Laptop - Dell or Gateway?

[spankyj]

Used for office apps/email/browsing. Little to no gaming - primarily for my wife's schooling.

I might consider just getting a cheap Dell Desktop - but we love our laptop's of old.

 

[chin311]

I'd say Dell, we have Gateways at work, i dont like them too much, and they are more expensive....

browse hot deals, theres a lot of good deal going on Dell's for 700-

 

[beer]

Definitely Dell. The Inspirons are a bit flimsy, and the Latitude's cost more but are more durable. May I suggest an Inspiron + CompleteCare, it should do the trick. Dell laptops are pretty good, a ways behind IBM in quality. But they are much cheaper than IBMs, too.

 

[RossMAN]

You just missed a smoking hot deal, Dell Inspiron 1100 for $674.

I would still buy a Dell Inspiron 1100 but maybe wait another 2-3 weeks for their next round of SUPER HOT promo's to roll around.

 

[damiano]

IBM

 

[spankyj]

Yeah - I saw that thread after it was over. Really sucked. I will definitely be watching the board for a similar deal.

 

[Noirish]

dell.

they are the market leader.
their customer service might suck, but you get more for your money.

 

[Jugernot]

Dell, no contest.

 

[gregshin]

dell

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: damiano
IBM

I would take a used thinkpad over a new dell personally. Thinkpads are super durable, I dropped mine from about 1 ft up onto hardwood floors, while it was running, and it's still chugging along.

They're not cheap though, ebay has some good deals, but I suggest buying a used laptop you can actually see in person.

Between dell and gateway only , I'd say dell.

 

[newbiepcuser]

Dell when there is hot deal.

 

[Ernieb]

I like my HP, bought it from BestBuy Canada

 

[rgwalt]

Originally posted by: Jugernot
Dell, no contest.

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: rgwalt

Originally posted by: Jugernot
Dell, no contest.

 

[RossMAN]

IBM ThinkPad's are also great laptops but you'll pay more.

Dell gives you better bang for your buck, but you may want to spring for the 3 year warranty.

IBM ThinkPad R31 for $679 brand new direct from IBM:
CPU: Intel Celeron-M 1.13GHz
128MB Included / 1GB Max.
Hard Drive2 20GB
Display 13.3" TFT 1024x768
Operating System3 Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
Ethernet/Modem Ethernet & Modem Included
Media Device CD-ROM
Graphics chipset Intel 830MG Integrated
Travel Weight4 5.3lbs
Thinness5 1.42in
Limited Warranty period One year parts and labor (system battery: one year)
AC Adapter Included
Battery Included

RAM is cheap just wish it came with 256MB RAM and DVD-ROM but it's a good price for a solid brand new laptop.

 

[tigerwannabe]

another vote for dell laptop--but i wouldn't turn down an ibm thinkpad either. both are good machines

 

[LuckyTaxi]

thinkpad

 

[hdeck]

depends what you are looking for. dell's laptops are a little more bulky (i have the inspirion 4150) and gateways look sleaker. they are also more expensive.

 

[spankyj]

That thinkpad ain't too shabby. But compare that to a new Dell with a P4 chip and cdrw/dvd combo - it's tough to justify paying more for the IBM.

I don't care about size. I got a mammoth compaq laptop that I sometimes use - but I have no size/weight complaints. I'm looking for a semi-portable machine (meaning around the house, occasionally on trips), not an attached to my shoulder laptop.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: spankyj
That thinkpad ain't too shabby. But compare that to a new Dell with a P4 chip and cdrw/dvd combo - it's tough to justify paying more for the IBM.

Exactly, you're going to get more bang for your buck with a Dell laptop vs an IBM ThinkPad.

If you don't wanna go budget you may want to upgrade to a better Dell laptop which doesn't use a desktop CPU.

 

[Lonyo]

Dude, you're gettign a Dell!

 

[spankyj]

I'm not all too concerned about battery life - most of the use will be AC.

I'd like to get one of the new mobile chips - but I don't think the additional cost will justify the minimal benefits to me.

As a prior celeron owner - I just look forward to a Pentium - I won't be too picky.

 

[Anubis]

dell

 

[secretanchitman]

go with Dell

 

[Gibson486]

I dont know, but i am gonna take teh road les staken and say gateway. i have used both Dell and Gateway for laptops, but i liked the gateway better. Keep in mind though that the last dell i tried was the inspiron 8200 series. Never tried their lastest stuff.