Desktop replacement

[hectic]

Hi,

I am looking to buy a high(ish) end laptop as a desktop alternative.

I tend to trust the PC Pro A-list and recently they recommended this:
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/113147/hp-pavilion-dv9...

I am not overly literate on PC specs, please could anyone offer an opinion as to this machine being pretty capable as a gaming machine, now and for the next couple of years?

Thanks a lot
H

[ThePassenger]

It should do. I'm not going to say it'll be a brilliant at everything machine because DTR laptops tend to be a "jack of all trades, master of none" thing. They tend to be rather heavy (but powerful) and cumbersome to use on your lap (but the 17" screens are glorious to use), battery life isn't wonderful (2 - 3 hours max) but a lot of trains/planes have power sockets these days. See what I mean?

That HP you've linked too should be 'okish' for a few years. It's already well behind the curve on the graphics front using a 7600 whilst many gaming laptops are using the 7900 or 7950; that being said it should play pretty much anything you throw at it with minor tweaking.

Assuming that spec is correcet (AMD X2, 2Gb RAM, 150GB HDD) for £799inc, then it looks like a goer. I'd see if you could get XP MCE or Vista Ultimate instead of Home Premium though, but that'll cost extra.

[hectic]

Thanks much.

I was looking also at the Rock Xtreme - but this is a fair chunk more cash...

Cheers
H

[o.versteer]

At the risk of hijacking the thread, what are the alternatives to something like the above? I'm looking for:

2gig RAM
15.4 WSXGA (1650x1050 or something like that)
Standalone gfx processor

Use will be office apps, Photoshop, DW, stuff like that. Nothing really hardcore but it has to be able to run them comfortably. If it can play the odd racing game that won't hurt either

I currently have a Dell Inspiron 8600 which is three years old and very tired. Happy with a Dell again but they don't seem to do anything precisely like the above, so I'm beginning to look elsewhere. Any suggestions?

Again, sorry if this is hijacking the thread, just thought it was a very similar question to what I was going to post.

[ThePassenger]

o.versteer said:

At the risk of hijacking the thread, what are the alternatives to something like the above? I'm looking for:

2gig RAM
15.4 WSXGA (1650x1050 or something like that)
Standalone gfx processor

Perhaps a more modern version of what you've got already, Dell do a lot of machines that have a decent GFX system... but be prepared to pay through the nose.

[o.versteer]

ThePassenger said:

o.versteer said:

At the risk of hijacking the thread, what are the alternatives to something like the above? I'm looking for:

2gig RAM
15.4 WSXGA (1650x1050 or something like that)
Standalone gfx processor

Perhaps a more modern version of what you've got already, Dell do a lot of machines that have a decent GFX system... but be prepared to pay through the nose.

What's a good cheaper alternative to Dell then? I seem to be limited to either an Inspiron 6400 at £700ish or a Latitude D820 at £900ish. Both similar spec, Latitude has better screen, that's pretty much it. Any alternative suggestions?

[ThePassenger]

Try Novatech.co.uk out, they're quite good.

[Simpo Two]

ThePassenger said:

Try Novatech.co.uk out, they're quite good.

Ha indeed, yes, Ms Passenger recommended them to me and I now have two Novatechs - desktop and laptop. Good value, very good service and ideal if you don't want Vista as you can buy them without an OS.

[o.versteer]

ThePassenger said:

Try Novatech.co.uk out, they're quite good.

Thanks very much indeed. I must admit that I chickened out and bought a Dell .

Didn't seem that dear though, for the spec, so it should be OK. Had a look at the Novatechs, they look good and huge value for money even compared to what I thought was a good deal on the Dell. Thanks again for the suggestions.

[ThePassenger]

o.versteer said:

ThePassenger said:

Try Novatech.co.uk out, they're quite good.

Thanks very much indeed. I must admit that I chickened out and bought a Dell .

Didn't seem that dear though, for the spec, so it should be OK. Had a look at the Novatechs, they look good and huge value for money even compared to what I thought was a good deal on the Dell. Thanks again for the suggestions.

Not a problem. Dell's can be quite good, especially if you aim right for the middle of their range.

[beakr]

I have a HP zd8000 which is an awesomely powerful laptop - but with hindsight I wish I had got a lighter machine (or a MacBook Pro).

After just over a year, battery life is now down to around 50 minutes, and the thing is a heavy beast (with a ball and chain for a power supply).

Have you considered the MacBook Pro? Guy next to me at work has one and it's awesome. 2-3 hrs battery life, and super powerful to boot.