MX7515 vs an HP

Hi there, I do not know if this is being posted in the right forum, if not I apologize.

I am trying to purchase a laptop for my husband for his deployment this coming Feb. I wanted to make it a surprise and I want to make a wise decision.

He does play games, like Sims 2 and a few games like pirate type games but I really don't know other than that.

I was looking at the MX7515 which was at BB for 1200 the other day. Of course I stalled and it is back to like 1400 when I figured it was the best route.

But Circuit City is having a special on an HP with these specs.
HP Pavilion Notebook PC (ZV6270US)
HP ZV6270US
• AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+
• 100GB hard drive
• 15.4" WXGA display • Double-layer DVD+/-R/RW
• 1024MB of DDR memory
• ExpressCard/54 slot
ATI Radeon® Xpress 200M IGP graphics provide compelling sights and sounds.

Will this be sufficient for his games? Or should I just get the MX7515. I have a gateway desktop and it's my second gateway desktop. I love them. But I have no experience with their laptops.
Thank you in advance again.

Also what other options may I have out there for gaming? He isn't a big time gamer but being in Iraq and on a ship for 7-9 months I think he may find it useful.

Michelle

 

By all looks of it they are almost the identical machine. The difference is the PCI slot on the HP vs. the better processor and graphics card on the Gateway. I have the Gateway and overall am happy with it.

I have never had the X200 graphics card but from what I understand the X600 is significantly better - Someone correct me if I am wrong.

The PCI slot may help to "futureproof" the HP computer a little bit but in the end the Gateway looks to be the slightly better model. But, both of these computers have fairly good specs and should do fine.

 

I have an HP zv6000 series laptop and I love it but do bear in mind that it is a little on the heavy side at around 8 pounds. If your husband will not be moving around much with it it should be fine. However, I would actually recommend looking at the HP DV4000. This model has an option of an ATI x700 graphics card and you could get one for somewhere between $1200-$1300 at HPShopping.com. Just make sure you get the one with the ATI x700 card and not the one with the Intel Graphics. This laptop will play any game out there right now and is only about 6.5 pounds. Anyway, whatever you get good luck!

 

If you are really concerned with gaming performance, the MX7515 is a much wiser choice than the HP. The Gateway has an X600, the HP has an X200. Just by the names, you can tell that the Gateway offers much better performance. Same with the processor. If you choose not to get the DV4000 mentioned above, Gateway is the definite winner. Just make sure to get the service plan. It will come in handy, almost guaranteed (hinges).

 

Thank you all for your advice.

Weight could play a role as in he would have to move it around quite a bit.

I'm going to look into the other HP mentioned and go from there. If not I am going to have to sit around and wait for the MX7515 to go on sale again at BB.

Thank you!
Michelle