[Advise] regarding laptop purchase

[Shayer]

Inspiron 9300
* ? Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
* ? Microsoft Windows XP Professional
* ? 17 inch UltraSharp? Wide Screen XGA+ Display
* ? 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm
* ? 256MB NVIDA® GeForce? Go 6800
* ? 40GB Hard Drive
* ? Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
* ? 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer write capability
* ? FREE UPGD!Intel®PRO/Wireless 2915 Internal Wireless802.11 a/b/g,54Mbps
* ? FREE 64MB Dell USB Memory Key w/ 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery(80 WHr)
* ? Free Dell Color Printer 720
Total Price:$1,556.25
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HP Pavilion zd8000
* ? Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional only $49!!
* ? Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 520 w/HT Technology, 2.8GHz
* ? 17.0" WXGA+ BrightView Wide Viewing (1440x900)
* ? 1.0GB DDR2 SDRAM, 533MHz (2x512MB)
* ? 60 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
* ? DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support
* ? 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) X600
* ? 54g(TM) Integ. Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN & Bluetooth
* ? 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* ? Microsoft(R) Works/Money
Total Price: $1,548.00
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Questions/Concerns/Ideas/Things to watch out for*

1)My main concern is the Processor and the Battery. I know Pentium M is better for battery and Pentium 4 drains it fast but does a Pentium M 750 with a 9-cell Battery>>>> Pentium 4 520 w/HT with a 12 Cell Battery?

2)XP PRO. I plan to go wireless when I enter college. Everyone says XP PRO is better for that. Is it? Will XP Home suffice?

3) I am aware that the HP has bigger harddrive. I don't realy particularly care too much about that, 40 GB is all I need. (60 was the lowest option). I already have a solution to store some of my data other than on the laptop. HP also has bluetooth support, but I don't care much about that either.

4) I think the Go 6800 is the better card, but X600 isn't bad either. I do plan to game a little bit, but I am no way a hardcore gamer. This isn't that big of a issue, but I picked these cards just in case I do decide to game a little bit in the near future.

5) I Don't want one of those laptops from newegg, the Acer ones so please don't link me those.:frown:

Thanks to all those who help!

 

[d2arcturus]

The Pentium M will run a lot longer, even on a 9-cell... thank Centrino, as well as providing more than enough processing power.
The 520 will burn your balls off (assuming you're a guy) and suck away all the power.
The Go 6800 will be much more powerful than the X600.

At the same price, Dell is a no-brainer IMO.

 

[Lyfer]

Get the dell, the centrino and Geforce 6800 are far more powerfull than what your getting with the Hp. BTW both rigs are uber heavy, why not something lighter?

 

[shoRunner]

the dell...you don't want a p4 in a laptop

 

[Shayer]

Thats true you guys, but The HP one comes with more Hardrive space, better Display, stronger battery, Bluetooth, and it's cheaper(if only by $8). I know I'll be happy with either laptops, I just wanna get the better deal, which apparently is the Dell.

Also I just checked my schools website and found this:

"If you are purchasing Windows XP it does not matter if you have Windows XP Professional or Home Edition."

Therefore, I've decided to get Home Edition instead and save a few dollars. (If I even get a laptop).

Lyfer, do you have any suggestions for lighter laptops with specs that are near/on par/better with the two choices above?

Thanks for all the feedback so far guys, I didn't think this place moved that quickly.

Good Night for today, I'll check back tommorow to see what's up. Peace.

 

[d2arcturus]

Originally posted by: Shayer
Lyfer, do you have any suggestions for lighter laptops with specs that are near/on par/better with the two choices above?

Take a look at the Dell 6000 series.

 

[Shayer]

Just checked it out, they seemed to be pretty good, and I managed to put in a better hard drive and stuff and it still came out to be cheaper than the 9300.

Is the 128MB DDR ATI's MOBILITY? RADEON X300 PCI Express x16 Graphics Card any good though? Again, I'm not looking for the best graphics nor will I play much but when I do, I want decent graphics.

 

[Maximilian]

Inspiron 9300 hands down.

Pentium M is far better than the pentium 4. Which really shouldnt even be in laptops. As for the 6800GO its a lot better than the card in the other laptop. Plus its only 20 gigs difference, ok thats a 33% increase but still id go with the better processor + graphics.

 

[Shayer]

Oh yea, the HP is out of the question now. I'm going with the Dell all the way. It's between the 6000 vs the 9300. 6000 = bigger harddrive, secondary battery, lighter, and cheaper. 9300 = kick ass video card, better and bigger screen, and...yea.

 

[Shayer]

After much much much much much thought, it boils down to these two (I highlighted the main differences):

Inspiron 9300
* ? Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
* ? Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
* ? 17 inch UltraSharp? Wide Screen XGA+ Display
* ? 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm
* ? 256MB NVIDA® GeForce? Go 6800
* ? 60GB Hard Drive
* ? Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
* ? 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer write capability
* ? Intel® PRO 2915 and Dell 350 Bluetooth Internal Wireless Card
* ? 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery(80 WHr)
* ? No Extended Service, Support or Ltd Warranty
* ? Free Dell Color Printer 720
Total Price $1,532.85

Pros: Better Video Card
Cons: No Warranty, Pretty Heavy, more expensive
Neutral: 17 inch screen. Good size, or too big for laptop?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspiron 6000D
* ? Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
* ? Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
* ? 15.4 inch UltraSharp WSXGA+ LCD Panel
* ? 1GB DDR2 SDRAM 2 Dimms
* ? 128MB DDR ATI's MOBILITY? RADEON X300 PCI Express x16 Graphics
* ? 60GB Hard Drive
* ? Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
* ? 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer write capability
* ? Intel® PRO 2915 and Dell 350 Bluetooth Internal Wireless Card
* ? 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery(80 WHr)
* ? 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr At-Home Service, and 1Yr Technical Support
* ? Free Dell Color Printer 720
Total Price $1,437.50

Pros: Warrantly, much more lighter/ not as heavy, cheaper, great sized screen.
Cons: Video Card, maybe?
Neutral: None I can think off.

