Ok so i just bought myself a laptop. Tell me what you make of this spec and if it will get me in the high-end graphics league:

Dell Inspiron 9300 Powerbook

Pentiom M 770 (2.2Ghz @ 533 Mhz FSB and 2MB L2 cache)

Intel 915 Express Chipset
1GB DDR2 Ram at 533 Mhz
256MB Nvidia Geforce Go 6800 Ultra
17" UltraSharp(TM)Wide Screen UXGA display with TrueLife(TM)

Let me know what you think of this config,
Cheers
Karsten

War sucks, but the sound is good and WE are the DJ's

I bet it wasn't cheap!

Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ @ 8 x 210MHz
768MB PC3200
Asus A9550 128MB/128-bit
Gamer Edition
WinME/WinXP Pro

nope...but i got some special rates ;)...

Price range $2600 USD after discounts and bonuses.

Now just wanted to know if that config is worth the money :)

War sucks, but the sound is good and WE are the DJ's

wait made a lil conversion error...it was more like 2900 USD...but thats still with a nice discount rate so is it worth the money?

War sucks, but the sound is good and WE are the DJ's

"so is it worth the money?" it all depends on you.

0. Is it able to do all you need and more ?
1. Could a lot cheaper one have done the same ?

Do not type anything in this space.

ok I do believe it can do everything I need and that a much cheaper version wouldnt be able to compare in terms of performance.

I was actually referring to the hardware configuration. Is it a good mix for high performance or am I lacking something? I meant "worth that money" in that regard. Or did I just overkill at some parts?

War sucks, but the sound is good and WE are the DJ's

"...is it worth the money?"

If you're happy, I'm happy. Personally, I wouldn't buy a laptop because I have no need for one, but if I did, I wouldn't spend that much & I probably wouldn't buy a Dell. Did you look at what Alienware has to offer?

Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ @ 8 x 210MHz
768MB PC3200
Asus A9550 128MB/128-bit
Gamer Edition
WinME/WinXP Pro

What's wrong with Dell laptops? They seem to work at least as good as any other name brand I've encountered. Sure, I prefer to build my own computers, but that's not exactly a viable cost effective option with laptops.

"...but in my defense, it was dark, I was drunk, and it was delicious!"

There are other options available & if I was in the market for a laptop, I'd go elsewhere. I've worked on enough Dell desktop machines & they don't impress me at all...as far as I'm concerned, they're not worthy of my money. I'd accept one as a gift though...lol

Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ @ 8 x 210MHz
768MB PC3200
Asus A9550 128MB/128-bit
Gamer Edition
WinME/WinXP Pro

Their desktop machines aren't very good. But I can't really complain about their laptops.

"...but in my defense, it was dark, I was drunk, and it was delicious!"

If we go by this yardstick, we all can rig up a laptop real fast and cheap.

IMHO building a laptop is no harder than building desktops especially for technically inclined folks with considerable experiences behind their belt. Perhaps the number one discouraging factor is the hassle or inconvinience linked to the task.

It is also time consuming, especially at the early stages of deciding and sourcing the components needed, take away the above and cost effectiveness become irrelevant.

Do not type anything in this space.

Hi,
"so i just bought myself a laptop"
Ok.., you have already picked the parts you want. If it's for gaming, where/what is your sound card & speakers? Do you have a mouse for this laptop? do yo u have wireless lans? what about your Window OS?PSU?
Does all that included in that 3k USD price?
Anyway, if money is not an issue, go for it...But, do you really need a laptop for gaming? or maybe a 3k desktop will just be fine with lots more powerful parts? I could really like to have 5.1 sound or something with that much money spend for my games at least.

"a much cheaper version wouldnt be able to compare in terms of performance"
That's true, but what actuslly you want to do with this laptop? You are buying top of the line parts here. And buying the top models are for trading for few Fps in ur games. Do you got a lot of games and time to play? if not, you are spending $3k for those games you are playing. Which makes them very expensive. Like ppl upgrading from a 9800 pro to a newer video card for their CS:S or WoW. I don't see the point in that.
But if you got the money to spend, go for it, live it up a little.=)

All valid pointers here thx hehe. Thing is, I too prefer desktops, but it just so happens that I NEED a laptop because im heading off to uni for my comp sci, so this is actually not a gaming laptop, at least not a pure one. The fact that it probably performs really well with most games is like a nice extra. However, the 1GB Ram is mandatory by these uni standards (and i mean that literally). So much for me buying a laptop. I havent listed the soundcard but rest assured it is more then adequat.

In terms of OS im going to run WinXP Pro in combination with a Unix system. Mouse and everything else is included in the price along with a 802.11 a/b/g wirelass card and bluetooth module, DVD/RW drive, 2 more batts and a 3 year insurance.

Conclusion being: This is gonne be my main workhorse in terms of computing power for my uni degrees, which is why i wanted to make sure it will last for at least 4 years. Hence the high end parts so I wont find myself limited and in need of upgrades just yet 2 years down the road.

Cheers
Dark_Kartug

War sucks, but the sound is good and WE are the DJ's

Hi, This system should get you tho ur comp sci no problem. The students back then completed their 4 years with "other computers" So, I assume you could with this one you r building.
One good thing with high end machines is you could always upgrade instead of replacing in later a year or two.

I just gone tho with Dell's web site, and it said "Processor: Fast Mobile Intel® Pentium® M Processor up to 760 (2GHz, 2MB Cache, 533MHz FSB" There isn't the 770 model you mention there to choice from.
And I donno why the RAM is that EXPENSIVE, $250 more for another 512MBs in duel channel? Compare to upgrading from from x300 to Go 6800 Ultra for just $200..are you sure you willing to spend that much on the latest Memory?

You should really look around the other online stores like Jam said. My god, a PC3200 512MB kingston desktop memory only sell for 60 dollars canadian! Is there a realy needs to have such latest and costly Memory?

You should read the course outline again, to see if you really need an extreme machine for the 4 yrs thats ahead. Really, try to talk to someone who has took the course. $3K USD is a hell alot for a "computer". If i could, i rather get a cheaper notebook to carry around, and a 2k desktop for gaming and real works. Maybe some extra for a nice pen and a cool backpack. =P
For gaming, computer always needs to upgrade or replace in few years ,which is sad. I think it's a waste of cash to spend that much for a latest machine in any ways.
Plus, I got a feeling Dell and other stores are charging people too much with their systems. Like we never seen a computer before.
That's my 2cents=)