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HP or Dell?

M

memo

Golden Member
Ok, I've narrowed it down to either a Dell 600m or an HP zv5000 series, either the Athlon of Pentium versions. The Dell is a touch more expensive and has tax which makes it ~150 more than the HP's. Now I think I might be duped, but I have always thought Dell's were one of the best laptop companies overall, i.e. customer service/warranty/laptop features have a good balance, so that's why I like the Dell line. Also the 600m is 5 lb where as the HP is ~ 8 lb, which makes a slight difference since I will be taking it on trips and stuff. But I do like the fact that for the two machines equipped, everything is virtually the same but the Dell has a 14.1" and the HP has 15.4" widescreen. Which is also important because I will be watching DVDs on it.

So which should I choose? Dell which may have a better name (can they back it up?) which is why I was attracted to them in the first place, or HP which I know makes "ok" laptops but don't know much else past that. Are Dell parts better than HP parts in general? How are battery life for either in watching DVDs? Are the Dells notoriously better at DVD watching? Thanks for the help guys.
 
after being on a 15.4" widescreen notebook for any significant amount of time, you won't even dream about going back.
 
Originally posted by: memo
Now I think I might be duped, but I have always thought Dell's were one of the best laptop companies overall, i.e. customer service/warranty/laptop features have a good balance, so that's why I like the Dell line.
Click to expand...

...You've got to be kidding. The customer service is terrible, and the build quality is sub-par. I have to agree with you though, Dell laptops tend to have nice features. However, HP isnt exactly top of the notch either.

All in all, it depends on if you are going to travel frequently. You do not want 8lbs if you are, and you do not want ~2 hrs battery life. The Dell would be better here. But, if you are going to be near an outlet frequently, the HP is better.

By the way, could you cop + paste the specs for each laptop? That will help us help you.
 
Hate to not vote but i would chose neither. I would look at some of the custom notebooks out there from Sager and the such. Also never count out Emachine anymore. They make some rockin lappys. The Emachine thread is up to what 15 or 16 pages now.



Will
 
I'm torn on HP... I bought my first laptop from Compaq in 2000. it was the biggest POS I ever bought; hard drive failed within 6 months, and the screen started fading within a year.

but I've heard they've really improved since then; I work with non-laptop HP/Compaq boxes on a regular basis and they're pretty good.
 
Specs for those who wanted to help out.

Dell 600m

Inspiron 600m Intel® Pentium®M Processor 705(1.50GHz) 14.1-in SXGA+ w/32MB Video
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Memory FREE Upgrade! 512MB, 266MHz
Hard Drive Free Upgrade!! 40GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive 40GP [462-1009] 8
Integrated Modem and NIC
Internal 56K Modem and Integrated Network Card 56MPC
Optical 24X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
Wireless Networking Cards Intel® PRO/Wireless 2100 Internal Wireless (802.11b, 11Mbps)
TOTAL: $1,283.51
Click to expand...

HP zv5000t

Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 2.80 GHz
Operating System Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition
Memory 256MB DDR SDRAM (1x256MB)
Hard Drive 30 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
Networking FREE Upgrade to 802.11b Wireless LAN!!
Display FREE Upgrade from 15" XGA to 15.4" WXGA (1280x800)
Graphics Card ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) 9000 IGP
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money
Primary Battery 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Total $1,109.55 - 100 MIR 1009.55
Click to expand...

Hard Drive space is not a big deal, got the 40GB because it was a promo at Dell. Got the 2 year with HP because its the same as their 1 year accidental. And memory I can upgrade to 512 with the HP for ~75 I think.. Maybe less. Thoughts?

In regards to the emachines, I recently took a look at them and HPs at a Best Buy. I for one use to sell eMachines and they were utter crap. Now I've seen they have gotten some credibility from other threads in this forum. Are they in the same ballpark as HP and Dell?

Also, when I saw an HP in similiar weight to the zv5000t at Best Buy, which was 8lb it didn't seem that heavy. It seemed plausable to lift it around. But I just went to a Dell store today and the 8600 they had there, which was supposed to less than the zv series (~7 lb) felt really heavy. The guy there assured me it was the stock version. Is it possible the HP was marked wrong at Best Buy(I'm pretty sure it was right though). Other thoughts on this? I was looking at the 8600 at the Dell store because it had a 15.4" widescreen. A comprably equipped Dell 8600 was $1,219.76.

On a side note, while at the Dell store, I saw a 15.4" WXGA and the resolution seemed ok. I am not a huge fan of high resoultions because the icons become too small. Does WXGA -> WSXGA have a huge difference in DVD playback? I have heard that the better quality screens play DVDs crisper. How true is this? Also, how are the battery life for any of these machines in regards to DVDs? Is it a pipe dream to think you can watch about a 2 hour movie on a fully charged battery?

:beer:'s to everyone who has helped.
 
Check out this compaq (same as HP differnt outer casing)

Athlon 64 3000+
512MB (1 DIMM)
802.11G
DVD/CD-RW
60 GB 4200
Geforce 4 440 64MB
15.4 WXGA

It's 1174 after $30 rebate...
 
