Looking for a Cheap But Still Quite Good Laptop

[Taekwon-joe]

So I'm going to get a laptop. I've been searching around for something cheap (around €800) but that can also be used for gaming. I found this http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Acer_Aspire_5920_Gemstone_Laptop_LX.AKV0X.146/version-1.asp

* Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 - 1.66GHz (x2), 667MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache
* RAM: 2GB DDR2-667MHz
* Hard Drive: 160GB Serial ATA
* Screen: 15.4" Widescreen TFT (1280x800) with CrystalBrite Technology
* Optical Drive: DVD±RW Super Multi
* Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
* Wireless LAN: 802.11a/b/g/n
* Battery Life (Depending on Use): Upto 3.5 hours
* Weight: 3.00kg
* Warranty: 1 Year Collect and Return
* Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
* Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000
* Card Reader (MMC, MS, MS-pro, SD, XD)
* HDMI Output
* S-Video Output
* Firewire Port
* Built In Speakers and Subwoofer

All that for €768.28 (£549.828).

What caught my eye was the 2GB of RAM, the 8600GT and most of all the really cheap price. My only concern is the processor (1.66GHz). Allot of other laptops I looked at were usually 2.0GHz but didn't have as good a graphics card (and allot of times none).

Looking at the dell equivalent the price is around the €900 mark.

My question is this. Is there really much of a performance difference between 1.66Ghz and something higher like 2.0GHz? Is this laptop still a good deal?

Also if anyone has a better alternative please post a link.

Thanks in advance.

[basstard]

I don't have a better alternative - I have the laptop you posted.

I think it's great, to be honest.

I have been playing some high-end games on it no problem - BioShock (had to update graphics drivers first), for example, looks gorgeous and runs great.

I would really recommend the 5920, especially for €800 (I paid £800 for it).

It's also recieved mostly rave reviews from PC magazines - the drawbacks being mainly the interior design (they had high hopes as the exterior design is gorgeous) and the fact that if you have a fat USB stick you can't get at the CD drive (although there are two more USB slots on the other side of the machine, numpties).

Note that there are two versions of the laptop - one has inbuilt bluetooth, the other has more gaming credential. The one you link is, I believe, the latter, which is the one to get.

[Taekwon-joe]

Well that sounds great. It just seemed like such a great deal that I felt like there must something up about it.

Thanks for that basstard.

[Tiggs]

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/4x_vostro_1500?c=ie&cs=iebsdt1&l=en&s=bsd

Dell Vostro 1500. If you take the €589 model and spec it up to have a 2ghz processor, 8600GT and webcam built in (rest of the specs are the same as the Acer) it comes to €759.00 (and oddly, with those upgrades its the same spec as the €829 model, only cheaper).

The Vostro models are only listed under small business, but home users can get them, Dell don't really bother checking

[Taekwon-joe]

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/4x_vostro_1500?c=ie&cs=iebsdt1&l=en&s=bsd

Dell Vostro 1500. If you take the €589 model and spec it up to have a 2ghz processor, 8600GT and webcam built in (rest of the specs are the same as the Acer) it comes to €759.00 (and oddly, with those upgrades its the same spec as the €829 model, only cheaper).

The Vostro models are only listed under small business, but home users can get them, Dell don't really bother checking
Only problem is that thats the price excluding VAT. I already fell for that and was almost certain that I would get one until a friend pointed out the "excl. VAT" beside the price.

I think it will have to be the Acer.