Dell Precision M4400 vs Lenovo ThinkPad T500

Hi guys, I know there were a lot of threads concerning these two laptops but I have my own list of questions and I will be happy if u can answer me. I have a budget about 1700$ and I am looking for 15,4" or smaller lappy with decent gaming capability. T500 and M4400 are right for me but some doubts are casting upon this choice. So I wrote a table with almost equal hardware:



1. LCD: Everything is clear with Dell but Lenovo specs in their e-shop differ from specs in T400/T500 brochure (WXGA (1280x800, 98dpi, 185+ nit); WXGA+ (1440x900, 129dpi, 200+ nit); WXGA+ W/LED backlight (1680x1050, 129dpi, 200+ nit)), if I am right I’ve chosen the last one and resolution will be higher comparing with Dell.
2. VGA: Most crucial. I didn't find too much info concerning Quadro FX 770M but from what I find I guess it will outperform 3650. How much? Notebookcheck.net benchamrk list is so weird. Or even I should wait for 1700M coming in september but I guess it will be too expensive for me.
What about gaming on professional video cards? Should I change the driver to a GeForce or native one will be good?
And last point is overclocking VGA. Will ATI do it better or Nvidia?
3. RAM: I don't think that Lenovo's DDR3 will seriously affect gaming performance.

Dell has now good savings for M4400 and situation with Lenovo is so sad cause M400 both versions with integrated and discrete graphics have savings and even M500 with X4500HD has it but no discount for M500 with 3650. Why?? Can I expect it in foreseeable future? Lenovo has its own pluses like battery life durability etc. What would you suggest?

P.S.
I hope Lenovo fans also find this thread and I will be very grateful for their comments as well as Dell fans.
P.P.S.
I hate bloatware

 

I don't think the optical is plus on dell, they are both dvd burners at the same speed, who cares if dell includes roxio software.
Then dell has a WUXGA screen out now, and hopefully soon a led true life WUXGA screen, plus they have their regular WXGA screen and WXGA+ LED screen, so the winner for screens is Dell I would say, unless you really want a WSXGA+ screen that only the T500 offers. So it is probably more of a personal preference on resolution.

It seem retarded that Dell didn't use DDR3 for their new notebooks, everyone else is. what a bunch of dumm dumms, still though i will probably be going dell in a week or so... Unless lenovo comes out with their LED screen on the T500 and the price drops down to the level of the T400.... then i might have to rethink things

 

I have to disagree, DDR2 is a smart move. Current users can still use their DDR2 memory. There is no plus to DDR3 right now in terms of performance or power savings, none at all. The only con is it's expensive.

 

The Quadro on the M4400 is definitely better than the Radeon on the Lenovo but by how much remains to be seen. You can definitely play games on it with the right tweaks. (Ironically) Check the following thread for gaming on a ThinkPad T61 with a Quadro FX 570M, the card that the 770M is replacing:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=223806

 

Should I be worried of Nvidia's defective GPU in M4400?

Yeah, it seems that I am going for Dell too unless Lenovo cut their prices.

P.S.
omg, 6k in 3dmark06 with 570M, what's wrong with notebookcheck.net?

 

Will you use this laptop for proffesional graphics type stuff?

 

nope, except Sony Vegas, I am going to play games and overclock it... for sure

 

Are you set on the 15in size? If so there is a nicer sager you can get for a decent price or if you want 17in you can get the 7811FX. Workstation cards are typically priced higher then gaming and offer no benefit when play games, so that's why I'm recommending something else.

 

I have Vaio AR 17" and it's too big and heavy for me Are Sager and Gateway both based on Clevo? May be it's prejudices but I don't trust Clevo. I live outside US so stability and reliability are crucial factors for me. And if I'm wrong please explain me why.

Btw as u can see from my table m4400 with superior professional vga is cheaper than T500 with ordinary mobility radeon.

 

Sager is, but gateway is its own brand. Personally I love my 17in, its not too bad to lug around but then again Ive carried some heavy ruck sacks. For on the go Im sticking with my 12in.