Which one of these two Dell Vostro's?

[KK]

Vostro 1400 $589
My System Details
Intel® Core? 2 Duo T5270 (1.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition, SP2
14.1 inch Wide Screen XGA+ LCD Display with TrueLife?
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM
120GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
8X CD/DVD Burner w/ double-layer DVD+R write capability, w/ roxio Creator
Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Dell Exclusive MediaDirect? Instant Play Software Application
Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g Wi-Fi Mini Card
No Camera
Integrated High Definition Audio

Vostro 1500 $699
My System Details
Intel® Core? 2 Duo T5270 (1.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
15.4 in Wide Screen SXGA+LCD Display w/TrueLife?
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM
120GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
8X CD/DVD Burner w/ double-layer DVD+R write capability, w/ roxio Creator
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce? 8400M GS
Dell Exclusive MediaDirect? Instant Play Software Application
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Wi-Fi Mini Card
No Webcam Option

I'm not sure which one would be better. On the 1400 it's a more portable laptop, cheaper in price, but I'm not sure about the integrated graphics. Plus I've heard some people are not happy with the 14 inch screens dell has. Being that this screen is the XGA+, would that make a difference there.
On the 1500, it has the the bigger screen and non-integrated video card. Plus I like that the power cord comes out the back instead of the side like the 1400.

Also with regards to operating systems, would it be best to stick with xp instead of vista home basic?

 

[Rottie]

14 inches is easy to carry for travel or for school in the class. Also it is not a game notebook.

15 inches with a better graphic card is a gamer's dream not very heavy to carry only if you are strong enough to carry everyday.

If you never have any experience with Vista then stick with Windows XP they said Vista is not ready for prime time yet.

Intel Core 2 Duo 1.4Ghz is bit too slow for today standard but good for basic tasks such as web browsing, email, word processing, or watching DVD movie.

You can find cheap deal with Core 2 Duo at least 2.0Ghz you need to keep searching other notebook beside Dell.

 

[IlllI]

i wouldnt call the 8400M a gamer's dream by any stretch of the imagination

 

[KK]

Thanks for the responses, this would be for the wife, so gaming wouldn't be an issue. Looking for a laptop to do trivial stuff as browsing, office applications, that runs cool, has a decent screen. Been looking at all the different brands out there, so I'm not stuck on any particular brand. Just a decent build at a decent price.

 

[Rottie]

Originally posted by: clandren
i wouldnt call the 8400M a gamer's dream by any stretch of the imagination

8800 based card is really gamer's dream but 8400 looks good anyway

 

[Rottie]

Originally posted by: KK
Thanks for the responses, this would be for the wife, so gaming wouldn't be an issue. Looking for a laptop to do trivial stuff as browsing, office applications, that runs cool, has a decent screen. Been looking at all the different brands out there, so I'm not stuck on any particular brand. Just a decent build at a decent price.

For your wife I would buy a Vostro 1400 because she might loves portable and easy to carry around.

 

[Tempered81]

I wonder if having Vista versus Windows xp makes a difference in battery life. Do both OS's offer the same power management for portables & battery power schemes? I'm interested in finding out what method conserves the most energy for the dell laptops...

If there is no difference I would choose windows XP - I'm partial to the older OS with SP2

OT for the wife - the 1400

 

[KK]

Went with the 1400, got it yesterday. so far so good. Seems quick enough and it's definitely runs cooler than her old P4 2.66.