Decisions, Decisions...Which laptop?

[Urbanique]

I'm getting ready to purchase a second laptop as this one is on it's last leg (it's a Dell :(). The main thing I want to achieve is smooth game play with the sims and clear, quality graphics. I've read through the minimum requirements, but I would like a better performance than the minimum.

Example: An_na's Photo
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r238/glitteringcloud/random/8cf8f876.jpg


I was wondering if the following two computers can achieve this performance:

Hewlett Packard Pavilion dv9930us





Intel® Core 2 Duo Processor T5750
4GB DDR2-533 RAM
320GB 5,400RPM Hard Drive
LightScribe SuperMulti 8x DVD±RW Drive with Double Layer Support
5-in-1 Digital Media Reader
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
TV Tuner (NTSC/ATSC)
10/100/1000 Network
Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
17.0 WXGA+ High-Definition BrightView Display
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)
$1,179.99

Toshiba Satellite P305-S8838




Intel® Core 2 Duo Processor T5750
4GB DDR2-667 RAM
320GB 5,400RPM Hard Drive
Labelflash SuperMulti Double Layer DVD±RW Drive
5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter
ATi Mobility Radeon HD 3470
10/100 Network
Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
17.1" WXGA+ TruBrite Display
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)
$1,049.99


I get a headache thinking about all the options, so any comments or suggestions are welcome!

[HystericalParoxysm]

Because we already have a sticky about good computers to run TS2/TS3, I'm going to lock this: http://forums.sims2community.com/showthread.php?t=57989

However, I can advise you against the first one with the 8600 graphics card in it - there's a defect with those cards which can cause overheating and for the card to fail. In a laptop, that's pretty disastrous.

Furthermore, 64 bit Vista has a lot of issues - mainly in getting things to run with it. I'd strongly advise 32 bit home basic if you're getting Vista.

The processor in both, the T5750, from what I can see, is really not a wonderful processor. 2.0 gHz, low clock speed, low L2 cache. I think you could get a lot better for that price. Check out some of the info in the thread I linked above regarding good builds - it's just as true in laptops as it is in desktops.