help deciding what laptop to buy

[Levitas]

I'm looking into buying a laptop.

I currently run a HP DV8000T i got 3 years ago, running a gig of ram, an intel duo core clocked at 2.00 ghz, and a GeForce go 7400 (which oddly has 377MB allocated of memory). I'm looking for something along the same lines, upgraded of course, though I definitely want to be sure that it's not gonna crap out on me or something for a while.

Here are the candidates currently:


HP HDX16t
Components

* ? Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* ? Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9550 (2.66 GHz)
* ? FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* ? FREE Upgrade to 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive from 250GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
* ? 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 130M
* ? 16.0" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
* ? Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
* ? Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
* ? Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card

alienware m17x
My Components
*Windows Vista® Home Premium (64-bit Edition) with Service Pack 1
*Intel® Core™2 Duo P8700 2.53GHz (3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
*Single NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M, 1GB
*17-inch WideUXGA 1920x1200 (1200p)
*4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
*250GB 7,200RPM w/ Free Fall Protection
*Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
*1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
*Internal Wireless Bluetooth® 2.1 with EDR
*Internal 300Mbps Dual-Band a/g/n Wireless with MIMO Technology

short version

I'm considering a 2.53GHz processor over a 2.66GHz one because it comes with a much better graphics card and faster RAM, at the cost of a larger screen, less hard drive space, and no blu-ray capabilities. The hard-drive space is not an issue. The fact that alienware is an euphemism for dell does worry me, though I've had to deal with HP's customer service before and they're not exactly quality (I ended up doing the fix entirely on my own, lol)

Do alienwares hold up in the long run? I have no experience with them. What do you guys think?

 

[toon_marth]

I have not heard good things about AlienWare. I was considering an AlienWare machine, I really was, for they are fast....I think.

 

[Levitas]

Wait, you've heard bad things, but they're good?

What exactly are you saying?

 

[toon_marth]

No, I said they are fast from what I'VE seen, but I haven't heard good things about them. To everybody now that usually means I've heard BAD things about them. No. I just haven't heard GOOD things about them.

 

[Levitas]

Ok, gotcha. I guess I expected a more straightforward response, lol

 

[toon_marth]

Ok, gotcha. I guess I expected a more straightforward response, lol

When it comes to lesser-know brands I'm the KING of stray responses. Deviously crafting them to sound intelligent.

 

[Mr.Bazerkus]

I like the second one better.
How soon do you need it. You could wait for prices to drop and then you could get it with the faster processor

 

[Levitas]

I'm gonna get it sometime this summer. Prices are always dropping though, so as far as I'm concerned unless there's some sort of late summer ridiculous sale, I'm gonna go for it sooner than later.