Intel Inspiron 1520 or ASUS F3?

[GimiMyGF4Ti4600]

Dell Inspiron 1520 or ASUS F3?

I was originally planning on building a powerful desktop rig. However, my current laptop is getting old and has some rather... annoying issues with the screen etc. Being a college student, I would prefer to have a new laptop as opposed to a new desktop, even though it means a serious sacrifice in power. The good news of course is that I have found two rather powerful, yet affordable notebooks.

Option 1: ASUS F3 series

Brand ASUS
Series F3 Series
Model F3SV-X1
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2.0GHz
Screen 15.4" WXGA
Memory Size 1GB DDR2 667 (+ 1 GB DDR2 667 added $42)
Hard Disk 160GB (5400 RPM)
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
Video Memory 256MB

Price from NewEgg: 1,298 + 42 = $1,340 US


Option 2: DELL Inspiron1520

Brand DELL
Series Inspiron
Model 1520
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2.0GHz
Screen 15.4" GLossy
Memory Size 2GB DDR2 667
Hard Disk 160GB (7200 RPM)
Optical Drive CD/DVD writer (DVD+-)
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
Video Memory 256MB

Price from Dell website: 1,439 - 300 (coupon) = $1,139 US shipped

The only difference between the two is the GPU and Hard Drive speed, and of course the price. So I guess it comes down to whether the ASUS brand has enough power to overcome the price difference and performance deficiencies.

 

[Jorsoft]

Asus without a doubt. Cheaper and higher quality. No debate needed.

 

[GimiMyGF4Ti4600]

Asus without a doubt. Cheaper and higher quality. No debate needed.

Wait what? ASUS would be more expensive though, by 200 dollars, with less performance.

 

[motoxer4533]

I would go with the Dell.

 

[blackhawk13]

I would go with the Dell.

Agreed. Dell's really the only half-decent laptop on the market right now (IMO). Personally, I'd stay away from a laptop as much as you can. Desktop's are much more reliable.

 

[Jorsoft]

Wait what? ASUS would be more expensive though, by 200 dollars, with less performance.

Sorry, I didn't see the $300 coupon in your post. That would make the Dell cheaper of course. I could never buy a Dell myself, though. Too many bad experiences servicing them. Asus and MSI are my favorite brands. HP/Compaq makes a decent lappy, too.

 

[GimiMyGF4Ti4600]

I haven't been happy lately with my Compaq lappy, which is really what this laptop will replace. Granted, it's 2 years old and has had a rough life in my backpack, but I don't think that makes up for the fried system board (replaced under warranty), faulty screen connection (not under warranty anymore), and other physical problems here and there.

I would also prefer a Desktop when it comes to preformance and someday hope to build one. Right now I need something that I can use at the unversity because honestly, that's where I spend most my time during the semester.

 

[maroon1]

I would go with ASUS

 

[GimiMyGF4Ti4600]

For fun, I am going to throw another brand into the mix:

Brand CyberPower
Series Xplorer
Model X5-7900
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2GHz
Screen 15.4" WXGA
Memory Size 2GB DDR2 667
Hard Disk 160GB (5400 RPM)
Optical Drive CD/DVD writer (DVD+-)
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600 GT
Video Memory 512MB

Price from website: $1,325

I still think the Dell is my best bet, but I'll continue to listen to other opinions.

 

[Alvin.C]

Hello,

What about battery runtime?

The Asus FS series has poorer battery life compared to the Dell 1520 laptop. Though, it might not concern you whether or not you're tethered to a power outlet, however.