Acer Notebooks - Need opinions on 2 models

[batmang]

Out of these 2 Acer Notebooks, which one would you choose? I'm ready to buy one, and these are the two I have narrowed it down to. Here are the specs of the 2 machines.

1)
Acer Notebook TravelMate 2601WLCi
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 2.8G <--- con
Display: 15.4" WXGA+ TFT <--- pro, nice, crisp and widescreen
OS: Windows XP Professional
Memory: 512MB DDR333
Graphics: MOBILITY RADEON 9000 <--- pro
HD: 40GB
Optical Drive: CD-RW/DVD-ROM
Communication: 802.11b/g WLAN, 10/100 LAN, V.92 modem <--- pro, has intergrated wireless
Ports: 4x USB2.0, VGA, Audio Ports, LPT, FIR, Type II PC Card slot
Average Battery Life: Up to 1.5 hours
Dimensions: 14.2" x 11.5" x 1.8"
Weight: 7.9 lbs
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year
Price: $1,130 SHIPPED

2)
Acer TravelMate TM2502LM Notebook
CPU: Intel Pentium4 3.0GHz with HT Technology (800 FSB) <--- pro, little faster and HT
Display: 15" XGA(1024 x 768) <--- con, smaller resolution, smaller screensize, not widescreen
OS: Windows XP Home Edition
Memory: 512MB DDR333 SDRAM (256MB x 2)
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 9000, 64MB(shared) <--- shared video.
HD: 40GB
Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW Drive <--- pro, huge pro. it'd be nice to not have to buy an external one
Communication: 56K Modem, 10/100 LAN <--- con, no intergrated wireless
Ports: 4x USB2.0, VGA, Parallel, Audio Ports, Fast Infrared
Average Battery Life: 2 hours
Dimensions: 12.8" x 11.4" x 1.5"
Weight: 7.5 lbs
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year
Price: $1,143.00 SHIPPED

The reason its hard for me to decide is because I want the widescreen display, but I also want the dvd burner. But I cant have both. Both have features I like, and both have features I dont like. One lacks a little bit in the cpu power area, one lacks in the display area, wireless area, and dvd area. How much crisper is TFT compared to standard XGA display? Is it really that much of a better technology? Help me decide!

Other then not knowing which one to buy, I know the prices are AWESOME. Nothing beats newegg.com.
Thanks in advance, any info would be appreciated.

 

[CraigRT]

I'd go with the first one simply based on the first few things.. widescreen display, XP Pro, and DDR instead of SDR. the 2.8 makes no difference over the 3.0 IMO, and there's definitely some cost savings involved there. I personally couldn't care less if my notebook had a DVDRW, so I'd go with the first one for sure.

 

[batmang]

i didnt even notice the sdr ram. wow. thanks for pointing that out... that alone makes me want to get #1.

 

[batmang]

any more opinions?

 

[stevty2889]

Actualy they are both using pc2700 DDR. DDR is still a type of SDRAM. It's a pretty tough choice between the 2, but I would probably go for the first one, because of the widescreen display, and the graphics not using shared memory. Plus the integrated wireless is noce also. Neither one has very good battery life though.

 

[usernamemax20charact]

# 1

 

[Corporate Thug]

#1. the better display is better than the slightly faster CPU

 

[batmang]

thanks for all the feedback. im going to be buying #1 after reading your opinions and thinking it over. they both have low batterylife, but the majority of the time it will be at home, so battery life isnt that big of an issue. the main reason i got it was space. i got rid of my desktop after realizing it takes up a lot of space, big monitor, tower, etc. this laptop should do everything i do perfectly. i cant wait to get it.

 

[batmang]

update:

i ended up not buying either of the notebooks above. to my surprise, i hopped online about 15 minutes ago and saw a notebook that was way more expensive previously. i found a notebook for $1,179 shipped, here are the specs:

CPU: Intel Pentium M processor 1.5G
Intel® Pentium® M processor, 1.50GHz, 1024KB L2 cache, 400MHz system bus

Display: 15.0" XGA TFT
OS: Windows XP Pro
Memory: 512MB
Graphics: ATi Mobility RADEON 9200, 64MB DDR
HD: 60GB
Optical Drive: DVD-Dual drive
Communication: 56K Modem, 10/100 LAN, 802.11b/g WLAN
Ports: 3x USB2.0, LPT, VGA, S-Video, Audio Ports, IEEE1394, FIR, Type II PC Card Slot
Average Battery Life: 5.5 hours
Dimensions: 13.1" x 10.9" x 1.3"
Weight: 6.2 lbs
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year

Link:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=34-115-127&amp;depa=0

I ended up getting he last one instock, right after ordering it, i wanted to show my girlfriend the pictures. to my surprise it was in the not in stock area at the bottom. i got very lucky tonight. woooot. im glad i waited a couple days before ordering. man oh man did i get a great deal. wooooo!