Help Choosing Laptop...Anyone Own a Dell?

[Taqbascoman]

After looking at various brands I have narrowed it down to Dell who seems to have the best prices Apples for Apples. Here is the list of the ones I have priced out (lowest-highest). I woudl like some input as to which ones you do/don't recommend and why you don't recommend it. I am not familiar with the advantages of certian Chipsets, Processors, Cache Sizes, etc.

As you can tell I am still unsure if I want a larger laptop or a smaller one....they all have their advantages but I am sure some are probably a mch better deal/steal than others...that is the kind of info I am looking for.

Thanks,

Dell Inspiron 5100
$1,299 - $350 = $949
7.8 lbs
P4 - 2.4Ghz
512 KB Cache
533 Mhz Bus
15" XGA
512 Ram
ATI Mob. Radeon 7500 - 32MB
30GB/4200RPM
WiFi
XP Home
1 Year Warranty
94 Whr Battery

Dell Inspiron 500M
$1,679 - $400 = $1,279
5lbs
Pent. M - 1.3Ghz
512 KB Cache
400 Mhz Bus
14.2 SXGA+
512 Ram
Intel Extreme 64MB
40GB/4200rpm
WIFI
XP Home
1 year Warranty
48 Whr Battery

Dell Inspiron 8600
$1,837 - $350 = $1,487
Pent. M - 1.3Ghz
855PM Chipset
1024 KB cache
15.4 WXGA
333Mhx 512 Ram
Nvidia Gforce - 64MB
60GB/4200rpm
WIFI
XP Home
1 year Warranty
72Whr Battery

Dell Inspiron 600M
$1,721 - $150 = $1,571
5lbs
Pent. M - 1.3Ghz
855PM Chipset
1024 MB Cahce
400 Mhz Bus
14.2 SXGA+
266 Mhz 384 Ram
ATI Mob. Radeon 9000 - 64MB
30GB/4200rpm
WIFI
XP Home
1 year Warranty
48Whr Battery + Free 48Whr 2nd Bay

Dell Inspiron 8500
$1,943 - $300 = $1,643
6.9lbs
P4 - 2.4Ghz
845MP Chipset
512 KB Cache
15.4 WXGA
266 Mhz 512 Ram
ATI Mob. Radeon 9000 - 32MB
30GB/4200rpm
WIFI
XP Home
1 year Warranty
72Whr Battery

Dell Latitude X300
$1,777 - $100 = $1,677
2.9 Lbs
Pwnt. M - 1.2Ghz
855GM Chipset
400 Mhz
12.1 XGA
266 Mhz 128Ram (add more later)
Intel 64MB Video
40GB/5400rpm
WIFI
XP Home
Media Base Included
3 Year Warranty
28 Whr Battery


Dell Inspiron 300M
$1,827 - $250 = $1,677
3lbs
Pent. M - 1.2Ghz
855GM Chipset
1024 MB cache
400 Mhz
12.1 XGA
384 ram
Intel Extreme 64MB
30GB/4200rpm
WIFI
XP Home
Media Base Included
1 year Warranty
28Whr Batery + Free 65 Whr Battery

 

[JZilla]

It really depends on what you will be using if for. If you want to use it as a portable computer, think small. If you want a desktop replacement gaming machine get the 8600.

But of those listed I think I would take the Latitude X300. But then again, 3 year warranty means more to me than a Radeon9000. But do yourself a favor and get a laptop with the Pentium M.

My preferred laptop brand is IBM. Can not praise those Thinkpads enough.

And there is a notebook/laptop forum here.

 

[Serp86]

from the specs, the 600m seems to be more balanced. rad 9000, light weight, P-M 1.3 (read a review somewhere, where a 1.6-M compared with a 2.4 Pentium 4), plus it has 1MB cache.

 

[isekii]

Dell's use Hitachi hard drives

Hitachi HD's = Bad JuJu

 

[Taqbascoman]

Wondering what I will be using it for:
-I don't play games
-I want integrated wireless
-Usually Office applicaitons and Web surfing
-Use it around house at most
- usually plugged in

Based on my criteria a larger unit would probably be fine....but i am leaning towards a smaller one becasue my wife already has a 7lb laptop....so having one of reach size would be useful in case we go out of town.

The most reasonably priced Larger laptop is the 5100, under $1000 and much more than a Inspiron 1100 would provide...but thenagain it has a P4.

The most reasonably priced Smaller laptop is the 500M, with basic video card at $1,279.

I guess bascially I am looking for input as I move up the priceline for each size laptop....is it worth the extra $500 to go from a 5100 to a 8600 to gain: Pent M, Widescreen, 1024 MB Cache, 333Mhz Ram, 64MB Nvidia Card???

