Which Laptop should I get?

[Kdar]

I am planning to buy new laptop. Here are some laptops which I like. I can't decide which is better to buy.

HP HDX 16-1140US 16"
Intel Core 2 Duo P8600(2.40GHz)
4GB Memory
500GB HDD 5400rpm
DVD Super Multi
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Resolution 1366 x 768
$949.99 after $50.00 Mail-In
Newegg.com - HP HDX 16-1140US NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8600(2.40GHz) 16" 4GB Memory 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - Laptops / Notebooks

SONY VAIO FW Series VGN-FW390JAS 16.4"
Intel Core 2 Duo P8600(2.40GHz)
4GB Memory DDR2 800
250GB HDD 5400rpm
Dual layer DVD Burner
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
Resolution 1600 x 900
$949.99
Newegg.com - SONY VAIO FW Series VGN-FW390JAS NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8600(2.40GHz) 16.4" 4GB Memory DDR2 800 250GB HDD 5400rpm Dual layer DVD Burner ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 - Laptops / Notebooks

MSI GX620-001US 15.4"
Intel Core 2 Duo P8400(2.26GHz)
4GB Memory
320GB HDD
DVD Super Multi
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Resolution 1280 x 800
$849.99 after $50.00 Mail-In
Newegg.com - MSI GX620-001US NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8400(2.26GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 4GB Memory 320GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - Laptops / Notebooks

ASUS N50 Series N50Vn-X6 15.4
Intel Core 2 Duo P8400(2.26GHz)
4GB Memory
320GB HDD
DVD Super Multi
NVIDIA GeForce 9650M GT
Resolution 1280 x 800
$899.99
Newegg.com - ASUS N50 Series N50Vn-X6 NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8400(2.26GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 4GB Memory 320GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9650M GT - Laptops / Notebooks

Which one do you think is better?

Mainly I want laptop using HDMI, watching movies, maybe some light gaming. I also love Linux, so I am planning to dual boot, or maybe even removing Windows complitely.

 

[Jorsoft]

My vote would either be for the Asus or the MSI. The Asus looks to have a little better video card so you might just go with that one. Reasons being: superior build quality, far superior warranty, more bang for the buck. Asus and MSI laptops are just darn sexy, no way around it, mate. HP is pretty average in my experience, Sony can be good but they're usually over priced. The one you've linked actually doesn't look bad but they've been cutting some corners on their consumer models the last couple of years to be more competitive in price and that's always made me uneasy.

I've never looked into how well the Linux drivers work with most laptops, though. I've read that Nvidia graphics drivers have been much easier to work with than ATI's, that's about all I know.

 

[Kdar]

I was kind of worried before if MSI or ASUS have not so good build quality.

 

[Jorsoft]

Not at all, they're one of the best in my opinion. Build quality is top notch, they design a lot of their stuff from the ground up. Build quality is very good, very solid laptops and quite reliable in my experience. Warranty is good too, I think MSI has a 2 year standard one and repair turn around is pretty fast compared to HP's.

 

[Harper]

I got the same MSI and I love it. BTW, I can pump up the display on my display to 1680 x 1050.

I would be going for the MSI or ASUS. Both with 2 year international warranty. Although I have had some bad experences with Asus support from time to time.
Sony is just over priced and no online driver support.
HP...... don't get me started on them.

 

[Kdar]

I probably will end up picking MSI. Looks relatively cheaper than others and good specs.

MSI GX620-001US NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8400(2.26GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 4GB Memory 320GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - Retail
Newegg.com - MSI GX620-001US NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8400(2.26GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 4GB Memory 320GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - Laptops / Notebooks
$849.99 after $50.00 Mail-In

MSI GX620 series GX620-098US P8600 2.40GHz 15.4in 320GB HDD 4GB 802.11a/g/n Windows Vista Home Premium Notebook Black Retail
MSI GX620 series GX620-098US P8600 2.40GHz 15.4in 320GB HDD 4GB 802.11a/g/n Windows Vista Home Premium Notebook Black Retail at ZipZoomfly
$999

Do you this extra ~150$ cost bigger resolution and P8600 instead of P8400?

By the way, a question. Does MSI ship Windows Installation CD with it's laptops? I hope its not like with HP were they have a recovery partition only.

 

[Harper]

Do you this extra ~150$ cost bigger resolution and P8600 instead of P8400?

I was only given the model. Funny thing was the the specs listed 1280 x 800 res, but I was able to put it up to 1680x1050. Not sure it was a mistake, or whether my supplier got the specs wrong.

In Australia, we only have the more model.

By the way, a question. Does MSI ship Windows Installation CD with it's laptops? I hope its not like with HP were they have a recovery partition only.

No. But they do give you 2x Blank DVDs so you can burn off your recovery disk. Otherwise, you can install from OEM Windows Xp or Vista.

 

[Kdar]

So you bought your own XP and installed it on your Laptop? (I see you have XP in your signature).

Another thing.

Newegg.com - MSI GX620-001US NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8400(2.26GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 4GB Memory 320GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - Laptops / Notebooks

Newegg.com - MSI GX630-028US NoteBook AMD Athlon X2 QL-62(2.00GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 4GB Memory 250GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - Laptops / Notebooks

Looking at those two above.

Is there noticeable difference between AMD Athlon X2 QL-62(2.0GHz) and Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26G?

Asus G50Vt

Asus G50Vt-X5
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9173262&st=Asus&type=product&id=1218044

Processor 2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7450
Memory 4GB, 800MHz DDR2
Hard drive 320GB 7,200rpm
Chipset Mobile Intel PM45 Express Chipset
Graphics 512MB Nvidia GeForce 9800M GS
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit)
Dimensions 14.8 inches wide by 10.4 inches deep
Height 1.6 inches
Screen size (diagonal) 15.6 inches
System weight / Weight with AC adapter 7.4/8.8 pounds

or

MSI GX620-001US NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8400(2.26GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 4GB Memory 320GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - Retail
Newegg.com - MSI GX620-001US NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8400(2.26GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 4GB Memory 320GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - Laptops / Notebooks

What do you think?

I probably will go to my local BestBuy and play around with that Asus laptop, see how I will like it.

 

[Jorsoft]

Re: Final Desition (I hope ) Asus or MSI

They should be about equal in terms of performance. I own an MSI so I can speak highly of them from first hand experience. I don't have any reason to knock the Asus, though. I guess if it were me I'd go for the MSI. I know KC has an MSI as well.

 

[Harper]

Re: Final Decision (I hope ) Asus or MSI

I will be going with the MSI. Asus is a just a good of a notebook, however i have a few blows in in the past when it has come down to RMA and after sales service. But then again, that could just be my local Asus office.