POLL: Powerbook or Inspiron?

[amnesiac]

I'm planning on getting a new laptop in the next couple months.
Right now it's narrowed down to the the following 2 systems with their pros and cons:

Apple Powerbook 15"
+ Great HW/SW Integration
+ Lots of integrated goodies (firewire, bluetooth, wifi)
+ OSX
+ Fast
+ Great battery life
+ Lightweight
- May be replaced with newer model in 3-6 mo.
- Accessories are expensive
- Warranty not comprehensive (doesn't cover accidental damage)

Dell Inspiron 8200
+ Fast
+ Excellent warranty
+ More hardware and software options
- Shoddy customer support
- Crappy battery life
- Really, really heavy

As configured the Apple is about $3200 including 3 year warranty, tax, and shipping.
The Dell is $2800 including 3 year warranty, tax, and shipping.
For the record though, the price difference is not important.

Which should I get?

P.S. - If you have legitimate, documented gripes about either system, please fill me in but otherwise keep your crapping to a minimum.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Neither....Get a Dell Lattitude. The Inspirons that I've seen weren't anything compared to the stability and overall quality of a lattitude... You'll have less problems and won't need service. I suggest the C840 though it's a little heavier than most people like, it's a powerhouse.

 

[notfred]

mmm.... powerbook

 

[fatbaby]

about an alienware?

 

[UglyCasanova]

I have an 8200 and love it. It sits on my desk most of the time so the weight isn't an issue with me (then again, it really doesn't weigh that much). The Powerbooks are also nice and I will be having to buy one for my Graphic Design classes next fall. Ask me then and I'll tell you which I like better.

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: fatbaby
about an alienware?

How are the Alienware PCs?

 

[IBuyUFO]

I'd get the apple powerbook with 17 inch screen! That laptop is so damn cool! I wished I had one and this is coming from a PC user.

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: IBuyUFO
I'd get the apple powerbook with 17 inch screen! That laptop is so damn cool! I wished I had one and this is coming from a PC user.

I thought about it but it seems like it's too big to be really practical. The 15" one feels just right.

I looked at the Alienware laptops and it appears that I can get a much better bang for the buck with those over the Dells. Anyone have experience with them?

 

[gopunk]

i would personally get an IBM, especially if you have that much money to spend. the computers are good, well built, and they have great support from what i hear. i have seen and heard too many horror stories to get a laptop without really good support.

btw, does the dell warranty cover accidents? i was under the impression that no warranty did this...

 

[RossMAN]

Neither.

I would get something which is truely mobile, either a Dell Latitude or Inspiron 4150.

Plus the 3 year next day onsite warranty with CompleteCare.

 

[Johnlee]

FWIW:

A warning re: Dell laptops (I'm on one now)

I've purchased 3 in the last three years and have had problems with everyone of them (Keyboard & display mostly) stuff that should never happen.

I'll never puchase another Dell again. In fact, I asked our upper management if I could go "outside" of our "preferred vendor" (Dell) if I could better deal and he said YES.

In the next few months I'll be getting a new (non-dell)laptop.

Edit: I'm on a Latitude now. Screen started to go bad after about 6 months.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Johnlee
FWIW:

A warning re: Dell laptops (I'm on one now)

I've purchased 3 in the last three years and have had problems with everyone of them (Keyboard & display mostly) stuff that should never happen.

I'll never puchase another Dell again. In fact, I asked our upper management if I could go "outside" of our "preferred vendor" (Dell) if I could better deal and he said YES.

In the next few months I'll be getting a new (non-dell)laptop.

I would consider an IBM ThinkPad T or R series, they're the Mercedes Benz of laptop's.

 

[BMdoobieW]

get a DELL dude

 

[Soybomb]

Exactly what do you want to do with it? I'd get the powerbook or a Thinkpad.

 

[ultimatebob]

I voted for the Dell, but my personal favorite laptop at the moment is the IBM ThinkPad T30.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
I voted for the Dell, but my personal favorite laptop at the moment is the IBM ThinkPad T30.

Have an 8200 with the Ultrasharp display (using it right now). Latest and greatest ATI video too. Never seen a better display. I run 1600x1200 normal fonts, and havent a problem reading it at all. It replaced an older and still working dell with a PII 300mhz processor. Thumbs up so far. Had this one since late October. Rarely use the desktop. Weight is not a consideration for me, but the only downside I can see for some.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
I voted for the Dell, but my personal favorite laptop at the moment is the IBM ThinkPad T30.

Yes that is the ultimate laptop!

$2,646 buys you:

Base Model Features and Specifications Part No Unit Price* Quantity Price*
ThinkPad T30
Processor type Pentium 4
Processor speed 2000 MHz
Processor cache 512 KB
Display (Std) 14.1 inch SXGA+ (1400x1050) TFT Display
Hard drive type EIDE
Memory 256 MB
Maximum memory 1024 MB
Operating system Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Optical drive DVD/CDRW Combo III
236696U $2,499.00 USD 1 $2,499.00 USD

Accessories and Options Selected Part No Unit Price* Quantity Price*
Warranty service upgrade; 3 year onsite repair 9x5/next business day 30L9197 $147.00 USD 1 $147.00 USD

IBM ThinkPad T series

 

[manly]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Neither.

I would get something which is truely mobile, either a Dell Latitude or Inspiron 4150.

Plus the 3 year next day onsite warranty with CompleteCare.

I know you added an qualifier in a later post, but I was gonna say, "No you wouldn't. You'd get a Thinkpad T30 if cost wasn't an issue". The only downside vs. full-size laptops is the 14" LCD, but that shouldn't affect most people (notable exceptions being programmers and maybe graphics designers). What does affect most people is lugging nearly 9 lbs inside a bag over their shoulder.

 

[Gnurb]

powerbook, no questions asked.

it has more +'s too!!!

 

[poopaskoopa]

Dell laptops suck in general. Dell is nobody's friend.

 

[Dudd]

I've got an Inspiron 8200, works great for me. I don't know about everyone raving about IBMs, the ones we have at school (approximately a year or two old) feel really cheap.

 

[Staples]

Anything but a VAIO laptop. I was and should have bought an Inspiron but now I am stuck with this one.

 

[mpitts]

Powerbook.

No question.

 

[NeoMadHatter]

Originally posted by: dparker
I have an 8200 and love it. It sits on my desk most of the time so the weight isn't an issue with me (then again, it really doesn't weigh that much). The Powerbooks are also nice and I will be having to buy one for my Graphic Design classes next fall. Ask me then and I'll tell you which I like better.

have to?

 

[novon]

Sony's seem really sweet, and complaints with the vaios?