Which to buy, Dell Inspiron 5100 or 8500?

[Jugernot]

Ok, here is the deal. I can get some pretty damned good prices through our corporate pricing at my work. Cheaper than any hot deal I've seen lately using coupons and mailin rebates too. This is coming out my own pocket, so I'm still trying to figure which I'd like better. I've got it narrowed down to a Dell Inspiron 5100 and a 8500...

It will mostly be used in a office environment, both wired and wireless. Some high CPU intensive jobs such as photoshop and video editing. I don't game, so gaming performance isn't really important to me.

Here are the specs on the systems:

Dell Inspiron 5100
CPU: Pentium 4 2.4GHz
Memory: 512 MB, 266MHz (2 DIMMs)
Hard Disk Drive: 30 GB EIDE Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
Video: 16 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 7500
NoteBook Screen: 15 inch SXGA+ Notebook Screen (1400x1050)
Modem: Internal Modem
Network Interface Card: Internal Mini-PCI Network Card
Internal NIC
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows XP Home
CD Read-Write Drive: 24X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
Price : $1120 shipped

Dell Inspiron 8500
CPU: Pentium 4M 2.0GHz
Memory: 512 MB, 266MHz (2 DIMMs)
Hard Disk Drive: 30 GB EIDE Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
Video: 32 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9000
NoteBook Screen: 15.4 inch WSXGA+ Notebook Screen (1600x1024)
Modem: Internal Modem
Network Interface Card: TrueMobile? 1300 WLAN (802.11b/g, 54Mbps) miniPCI Card
Internal NIC
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows XP Home
CD Read-Write Drive: 24X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
Price : $1450 shipped

So, I can get the 8500 for basically $320 more with a VERY slight larger screen and a better vid card (which I probably won't use as I don't game)... Everything else except the wireless card is the same.

I'm leaning toward the 5100 myself... what do you guys think?

Btw, if you are going to suggest another system, I am ONLY interested in systems that are SXGA+ or better. No XGA systems need apply.

 

[Compuguru]

Whichever you get, make sure you get the Ultrasharp screen.

 

[NeoMadHatter]

might want to get the 8500. cuz the 5100 has a desktop processor in so it will eat batteries. that's why it has a huge battery with it. therefore it's large weight. the 8500 has a mobile processor which is better. but i'm guessing you're going for screen size of the 5100 and not the widescreen of the 8500.

 

[DancingBear]

You may want to check the docking station options. Last I saw the 5100 only has a small usb hub device. I am not sure what the 8500 has.