New Laptop Questions: IBM, Dell

**Bing Fung** · 19 July 2003, 08:33 Saturday

Hello Jo,

Value for dollar I would take the i8500.

Cost being no objective I would take the D800.

Portibility I would take the T40.

It seems like cost isn't an issue for you so that narrows it down to the D800 or T40. The T-40 will play games, however you may have to turn off some eye candy to keep frame rates up, depending on the game. The T-40 is a well built machine, we have them in our ITS department. The portibility of the T-40 is nice, and if you are primarily lugging it around for office type apps, playing the odd game from time to time, it will handle the task very well I think.

The D800 is a bigger notebook, however if I was faced with the those 3 choices I would choose the D800 personally. I say that for I'm very satisfied with my i8500, however with a bit more battery life, Centrino chipset and the ability to play games, makes it a perfect choice for what I would like in a notebook. It is slightly bigger than what I would like, however that's the price you pay for the gorgeous Widescreen display.

Build quality from Dell is not quite up to the T-40 standards, so that should also factor in to your decision.

Bing

Jo · 19 July 2003, 17:21 Saturday

Bing, thank you very much for your helpful response. That helps to clarify which machine would be appropriate for what.

My biggest concern with the D800 was its huge resolution -- 1900 x something, which I'm worried would be way too small for me. Believe it or not, I run my home machine at 800 x 600. Do you think that's a legitimate concern with the machine? Also, you say the IBM will run games, which is good. Basically, I see myself playing a few odd games here and there, listening to a good amount of mp3's, and watching some DVD's. I'm by no means a heavy gamer, but I'd definitely like to be able to pop in a game here and there, maybe try out Warcraft 3.

And with the discounts I am being offered, I can get each of the three machines for about $1900-$2000, so price isn't really an issue on the three.

Thanks a lot for your help!!
"Jo"

**Bing Fung** · 19 July 2003, 18:52 Saturday

Hello Jo,

The 1920x1200 maybe a shock to your eyes if you are use to 800x600 resolutions. The text is on the samll size, however it is resolveable due to the ultra fine pitch screen.

By the sounds of what you are looking for I think the IBM T-40 would be the best bet. It's build quality is with out peer ad is top class.

Bing

**Andrew Pratt** · 19 July 2003, 21:17 Saturday

WE use T40's at work as well and had I had the money when I got my Dell 5100 thats what I would have picked. Sure they don't come with the performance of the Dells dollar for dollar but they're a much better built machine and a lot more portable. I rarely lug mine around so it was less of a concern for myself but as a student walking roung campus those extra few pounds will really add up. As for the screen I'd recomend buying a decent 17" monitor for your dorm room that you can plug into when working there...go extended desktop with it and you'll be very happy with that system.

**Andrew Pratt** · 19 July 2003, 21:26 Saturday

oops

Jo · 20 July 2003, 00:30 Sunday

Thank you all kindly for your responses. While I don't need great portability (at least I don't think I do, I might take my notebook to the library every now and then), I still am leaning towards the T40. Forgive my ignorance about video cards and the like, but would it be able to perform respectably in playing music and games? If the best thing on the IBM is the portability, I don't think I really need it that much, as I don't really plan on taking classes that would involve business or computing such that I'd have to take the machine to class, but if overall it's a great machine even for people that don't need the traveling luxuries of it, I think I'll go with it.

Thanks so much.
"Jo"

**Jeff Kowerchuk** · 20 July 2003, 01:45 Sunday

Here are some thoughts from the mind of Jeff....

The Dell Inspiron 8500 and Latitude 800 are basically the same machine, except the Latitude has the Centrino chipset. This will give you extended battery life, so if you will be using the battery a lot, go for that one.

Now, between the Dells and the IBMs, I think there is no contest in one department - build quality. If the life of your notebook will be spent doing a lot of travelling, you'll want a rugged design. The Dell's are nice (I have an 8500), but their build quality leaves a bit to be desired. Incidentally, the ATI 9000 in the IBM will be suitable for the casual gaming that you describe. Any of these machines have the power to play MP3s as well.

What I think is important to consider is the warranty. Compare the different warranties that are offered. Being moved around a lot, a notebook is very prone to damage and repairs are expensive. Ask yourself how long you intend to own the notebook - that determines the length of warranty you should get. Then ask, how inconvenient will it be if you are without a computer? If the answer is not much, save the money and just use the 'return to depot' option. If you need the computer for work and school and can't afford downtime, pay the extra $$$ for next-day in home service or whatever. I believe you get hosed by these companies for the warranty, but its the only safety net you have really, so keep it in mind.

As far as the WUXGA screen on the Dell...there is no denying that the fonts are small. I have learned to love my screen and could not live without it. But it is definitely an acquired taste. To get an idea, try visiting a brick and mortar that has laptops on display. Look for the models running at UXGA - 1600x1200. The 8500 will look much the same, only the screen is slightly smaller. It's the best way to gauge if you can live with it though. Looking at pics will get you nowhere, you need to see it.

Jo · 20 July 2003, 12:16 Sunday

Thanks for the responses! Jeff, I think you make a good point about the warranty. Fortunately, as part of my discount, all 3 of the machines come with 3 year warranties, which I believe include accidental damage coverage. At this point, based on all I've heard, I think I am very close to buying the IBM, it sounds like it will be able to handle most tasks I throw at it.

"Jo"

New Laptop Questions: IBM, Dell

New Laptop Questions: IBM, Dell

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