d600 vs t42

[jkresh]

I was looking at the m60 or the t42 but my deal on the m60 just diaspeared, so am most likley going with the t42 but my school has a great deal on the d600.

Specs
t42
1.8 dothan
15inch uxga
firegl2
60gig 7200rpm
a/b/g bluetooth
etended battery
3 year onsite
dvd burner
2400-2600 depending on exact educational discount

d600
1.8 dothan
14inch sxga+
9000 32meg
40gig 5400rpm
8x dvdr
a/b/g/ bluetooth
6cell battery
3 year complete care warranty
$1600

dell is probably going to be 800-1000 less, screen is less, hardrive is slower and smaller, graphics is one generation behind and 1/4 the memory, battery life is worse, burner is better.

Finishing my masters next semester, would like the machine to last through at least a nice chunk of my phd. I do have a powerfull desktop and will keep upgrading that often, so mobile wont be a main gaming machine, but will be important for programming and possibly some 3modeling. I know i can get a 7200rpm drive for the dell and install it myself (though that kind of hurts the compelte care warranty) or an external burner for the ibm, but debating. Price diference is substantail, though if the ibm can last a year or so more then the dell it is worth it. Any thoughts?

 

[jkresh]

odd now the deal on the m60 is back, not sure why i lost it for 2 days.

 

[thuned]

I haven't heard anyone's Dell dying any more than any other brand. All I hear are my 600m's lcd warps, or my keyboard flexes, or my dell gets too hot.
I mean, if you have the warrenty, why worry about it lasting? Oops, I dropped a book on my laptop and the lcd cracked. Whoop, next day onsite replacement (if you decide to get that).
But of course, the screen size and the video card aren't upgradable. So I guess it's up to you to decide about that..

 

[jkresh]

by lasting i didnt mean not breaking i mean lasting as a usefull tool (ie not being so far outdated that it serves no purpose)

 

[Frightcrawler]

If you meant prevention of being outdated, obviously the IBM is more suited for that than the Dell. Just look at the specs.
Normally, I would recommend the IBM. But...This is a latitude we are talking about, NOT an inspiron. And the price difference between the IBM and the Dell is huge...

 

[jkresh]

yep price difference is tremendous, and I realise that the ibm will last longer simpy because in several areas its specs are years/generations ahead of the dell (hard drive and graphics, plus the screen may be the killer), question is how much longer will it be viable (6 months, a year, 1.5 years...) Just wish that the m60 or the d800 came with an ati card, then it would be easier. If the ibm was a widescreen or either dell widescreen had ati, my choice would be made. Its going to be quite difficult going back to standard after widescreen for 3 years, and cant take much of a resolution drop. Couldnt actualy get through to ibm today to find out total discount, which will make a difference, if it is only %10 then the dell looks much better, if it is 15-20 then i will probalby go ibm (list on the ibm is 3100 so the 24-26 was assuming 15-20% off).