And on the smaller side is it worth the extra $300 to go from a 500M to a 600M to gain: (less ram), 1024 MV Cahce, Radeon 900, extra battery? Will I notice the extra $400 I spent here??? at that point should I spend another $400 to go to a X300 to gain: 3 year warranty, less weight, 5400 RPM HD, smaller screen (good or bad?), Lose radeon card for Intel and Media base. Seems like I am losing a fews things and gaining at the same time at a cost of $400...not sure if that is worth it. I could always get the 600M then upgrade to 3 year Warranty for $150.

Maybe the 500M and 600M are the middle ground in size and price. Any thoughts?

 

[John]

Originally posted by: isekii
Dell's use Hitachi hard drives

Hitachi HD's = Bad JuJu

The 75GXP fiasco doesn't apply here. How about the massive WD recall several years back? The past is just that, so how about moving forward for a change.

 

[JZilla]

Then take the 500m if you are sure you can live the integrated video.

At those prices you could actually buy an IBM T40 or X31, just a thought.

 

[FrankFreedom]

Taqbascoman,

What about having a lighter laptop (12 inch or 14.1 inch, under 5 pounds) plugged into an LCD (or 19 inch CRT monitor) for web browsing & office apps ??

You could have the benefit of a lighter laptop and the convenience of a larger, separate screen for working.

I don't know, my buddies who have 7, 8, 9 pound laptops swear they never will buy such heavy laptops ever again. But they do carry it with them quite a bit.

Anyways, one thing for sure, my use for a laptop might not automatically what you're looking for, so I'm just throwing in a suggestion.

Good luck in your shopping, and long live IBM Thinkpads

François

 

[Taqbascoman]

Well....I just went to CompUSA and BestBuy to see what each screen size/resolution looked like as well as actual size of various laptops. I also went to Dell website to check out the Latitude D500 and have made teh folloing changes because:

1. I noticed was that the 14" SXGA screens did not look so hot because at max resolution 1400x1024 the clarity was great but you could not read anything it was so small. If I lowered the resoluton to 1280x1024 I could read the text better but it was much more grainy...actually more than a 15" XGA set at same resolution. If the 14" XGA looks the same as the 15" XGA then I will reconsider/relist the 500M and 600M.

2. I did not like the widescreens or full size laptops. (Dropped 8500 adn 8600)

3. I don't think I like the idea of the CDRW/DVD externally mounted (dropped X300 and 300M)

4. I like the 4-5-6 lb models best. (added the D500)

Should I spend the extra $70 for XP Pro and if so why?

So here is my updated list which is down to 3 models!!!

Dell Inspiron 500M - $1,200
5lbs
PM - 1.3Ghz
512 KB Cache
400 Mhz Bus
14.2 XGA
512 Ram
Intel Extreme 64MB
40GB/4200
WIFI
XP Home
1 year

Dell Latitude D500 - $1,327
5lbs
PM - 1.3Ghz
855GM Chipset
1024 MB Cache
400 Mhz Bus
14" XGA
266 Mhz 512 Ram
Intel 64MB
40GB/5400
XP Home
WIFI
1 year
48 Whr Battery

Dell Inspiron 600M - $1,521
5lbs
PM - 1.3Ghz
855PM Chipset
1024 MB Cache
400 Mhz Bus
14.2 XGA
266 Mhz 384 Ram
ATI Mob. Radeon 9000 - 64MB
30GB/4200
WIFI
XP Home
1 year
48Whr + Free 48Whr 2nd Bay

 

[firtol88]

Originally posted by: JZilla
It really depends on what you will be using if for. If you want to use it as a portable computer, think small. If you want a desktop replacement gaming machine get the 8600.

But of those listed I think I would take the Latitude X300. But then again, 3 year warranty means more to me than a Radeon9000. But do yourself a favor and get a laptop with the Pentium M.

My preferred laptop brand is IBM. Can not praise those Thinkpads enough.

And there is a notebook/laptop forum here.

Another vote for this route

 

[firtol88]

Originally posted by: JZilla
At those prices you could actually buy an IBM T40 or X31, just a thought.

This part

 

[Pandaren]

Should I spend the extra $70 for XP Pro and if so why?

XP Pro is far better than XP Home. XP Home has no file protection for different user accounts on the system, and no encryption capabilities. XP Home also lacks remote access and has inferior networking capabilities. Of course this may not matter much to you if you are the only person using the computer.

Based on your requirements, I would go with either the 500m or D500. Paying a couple hundred extra dollars for a Radeon 9000 GPU is a waste of money if you aren't going to use it.

I have heard that the D series has better construction than the m series.