Best Buy has some sweet laptops - comparison question, is it worth $150 more?

[Deja Q]

ASUS G50Vt-X1 Specifications:

* Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 3MB L2 cache)
* NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GS with 512MB of GDDR3 discrete video memory
* 15.6” WXGA Glossy LCD (1366x768)
* Genuine Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit) SP1
* 4GB (4096MB) DDR2 Memory (2 x 2048MB modules)
* 320GB 7200RPM Seagate HD
* 8x Multi-Format Dual Layer DVDRW with LightScribeTechnology
* Integrated 1.3 Megapixel Web Cam
* 6-Cell 11.1v 4800mAh battery, 120w power supply
* Size: 15.4" x 10.5 x 1.4-1.7"
* Weight: 7lbs 1oz
* Warranty: 1 Year

(got an open box deal for $850; retails for $949)


ASUS G50Vt-X5 Specifications:

-15.6 inch widescreen 1366x768 resolution
-Intel Core Duo P7450 2.13ghz 3mb l2 cache
-4gb ddr2 800mhz
-320gb 7200rpm SATAIII HD
-NVidia GeForce 9800m GS 512mb dedicated gddr3
-9 cell battery
-10 key pad
-Nifty LCD display under screen showing CPU/Memory usage
-6 something pounds

(retails for $999)

Various sites have varying things, but both seem very similar apart from a few sundry points:

1. The newer X5's CPU is slower by 100MHz but the X5 is Penryn and the X1 is Montevina -- do I care about this as both are made with the 45nm process?
2. The X5 has DDR2-800 RAM whereas the X1 uses DDR2-533. Memory benchmark websites I'd read suggest the difference between 533 and 800 is by and large moot. (never mind the hype that is DDR3)
3. The X1 is a cool silver/blue color whereas the X5 has this halloween black/orange color scheme.

I'll be using the laptop for programming, word processing, and minor image editing (up to two 8x10" 300dpi photoshop images). No games. Given video editing (which uses bandwidth), would having dedicated video RAM reeeeeeally be worth the $150 increase in price? I'm thinking "No" as Vista's performance index rated both systems in the 5.x range; 5.2 for the X1 and that was due to the CPU speed. (as I recall it got 5.9 for both business and gaming video speed.)

The X1, according to kingston memory selector, can be upped to DDR2-800 RAM as well. As the laptop allows for overclocking :wow: I might not bother; right now the RAM/CPU is at 1:1 ratio but if I upped the bus to 1333, then I'd need DDR2-667 (pointless to do DDR2-800)

It sounds like I could put Linux on it too and copy over my existing VM...


Either machine has a lot of power for the money and they do feel very well built, unlike the HP and Gateway.

[BlueJazz]

1. Since you're not going to stress out the machine via "hi-intensity Gaming",

...I'd go for the cheaper price.
With the 4 gig memory..and the fact that the only memory-intensive stuff you'll be doing is low level
video, the difference is going to be Hundredths of a second slower..
...you'll never notice it. :)

[Deja Q]

2. Thx

:)

Comparing the two models, the X5's only advantage is screen resolution - which, on a 15.6" screen, is too small for my liking and there's nothing wrong with 1366x768 anyway.

The funny part is, what I saved on the laptop has already gone to a 9 cell battery (it comes with a 6 cell battery).