POLL: Dell Inspiron 8200 vs Gateway 600X???

[MWink]

I'm looking to get a high end laptop and I can't decide between the Gateway 600x and the Dell Inspiron 8200. I was going to get the Dell Inspiron 8100 but it disappeared less than 24 hours before I was going to order it. So it is not an option any more.

The Gateway 600X and Inspiron 8200 have similar specs with the Gateway coming out a bit ahead (.7" larger screen, 100MHz faster CPU, better video). The Gateway is also about $200 cheaper. My biggest worry is Gateway may not be around to support it. I'm also not very familiar with the Gateway. I had a Dell Inspiron 8000 last year and I am quite familiar with how it works.

I'd like to hear from people who have the Gateway. I would like to hear about any complaints no matter how small. So which do you think is a better choice?

 

[Ryan]

My reply is in this thread: http://subscriber.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=772046&highlight_key=y&keyword1=gateway



<< Welcome to Anandtech 1.There shouldn't be much of a difference in the video systems. 2. Recently, gateway's service has really changed in a positive way. My mother recently outfitted her whole squadron on our base with gateway desktops and laptops. it turned out that a part of the laptops had been recalled, so gateway offered to pay for the shipping back to the company, gave them newer and better laptops, and even copied the hard drives for them. So far, the gateway support has been top notch 3. If it were my decision, I would definitly choose the gateway. It has a larger screen, is cheaper, you get the combo drive, has XP Pro, Firewire, etc. It has much richer features for less money. Plus, it looks better >>

 

[MWink]

I already saw that response. It's good to know they have good support. I just hope they stay around long enough to support it.

BTW, does anyone know where I can find a high res picture of the 600x? I would like to get a better idea of what it looks like.

 

[Chadder007]

All that (bigger LCD, lower cost)...plus a more rigid case. The Dell Inspirons have a creaky case and the space bar still has problems rubbing on the LCD when the lid is closed. A lot of the 8000 are turning up with this problem. Video should be the same though....Dell generally has more driver and BIOS updates for system fixes than Gateway does, so drivers may be more optimised and mature on the Dells. Personally I like Dells warranty better though....it usually comes standard with 3 years, compared to Gateways 1 year. Changing the warranty around may effect price also.

 

[MWink]

<< Changing the warranty around may effect price also. >>



Both systems I priced were customized with a 3 year mail-in warranty

 

[JimboJones]

The 8100 is not gone yet. If you really want one, and are ready to buy, then call them up. If you really do want the 8100, it can be had.

 

[MWink]

Well, people are voting for the Dell... Care to elaborate?

Right now I'm exactly 50/50.

 

[N11]

The laptop industry as explained to me by a few resellers has IBM/toshiba on top, and Dell is around 4th or 5th. I don't recall where Gateway is at. They made it clear that Dell wasn't a leader in the laptop industry.

Probably subjective analysis.

 

[MWink]

That makes sense as IBM and Toshiba are the two big companies that actually make their laptops. Dell doesn't even use the same company for the Insipron and Latitude. Unfortunately IBM and Toshiba have NO laptops that meet my requirements.

After doing some recalculating I have figured out the price difference (in the end, after shipping and all) between the Gateway and the Dell would be $25 (with the Dell cheaper). Now I'm beginning to lean towards the Dell (I would buy it right now but that GeForce 4 GO really scares me!).

 

[staticfly]

Uh yea... where did you get this information about dell not designing their own laptops???

Latitues and Inspirons are virtually the same hardware wize. They just come in different cases.

Im on a 8100 right now. Its a great machine.


You said you liked the .7 inch large screen?... WHATS THE POINT? its only XGA....

If you go with dell, and have good vision... get the UXGA (1600x1200) screen, its AWSOME. If you don't like .20dot pitch, go witth the sxga+(1440??xsomething), its very nice as well.

I have a Radeon 7500, and i can assure you that the GF 4 Go is faster. No doubt about it, ive tried them both. (its about 15% faster)

Don't get the idea that the case is as flimsy as people make it out to be, its a 7/10 in the sturdyness department. The plastic they use has the added advantage of being light and durable... just as stiff as most would like.

Im rambling and its 3am, shoot me a PM if you have quesions about my 8100 (8200 is virtually the same)

 

[MWink]

<< Uh yea... where did you get this information about dell not designing their own laptops???

Latitues and Inspirons are virtually the same hardware wize. They just come in different cases. >>



Look here

 

[TLScrappy]

Get a Dell!