Need some opinions...

OK basically I have narrowed my laptop purchase down to two laptops. I will be using this laptop a s a primary PC with my almost 3 year old Averatec if I need ultra portability. I need to be able to do A LOT of multitasking, and I consider myself a casual gamer. On an average day least Ill be doing on this will be WoW open, several firefox browsers, AIM, streaming music/itunes, and several explorers open. The games I currently play are WoW, older FPS, and new RTS. Work multitasking includes system admin typical tasks, with heavy networking and remote work.

Basically I need opinions on which laptop I should get because Im stuck on which to purchase.

HP dv9700t

2.5ghz 6mb cache 800mhz FSB
3gb ddr2 667
Vista ultimate
8600gs
240gb 7200rom HDD
1680x1050 res
remote control

$1434

Gateway P-6831FX from Best buy

1.67ghz 2mb cahce 667 FSB
3gb RAM (I think 533 but I may be wrong)
Vista Home Premium
8800gts
250gb 5400rpm HDD
1440x900 res

$1349

I really like both laptops, but Im trying to decide whether 1680x1050 res and more overall system power is worth skipping the 8800gts. Im not planning on ever playing crysis, but Id like to game on this machine. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

What exactly are you doing that requires all those programs to be open at once??

Between the two, I'd go with the Gateway and then upgrade the cpu later.

 

i would say get the gateway as it would be better for gaming, though it would be better to buy a new processor and replace the current one to gain better performance which can easily be done

 

I do alot of research, file exploring, chatting with reps/fellow IT colleagues, listen to music, remote sessions, and office open for email and such all at once. Thats a typical day at home or the office for me.

The only reasons Im hesitant about the gateway is the resolution, not having a business OS solution, and having to upgrade ram, HDD, and the CPU. Otherwise its a really nice laptop.

 

Any other opinions?