Help me choose

[Gibson486]

I ordered a Gateway Laptop on Friday, but now I am suffering from buyer's remorse. I don't know if I should keep the cancel the order or not. Here are teh specs:

System Details:
Processor: Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 1.9GHz-M ........[ +US$50.00]
Screen: 15.7" SXGA TFT Active Matrix
Memory: 512MB DDR SDRAM (2-256MB Modules) (Limited Time ONLY)
Hard Drive: 30GB Ultra ATA hard drive
Floppy Drive: Modular 3.5" Diskette Drive
CD-ROM or DVD: Modular 8x/8x/24x CDRW and 8x DVD combo
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Application Software: Microsoft® Works Suite 2002 - Including Microsoft® Word and Encarta (N/A with Windows® 2000)
AntiVirus Software: Norton AntiVirus Software 90 day Introductory Offer
Video: ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 w/ 64MB DDR Video Memory
Keyboard: Full-Size Keyboard
Mouse: EZ Pad® Pointing Device
Multimedia Package: SoundBlaster Pro Compatible Sound & Stereo Speakers, Internal Microphone, Headphone/Speaker Jack, Line-In and Line-Out Mic Jacks
Expansion Slots: Two Type II or One Type III PC Card Slots
External Ports: (2) USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), SVGA, Parallel, Serial, PS/2, S/PDIF, NTSC/PAL Video Output
Battery: High-Capacity Lithium Ion Battery with AC pack
Dimensions: 13.86" x 11.44" x 1.77" (W x D x H), approximate weight 8.65lb.
Modem: Integrated V.92 56K Modem
Network Adapter: Integrated Intel® PRO 10/100 VE Network Connection
Internet Service Provider: One year America Online® Internet Access (creation of new account required) (Not Available with Windows® 2000)
Limited Warranty Programs: Value Plus Service Plan-1Yr Part/Labor/Onsite/1 Yr Technical Support ........[ +US$59.00]
Carrying Case: Not Selected ........[ -US$59.00]

I just saw a coupon for a Dell Laptop that gives you 10% off. Kind of tempting. I configured a 1.8GHz dell w/64MB 44go, 128 MB RAM and it came to $1994 (not including tax and s&h). It's a whole $150 less. I don't know. I saw Gateway's screen a couple weeks ago and it looked pretty dam nice. The screen alone makes the Gateway tempting, but the warrenty makes me shiver with fear.

Oh yeah, the laptop is for home/school.

 

[DeRusto]

Gee, i dunno, to me i see the 512 megs of ram versus the 128 megs..for only 150 bucks more

and it has radeon mobility 7500 graphics..which are decent..and of course, the large screen would probably be nice..

i think i would stick with what you are getting for only a $150 difference

 

[Gibson486]

edit: the dell has 256 MB of Ram and 3 year warrenty.

 

[Gibson486]

In the end (after Shipping), it came to the same price as the Gateway!!!!

 

[Rick014]

Your main consideration it , what will you be using it for.
If you want to play games on it, go for the better video card. If it's for school or regular applications, a bigger
clearer screen would be the better choice.
How much ram do you need for the kind of work you will be doing?
Last if something is going to malfunction due to a manufacturing defect, it will probably do it in the first year.

 

[DeRusto]

I still think I would stick with the Gateway, as more ram can help you in anything..also, it has decent graphics which would be good enough for me, as my main gaming would be done on my desktop pc..

Also, the bigger screen is certainly a plus.

 

[Gibson486]

well, waiting fo rteh better graphics card is what I want to do, but in all the time I have, I really want to get it now so I have a computer when school starts. maybe this is a better question, how will not having a computer for school effect me?

edit: You think the mods will let me post this in OT?