Trade Off

Hey,

I currently have an Alienware M17x-R1 with a QX9300 processor, SSD, 4gb of 1333 RAM, and the Nvidia 280m SLI. I've been offered the chance purchase a notebook for cheap, with the only differences between the machines being the i7 processor but only an ATI 4830 GPU (first version HP Envy 15). One reason I'm considering buying another machine is because at this point, I feel I prefer something more portable than the behemoth M17x (obviously, this is ultimately for me to decide).

Gaming-wise, I'm sure the 280m's will blow the ATI 4830 out of the water. The games I typically play (or wish to play down the line) are TF2, Starcraft 2, Mafia 2, Fallout New Vegas.

I'm just curious how much of a trade-off it would be, both in terms of gaming and non-gaming activies (DICOM programs like OSIRIX for radiology, etc) with a downgrade in GPU power and an upgrade in the processor. If the difference isn't too bad, I would then consider selling the M17x for cheap (no need to have two laptops, even if one if basically acting as a desktop for the time being).

Any guidance would be great. And thanks.

Stout.

 

I would stay with the alienware dude it is not that heavy..

 

I took mine on a roadtrip today and it was fine.