Is this Dell build a good choice for me?

[Bonger]

Hi,

I am looking to pick up a laptop and was looking for a little advice. I am in an MBA program and it has progressed to the point wherein I really need a laptop for class and to be able to work where and whenever I have time.

Most of the usage will be on the internet using sites like CapitalIQ, Incestect, S&P NetAdvantage etc along with a lot of work in MS Office. I might run a DVD or play some music on it now and then.

I put this together on the Dell site for $599. It is an Inspiron 1520. Does this look like it can handle my needs while running smotthly and crisply? Should I add another gig of Ram for $100? Do you have an alternate suggestion? Cheaper is always better in my book. Oh, laptop looks count too. I like the black glossy Dell finish. ;-) Also, glossy screen or anti glare? (I use an NEC LCD at home with the gloss finish and I love it.)

Also, whats the story with internet from cell phone providers? Is it pricey and how well does it work? It would be nice to have internet anywhere and everywhere. Do I need to add a part for it?

Thanks so much!

SYSTEM COLOR Jet Black edit
PROCESSOR Intel® Pentium(R) Dual Core? T2330 (1.60GHz/533Mhz FSB/1MB cache) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista ® Home Basic Edition edit
HD DISPLAY Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800) edit
VIDEO CARD Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 edit
MEMORY 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz edit
HARD DRIVE Size: 120GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) edit
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE CD / DVD Writer (DVD+/-RW Drive) edit
WIRELESS NETWORK CARDS Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini-Card edit
INTEGRATED WEBCAM Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam edit
BATTERY OPTIONS 56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell) edit
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0 edit


Edit: I just found another condaidate. I can get XP for free on this one. I don't need Vista right? Not even to run MS Office 07?

My System Details
PROCESSOR Intel® Core? 2 Duo T5270 (1.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition edit
LCD PANEL 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA LCD Display edit
MEMORY 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM edit
HARD DRIVE 160GB 5400RPM Hard Drive edit
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD+RW Read and Burn CD and DVD edit
VIDEO CARD 128MB NVIDIA® GeForce? 8400M GS edit
MEDIA DIRECT Dell Exclusive MediaDirect? Instant Play Software Application edit
WI-FI WIRELESS CARD Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Wi-Fi Mini Card edit
WEBCAM No Webcam Option edit
My Accessories
BATTERIES 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

 

[mageslayer]

Originally posted by: Bonger
I put this together on the Dell site for $599. It is an Inspiron 1520. Does this look like it can handle my needs while running smotthly and crisply?

It will be a solid machine for your needs.

Originally posted by: Bonger
Should I add another gig of Ram for $100? Do you have an alternate suggestion? Cheaper is always better in my book. Oh, laptop looks count too. I like the black glossy Dell finish. ;-) Also, glossy screen or anti glare? (I use an NEC LCD at home with the gloss finish and I love it.)

NEVER buy ram upgrades at dell. Go to newegg and you can find 2x2gb laptop memory for $85 shipped.

Originally posted by: Bonger
Also, whats the story with internet from cell phone providers? Is it pricey and how well does it work? It would be nice to have internet anywhere and everywhere. Do I need to add a part for it?

Yes, you need a card to use internet everywhere. The speed of the internet is generally slower than wifi. This feature comes at a high cost with basic plans at $60+ per month.

Originally posted by: Bonger
Edit: I just found another condaidate. I can get XP for free on this one. I don't need Vista right? Not even to run MS Office 07?

Embrace Vista!!!!!!!!
Just Kidding, XP is going to being replaced by Vista, but for those of us who like Vista MS Office 2007 and most programs are completely compatible.

 

[mageslayer]

The second option looks way better than the first. Are they the same price???

Option 2 vs Option 1
It has an 8400M GS vs integrated graphics
2gb ram vs 1gb
160gb hd vs 120 gb
9 cell battery vs 6 cell
the processor although weaker in terms of ghz has 2mb cache vs 1gb cache
xp vs vista

Go for option 2!!!

 

[Tempered81]

2nd one is much more powerful for keeping for the long run

t5xxx series core processor.

