Which computer should I keep?

[angel2014]

This is my first time posting in this forum, so I apologize if I violate any rules.

I purchased two Dell Inspiron computers (one from Sam's Club and one from Costco) and I would like to know which one I should keep.

Below are the specs:
Sam's Club $738.00 (with tax- one year warranty)

http://m.samsclub.com/ip/dell-inspi...-4500u-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive/prod11550213

Costco $885.00 (with tax-2 year warranty)
About this item
Features
Intel Core i7-4500U Processor 1.8 GHz
16 GB DDR3L SDRAM
1 TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
15.6-Inch Touchscreen Display
Technical Details
Brand NameellDisplay Size:15.6Model:i15RMT-12441sLVOperating System:Windows 8Computer Cpu Manufacturer:IntelProcessor Model Number:i15RMT-12441sLVComputer Cpu Type:Intel Core i7-4500UHard Disk Size:1Hard Disk Description:SATARAM Memory Size:16.00RAM Memory TechnologyDR3L SDRAMRam Memory Maximum Size:16Display Technology:LED-litHardware Platform:UnknownDisplay Resolution Maximum:1366 x 768Item Package Quantity:1
Product Details
Manufacturerell ComputerManufacturer reference:i15RMT-12441sLVProduct Dimensions:19.3 inches x 13.2 inches x 3.3 inches; 7.9 poundsShipping Weight:7.95 poundsASIN:B00F3ZNZ8GAmazon.com Sales Rank:1059

The only difference I noticed is the one from Sam's is not a touch screen, has 8gb ddr3 memory and one year warranty. The from Costco is a touch screen, has 16gb ddr3 memory and a two year warranty. Is the extra money worth it?

I will use the computer for word processing, web surfing, movies, music and maybe fashion design (a new hobby).

Thank you for all of your help

 

[Charlie98]

$150 is an awful lot of difference.

Check to make sure the battery is the same... the Sams is a 6-cell battery, the Costco one doesn't say.

I would think it would really boil down to 'do you need the touchscreen?'

 

[denis280]

$150 is an awful lot of difference.

Check to make sure the battery is the same... the Sams is a 6-cell battery, the Costco one doesn't say.

I would think it would really boil down to 'do you need the touchscreen?'

Agree. but 2 years warranty is better then 1.and the extra 8gb

 

[Charlie98]

Agree. but 2 years warranty is better then 1.and the extra 8gb

No, true enough, but if cost is an issue...

 

[Gunbuster]

No SSD? Return both.

IMHO no laptop over $500 should have the OS on a spinning disk.

 

[Ketchup]

My Thoughts:

To me, Windows 8 makes so much more sense with a touch screen.
But it is a mobile device with one more thing to go wrong over the standard screen.
For normal usage, I don't see the need for more than 8 GB of RAM right now.
The longer warranty is nice, as many manufacturers charge quite a bit for that extra year.

So, if it were me, I would go with the Sam's club model. If you care about the warranty, go with the Costco model. The way I look at it, you are paying for the extra year of warranty, but getting the other goodies for free.

 

[Steltek]

Personally, I don't know that I would go with either of them.

The display resolution on the both models absolutely sucks - 1366x768 in a laptop in that price range? In my opinion, it isn't worth it. You can get a regular Inspiron 15-1735 model in the Dell outlet similarly outfitted with a true HD screen for $699.00 (and that is without any coupons that might be floating around out there) - the only disadvantage it seems to have against the Sams system is a 4 cell battery.

Also, the i7-4500u is a dual-core processor, so it doesn't present that much of an advantage over an i5 based system.

Overall I think the OP might be better off buying a unit from the Dell outlet (especially if some coupons become available in the next few days). That being said, though, between the two I agree with ketchup79 -- the cheaper Sams unit is the better buy for cost while Costco is the safer buy on warranty and touchscreen (if that is important to you).

 

[angel2014]

Thank you all for responding. I don't know what a SSD or Spinning Disc is but I am going to check the Dell outlet to look for a computer with a true HD screen. Money isn't really an issue but I don't use computers much, so I'd hoped to stay under $1000.00. I'd prefer a Dell computer, but I'm willing to go with any PC that has buttons on the mouse.

 

[Charlie98]

Take a look over at Dell and let us know what you come up with...

 

[Gunbuster]

SSD = Solid State Drive.

It's an order of magnitude faster than a spinning platter hard drive on access time.

 

[Steltek]

Thank you all for responding. I don't know what a SSD or Spinning Disc is but I am going to check the Dell outlet to look for a computer with a true HD screen. Money isn't really an issue but I don't use computers much, so I'd hoped to stay under $1000.00. I'd prefer a Dell computer, but I'm willing to go with any PC that has buttons on the mouse.

The best thing to do before you start shopping is to strictly define what you intend to do with your system. Make a list of what you want to use it for, or if buying for somebody else to use, what they will do with it.

Is there any particular software that you want or expect to run? Do you play any games? Do you edit photos or video? Will you be watching DVDs on it or using it to rip DVDs? It is easy to waste a lot of money on things that you don't need.

If you still aren't sure what you need, I suggest you make a post in the General Hardware forum and make sure to provide the answers to the questions in the first post of this sticky thread. Although you aren't building a system, the answers to those questions are still relevant and will allow the experts there to guide you to what you actually need.

Also, don't limit your shopping to the Dell Home Outlet. The Dell Business Outlet also sells to end users (just register the account using your name as the business name). Some of the laptops offered on the business outlet side (like Dell Latitudes) can include 3 year warranties if this is important to you.

 

[Fardringle]

Touch screen for Windows 8, twice the RAM, and twice the warranty is probably worth the extra cost.

However, as a side note, the laptop at Sams is actually $689 now. The additional $50 difference makes the Sams system a little more appealing...

Edit: I also agree with others that the 5400rpm hard drive is just slow. Even if you don't get an SSD, a 7200rpm drive can make a pretty big difference. My wife has a 15r with the same resolution screen as the systems you listed and while she is fine with it, the reduced vertical resolution drives me nuts since I'm used to having a lot more vertical 'space' on my screens.

 

[Charlie98]

The Dell Business Outlet also sells to end users...

True... I bought my last 3 Dells through Dell Business.

I also agree with others that the 5400rpm hard drive is just slow. Even if you don't get an SSD, a 7200rpm drive can make a pretty big difference.

For $700 I would expect it to have an SSD, anymore...

I will use the computer for word processing, web surfing, movies, music and maybe fashion design

...and if she is going to be doing something like that, I would almost insist.