Between the two... I believe Dell is slightly better...

But the 15.4 " screen is amazing...

You might want to compare the Dell Inspiron 8600 with the HP.
 
Originally posted by: CombatChuk
Check out this compaq (same as HP differnt outer casing)

Athlon 64 3000+
512MB (1 DIMM)
802.11G
DVD/CD-RW
60 GB 4200
Geforce 4 440 64MB
15.4 WXGA

It's 1174 after $30 rebate...
Click to expand...


There is no difference between compaqs and HPs besides the outer case? Are there different quality in parts? Design?
 
Originally posted by: CombatChuk
Check out this compaq (same as HP differnt outer casing)

Athlon 64 3000+
512MB (1 DIMM)
802.11G
DVD/CD-RW
60 GB 4200
Geforce 4 440 64MB
15.4 WXGA

It's 1174 after $30 rebate...
Click to expand...

Where did you find that? Is there a link? That doesn't sound too bad for 1174.

Edit: Nevermind found it on their website.
 
Originally posted by: memo
Also, when I saw an HP in similiar weight to the zv5000t at Best Buy, which was 8lb it didn't seem that heavy. It seemed plausable to lift it around. But I just went to a Dell store today and the 8600 they had there, which was supposed to less than the zv series (~7 lb) felt really heavy. The guy there assured me it was the stock version. Is it possible the HP was marked wrong at Best Buy(I'm pretty sure it was right though). Other thoughts on this? I was looking at the 8600 at the Dell store because it had a 15.4" widescreen. A comprably equipped Dell 8600 was $1,219.76.

On a side note, while at the Dell store, I saw a 15.4" WXGA and the resolution seemed ok. I am not a huge fan of high resoultions because the icons become too small. Does WXGA -> WSXGA have a huge difference in DVD playback? I have heard that the better quality screens play DVDs crisper. How true is this? Also, how are the battery life for any of these machines in regards to DVDs? Is it a pipe dream to think you can watch about a 2 hour movie on a fully charged battery?

:beer:'s to everyone who has helped.
Click to expand...

bump for questions.
 
I agree with Kiev on this one.

And just FYI I have owned quite litteraly a dozen laptops within the past 3 years. I often need multiple laptops to do various tasks. Anyway honestly the Dell's I've owned are just terrible. I mean they are cheap which is cool and all but the build quality is just terrible I personally believe build quality is the most important part of a laptop because it is inheriently portable (and if your not moving it around then why even get a laptop!).

The only Dell laptops you should consider are the superslim ones (300m or 700m or Latitude laptops) because they have signifigantly better build quality but still are lacking compared to say IBM.
 
Please do not buy Dell laptops as their build quality is very bad. THey are made of cheap plastic and do not last long. I worked in a company which have bought hundreds of latitudes along the years. They have caused a lot of grief, but we sticked with them due to the price and service difference.

But now, their service has gone down below HP in a international survey. This is the reason why my company is trying thinkpads and hps for now. Our impressions so far has been good. No matter what you do avoid Dell. If you got money to burn, thinkpads are good. But hp is better value for money
 
Originally posted by: memo
Originally posted by: CombatChuk
Check out this compaq (same as HP different outer casing)

Athlon 64 3000+
512MB (1 DIMM)
802.11G
DVD/CD-RW
60 GB 4200
Geforce 4 440 64MB
15.4 WXGA

It's 1174 after $30 rebate...
Click to expand...


There is no difference between compaqs and HPs besides the outer case? Are there different quality in parts? Design?
Click to expand...

Nope it's all the same. The compaq actually has a stronger latch when it's closed.
 
The 600M was a piece of crap when I got played around with it a few weeks ago. Cheap flimsy case, and the underside got so hot it was ridiculous. I mean, I realize laptops get hot and nearly all do, but the 600M was almost like a stovetop. Then I got my Compaq R3000 in the mail and was shocked at its build quality -- significantly better than the Dell. The underside didn't get nearly as hot as the Dell either. And as mentioned, the 15.4" widescreen (UXGA version) makes me look at other panels as if they were a joke. I'm sold on HP-Compaq quality for now. They may have produced subpar stuff in the past but that's not the case anymore.
 
I would personally have to recommend the DELL. I just recently bought one and had no problems watever so ever and support and pretty good.
 
Dell's last good quaity notebooks was when they were selling the inspiron 4150. Now their notebooks look and feel so cheap.
 
I'm going to have to play devil's advocate here. On a lot of posts I've read here, it seems like people bash Dell machines frequently. I've had nothing but positive experience with Dell. They were friendly to me, supportive and even send a tech to my house to do all the repairs I need. As for sub-par quality, a Dell is no Powerbook (IMO, Powerbooks are the sweet mothers of notebook computers) BUT you can get the same features for HALF the cost. I have a Latitude model of notebook which is very solid. I agree that some of the Inspiron's and such do feel really cheap but you should be good if you go with a Latitude. On the oppositte side of things, I've always had really really bad experience with HP/Compaq machines. I would stay away from those if I were you.
 
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