Signal2Noise
08-31-2007, 03:34 PM
I'm planning to purchase a new computer replacement in the next couple of months. The only problem I'm facing now is which computer should I replace?
I have a 5 year old Dell Inspiron 8200 laptop and a self-built desktop which is probably about 3 years old parts-wise now. I use both systems often with the laptop probably getting more use due to convenience.
Laptop spec: Intel P4 1.6 GHz cpu, 1 GB SDRAM, 60 GB 7200 RPM HDD, 64 MB nVidia GeForce4 video card, 15" screen.
Desktop spec: Intel P4 2.8 GHz cpu, 1.5 GB DDR RAM, 120 GB 10000 RPM HDD, 256 MB PNY Quadro FX3000 video card, 2 19" NEC LCDs, CDRW & DVDRW, Audigy 2.
I know I want to go dual core (maybe even quad if a desktop) but I'm a bit hesitant on building my own desktop at this point as I am unsure of hardware necessity and compatibility (i.e. mobo/cpu pairings) as I was building 'regular' single-core systems. So I'm looking at either getting a Dell 17" XPS notebook or go all out and get a pre-built Dell XPS desktop with larger LCD(s). Both my current machines run XP Pro and I'm thinking with the purchase of a new system I'll throw caution to the wind and may get Vista (Ultimate of course). Pricing out a kick-ass notebook and a relatively 'higher-end' desktop results in a price differential of a couple of hundred dollars which becomes irrelevant. My budget is about $3500 CDN. So it comes down to which format should I go with. If you were in this situation what would you do?
I have a 5 year old Dell Inspiron 8200 laptop and a self-built desktop which is probably about 3 years old parts-wise now. I use both systems often with the laptop probably getting more use due to convenience.
Laptop spec: Intel P4 1.6 GHz cpu, 1 GB SDRAM, 60 GB 7200 RPM HDD, 64 MB nVidia GeForce4 video card, 15" screen.
Desktop spec: Intel P4 2.8 GHz cpu, 1.5 GB DDR RAM, 120 GB 10000 RPM HDD, 256 MB PNY Quadro FX3000 video card, 2 19" NEC LCDs, CDRW & DVDRW, Audigy 2.
I know I want to go dual core (maybe even quad if a desktop) but I'm a bit hesitant on building my own desktop at this point as I am unsure of hardware necessity and compatibility (i.e. mobo/cpu pairings) as I was building 'regular' single-core systems. So I'm looking at either getting a Dell 17" XPS notebook or go all out and get a pre-built Dell XPS desktop with larger LCD(s). Both my current machines run XP Pro and I'm thinking with the purchase of a new system I'll throw caution to the wind and may get Vista (Ultimate of course). Pricing out a kick-ass notebook and a relatively 'higher-end' desktop results in a price differential of a couple of hundred dollars which becomes irrelevant. My budget is about $3500 CDN. So it comes down to which format should I go with. If you were in this situation what would you do?