Buying a new notebook - am I making the right choice?

[Schnieds]

Hey Everybody,

I am in the market for a new notebook. I am a software developer and I want to start developing an ASP .NET site on the side for a business I am starting up. The new notebook is going to be my primary development machine, allowing me to do development whenever I have some spare time.

Here are my primary requirements for a notebook:
-Thin and light so I can carry it all over the place. I will be transporting it daily between work and home.

-Powerful processing. I am going to use this baby for development in Visual Studio .NET 90% of the time.

-Decent screen. It doesn't have to be huge (hence the thin and light), but I want it to be usable for dev.

-The keyboard and touchpad aren't that big of an issue as I will be using external devices most of the time.

-I don't want to spend a ton of money, cheaper is always better.

With all of that in mind I am thinking that the Dell 700m is the best choice for what I need. Am I making the right choice? I want to get the best notebook for my needs, is there something that would work better?

I have the following Dell deal configured that I am thinking about ordering today:

Dell 700m
2.0 GHz Pentium M
256MB memory (I will order 1GB seperately at Newegg.)
DVD Burner
Windows XP Pro
80 GB HDD
4-cell primary battery
8-cell additional battery
802.11 a/b/g
Total $1150

What do you think? Opinions are VERY much appreciated!

 

[beatle]

I'm planning a 700m purchase on Monday ($750 off $1500 + 12% off EPP program starts then), but it'll be light use mostly - nothing heavy like development work. I'm willing to live with the smaller keyboard and screen (small and light is key for me).

I'd look into the 600m if I were going to spend longer hours at the computer and typing a lot. It has a larger screen, larger keyboard, and it can be configured with an ultra high resolution display if you have excellent vision. - the WSXGA+ display would be good too. It also supports docking stations (700m does not) and dual batteries if you want to stay unwired longer. If you qualify for the EPP discount, you can likely score a deal on the 600m for a lot less than $1150.

 

[Schnieds]

Thanks for the information. What does it take to qualify for the EPP program? My wife is a teacher, would she qualify? Also, could you give me a link to the deal info?

Thanks again!

Aaron

 

[fbrdphreak]

For your uses I might drop the HDD down and extend the warranty to hit the $1500 mark. Then put in your own HDD. I don't think you can get 5400RPM drives in the 700m and a 5400/7200RPM drive would help speed things up for you.

The 600m might be a better option unless you are planning on hooking up an external display most of the time.

 

[beatle]

Your wife may qualify. You may want to check with HR to see if the school she teaches for offers a Dell discount.

Some people are getting 5400rpm drives in the 700m despite what the specs say. I wouldn't hold your breath, but it's possible. I'm going to wait and see, then maybe upgrade to a 7200rpm drive as well. If I get a 4200 rpm drive, I'll be upgrading sooner rather than later.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: beatle
Your wife may qualify. You may want to check with HR to see if the school she teaches for offers a Dell discount.

Some people are getting 5400rpm drives in the 700m despite what the specs say. I wouldn't hold your breath, but it's possible. I'm going to wait and see, then maybe upgrade to a 7200rpm drive as well. If I get a 4200 rpm drive, I'll be upgrading sooner rather than later.

I forgot about that, hehe; it seems to happen a good bit. Three or four people on this forum alone got 5400RPM drives in their 9300's
Cross your fingers

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: beatle
I'm planning a 700m purchase on Monday ($750 off $1500 + 12% off EPP program starts then), but it'll be light use mostly - nothing heavy like development work. I'm willing to live with the smaller keyboard and screen (small and light is key for me).

More info please.

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: beatle
I'm planning a 700m purchase on Monday ($750 off $1500 + 12% off EPP program starts then), but it'll be light use mostly - nothing heavy like development work. I'm willing to live with the smaller keyboard and screen (small and light is key for me).

More info please.

FW thread
SD thread

You have obviously already found the AT thread.

If your company has an EPP for Dell systems, there should be an EPP code that you can use. Contact your HR rep if you have questions.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: beatle
FW thread
SD thread

You have obviously already found the AT thread.

If your company has an EPP for Dell systems, there should be an EPP code that you can use. Contact your HR rep if you have questions.

We have an EPP with Dell, but it says 10% off regular sales prices.

 

[CptTripps]

In my experience the coupons do not apply to the premier site (EPP), they only work through the standard home pages. I've owned 4 dells now, and have always got the best deal I can, Usually the only way to get great deals in EPP is when it's a high percentage off (%30-35), then it stacks with the employee discount (My best ever was %35 + %12 from EPP, woot %47). And to get that %8-12 percentage you have to buy a 3-4 year warranty and spend over a certain amount (I think its about $1600).

I've always found I can get them cheaper without EPP using coupons. The nice thing about EPP is that you don't have to spend a lump sum all at once If you don't have the cash, EPP is the way to go (For dell anyway).

