puzzled by the $$$ of 2 Dell lappy's

[imported_GeekWannabe]

OK.....short and sweet:
I'm replacing my wifes aging-but-solid D600, and failing some huge revelation it'll be between the above-mentioned dell's (both would be refurbs btw).

Specs look strikingly similar, yet the SMALLER E4300 commands nearly 40% more greenbacks........tell me this isn't just the "portability premium"???

If so, the E5400 will be the clear winner (for myself) but I wanted to be sure that I wasn't overlooking some "must-have" feature/component in the E4300.

Lastly, preferences in the network card between Dell's 1510 and Intel's 5100? Home network is a D-Link extreme-N router if it makes any difference.

Many thanks in advance......At'ers advice is and always has been a priceless commodity!
peace,Hugh

(addendum: lappy will be for internet/multimedia.........no gaming of any significance)

 

[bamacre]

If you're looking at Outlet prices, then it's hard to compare. Prices are not set as one might imagine, and I'll just leave it at that.

 

[imported_GeekWannabe]

I must have my n00b hanging out.......I have no idea what you mean, prices across the board (for the respective models) run very close to each other.

Am I overlooking a better source (with a 3 year warranty) for these?

and yes, I'm looking at Dell's small business refurbs

Edit: On a side-note, is it possible and practical to install an Intel X-25 in these Dells?
That would make the missus supremely happy!

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: GeekWannabe
I must have my n00b hanging out.......I have no idea what you mean, prices across the board (for the respective models) run very close to each other.

Am I overlooking a better source (with a 3 year warranty) for these?

and yes, I'm looking at Dell's small business refurbs

Edit: On a side-note, is it possible and practical to install an Intel X-25 in these Dells?
That would make the missus supremely happy!

I'm just saying that their pricing difference may be due to having too many on hand. Is the price that different when you compare their retail pricing? I have not touched an E5400. I have put a Super Talent UltraDrive ME in an E4300, so you should be fine with an Intel.

 

[imported_GeekWannabe]

Alright......I'm with ya now, simply a matter of stock-on-hand driving the prices. I have to admit I'm reconsidering the E4300 even at the higher price.......it's got a little bit of "sexy" where as the E5400 looks almost generic and older-gen.

Thanks for the help, I might give one of their reps a call and see what today's low price is.

 

[alimoalem]

You're not exactly comparing laptops in the same category. As you've noted in your OP, the E4300 is more portable - it is 13.3" vs 14.1", 3.3lbs vs ~5.6lbs, ~1" thin vs ~1.5" thin. That weight difference is huge, and the thickness is pretty significant.

And as bamacre stated, looking at Outlet prices is not a valid method to determine what the price premium is. Possibly the length of time the model has been out can affect pricing. Supply affects pricing, as well as other factors. Walking to the discount rack in a clothing store, you don't compare the clearance prices to determine which shirt retails for more; you look at the MSRP on the tag.

Anyway, if you prefer the design of the E4300 to the E5400, but don't mind having a slightly heavier/bigger laptop, I think you should check out the E6400. It is, to my understanding, basically a 14.1" equivalent of the E4300. Comparing the E6400 to the E4300, it is a little heavier (4.3lbs vs 3.3lbs) and about as thin (1.0-1.2" vs 1.0-1.1").

From my observations, something that is ~$850 for the E4300 is ~$700 for the E6400 is ~$590 for the E5400.

Not sure if I helped, but hopefully I did. Btw, one of the Latitude E6400's competitor is the Lenovo Thinkpad T400. You can check it out.

I just remembered this: Dell and Lenovo have coupons quite often. Lenovo's coupons are usually for New items (10-15% off), while Dell's coupons are usually for Outlet items (10-15% off). Maybe this can help with making your decision.

 

[ilkhan]

The e4300 is more portable and has many more premium features, the battery slice for instance, or the better materials/construction.