 coupon code 8GHR80Q1PLLCF7 during checkout
apply $100 coupon code: QFSNKXG0P1S1BK
$924.99 before taxes

 

[WR2]

Just noticed the BD combo drive.
You can add those options and still get the $400.
Going from the 1600x900 LCD screen to the 1920x1080 and adding the BD drive would add $200
Going from 4GB to 8GB is $120 - an upgrade you could do yourself for about $45
A 8GB kit of laptop RAM is going for $80
And a CPU upgrade past the i7-2630QM isn't needed IMO.

 

[WR2]

Dell XPS 15 deals and coupon codes

 

[RailGun88]

Thanks guys. WR2, I looked at the XPS 17 and even with 3D it still is within $100 of the XPS 15. I think I've made up my decision and will go with the XPS 17.

 

[RailGun88]

Best answer selected by RailGun88.