Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT - DELL or ASUS?? (DDR2 or DDR3?)

What I am looking for is rather specific. It's actually closest to gaming acquirements.
I am looking for as smaller as I can get laptop with great video card.
As I learned so far that would be Nvidia 8600 for 15" laptops.

I am a DJ and I recently started to mix video music (VDJ).
I play, mix and blend music video clips from my PC using VirtualDJ software.
Some samples can be previewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcimiibrMb8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZLqft_P-v0
www.youtube.com/djsuperpimp

So to my closest choice came up these 3 laptops:

Asus G1S
- Intel Core 2 Duo T7500, 2.2 GHz 4MB L2 Cache 800MHz FSB,
- Santa Rosa Intel Mobile 965 PM Express Chipset + ICH8M
- 2 GB RAM 667MHz (up to 4GB supported)
- Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT, 256 MB onboard, 512 MB Turbo Cache DX 10 Capable HDCP support for DVI port
- 160 GB HDD Seagate Momentus, 5400rpm rpm SATA 300
- 15.4” WSXGA+ (1680x1050) ColorShine TFT-LCD Asus Splendid Video Intelligent Technology
Price: 1,700.00 EUR = 2,352.11 USD

--------------------------
Dell Inspiron 1520
- Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 Prozessor (2,2 GHz, 800 MHz, 4 MB L2-Cache)
- 15,4" Bright WXGA+ (1440 x 900) TFT-Display with TrueLife™
- 2048 MB 667 MHz Dual-Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2 x 1024]
- SATA-HDD 160 GB (7200 U/min)
- nVidia® GeForce™ Go 8600M GT with 256MB DDR2 dedicated graphic memory
- Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr)
1,320.00 EUR = 1,826.57 USD

--------------------------
Dell Vostro 1500
- Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 Processor (2.2GHz,800MHz,4MB L2 cache)
- 15.4" UltraSharp™ Widescreen WSXGA+ (1680x1050) TFT Display with TrueLife™
- 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024)
- 160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
- 256 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
- Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr)
1,375.00 EUR = 1,902.98 USD

--------------------------

So what are my concerns with these 3 laptops.
Main disatvatage with both Dell's looks like they have DDR2 graphic memory versus Asus's DDR3. This is very veird since all 3 laptops have a same graphic card.

To compare:
--
Asus G1S
Pros: DDR3 graphic memory, WSXGA+ (1680x1050) ColorShine TFT-LCD
Cons: 5400rpm HDD, price, battery could be better
--
Dell Inspiron 1520
Pros: SATA-HDD 160 GB (7200 U/min), battery, price
Cons: DDR2 graphic memory, (1440 x 900) TFT-Display
--
Dell Vostro 1500
Pros: battery, price, WSXGA+ (1680x1050) TFT Display
Cons: DDR2 graphic memory, 5400rpm HDD
--

I would like to hear some opinions from experts.
I think the main thing of all is that Asus have a DDR3 versus DDR2 video memory. Am I right?
Also is there any other option (a 15" laptop) beside those three?
Am I missing something?

Thanx in advance to anybody that helps me chose

 

When I play (mix, blend and scratch) videos from my PC it looks like this:

<object width='425' height='350'><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EcimiibrMb8"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EcimiibrMb8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width='425' height='350'></embed></object>

<object width='425' height='350'><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KZLqft_P-v0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KZLqft_P-v0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width='425' height='350'></embed></object>

Currently I run this on a PC with this specs:
- Core 2 duo 2,13 (1024MHz)
- 2 gig ram
- Ati Radeon x1300 (256MB)
(looking for laptop for mobility, of course)

 

why do you think you need a performance gpu?

i think that you should get a smaller, lighter laptop (if you have to take it around with you as a DJ)

the gpu doesn't help you with video editing. definitely get an 8 series gpu; just get a lower end one. 8400m gs.

