$750 budget target, Dell 630? Lenovo R51? Update: forget the Lenovo, the value proposition SUCKS

[glenn1]

Don't know if this is a fair competition but these seem to be two very evenly balanced competitors which meet most of my needs. Useage will be split relatively equally between home use, college classes (executive MBA program), and pleasure travel (e.g. I'm going to Europe in a month). No gaming so graphics aren't a concern, nor is speed a factor for my useage patterns like checking email, light websurfing, doing MSFT Office work, uploading digital camera files, etc.

Preferences: size should be 14-15", weight isn't the main concern but don't think I want a 17" behemoth and I think the ultraportables will be too dainty for enjoyable use. A keyboard that doesn't suck is a close second as the laptop could have the greatest specs ever seen yet if I can't stand typing on the thing it'll be worthless to me. Battery life is a concern, should be able to last through a long class (4 hours) so I'm thinking Centrino is the way to go rather than Turion or A64. Should run cool, or at least not give me 3rd degree burns on my nuts after a long flight from Philly to Frankfurt, and it'd be nice if the noise didn't keep awake the person in the seat next to me also. I'm pretty careful with my stuff so it doesn't need to be built like a tank, but durable enough to take a glancing blow from a spilt beverage would be ideal.

Any suggestions from the gurus out there?

 

[fbrdphreak]

These maybe?
http://www.laptoplogic.com/news/detail.php?id=542

R51 quality >>>>> Inspiron, esp the 600 series. I've used numerous 600M's and they are all really cheap feeling.

Google for IBM Certified Used and check out their used Thinkpads. I think at one point there were Pentium M T40's for near your budget. Otherwise an R-series is great for the money.

 

[tbooth]

My dad got one of the R51s this week from the buy.com deal and I really like it. Solidly built and definitely fast enough to do what you want. I will probably be buying a thinkpad as a result of playing with this R51 sometime over the summer. The only issue with his R51 was that it didn't have a trackpad (just the red eraser piece on the keyboard.)

 

[modedepe]

I agree with fbrdphreak: the 600M's are really cheap feeling (especially the crappy keyboard and the hinges). I would go for the R51--should definitely be built better.

 

[dementedlemur]

Originally posted by: modedepe
I agree with fbrdphreak: the 600M's are really cheap feeling (especially the crappy keyboard and the hinges). I would go for the R51--should definitely be built better.

The 630m is way different from the 600m. It's the small biz equivalent of the XPSm140 and has the I6000 build type as opposed to the older 600m one.
I've used an R51, an I6000, and an I700m and would honestly say that the build quality of each is similar. I've also used a 600m and agree that it was lacking in many areas. Since I haven't used the 630m or m140 I can't say exactly how it would compare, but I would imagine that it would be along the same lines as the 6000 and 700m since it's the model that fits in between them and has the same build type.
Your best bet would be to check out the two and see what you prefer if you live near a Dell Kiosk and a place that sells thinkpads. I know the Microcenter in Kansas city has thinkpads on display, but there's only one in VA (perhaps someone else knows of another place that would have thinkpads available to check out?)
I would go with the 630m because of the widescreen and true-life availability, but it's really up to personal preference.

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: dementedlemur

Originally posted by: modedepe
I agree with fbrdphreak: the 600M's are really cheap feeling (especially the crappy keyboard and the hinges). I would go for the R51--should definitely be built better.

The 630m is way different from the 600m. It's the small biz equivalent of the XPSm140 and has the I6000 build type as opposed to the older 600m one.
I've used an R51, an I6000, and an I700m and would honestly say that the build quality of each is similar. I've also used a 600m and agree that it was lacking in many areas. Since I haven't used the 630m or m140 I can't say exactly how it would compare, but I would imagine that it would be along the same lines as the 6000 and 700m since it's the model that fits in between them and has the same build type.
Your best bet would be to check out the two and see what you prefer if you live near a Dell Kiosk and a place that sells thinkpads. I know the Microcenter in Kansas city has thinkpads on display, but there's only one in VA (perhaps someone else knows of another place that would have thinkpads available to check out?)
I would go with the 630m because of the widescreen and true-life availability, but it's really up to personal preference.

My mistake then. I thought it was just a moderately updated 600M, most likely containing some of the same pitfalls.

 

[glenn1]

Just came across the Compaq V-2000 also, sampled it in the local B&M stores and admit I was impressed. Two flavors, the Turion or the Centrino. For the same price the Turion gets a slightly better graphics card and is a touch faster. The Centrino may (?) have a battery life advantage. Think I'm going to get one of the two since for the others I'd be buying something sight-unseen. Anyone have any thoughts on the Turion vs. Centrino debate?

 

[Ionizer86]

I hear the V2000 with Pentium M gets 4 - 4.5 hours of battery life, while you'd be lucky to get 3 with the Turion ML V200Z. I'm not sure if this is true though, but it's plausible given AT's review on the V2000/Z with Celeron M and Mobile Sempron.

 

[A5]

Just got the R51 - seems pretty solid to me.

 

[glenn1]

Looked further into the Lenovos tonight, and I'm pretty much certain now that I'm NOT getting one. In the Z series, the cheapest Z60M with a Centrino is over a grand lowest config, the cheapest Z60T is $1250 lowest config. In the R series, you're starting over a grand before you find a Centrino. Fvck that, I can get the Compaq with similar specs and the Z60T style form factor for a little over $600, upgrade to 2 GB memory and a large 7200 rpm drive and still have money left over.

Update 2: okay, found there's a $100 or $75 rebate available. Still not a great deal IMHO. Found a deal at buy.com for an R51e for $699 AR but it's sold out.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I'm confused - you started on an R51 and now complain when a Z-series isn't $700 for Pentium M? The Z60m is a good value for people buying ~$1500 notebooks; the Z60t less so, but not bad considering you can get EVDO and Thinkpad build quality.

If you want cheap but awesome build quality - get a Thinkpad; R-series can be found with Pentium M for under $1000 out there, probly around $800 or so.

Compaq/HP notebooks are awesome for the money; I love 'em. Support seems to be hit or miss. Look into a dv1000 also, has some neat multimedia features. Whatever you do get the 12-cell battery; 6+ hours of life on the Pentium M.