Laptop Size Question

[SXMP]

Well I just got the crazy notion that I want to buy a laptop. I was thinking about all the travelling I am going to be doing my last summer before college (going to Boulder, CO; Washington D.C., San Diego all on plane... and small trips to Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Iowa [I live in IL if you didn't figure that out yet =)] )

Anyways, I am looking at either the Inspiron 8500 or the 600m. I really like the 15.6 wuxga display of the 8500 as well as the power. However, my concern is with all this travel, am I going to be finding that on an airplane (specifically budget flights like Southwest and ATA <==both notorious for the small space between the seats) will the 8500 be to big to fit or even too cumbersome to enjoy watching a movie, or gaming a little? Thats where the 600m comes into play, will that fit? Having never actually holding either of the two Dell laptops, I am hard pressed to purchase one without knowing if it will serve the purpose. I'm not too concerned about space in the car, as there's plenty of room their when the roadtrips to the surrounding states occur.

Well anyways thanks, let me know your opinons.
sxmp

 

[John]

Have you checked here?

 

[SXMP]

Pardon my ignorance, but is there anyway for a non-subscriber to view that link?

 

[John]

Originally posted by: SXMP
Pardon my ignorance, but is there anyway for a non-subscriber to view that link?

Yes, click here to sign up now! :evil: Muhahahahah.....

I edited the URL in my initial post. However to answer your question, i8500 = huge and heavy. The 600m is more practical, and the new Pentium M cpu is a sweet gem, not to mention the mainboard and other components that make up the unit.

 

[SXMP]

Thanks alot!

To answer you're first question, yes I did check there However, I should have probably posted this topic there as well.

i8500 = huge and heavy. The 600m is more practical, and the new Pentium M cpu is a sweet gem, not to mention the mainboard and other components that make up the unit.

I pretty much assumed that, but I'm glad to here the opinion. My biggest concern is someone with actual experiance with either of these laptops on the plane. (As besides these 3 (in all 6) plane trips, I know in the future I will fly a lot as well.)

sxmp

 

[Shivatron]

It is also worthy to note that right now the D600 seems alot more solidly built than the 600m. If you are going with the Dell I would look into it.

Of course, I don't think anyone would bother comparing either of them to the IBM T40 (the current overall quality leader), but, then again, niether of the Dells cost $2000+ like the T40.

 

[Eug]

Having owned an 8 lb laptop before, I now refuse to buy any laptop over 6 lbs. I prefer laptops under 5 lbs. My current laptop is 5.5 lbs, has a widescreen 15.2" screen, and it's still kind a big for economy class on the plane.