 

yeah dude, honestly u could get away with a macbook or even integrated gpu notebook. would recommend something smaller like a macbook/ asus w7, sony sz, m1330

 

Mos def, I would like to get as small as I can.
When I mix audio I have a 7" laptop (Toshiba U100 Libretto).
I am just afraid for video performance.
I would like to get the best that I can so I don't have to worry for crash down or so.

This what is like what they say that min requirements are:
* Windows XP/Vista
* P4 3 GhZ computer
* DirectX Video Card such as: Nvidia Geforce 6600 or higher or ATI 9800 or higher
* Sound card with multiple sets of outputs
* 1 GB RAM
* Available USB port (USB 2.0)
* 200 MB free on the hard-drive
(don't mind the sound card, I use midi mixer/controller with integrated sound card)

Version 2:
* PIV 3 GhZ computer
* 1024x768 SVGA video
* 4.1 DirectX compatible soundcard (with front and rear separate outputs)
* 1024 MB RAM
* 200 MB free on the hard-drive

 

ok so you do not necessarily need a sound card?

how much money do you want to spend?

let me just straight up tell you:

for video editing, you want a fast cpu, but your gpu doesn't do anything.

for video playback, nvidia 6 series + can help smooth things out considerably.

a low end gpu of the most current series is going to help you WAY more than an older card.

i recommend finding something really small with an 8400m gs. matched with a decent processor you should* be able to play 1080p video without a hitch. video acceleration might depend on the format you choose to encode video in. you should look into that.

 

Never mind the sound card, I have extern.
Vids are MPG1, MPG2, AVI and VOB formats 30fps, 720x480 approximately and less. Up to 300MB size (average 80-130MB).
Forget editing, I need it for playback.
As I blend them upon mixing/playback, so I keep two vids playing at the same time and some video effects and video transitions comes over picture, plus sound and sound effects..

Also I remember that they said previously that minimum 128MB dedicated video memory is requried. That's why I'm looking to get at least 256.

 

^I DJ house (mainly) in VirtualDJ too, except I don't touch video.

You got some timecoded vinyls there? Is that how you're doing the excellent scratching?

And yes VDJ has hella high system requirements, so I suggest the 1520 because you can get HIGH performance with lots of discounts that are not available to the Vostro.

 

If you are willing to wait for about a month more, I'd suggest looking at the Asus F8. It's a 14", with specs (possibly)similar to the G1s.

 

I am not in a great rush to get it. I just want to be sure that it works flawlessly.
I am looking to spend between 1.000 - 2.000€ (1.500-3.000$), and even more if it's really worth it.
As I said, I want it as small as it can be, but main thing is that it works flawlessly!

Some rumors are that ATI works better with this what I need, and that there was some problems with nVidia 8600 actually.

Quote1: "ATI, my X1600 work fine with video "
Quote2: "I don't use video, but many stated here that ATI cards work better in laptops. And it has more ram which is a plus also. 8600GT should be faster card, but ATI has better video output."

@ GloStiX - Tnx for your compliment.
Yes I use serato vinyl control records and Behringer BCD-2000 as a midi mixer/controller/sound card.

 

Another 2 Quotes from VirtualDJ forum:

Posted Mon 23 Jul 07 @ 01:32:55
Yes, you are right, DDR3 and its speed is crucial for video use. If you can, get DDR3 video card with its own dedicated memory. For video 2Gb ram is a must and a fast hard disk. Don't get smaller than 15" because it will be a lot expensive and you can get more ram or bigger HDD for the money


Posted Mon 23 Jul 07 @ 01:46:55
A lot of people are reporting problems with running Nvidia's latest DirectX 10 cards on Vista with Virtual DJ in terms of video performance. Some of these same people have then gone on to say that performance in Vista was good. It may be worth checking that out.

 

The F8 would be available with an option of ATi HD2600. So that would allay your concerns somewhat. I would recommend going with 3GB RAM, the fastest processor you can afford, and a 7200RPM Hard disk.