Maximum PC

I'm getting some money from my school's financial aid refund and I'm thinking of buying a laptop or building a new PC. I currently have about a 5+ year old desktop system, P4 2.3 GHz 768 MB DDR 80 GB IDE HDD x2 DVD burner 17 inch flat panel, Win XP etc. Nothing special and aging fast.

So I'm in need of an upgrade. My main computer tasks are basic use, I use Photoshop, recode video, Adobe Premier, etc. Just basic power user stuff, no high end gaming (although I don't want to rule that out).

I will also be doing some home studio recording with a firewire DAW using either CuBase or Reaper, but all these systems should be able to handle that.

Anyway. I'd love a laptop for the mobility, but I could build a mid range desktop much cheaper.

Here's what I am considering for laptops. I have made a spreadsheet with the configurations I would want.



The only advantage to the 1210 is the small form factor. Between the 1330 and the 1420, the 1330 is a tad smaller and lighter. I do want a smaller, lighter laptop so I can slip it in my backpack, but I don't think the slight size difference is worth an extra $400 for the 1330.

If I built a new PC it would look like this:



Not the best, but it would be a decent DX-10 system I think, and for about $250 cheaper.

What do you all think? Any suggestions? Any other laptops that compete with the ones I listed in the same price range?

Thanks

I would go for 1420 or Desktop. Cross the other 2 off your list.

I wouldn't worry about the DX-10 for now. It remains to be seen how that works out.... M$ has to support XP and DX9 for the foreseeable future anyways.

You're in college so I recommend going with the laptop and the mobility.
The slight size difference is not worth the extra $$.

You already have a desktop. Granted it is old but it seems to handle everything you need it for.

Dude, I just got a Dell. You should really check out their Vostro line.. Dell's offering discounts on their 1400's and 1500's. I got a 1500 for ~$1100 (it was supposed to be around $1400). Specs:

T7300
15.4" 1280x800
8600GT 256MB
1GB 667
160GB 5400
DVD Writer
Wireless G
9 Cell battery
No extra accessories

And best of all, Windows XP. I got Home but you can get the Pro version too. They do have Vista, but only Home Basic, Business, or Ultimate. IMHO, upgrade the desired parts and compare: deal link. It should provide you with a decent balance of power and portability.

I am a High School student and I carry my 15.4 inch Toshiba. (Its really thin) But it fits great in a standard back pack from Wall Mart. But I always stick it in my laptop bag and I can fit a few text books in. Also check to see if you can get you text books on CD and download it to your hardrive. Saves from carry allot of extra books and brings it down to a nice small laptop. Personally I would not buy a laptop with a screen under 14 inches. I find the 14.1 and 15.4 to be the perfect size in a laptop. (Good mobility & its not a strain on the eyes) I would also suggest looking at Toshiba's line of notebooks. In my opinion they are in far greater quality then Dell.

Other Choices:

HP DV2500T
Operating system: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7300 (2.00 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
Display: 14.1" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
Memory: $50 OFF Upgrade from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
Graphics Card: 319MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
Personalization: FREE Upgrade to HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Microphone
Networking: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
Hard Drive: 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive: LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
Primary Battery: 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
OS and Recovery Media: System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
Productivity Software: Microsoft(R) Works 8.0

HP extended service plans: 3-year HP Pick Up and Return

Total: $1,556.98