Which Vostro, 1500 or 1700?

Hi I'm new to the whole laptop scene, and this forum. I am looking to buy a new laptop, preferably a vostro! I was just wandering which one do you think i should get, the 1500 or 1700? I like the 1500 because its cheaper, and i can get it with the 8600gt for the same price as the 1700 without!

The only reason i wouldn't buy the 1500 is because i heard you will not be able to upgrade to say the 8800gt in the future, and the 1700 will, is this true?

How does the 8600gt preform, I'm upgrading from a Radeon 9200se desktop! and the laptop will replace it! however i will still use my dell 20" lcd monitor as external.

I am only a mediocre gamer, but i would also like to use Photoshop Cs3 with speed, and other applications.

What do you guys think?

 

get the 1500! you get more mobility for when you take it places and when you have it where you use it you have a 20 inch screen anyways. A 1720 would be useless to you

 

wouldnt you not be able to upgrade the graphic cards anyway in laptops (correct me if im wrong)? i thought it was weilded or something? or where if you do change it, it voids the warranty.

i would personally go with the 1500 =) it really depends on your preference, 1500 gives you more mobility. if you are really used to your 20 inch desktop you might want to consider the 1700

 

Thanks for all the input, yeh i guess the 8600gt is good enough for me =) Yes you can change the video cards in laptops; for example the Dell E1705, which can have anywhere from a ati x1400 to a nvidia 7950gtx!!!

Guess I can live with the 15" screen etc...

 

Any other opinions on the 1500 or 1700?

I play mostly Bf2 and Counterstrike Source, would i be able to play these on max?

 

I placed an order for the 1500 but am thinking about cancelling it for the 1700...

Well I ordered the 1700.

 

Could you explain why you whent with the 1700 plz?

 

Go with the 1500.

As for the graphics performance, well my old X800XL desktop which btw, would absolutely smoke your 9200se benched 19xx in 3DMark06, 8600GT benches around 3500, so if you do just mediocre gaming, it's more than enough!

 

you already have a 20"inch so stick with the 1500....

 

It's replacing my desktop, after using my gf's laptop (just bought one) with a 15.4" screen it just seemed too small personally. The 17" comes out to be less than $100 more than the 15.4" since it has 2gb of ram instead of 1, also has a bigger HD (need to do the special package).

 

Why does Dell only let you purchase a 5400 rpm hard drive with Vostro.

 

I just realized the WXGA screen on it is antiglare and not true life. Not originally what I wanted, but after using my gf's laptop with a glossy screen the reflections are damn annoying.

 

Yeh i guess the 8600m gt is more than enough, especially compared to a radeon 9200se lol! btw does the 1500 have a DVI out?

I really wish they had 7200rpm as an option! now ill just have to wait until the 200gb, 7200rpm drives come down in price =)

I'm not really a big fan of the shiny screens, and as my dell e207wfp is anti glare I want a matching laptop screen. Which option on the dell website would i choose to keep it non glossy?

 

I'm keeping an eye on the 1700 so I'll be interested to see whether that anti-glare WXGA is any good.

 

Yeh, i'm really worried about future proof of the 1500! if i find out that the 1700 can take other video cards, but the 1500 cant! ill be pissed.........