zx5000 v. zd7000

I am about to order a laptop in the next month or so that I will take to college with me in the fall and I was wondering which was better overall. I want to get a laptop so that I will be mobile but I still want to be able to have a performer for gaming. I play games such as Counter Strike and like games and which is the better performer out of these two systems?

This is what I know I will get:

P4 3.2 GHz w/ HT
Windows XP Pro
1x512mb ddr sdram (will upgrade aftermarket to 1 gig)
80gb HD @ 5400rpm
dvd/cdrw
56k modem +10/100 lan (will get aftermarket wireless g pcmcia card)
15.4" WVA WXGA (1280x800)
12 cell battery

Now here is where I run in to the problem. The zx has the radeon 9600 video card which is 64mb, but I have heard that it is better than the nvidia go5700 (128mb) card in the zd series. Is that true? I heard the frame rate was significantly better in the ATI card. Which card do you guys like better?

Also, what games do you run on your laptops (post laptop specs please)? Which would work better for me? Thanks in advance.

 

well, having a laptop to be mobile and getting the zd7000 might be contradictory moves...that's a rather large notebook to be toting around too much, but for gaming it's the way to go due to its 17" screen. Although as you point out, the ATI card is generally considered a better manufacturer for graphics cards in notebooks and although I can't say for sure the 9600 64MB card is better overall than the nVidia card, I think the card will suit you well for games nonetheless.

I'm not in college anymore, but during the time I was (3 years ago) I had a desktop replacement style notebook and towards the end a smaller and more mobile ThinkPad and I was happier with that -- I just ended up taking it more places and using it more and my shoulder thanked me especially since I went to OSU and that campus is humongous with lots of walking and carrying crap around to be done.

Seriously consider size in a notebook!

 

I am currently a college student and personally a small machine just didn't intrest me. I do a lot of papers and programing and wanted a large screen and keyboard, thus I got the zx5000. It has the graphics to take on any game currently out there. I can't play far cry at max specs, but it is playable and still looks great at the lower settings. Then your usual games work awesome, cs, cs-cz, age of empires, splinter cell & splinter cell pandora's tomoroow at full settings. I carry this around with me all over, but you will require a large bag. The only one I found that I liked is one that circuit city carried by Kensington. I just walked in there and found the same basic model and told them I owned one and needed to find a bag for it. They unlocked the laptop and helped me find a bag that fit it well and was comfortable.

As for the specs they are part of my signature and will be at the bottom of this post along with my latest aquamark score.

zx5000 :: 2.4M :: 512 DDR :: 40gb 4200 RPM HD :: 15.4" :: Radeon 9600 Mobilty M10 :: Aquamark3 21,862

 

Well as for the zd7000 you do not have to get the 17" screen. But I think that I will still go for the zx (15.4" widescreen) due to the fact it has the ATI card.

As for the bag I am not too worried about it, I am about to order a backpack from www.booqbags.com that is really nice and should hold the laptop quite well.

Thanks for answering my questions as they are important because I am about to spend a lot of money on this machine.

Thanks,
Chris