What types of games could this Dell handle?

First thing, this laptop is mainly for school, but I'd want to play some games on it, even if they're on low, I don't care.

Vostro 1000

AMD AthlonTM 64 X2 Dual-Core processor TK-53 (1.7GHz/512KB), English
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition, SP2, English
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA LCD Display
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 Dimm
120G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+R write capability, Cyberlink Power DVD
ATI Radeon® Xpress 1150 256MB HyperMemory™ (integrated)
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Wi-Fi Mini Card
Integrated Audio

For about $650

I'm looking at possibly playing anything from UT2004 and CS:S to Oblivion and possibly Battlefield 2

Also, I found that the Vostro 1500 seems nice, but I have no idea on what I'd want(so many choices)

 

ut04 on med, cs on med, oblivion probably not, battlefield 2 on low. those are my guesses

 

for 100 more you can get the vostro 1500 with a core 2 duo and nvidia 8400m gs and 2 gb ram and 160gb hard drive and vista business...that is what i recomend you do

 

Will you be taking this laptop to class, etc? I would maybe go for a 14" for a slightly better portability factor..although it depends if you want a bigger screen or a smaller...

UT2004 and CS:S will run, I'm not sure if you want to run Oblivion on there, although it probably would run...but at very, very bad framerates...

Best,
Ilham

 

Yeah I will be taking it to class, but I feel 15" is fine.

Also, regarding the Vostro 1500, I just created one with those specs, and it was over $1000

 

Also, what if I switched the proccessor of the Vostro 1000 to AMD TurionTM 64x2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-56 (1.80GHz 512K), would it play things like Oblivion a little bit better?

 

Hmm, seeing that the video component is integrated the possibilities for gaming is fairly bleak. The games you specified will simply not run at a playable level, if at all.

Anyways, here's a link to benchmark information for this particular graphics solution.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Radeon-Xpress-1150.2173.0.html

If your budget permits, I would highly recommend the 1500 instead coupled with the 8600M GT.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-8600M-GT.3986.0.html

 

8600 GT would put his machine well over the price that he would want it. I mean he could go for the 8400 GS.

 

you need discrete graphics to run them at high quality, it would run all the game but you wont enjoy games like obilivion very much

 

how is it that much money? an amd at 2.2ghz is much less a performer than a core 2 duo at 1.6ghz....

use this link... and get this laptop. http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&kc=6W300&l=en&oc=bqcwkhv&s=bsd

 

Just a suggestion...I'd get a 14.1" Vostro if you are wanting to stay within your range...

Dell Outlet...there are many sub 600 dollar laptops with discrete 8400m GS:

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnline...&lob=VOSNB&MODEL_DESC=Vostro%201400&s=dfb

or in general http://www.delloutlet.com

Best,
Ilham

 

For example...

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnline...emId=Z2C8CA1B&~lt=popup&c=us&l=en&s=dfb&cs=28

Best,
Ilham

 

I'm actually thinking of picking up a second computer (possibly a Vostro from the Outlet) for a second room at my place that will always be on AC plug.

Notice that you get the same normal 1 yr warranty if you buy Certified Refurb, just like a new system would.

The system above would be enough for your school needs (you can get Microsoft products from your school rather cheap I would assume..through a bookstore), and will let you game with more ease (CS:S, UT2004 will have NO problems running, while it may let Oblivion be playable).

The other thing...is these systems are ready to go..so there isn't any wait lines...first come first served..

Best,
Ilham

 

@nizzy1115 -- so you are saying that the AMD 2.2ghz processors are slower and worse performing than the T5450 Intel Core 2 Duo 1.66ghz?

 

yes i am. maybe this will help you understand.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Processors-Benchmarklist.2436.0.html


also besides being faster, intel's are better on battery life and cooler also

 

Is that list from best to worst? THe TL-64 is above the T5450, but only in one result.

I think the two are comparable, although I'd pick the T5450 since it will probably have 'slightly' better battery life.

I have heard from others than the T5450 is between a TL-60 and a TL-64, although I am not sure.

Nice comparison chart.

Best,
Ilham

 

your right, the lowest core 2 duo is faster than all amd's except their fastest processor.

 

The Dell outlet looks good, but do they ship to Canada?

 

Well, nice to know that now...lol..

I'm not sure if they ship to Canada.

Best,
Ilham

 

First of all with laptops, it’s always advisable you get as best as you possibly can. It’s not like you can do big updates later in most cases.

Your lappy will run older games, and possibly "some" new ones on low... for a couple months, then it won’t play anything new... period.

"Gaming" and "cheap" don't go together, especially when you’re talking about a laptop!

You want to shell out 600-1000 bucks for a "decent" gaming rig? Hit up newegg and build your own desktop, otherwise your SOL. Anything moderately decent for a laptop you’re spending minimum 1500... And you’ll still be cutting yourself short come 1-2 years.

An example is I spent over 2.5k on my laptop a few years back, still going strong as we speak. Had I cut corners then, it would just be an expensive paper weight by now! LOL

Granted if your fine with playing older games, go for it. If your looking for something that will last a little while with new rls's you gotta spend more $.

Id definitely go with the best vidcard you can possibly get. Then the best Intel you can possibly get, then you'll be far better off.

Bless payment plans eh?

MD

 

Yeah if ever you want to invest in portables much better to shed out more because its not like a desktop system that you can just upgrade anytime you want, upgrades for portables cost too much compare to desktops so its up you. If this portable is only for school work or for games because if you really want to play those games that were mentioned above then I believe you will really need to spend more that your budget. Nice thought by MDizzle....