Help Choosing Laptop...Anyone Own a Dell?

[Taqbascoman]

After looking at various brands I have narrowed it down to Dell who seems to have the best prices Apples for Apples. Here is the list of the ones I have priced out (lowest-highest). I woudl like some input as to which ones you do/don't recommend and why you don't recommend it. I am not familiar with the advantages of certian Chipsets, Processors, Cache Sizes, etc.

As you can tell I am still unsure if I want a larger laptop or a smaller one....they all have their advantages but I am sure some are probably a mch better deal/steal than others...that is the kind of info I am looking for.

Thanks,

Dell Inspiron 5100
$1,299 - $350 = $949
7.8 lbs
P4 - 2.4Ghz
512 KB Cache
533 Mhz Bus
15" XGA
512 Ram
ATI Mob. Radeon 7500 - 32MB
30GB/4200RPM
WiFi
XP Home
1 Year Warranty
94 Whr Battery

Dell Inspiron 500M
$1,679 - $400 = $1,279
5lbs
Pent. M - 1.3Ghz
512 KB Cache
400 Mhz Bus
14.2 SXGA+
512 Ram
Intel Extreme 64MB
40GB/4200rpm
WIFI
XP Home
1 year Warranty
48 Whr Battery

Dell Inspiron 8600
$1,837 - $350 = $1,487
Pent. M - 1.3Ghz
855PM Chipset
1024 KB cache
15.4 WXGA
333Mhx 512 Ram
Nvidia Gforce - 64MB
60GB/4200rpm
WIFI
XP Home
1 year Warranty
72Whr Battery

Dell Inspiron 600M
$1,721 - $150 = $1,571
5lbs
Pent. M - 1.3Ghz
855PM Chipset
1024 MB Cahce
400 Mhz Bus
14.2 SXGA+
266 Mhz 384 Ram
ATI Mob. Radeon 9000 - 64MB
30GB/4200rpm
WIFI
XP Home
1 year Warranty
48Whr Battery + Free 48Whr 2nd Bay

Dell Inspiron 8500
$1,943 - $300 = $1,643
6.9lbs
P4 - 2.4Ghz
845MP Chipset
512 KB Cache
15.4 WXGA
266 Mhz 512 Ram
ATI Mob. Radeon 9000 - 32MB
30GB/4200rpm
WIFI
XP Home
1 year Warranty
72Whr Battery

Dell Latitude X300
$1,777 - $100 = $1,677
2.9 Lbs
Pwnt. M - 1.2Ghz
855GM Chipset
400 Mhz
12.1 XGA
266 Mhz 128Ram (add more later)
Intel 64MB Video
40GB/5400rpm
WIFI
XP Home
Media Base Included
3 Year Warranty
28 Whr Battery


Dell Inspiron 300M
$1,827 - $250 = $1,677
3lbs
Pent. M - 1.2Ghz
855GM Chipset
1024 MB cache
400 Mhz
12.1 XGA
384 ram
Intel Extreme 64MB
30GB/4200rpm
WIFI
XP Home
Media Base Included
1 year Warranty
28Whr Batery + Free 65 Whr Battery

 

[kayatai]

it would be easier to make a recommendation if you would give us some criteria on what you are looking for.

will you play games?
edit videos and graphics?
only browse the web and use office applications?
will you carry this around or will you leave it on your desk?
will you want to use it away from outlets for very long?
do you want integrated wireless?

 

[Taqbascoman]

-I don't play games

-I want integrated wireless

-Usually Office applicaitons and Web surfing

-Use it around house at most

- usually plugged in

Based on my criteria a larger unit woudl probably be fine....but i am leaning towards a smaller one becasue my wife already has a 7lb laptop....so having one of reach size would be useful in case we go out of town.

The most reasonably priced Larger laptop is the 5100, under $1000 and much more than a Inspiron 1100 would provide...but thenagain it has a P4.

The most reasonably priced Smaller laptop is the 500M, with basic video card at $1,279.

I guess bascially I am looking for input as I move up the priceline for each size laptop....is it worth the extra $500 to go from a 5100 to a 8600 to gain: Pent M, Widescreen, 1024 MB Cache, 333Mhz Ram, 64MB Nvidia Card???

And on the smaller side is it worth the extra $300 to go from a 500M to a 600M to gain: (less ram), 1024 MV Cahce, Radeon 900, extra battery? Will I notice the extra $400 I spent here??? at that point should I spend another $400 to go to a X300 to gain: 3 year warranty, less weight, 5400 RPM HD, smaller screen (good or bad?), Lose radeon card for Intel and Media base. Seems like I am losing a fews things and gaining at the same time at a cost of $400...not sure if that is worth it.

Maybe the 500M and 600M are the middle ground in size and price. Any thoughts?

 

[Pandaren]

is it worth the extra $500 to go from a 5100 to a 8600 to gain: Pent M, Widescreen, 1024 MB Cache, 333Mhz Ram, 64MB Nvidia Card???

If you aren't playing games, I would say it is a waste of $500. If you aren't going to move your machine around a whole lot, the 5100 should be fine.

 

[Spicedaddy]

I'd get the 500M.

 

[dexvx]

Originally posted by: Taqbascoman
-I don't play games
I guess bascially I am looking for input as I move up the priceline for each size laptop....is it worth the extra $500 to go from a 5100 to a 8600 to gain: Pent M, Widescreen, 1024 MB Cache, 333Mhz Ram, 64MB Nvidia Card???

And on the smaller side is it worth the extra $300 to go from a 500M to a 600M to gain: (less ram), 1024 MV Cahce, Radeon 900, extra battery? Will I notice the extra $400 I spent here??? at that point should I spend another $400 to go to a X300 to gain: 3 year warranty, less weight, 5400 RPM HD, smaller screen (good or bad?), Lose radeon card for Intel and Media base. Seems like I am losing a fews things and gaining at the same time at a cost of $400...not sure if that is worth it.

I have the i8600. Despite the fact its widescreen, it actually weighs less than the Inspiron 5100. The i8600 also has a plethora of features that the i5100 doesnt have. The 600m/500m's are definitely smaller, weighing in at around 5lbs. The 500m is with the integrated graphics, whereas the 600m has a Radeon9000 32/64MB. Overall, I'd perfer a Centrino platform over a Pentium4 one. On average, the battery life is a lot larger (I can get up to 6 hours on my i8600 word processing or 4 hours on heavy load).