Getting a new laptop for work....What do you think about the processor I am picking??

[Duvie]

nspiron 9300 Qty 1
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB), Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition Unit Price $2,264.00
Dell Home Customers: Save 20% off the Dell Insprion 9300!
Limited Time Offer! View Details
- $452.80
Catalog Number: 29
Module Description Show Details
Inspiron 9300 Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Display 17 inch UltraSharp? Wide Screen XGA+ Display
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm
Video Card 128MB ATIs? Mobility Radeon? X300
Hard Drive 40GB Hard Drive
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
CD/DVD Drives 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Wireless Networking Card Intel® PRO 2200 and Dell 350 Bluetooth Internal Wireless Cards
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) No productivity suite - Corel WordPerfect word processor only
Security Software New! Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition 15-months
Digital Music Musicmatch® Jukebox Basic
Primary Battery 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (53 WHr)
Carrying Cases Dell Nylon Deluxe Carrying Case
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr Technical Support
Internet Access: Dial-Up 6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Digital Imaging Photo Album? SE Basic
Miscellaneous Award Winning Service & Support
Financial Software No QuickBooks package selected- Includes limited use trial
TOTAL:$1,811.2


I really have no budget and could go higher but we paid 2400 for a 1.5 centrino 2 years ago from this month and I really like to keep it just what I need for my boss....I would like the 6800 go but do I need it?? probably not unless it will give unparalleled CAD performance over the ATI 128mb card....I would like 2gb but do I really need it...Probably not since I rarely have hits on my memory more then 800mb now....I would really like the 7200 rpm drives but do I need it?? Not really...I load the cad file and beyond that it is merely a process of cpu speed and memory that makes Autocd shine....


What do you think about bluetooth?? Do I need it.. I have the basic wireless in my laptop now and it works great. This is just upgraded for bnluetooth which honestly I must admit I dont know anything about....


Any other retailers I should check out....

I think the centrino/dothans are umatched but if I can get a turion in the 2+ghz range and coupled with other nice components for perhaps cheaper I would be willing to give AMD a shot there...

Right now though this is a screaming deal...

Also a 1.86ghz Dothan with 533fsb and with DDR2 should be better or equivalent to a 400fsb 2ghz 755 with standard DDR right???

 

[keeleysam]

How about an XPS Gen. 3?

 

[Markfw]

Well, I get the cheapest laptop I can find. The one I got about a year ago was a 2500 AMD in an HP (bad battery life, but I am rarely away from AC) and a cd burner, 40 gig HD and 512 meg memory for $700. I would never spend that much. Whats wrong with the 1.5 centrino ?

 

[Duvie]

Gateway® M680X

Gateway recommends Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional.


Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Application Software: Microsoft® Works 8.0
Screen: 17" WXGA TFT Active Matrix (1440 x 900 max. resolution)
Processor: Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz, 533MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache) ........ [+US$115.00]
Memory: 1024MB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2-512MB modules) ........ [+US$90.00]
Hard Drive: 60GB 7200rpm Ultra ATA hard drive ........ [+US$40.00]
Extended Service Plan Including Limited Warranty: Notebook Value Service Plan -- 1 year parts/labor/no on-site/1 year toll technical support
Carrying Case: Targus BlackTop Deluxe Carrying Case ........ [+US$74.99]
Battery: Primary 8-Cell Lithium ion battery with AC pack and 1 yr. limited battery warranty
Speakers: External speakers not selected
Integrated Wireless Networking Adapter: Integrated 802.11b/g wireless networking card
AntiVirus Software: Norton Internet Security 90 day introductory offer
Mobile Technology: Features Intel® Centrino? Mobile Technology
Floppy Drive: Integrated 4-in-1 card reader
Optical Drive: Integrated 8x Multi-Format Double Layer DVD Writer (DVD±R/±RW/CD-RW)
Expansion Slots: One type II PC card slot
External Ports: (4) USB 2.0, VGA, TV Out, S-Video, IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
Video: ATI Radeon X700 128MB Graphics
Keyboard and Mouse: Full-sized keyboard w/ integrated 10-key pad and EZ Pad® Pointing Device
Multimedia Package: Integrated sound and stereo speakers, headphone/speaker jack, and mic jacks
Modem: Integrated V.90 56K Modem
Network Adapter: Integrated Broadcom® 10/100/1000 Ethernet Adapter
Internet Service Provider: Six months America Online® Internet access
Part Number: 1008403
Additional Software: Adobe® Acrobat Reader® 6.0, McAfee AntiSpyware 30 day introductory offer and Google Toolbar


Price: $1,819.98

How about gateway...I get the 4 in 1 reader, DVD, 60gb 7200rpm drive, and x700 series instead of x300 for 8 bucks more...I think this is the winner so far...I may get the ultra bright monitor if ppl have heard it is better..I hate runing my lCD outside of anything oither then a office with blinds and plugged into AC...

 

[Capt Caveman]

Duvie, you asking for advice? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

I've been looking to possible upgrading to a Inspiron 6000D, so I've done a little research. With a 17" screen, I would consider the WSXGA+ over the WXGA+ as I like to have as much real estate as possible. Going WUXGA+, would be too small. In regards to hard drive, I've heard the 7200rpm are loud and use a lot of power, something to consider.

For work, you may want to upgrade to Windows XP Pro for the networking capabilities. And I believe there is a $750 off $1899 Inspiron notebooks, check notebookreview.com or fatwallet.

Other considerations, the Dell Latitude series appear to be a little better built than the Inspirons. Also HP and IBM make some really nice business notebooks.

