m9750 - Final decisions before ordering

So...... I am hours away from joining the mobile gaming elite (well, AW owners, anyway) and I need to share thoughts with you for some final advice.

The spec I am going with is below:

Graphics Processor : Dual 512MB Nvidia® GeForce™ Go 8700M GT - SLI
Display: 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD with Clearview Technology Operating System: Genuine Windows® Vista Ultimate - English
TV Tuner: Integrated Digital / Analog TV Tuner with Mini Media Center Remote Control
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7200 2.0GHz 4MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 1024MB (will upgrade to 4 myself ata later date)
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 200GB 7200 RPM with Free Fall Protection (will add a second HDD myself at a later date)
Optical Drive: 8x Dual Layer Writer (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
Sound Hardware: Intel® High-Definition Audio (24-bit, 192Khz) with surround sound
Keypad: Mobile Keypad - English
Optional Mouse: Razer Diamondback 3D Mouse - Green
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth® Device
Warranty: AlienCare 3-Year Free Phone 24/7 and Collect & Return

Some questions:

1. Is the extra resolution worth paying for?
2. Is Vista Ultimate worth paying for?
3. Is the TV Tuner worth paying for?
4. Is it worth spending the ridiculous surcharges for Processor upgrades?

T7400 2.16GHz 4MB Cache 667MHz FSB +£214
T7600 2.33GHz 4MB Cache 667MHz FSB +£395

Your views are welcome and will help my decision before pushing the button this weekend.

Thanks in advance,

Clean.

*ps* Anyone who would like to try and talk me into / out of this purchase please..... go for your life! I want to make the right choice and your help is appreciated!

 

Hi Clean,

The configuration looks good. It's almost identical to mine. I think the extra resolution is worth paying for. It actually gives you a better picture. However, paying extra for another 300-400 mhz in processor power probably isn't worth it. Also, I am using Vista Ultimate myself, but sometimes I think I could have just gone with premium. Unless you want the extra features like bitlocker, Dreamscene, etc.... I wouldn't worry about it. Microsoft does claim that Ultimate is optimized for games, but sometimes I find it hard to believe.

Hope this helps,
Gabe​

P.S. - The TV tuner is good if you want to use it like a Tivo..... but be aware that the high resolution screen of the laptop will make it look bad.

 

I ALMOST purchased the 9750 but it was the processor costs that talked me out of it.

 

Looks good. Go for it! And welcome to the AW family.

I think it's not worth it to upgrade the processor to 2.33Ghz. Stick with the 2.0Ghz. There isn't much of a difference in gaming between these two processors.

 

Not worth getting Vista Ultimate unless you want those extra backup facilities, chess(?) and other stuff they offer.

Look up the differences on the Microsoft website but it's not worth £100 more.
http://techgage.com/article/should_you_buy_vista_ultimate

 

A good idea to have the 1200p resolution, particularly if you are going to run multiple desktop applications at the same time.

Vista Home Premium is fine unless you need the extra security features that Ultimate offers.

The T7200 and the T7600 have the identical architecture-same chip except the T7600 is rated to run at the higher clock frequency. There is little difference in overall performance (16% higher clock freq.) between the two for gaming and desktop applications. Stay with the T7200 and save some bucks.

Consider the 7950gtx over the 8700 for your graphics cards. There is a performance increase with the 7950s that I think outweighs the slight visual enhancements gained with a DX10 card.

 

I just noticed that AW no longer offers the 7950gtx card for the m9750. That's unfortunate. The 8700 is still a good card in SLI.

 

It's a great idea to upgrade the memory yourself, but I'm not sure the M9750 will see 4GB of ram when using two 8700s. This might just be for XP users though, anyone else know?

 

1. Is the extra resolution worth paying for?

I really dont know i never see 1920 reso...
2. Is Vista Ultimate worth paying for?
Yeah for dx10
3. Is the TV Tuner worth paying for?
no
4. Is it worth spending the ridiculous surcharges for Processor upgrades?

T7400 2.16GHz 4MB Cache 667MHz FSB +£214
T7600 2.33GHz 4MB Cache 667MHz FSB +£395

no t7400 is enough

 

well if you plan on serious gaming the 8700 is bad. other than that go for it.

 

Your config would make a great computer
the dual 8700's are not bad, they are great..

 

To be expected from someone with a new m15x!

I have been saying the same to drivers of Mark 1 Audi TTs about their speed, looks and performance since I got my Mark 2

Cheers for all the feedback!

 

Before you make a final decision, you should consider the Gateway P-6831 FX, it's only $1250 and has the 8800m GTS, which will outperform the SLI 8700m GT.

 

Don't upgrade the ram. Just buy it aftermarket. $150.00 for 1 extra Gig is too much. You can get 4 Gigs for that! Also Don't go for Vista Ultimate unless your going to use it for all it's features. Home premium is fine.

 

The Gateway is a nice lappy. I played with it at BestBuy.

But, still, if you buy that then you lose the cool AW look.