 

[Schnieds]

I have actually modified my original thought a little bit. I you get the 1.8 instead of the 2.0 GHz proc (which I really don't think will make a difference), don't get the DVD-RW (which I won't use in a laptop) and go with the lesser HDD check this out:

Inspiron 700m Intel® Pentium® M Processor 745 (1.80 GHz/400MHz FSB)12.1-in WXGA
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
Memory 256MB DDR SDRAM 1 Dimm
Hard Drive 40 GB Hard Drive
Power Adapter Spare AC Adaptor
Network Adapters Integrated Network Card
Modem Internal 56K Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
CD ROM/DVD ROM 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Wireless Networking Card Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 b/g, 54Mbps)
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) No productivity suite - Corel WordPerfect word processor only
Security Software No Security Subscription
Digital Music Musicmatch® Jukebox Basic
Primary Battery 4-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (32WHr)
Limited Warranty, Services and Support No Extended Service, Support or Ltd Warranty
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months America Online Internet Access Included
Digital Imaging or Digital Photography Photo Album? SE Basic
Additional Batteries 8-cell Lithium Ion Additional Battery (65 WHr)
Miscellaneous Award Winning Service & Support
Financial Software No QuickBooks package selected- Includes limited use trial
Dell Media Experience Dell? Media Experience
TOTAL:$1,507.00
- $600 Coupon
TOTAL: $907.00

That seems like a pretty sweet deal. I am thinking about placing my order. Why wait for EPP? The EPP machines are so expensive I don't think you are going to gain much with that deal, even if you do qualify.

 

[beatle]

The config I plan to get on Monday will have a 1.8, two extended batteries, and 1 year of at-home service. Total will be about $804.

Referring to your original post, I would not go with the 700m if you plan to type a lot of code on it. I think the keyboard would get to you after a while. If you're going to hook up a full size keyboard to do the heavy lifting, however, then you may have a winner.

 

[Schnieds]

Yeah, basically I am going to be doing the majority of coding at the office or at home, the laptop just provides me an easy interface to transport my development. I will be using Windows Remote Desktop over the LAN the majority of the time. At the end of they day I doubt I will be doing much coding using the laptop screen/keyboard.

 

[gaidin123]

I like your cheaper 700m config (the newer one) except I would not get the 4-cell battery at all. Just get a single 8-cell and be done with it. If you aren't compiling stuff on it the 8cell will get you >4 hours.

I have the 1.8 700m and love it. The keyboard will take some getting used to but after a few days you should be typing normally on it. I tossed in the 7200 7k60 60GB drive in both this and an earlier laptop and it is one of the best upgrades you can get for a notebook. If you are doing VS development on it at all you will appreciate the 7200rpm drive. However, if the thing ends up coming with a 5400rpm (mine did ~5 months back) you may not see as big a performance increase.

Gaidin

 

[Banana]

Originally posted by: Schnieds
I have actually modified my original thought a little bit. I you get the 1.8 instead of the 2.0 GHz proc (which I really don't think will make a difference), don't get the DVD-RW (which I won't use in a laptop) and go with the lesser HDD check this out:

Inspiron 700m Intel® Pentium® M Processor 745 (1.80 GHz/400MHz FSB)12.1-in WXGA
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Home

<snipped>

TOTAL:$1,507.00
- $600 Coupon
TOTAL: $907.00

That seems like a pretty sweet deal. I am thinking about placing my order. Why wait for EPP? The EPP machines are so expensive I don't think you are going to gain much with that deal, even if you do qualify.

Dell will often raise the regular price when a coupon is available, so your pre-coupon total may not be $1507.00.

 

[Schnieds]

Here is an update. I decided to purchase the 700m with the current Dell EPP deal, here are the details of the order I placed last night about 9pm HST.

ORDER DETAIL:

Order detail - order placed 2005-06-27 06:47:39

Inspiron 700M
Intel(r) Pentium(r) M Processor 755(2 GHz/400MHz FSB) 12.1-in WXGA, Microsoft(r) Windows(r) XP Home
Qty: 1
Unit Price: $1,707.00

Inspiron 700m:
Intel(r) Pentium(r) M Processor 755(2 GHz/400MHz FSB) 12.1-in WXGA
Memory:
256MB DDR SDRAM 1 Dimm
Hard Drive:
40 GB Hard Drive
Power Adapter:
Spare AC Adaptor
Operating System:
Microsoft(r) Windows(r) XP Home
CD ROM/DVD ROM:
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Wireless:
Intel(r) PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 b/g, 54Mbps)
Limited Warranty, Services and Support:
No Extended Service, Support or Ltd Warranty
Additional Batteries:
8-cell Lithium Ion Additional Battery (65 WHr)

ATG/EPP customers: $750 off all Inspiron? Notebooks priced over $1499! (before tax and shipping and handling), excluding mail in rebates

Expires on 2005-06-28 10:59:59

ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT AND COUPONS
------------------------------------------------

Receive 6% off systems priced $1600 and up with 1/2 yr At-Home service.
Expires on 2005-09-26 22:59:59 - $57.42

Sub-Total: $899.58

I am VERY HAPPY with the deal. I mean come on, a top of the line thin and light notebook with a 2.0 GHz P-M and two batteries for $900? You just can't go wrong. I ordered 1GB of memory from Newegg, so I spent $1K for a completely decked out machine SWEET!!!