JMHO

 

[Zebo]

you should get a turion so we can see a real review of one. I've emailed anand twice on reviewing one and they havnt done a notebook review at all in 6 months:thumbsdown:

I'd get a Turion just on principle, gotta help AMD's slow mobile sales, since they are so close in performance and power draw. But Pentium M is a sweet chip.
http://www.amdboard.com/turion_64_notebook.html

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: keeleysam
How about an XPS Gen. 3?

I am lost...I need a LAPTOP not a desktop....I am mobile and not at a fixed office and when I am I am at my A64 system in my rig which is far superior...It will be even more when I get a 4400+ X2 and clock it up a few notches....(said like emeril)

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: Zebo
you should get a turion so we can see a real review of one. I've emailed anand twice on reviewing one and they havnt done a notebook review at all in 6 months:thumbsdown:

I'd get a Turion just on principle, gotta help AMD's slow mobile sales, since they are so close in performance and power draw. But Pentium M is a sweet chip.
http://www.amdboard.com/turion_64_notebook.html

Link me some decent retailers building them right now....

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Duvie, you asking for advice? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

I've been looking to possible upgrading to a Inspiron 6000D, so I've done a little research. With a 17" screen, I would consider the WSXGA+ over the WXGA+ as I like to have as much real estate as possible. Going WUXGA+, would be too small. In regards to hard drive, I've heard the 7200rpm are loud and use a lot of power, something to consider.

For work, you may want to upgrade to Windows XP Pro for the networking capabilities. And I believe there is a $750 off $1899 Inspiron notebooks, check notebookreview.com or fatwallet.

Other considerations, the Dell Latitude series appear to be a little better built than the Inspirons. Also HP and IBM make some really nice business notebooks.

JMHO

you know I was thinking about that with the 7200rpm drive....

I think the ones (both of them) have been wide screen ones but perhaps not the one you are talking about...

I seem to be getting a 425 dollar price fix now...If I can get a 750 bonus I would upgrade to the better monitor and get the 2.0ghz chip..CAD loves raw power...


EDIT:

Oh and by the way...I may play a know it all from time to time around here but I am clueless on notebooks, networking stuff (though I set up a home netwrok with WINXP home and that is all I need for outr business (trust me)), bluetooth, gaming video cards, server stuff, etc....The list is pretty large...

 

[Capt Caveman]

Here's the link to the coupons:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2418

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Here's the link to the coupons:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2418

Thanks!!

nspiron 9300 Qty 1
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 760 (2 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB), Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition Unit Price $2,535.00
Dell Home Customers
LIMITED TIME OFFER! View Details Remove Coupon
- $750.00
Catalog Number: 29
Module Description Show Details
Inspiron 9300 Intel® Pentium® M Processor 760 (2 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Display 17 inch UltraSharp? Wide Screen XGA+ Display
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm
Video Card 256MB NVIDA® GeForce? Go 6800
Hard Drive 40GB Hard Drive
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
CD/DVD Drives 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer write capability
Wireless Networking Card Intel® PRO 2915 and Dell 350 Bluetooth Internal Wireless Cards
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) No productivity suite - Corel WordPerfect word processor only
Security Software No Security Subscription
Digital Music Musicmatch® Jukebox Basic
Primary Battery 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (53 WHr)
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr Technical Support
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Digital Imaging Photo Album? SE Basic
Financial Software No QuickBooks package selected- Includes limited use trial
TOTAL:$1,785.00

So I could get a 6800 card and 2.0ghz processor....Is it worth it???? I think the 6800 is overkill and I like the x700 mobility card...too bad...options!!! options!!!....

I would have to move quick on this one...


Or I could go with what I had before and get this under 1500 and save her money...

Inspiron 9300 Qty 1
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB), Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition Unit Price $2,195.00
Dell Home Customers
LIMITED TIME OFFER! View Details Remove Coupon
- $750.00
Catalog Number: 29
Module Description Show Details
Inspiron 9300 Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Display 17 inch UltraSharp? Wide Screen XGA+ Display
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm
Video Card 128MB ATIs? Mobility Radeon? X300
Hard Drive 40GB Hard Drive
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
CD/DVD Drives 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Wireless Networking Card Intel® PRO 2915 and Dell 350 Bluetooth Internal Wireless Cards
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) No productivity suite - Corel WordPerfect word processor only
Security Software No Security Subscription
Digital Music Musicmatch® Jukebox Basic
Primary Battery 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (53 WHr)
Carrying Cases Dell Nylon Deluxe Carrying Case
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr Technical Support
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Digital Imaging Photo Album? SE Basic
Financial Software No QuickBooks package selected- Includes limited use trial
TOTAL:$1,445.00

damn that is the sweetest deal!!!!

 

[rgreen83]

Honestly i am sure you have more answers than your audience for most of these questions Duvie, but since you were nice enough to ask, I guess ill take a shot. I sold laptops for a while, so a few pointers. Dells are ok, but they have stores too, if you live close enough to one, go there to try before you buy. You wont miss faster ram for most of the tasks that laptops are used for, you will miss having more ram. Always get XP Pro pre-installed if possible. Dont get a p4.

If you dont mind HP (its not like they or dell actually make their laptops anyways) then there is a very good laptop in the nx6125 recently released with the Turion, up to the new ML-40 2.2ghz 1mb L2 (same as s754 3400+, but with 35w max, compared to 27w for the M + whatever the NB uses, it should be close) . It would save some money to be spent on other things. Its technically a thin and light though, so no 17" screen. http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm...957-64295-89315-321838-f33-471753.html

If you use a lot of cad, maybe the 6800 go could be softmodded to a quadro?

 

[Duvie]

If you use a lot of cad, maybe the 6800 go could be softmodded to a quadro?


good point I will have to look into it!!!

I looked at the HPs I din't like the whole config....I think the dell deal is my favortie so far...