I'm definitely going to buy one of these tommorow, just don't sure which one yet. Either way, I think I'm gonna be happy. :thumbsup:

 

[d2arcturus]

If you don't mind the lower-end graphics, go with the 6000D. It's a much more managable size, and the 6000's WSXGA screen can display higher resolutions than the 9300's WXGA screen, even though it's smaller. You're also going to get longer battery time.

What games did you plan on playing?

Originally posted by: Shayer
Either way, I think I'm gonna be happy. :thumbsup:

Definately. Good luck :thumbsup:.

 

[Shayer]

Nothing to fancy. I'll be happy with low/medium settings. I'll probably play CS, Warcraft, HF2,...thats all I can think of for now.
------------------------
Edit:
After careful thought, I've decided to go with the 6000.

* ? It's a much more manageable and smaller size.
* ? The 6000's WSXGA screen can display higher resolutions than the 9300's WXGA screen, even though it's smaller.
* ? 17 inches for a portable seems pretty overkill.
* ? It's also going to have a better battery life due to the size and whatnot.
* ? Don't mind the lower-end graphics, I'm not a serious gamer. I've been playing games on my Geforce 2 MX card so I'm pretty used to the "low-end graphics".
* ? The most graphics-intense game i plan to play is half life 2, and I'm sure this card will be able to handle it even though it's the worst PCI-E card to be ever made.

Thanks for al the help and feedback guys. It's been a ton of help.

...Now, who is gonna....give... me $1500,..any takers ??? :-/

 

[ghidu]

Originally posted by: Shayer
After much much much much much thought, it boils down to these two (I highlighted the main differences):

Inspiron 9300
* ? Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
* ? Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
* ? 17 inch UltraSharp? Wide Screen XGA+ Display
* ? 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm
* ? 256MB NVIDA® GeForce? Go 6800
* ? 60GB Hard Drive
* ? Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
* ? 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer write capability
* ? Intel® PRO 2915 and Dell 350 Bluetooth Internal Wireless Card
* ? 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery(80 WHr)
* ? No Extended Service, Support or Ltd Warranty
* ? Free Dell Color Printer 720
Total Price $1,532.85

Pros: Better Video Card
Cons: No Warranty, Pretty Heavy, more expensive
Neutral: 17 inch screen. Good size, or too big for laptop?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspiron 6000D
* ? Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
* ? Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
* ? 15.4 inch UltraSharp WSXGA+ LCD Panel
* ? 1GB DDR2 SDRAM 2 Dimms
* ? 128MB DDR ATI's MOBILITY? RADEON X300 PCI Express x16 Graphics
* ? 60GB Hard Drive
* ? Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
* ? 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer write capability
* ? Intel® PRO 2915 and Dell 350 Bluetooth Internal Wireless Card
* ? 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery(80 WHr)
* ? 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr At-Home Service, and 1Yr Technical Support
* ? Free Dell Color Printer 720
Total Price $1,437.50

Pros: Warrantly, much more lighter/ not as heavy, cheaper, great sized screen.
Cons: Video Card, maybe?
Neutral: None I can think off.

I'm definitely going to buy one of these tommorow, just don't sure which one yet. Either way, I think I'm gonna be happy. :thumbsup:

I have to ask Shayer: how did you get those prices? I mean I costumized one 6000D with almost the same configuration (only differences are that I took the 6cell battery and no free printer ) and didn't come even close to that price. Is this with taxes and coupon?

 

[Shayer]

Yep, i used a 35% off coupon which gave me like 800ish off. Shipping and everything was free too so that price i put was the total I paid. Here is the dell coupon place:

http://www.gottadeal.com/dell.php?category=inspiron

(there is a 40% off coupon right now...)

 

[Matthias99]

Just to note, I would strongly recommend you get at *least* a 2/3-year warranty and upgrade to the accidental damage protection plan. Yes, it seems like a lot of money up front, but you don't want to know the number of laptops I've seen dropped and/or that have had things dropped/spilled on them.

If you don't want to pay for Dell's warranty, you should see if your family's insurance company (assuming you have some sort of homeowner's policy) can cover it.

 

[Arcanedeath]

I'd suggest getting the 9300, it has a larger screen and much better video card, which are 2 things you can't upgrade at a later date, but it does depend on how you plan on using the laptop, if you are going to have to lug it around alot then you may want to go w/ the slightly less bulky laptop, but the x300 just sucks compared to the 6800go, it performans about 1/2 to 1/3rd the speed of the 6800.

 

[Shayer]

Arcanedeath, i alreasy bought the 6000..like about a month ago. It's big enough as it is, I am glad I didn't get the 9300. I can also run battlefield 2 on all high except geometry and all the shadow options. It's a solid laptop for me so far, so Im happy with the X300.

My only regret is that i should ahve gotten 256 ram and then bought 1 gig 533 from newegg and I would have saved a ton of money...but oh well, whats done is done...I'm happy wit it anyways.