Last week I bought a new laptop. I didn't really want to spend the money, but I was getting irritated with my oversized 2-year-old notebook, and decided to take the plunge.
I'm a fairly demanding laptop user, and I do a lot of multi-tasking and graphic design. I don't do much gaming at all, but I like to have a computer capable of running any game at a decent resolution for the rare times when I do buy a game.
Anyway, after a fair bit of online comparison shopping, I ended up ordering a 16" Dell Studio XPS. It was more expensive than the other ones I was looking at (Sony, Toshiba, Mac)... but I really value the ability to customize every little detail of a computer.
So, the specs of my new baby:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-720QM Quad Core Processor @ 1.6GHz (6MB Cache)
- RAM: 8GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
- Video: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 (1GB)
- HDD: 500GB 7200 RPM SATA
- Audio: Soundblaster X-Fi Hi Def
- Display: 16" 1080p Full HD WLED
- OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
I ordered white... it's aluminum and comes with "leather accents"
I have a couple of questions for any tech geeks out there...
1) Did I make a mistake opting against ordering a 250Gb Solid State hard drive? It cost $500 extra, but I was very seriously considering it. I tend to think that HDD speed is very underrated in terms of everyday usability. If it was a 500Gb solid state for $500 extra, I probably would have done it, but I need that HD space to store my porn collection.
2) Anyone know anything about this video card? I have seen the benchmark tests and it looks OK, but I'm wondering where it fits into the overall spectrum of video cards (low end? mid-range?)...
3) Will heat be a serious issue with the i7 processor? The Studio XPS line is obviously performance-oriented and thus has decent cooling, but I'm worried about heat since I often use the computer in bed and on the couch. Don't want to set my blanket and/or my penis on fire or something.
4) I opted for this computer over the Macbook Pro because I know the Macbook would be far more expensive. Anyone know what a comparable Macbook Pro would cost? I don't know ANYTHING about Macs beyond the advice that my friends gave me...
Thanks!