Notebooks
- Thread starter Mrvile
- Start date
The Dell Inspiron 9200 starts at under $1500, and with the current coupon code 9H0WFGM$F79ZF9 , which will let you take %20 off any Inspiron over $999, you can tack on some extras.
I would post this in the SFF/Notebooks forum. I'm not playing forum police - just saying you'll probably get better responses there.
Oh, and I'd also recommend spending a bit more and getting an IBM. I went from Dell > IBM and don't regret it whatsoever.
Oh, and I'd also recommend spending a bit more and getting an IBM. I went from Dell > IBM and don't regret it whatsoever.
With the coupon code, the base config is $1359. That leaves a little bit of money for upgrades; Dell is known for steep RAM markups, so your best bet would be to get that elsewhere. (Hint-- it might be a nice Xmas present.) I don't think you'll find many 17-inch laptops for the same price.
Wrong advice. Not only does IBM not have a 17" laptop, their support for the budget market is horrible. Yours is what I call bigoted advice; I get just as annoyed when someone says they want a PC laptop and three people immediately chime in with
"You could get a nice iBook!
"(I'm typing this on a Thinkpad T41.)
Wrong advice? First off, this post would be better answered in the SFF/Notebook forum so you're dead wrong there. Secondly, my advice of IBM > Dell is based on using several flavors of Dells and going to an IBM and I stated that in my original reply. Also, my advice assumed not getting widescreen. Other than (poorly) playing DVD's what is it good for? I'll take a smaller, lighter, 14" UXGA display over a larger and heavier laptop with any flavor of 17" widescreen display anyday.Originally posted by: jvarszegi
Wrong advice. Not only does IBM not have a 17" laptop, their support for the budget market is horrible. Yours is what I call bigoted advice; I get just as annoyed when someone says they want a PC laptop and three people immediately chime in with
"You could get a nice iBook!
(I'm typing this on a Thinkpad T41.)
As far as support, if you're suggesting Dell support is better than IBM then you need your head examined. IBM is often regarded as the best made laptops (thus needing less support) and while no company is perfect I have read plenty of comments from happy IBM users regarding support.
Dell support? I supported a fleet of business class Dells for 3 years and I can tell you that those laptops were frequently troublesome and the support - even business class - was as bad as you'll find anywhere. Call with a problem and be prepared to wait - long - and once you get to talk to a tech (who you often have trouble communicating with) all they do is go through a script of things you've already done. We got to the point where we would just swap HD's between good machines and let the bad ones pile up so Dell could send a tech out to do several laptops at once. The only way to get decent support from Dell is to pay extra to be "Dell Certified" so you can skip the call and order parts directly.
EDIT: FYI -- The posting of coupon codes isn't allowed here...
Dell support isn't the greatest, but only one can be the greatest... Your advice failed to meet more than one major requirement from the original poster. That's why it was stupid-- er, wrong advice.
I've also owned several Dell laptops. Their value can't be beat, including by IBM. That's why Dell currently rules the universe in terms of PC sales, while IBM is exiting the business. IBM isn't exiting the business because of a superior value proposition... That makes your advice even worse due to current events.
Thanks for the tip on coupon codes. I didn't know that.
I've also owned several Dell laptops. Their value can't be beat, including by IBM. That's why Dell currently rules the universe in terms of PC sales, while IBM is exiting the business. IBM isn't exiting the business because of a superior value proposition...
That makes your advice even worse due to current events.Thanks for the tip on coupon codes. I didn't know that.
Dell tech support is terrible so your advice failed to meet a major requirement as well. I still don't see the purpose of widescreen on a portable but to each their own. I guess we're both stupid - er, wrong.Originally posted by: jvarszegi
Dell support isn't the greatest, but only one can be the greatest... Your advice failed to meet more than one major requirement from the original poster. That's why it was stupid-- er, wrong advice.
I've also owned several Dell laptops. Their value can't be beat, including by IBM. That's why Dell currently rules the universe in terms of PC sales, while IBM is exiting the business. IBM isn't exiting the business because of a superior value proposition...
Thanks for the tip on coupon codes. I didn't know that.
IBM is not a budget laptop. If you read my post I suggested "spending a bit more and getting an IBM". In some cases you get what you pay for. There's a reason Dell laptops are so cheap. Compare a 600m to a T42. I setup both of them in similar configuration this past month and the IBM was far more comfortable to use. I use my laptop for work and I spend a lot of time on it so I am much happier with the IBM.
Dell is top dog in sales and AOL owned the ISP market - that doesn't always make them the best option.
FWIW, I recommend Dell desktops to people looking for a budget desktop. Both of my parents have them now and they have been trouble free. The difference is they aren't moblie.
You're right that Dell support sucks. I definitely have to admit that. It's just that if IBM did offer a 17" widescreen notebook, which they wouldn't because they've always aimed Thinkpads squarely at traditional business users, the thing would probably start at $3500. Mrville's choices are definitely limited.
I'd recommend the 9200 to almost nobody; I only did it because of the price. Something in me cringes at the thought of buying a notebook with less than three hours of battery life and no modular bay.
I'd recommend the 9200 to almost nobody; I only did it because of the price. Something in me cringes at the thought of buying a notebook with less than three hours of battery life and no modular bay.
You bashed IBM's support in your original reply to me and you recommended a Dell to the OP who requested good support and service. I believe that implies you feel Dell > IBM in product support. Or am I missing something?
Then why not suggest a better option? Heck, I'd recommend a 14" UXGA 600m over the 9200. My boss has a 17" widescreen 8600(?). Other than putting spreadsheets side-by-side I don't see the purpose. The thing is a tank compared to my T42 and the 600m.
EDIT: I think we're kind of thread crapping at this point. This isn't helping the OP make a decision on a laptop.
Like I said before, this belongs over in the Notebooks forum. There's plenty more options than Dell or IBM. You are missing something, several things in fact; my previous hint about reading comprehension didn't help. I bashed IBM's support for the budget market, and you thought I meant customer support. Product support != customer support.
Sorry, my bad there. I just went back and re-read your post. I was thinking general support (customer service and tech support) rather than product lines. I'll confess I'm watching one hellova great football game between posts.
And I apologize for being an ass. I'd worked my way around to apologizing first but you beat me to it.
Heh, no problem. I did sorta earn that. Maybe I'm a little defensive of my new lappy.
BTW - That was one of the greatest NFL games I've seen in a long time. Most of my family is from Pitt so this was extra exciting for me.
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