8400gs video card

9 cell battery.

I prefer vista's laptop/mobile power management. I was so tempted to downgrade back to xp, but im learning to like vista.

 

[Fraggable]

How about...

Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Memory
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM 677MHz (2 DIMMs)
Hard Disk Drive
250 GB EIDE Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Video
ATI RADEON Xpress1270 HyperMemory
Software Upgrade
Microsoft Works 8.5
Certified Refurbished
Certified Refurbished
Base
Inspiron 1521 Laptop: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TK-55 (1.8GHz)
Media Bay
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Network Interface Card
1390 Wireless Card
Hardware Upgrade
Integrated 2.0 Mega Pixel Web Camera
6 Cell Primary Battery
System Color
Spring Green
Laptop Screen
15.4 WXGA Laptop Screen Display with TrueLife

$589

Or even:

XPS 1530
Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Memory
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM 677MHz (2 DIMMs)
Hard Disk Drive
120 GB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
Video
128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
Certified Refurbished
Certified Refurbished
Base
XPS M1530 Laptop: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5250 (2MB cache/1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB)
Media Bay
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Software Upgrade
Microsoft Works 8.5
Hardware Upgrade
6 Cell Primary Battery
Integrated 2.0 Mega Pixel Web Camera
90W AC Adapter
System Color
Crimson Red
Laptop Screen
15.4 WXGA Laptop Screen Display with TrueLife
Network Interface Card
1490 Wireless Card

$679

Delloutlet.com - all systems come with a 1yr warranty as far as I know. The Inspiron 1420's are a little cheaper if you don't mind the smaller size.

 

[Bonger]

Thanks for the great input guys. One huge thing is that I can download MS Office 2007 at school for free. Will that work with XP or only with Vista?

I actually did not check out the refurbished systems as it seemed kinda shady to me since I have never bought anything tech based that was used. I'll give it a look through.

Also, yes, both systems I posted are the same price.

Anyone know what Dell charges for shipping and if the Vostra and Inspiron have the same case? I couldn't tell from the pics.

 

[Fraggable]

Originally posted by: Bonger
Thanks for the great input guys. One huge thing is that I can download MS Office 2007 at school for free. Will that work with XP or only with Vista?

I actually did not check out the refurbished systems as it seemed kinda shady to me since I have never bought anything tech based that was used. I'll give it a look through.

Also, yes, both systems I posted are the same price.

Anyone know what Dell charges for shipping and if the Vostra and Inspiron have the same case? I couldn't tell from the pics.

The Vostros use the same frame as the Inspirons, only real difference is looks and the fact that they don't come pre-loaded with crapware.

Dell refurbs are 'used' I guess, but you'd never know it from looking at them. In a way, they could end up being more reliable since they undergo additional testing before being resold.

 

[mountcarlmore]

are you set on dell? me and my friend found this website, avadirect.com, and he built a very nice system for 1300 bucks. you get more customization options, and you don't get charged out the wazzoo for upgrades like ram.

 

[mageslayer]

Originally posted by: Bonger
Thanks for the great input guys. One huge thing is that I can download MS Office 2007 at school for free. Will that work with XP or only with Vista?

Um... Please read my first post last line, it answered that question.

Originally posted by: Bonger
I actually did not check out the refurbished systems as it seemed kinda shady to me since I have never bought anything tech based that was used. I'll give it a look through.

Go with the second laptop you posted, it will be a good choice, it is loaded, and it is new.

 

[Rottie]

Option 1 is good for you. I dunno why you want 1.4Ghz for?

 

[mageslayer]

I compared both:

Originally posted by: mageslayer
The second option looks way better than the first. Are they the same price???

Option 2 vs Option 1
It has an 8400M GS vs integrated graphics
2gb ram vs 1gb
160gb hd vs 120 gb
9 cell battery vs 6 cell
the processor although weaker in terms of ghz has 2mb cache vs 1gb cache
xp vs vista

Go for option 2!!!

is 0.2 ghz on option 1 worth all of this. I think not.