Should i go w/ 1720 or a 1520

Im thinking about getting this dell 1720
Intel core 2 duo t7700
VIsta home premium
256nvidia 8600m gt
4gb shared ddr2 667
120gb hd
$1599

or this dell 1520
intel core 2 duo t7500
XP pro
256nvidia 8600m gt
4gb shared ddr2 667
120gb hd
$1568

i would perfer getting the 1520 just because it has xp. this will be my third laptop within 90 days because of vista. my hp 9543cl started blue screening after i updated drivers from microsoft's website and nvidias site. then i got an Asus g1s x3 and it blue screened in 2 hr after i opened it from installing windows update!
so which one should i choose?

 

1520... or the vostro 1500... upgrade ram yourself to cut the cost btw... the 1520 will give you better battery life, will be less bulky, and a lower resolution will look better on it. (useful since most dx10 games are demanding, so running in lower res are sometimes a good idea, even with the 8600m gt. esp crysis).

 

Go for the 1520, carrying a 17" isnt the best thing around. unless your using it as a stationary desktop replacement.
As for 4GB's of ram. Check the prices of after market RAM vs how much it costs to configure it into your system. It might be better to put very little in it then put after market ram in when it hits your door.

 

There's your answer then.
You could install XP on the 1720, if you had an XP CD.
But locating all the drivers can be a pain.
At least with the 1520 you know the drivers exist.

 

My friend's mom got a putrid green 1720 with integrated graphics but a 1920x1200 resolution screen (She also runs the resolution at 1024x768 = FUZZY! ). Let me tell you, it weighs a ton and it's physically huge! It is probably twice as wide and twice as think as my 6 year old T23. The 1520 won't be any thinner, but it will be less wide, which is always better.

 

Someone in one of my classes has a 1720, I have a 1420. He was really sad because his was so big, especially seeing it next to mine (not that its THAT small). Basically you should only consider the 1720 if you never or very rarely move it around.

 

aite thanks 4 the comments. Im still thinking bout which one to choose.

 

Take a close look at the XPS 1530 and with the money you save buy a 20-22" lcd.

 

Also look at the 1525/1526 rumored to come out mid Dec.. This would be the replacement for the 1520 with a no doubt reworked headphone jack and HDMI. I would wait to see if this comes out.. looks promising to me.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/20/dells-inspiron-1525-1526-leak-out-set-to-land-next-month/

 

yeah the 1720 is a beast.. if you i own a 17" sager a 15" toshiba and compaq and others and a 14" toshiba.. imo the 15" is the best all around if your takin it with you anywhere..

 

Why does she have it set to 1024x768? I've heard the screens on the Dells are grainy. Is this true on most of them? Also heard of a whining noise when idle and headphone jack emits static? I'm debating the Dell over HP and now am thinking I should go with the HP.

 

If you are thinking about a dell 1520.. then there is a high chance of static in the headphone jack.. Dell even admits a bad layout issue on MOBO. If you want a 15" today, then I strongly suggest leaning towards HP.. unless you must have the stronger GPU.. the only redeeming factor going for the 1520. But if you are willing to wait a few weeks, Dell may release a a replacement, the 1525/26 which appears to have the headphone jacks up front.. that should take care of the static. It will also have optional HDMI. If you want to reduce the chance of graininess then order with regular wxga.. Remember, the HP 15" only come with that res. So if you want to have higher resolution you will have to take a chance of luck with Dell in getting a good display.. which would probably be one of the LG panels.