I'm trying to decide between two notebooks right now. I would be using this mainly for school work (it would stay on my desk 75% of the time) and as an entertainment notebook (HD content, TV Tuner, encoding video). I would really like to choose either HP or Dell. Which one would be the best use of my money and why?

HP dv9700t: $1334.53
# – Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
# – Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50GHz)
# – 17.0" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
# – $40 OFF 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
# – 50% OFF 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS!!
# – FREE Upgrade to HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Microphone + Fingerprint Reader
# – Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
# – 240GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)
# – LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
# – HP ExpressCard Digital/Analog TV Tuner
# – High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
# – Microsoft(R) Works 9.0

Dell XPS 1530: $1499.94



Thanks.

I would go with the dell, partially for the better video card (8600 GT instead of GS), and partially for the amazing support. I have been the owner of an XPS M1710 for almost a year and a half now, and the XPS support from dell is unmatched (it's in the US, almost no waiting on hold, and they actually know what the heck they're talking about). Also, I would bet that the XPS would get you a longer battery life, especially with the LED backlit screen, single hard drive, 9 vs 8 cell battery, and smaller size.