 

[agibby5]

I dont mean to clutter your thread Schnieds, but I was reading through it and noticed your getting the same laptop that I ordered this past Saturday.. That 750.00 off deal was great!!! Anyway, I was recently browsing through the forums and saw people were getting WAY cheap prices on the 700m... here's my config:


Order Details
Quantity Description Unit Price

1 Inspiron 700m,Intel Pentium M Processor 745 (1.8GHz),12.1 inWXGA $1,356.74
1 1GB,DDR, 333MHz, 2 Dimm, for Inspiron 700m $0.00
1 60GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive for Inspiron 700m $0.00
1 65 Watt Spare AC Adaptor for Inspiron 600m/700m/6000 $0.00
1 Image Restore $0.00
1 Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 2, English, for Inspiron $0.00
1 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access $0.00
1 DELL SUPPORT 3.0,INSP $0.00
1 Integrated NIC for Inspiron $0.00
1 Internal 56k Modem $0.00
1 Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0, for Inspiron $0.00
1 8x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+RW,+/-R)for Inspiron 700m $0.00
1 CyberLink PowerDVD v5.5 Decoding Sofware for DVD Drives, for Inspiron Systems $0.00
1 Intel PRO/Wireless 2915 Internal Wireless (802.11a/b/g54Mbps) for Inspiron 700m $0.00
1 No Security Subscription $0.00
1 Music Match 9.0 Basic 7 day OnDemand $0.00
1 65 WHr 8-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery $0.00
1 Dell/My Way Home Page $0.00
1 Broadband Icon for Inspiron $0.00
1 AOL for Broadband $0.00
1 Paint Shop Photo Album 5.1 Standard $0.00
1 Corel WordPerfect 12 plus Trial of Quartro Pro and Presentations $0.00
1 Type 3- Third Party At Home Service, 24x7 Technical Support, 1 Year Extended $0.00
1 2 Year Limited Warranty $0.00
1 Soft Contracts - Banctec $0.00
1 Technical Support, 1 Year Extended $0.00
1 Technical Support, Initial Year $0.00
1 Type 3- Third Party At Home Service, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year $0.00
1 Save 10 Percent Add CompleteCare Accidental DamageService to 2yr Limited Warranty $107.00
1 Soft Contracts - Consumer Complete Care $0.00
1 Thank you for choosing Dell $0.00
1 Quickbooks 2005 Special SimpleStart Edition $0.00
1 Remote Control for Dell Media Experience with IR receiver for Inspiron $6.25
1 Dell Media Experience 3.0 Basic $0.00
1 Yes, send me my Bonus 22-issuePC Magazine. $0.00

Sub-Total $1,469.99
Shipping $19.00
Tax $89.36
Total Price $1,578.35
All discounts applied to this order are reflected in the subtotal, shipping, and total amounts.

---------------------------------------------------------

What do you think of my config? I'm going to be using it for software development and testing for college (2 years left). I'm just a bit skeptical of the small screen(12.1in) as I am used to 17in+ LCD's on my desktops and the desktops at school... Also, is the warranty transferrable if I would consider selling it before the 2 years is up??? Thanks!

 

[Schnieds]

agibby5,

I have been using my 700m for the past couple of weeks now for development. I primarily use Remote Desktop from my work computer or my home computer to allow me to use a 17" LCD + normal keyboard and mouse. I have also spent a few hours developing using the 700m + external mouse.

My review of the 700m after using it as described above is this: it is AWESOME. The 700m came with a 5400rpm hard drive and mixed with the 2.0GHz processor and the 1GB of memory it is blazing fast. My compile times are very similar to the ones I get from my desktop machine (specs listed in my sig.) With that said, I would not want to do primary development using the 700m + mouse scenario because the keyboard is a little awkward and the real estate on the screen is a little small.

With that said, here is my recommendation to you. Use an external monitor/keyboard/mouse for the majority of your development. Only use the 700m + mouse for small chunks of development at class, on a park bench, etc. Basically just use the 700m as a lightweight development powerhouse that allows you to carry your code with you between workstations. That is basically the way I am using it and I LOVE IT.

Good luck with your last two years of CS!

Schnieds

 

[jasonchan19]

hi, have anyone have any poblems with the Dell 700m auido ? I read that when you record something on the mic and play the audio it has static sounds ..is i true? has anyone have that problem?