Which of these laptops should I buy?

dcarroll

I'm buying a laptop mainly for college/internet use and have a budget of about €800. I've narrowed it down to a few but would like peoples opinions about what to buy?

1. From dell outlet

Inspiron 6400 (System Identifier. ZRBR1B5B)
Inspiron 6400 Duo Processor T2050 (1.60 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition

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System Price EUR 652.00 exc vat
Dell recommends Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional


Operating System: Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
Memory: 1024MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2x512)
Floppy Drive: No Floppy Drive
Hard Disk Drive: 100GB (5, 400 rpm) Hard Drive
NoteBook Screen: 15.4 Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) TFT Display
Modem: Internal 56K Modem
DVD Drive: 8X DVD+/-RW
Software: English - Adobe Reader 6.0
English - Microsoft Works 8
MISC: 65W AC Adapter
Intel Media Accelerator 950 Graphics Up to 256MB shared graphics
UK/Ire - Internal Keyboard
Photo Shop Photo Album (5.22) - trial version
NO SNAP COVER OPTION
(or similar machine as these sell fairly quickly from there, possibly a 640m with the same spec)

2. from dell website

Inspiron 1300
Components
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 735a (1.70 GHz, 2MB L2 cache, 400MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition, SP2 (Does not include Operating System Re-Installation CD)
Basic Package, 3 Year At-Home Service
15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280x800) TFT Display
1024MB 533MHz Single Channel DDR2 SDRAM (1x1024)
80GB (5,400rpm) Hard Drive
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW with Software
6 Cell, 56Whr Lithium Ion Primary Battery

€776.31 inc vat

3. from laptops direct.ie

Acer Aspire 1642ZWLMi
Intel Pentium-M Centrino 735A Processor 1.7 GHz
1024 MB DDRII-533MHz SDRAM - Low cost double memory offer – call for details!
80 GB Hard Drive
DVD Dual Layer Drive - To read DVDs and CDs and write CDs, DVD+, DVD- and large Dual Layer DVD
15.4" WXGA Widescreen TFT Screen with CrystalBrite Technology
Intel 915GM 3D 128 MB shared graphics
Integrated gigabit LAN
Integrated wireless 802.11 b/g LAN - Call for advice on Wireless networking
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Pre Loaded
1 year warranty - upgradeable to 3 years

Our Price : €709.03 inc. vat

4. Acer Aspire 5672WLMi

Intel Centrino Core Duo Mobile Processor T2300 1.66GHz
1GB DDRII-533MHz SDRAM - Call for low cost double memory offer!
80GB Hard Drive
DVD Super Multi Dual Layer Drive - To read DVDs and CDs and write CDs, DVD+, DVD-, large Dual Layer DVD and DVD-Ram
15.4" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite Widescreen TFT Screen
ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 with 512 MB of HyperMemory (128 Dedicated, up to 384 Shared)
Integrated gigabit LAN and 56k v.90 data fax modem
Integrated wireless 802.11b/g
Integrated 5-in-1 card reader
4 USB 2.0 Sockets
4-pin Firewire (IEEE 1394) Port
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Pre Loaded
Includes Cyberlink Power-DVD and NTI CD-Maker
Weight 2.95kg
1 year warranty

Our Price : €915.85 inc vat


Just wondering what are peoples views on these machines, anyone have any of them? What are they like, would there be much difference in battery life between the dell and the acer, and also between the pentium and core duo?

One final question is what condition are outlet laptops in / are they new? And are laptops direct really as bad as people on here suggest they are?

Thanks

kaimera

#4 really seems like the best performance lappy on the list.

Dual Core is the way to go so both of the dual core mentioned would be better.

If it's gaming, the acer...if not then the dual core dell seems fine.

so #1 ftw.

dcarroll

yeah i won't be playing much games so i'd prob choose the dell to save money, i am a student after all, just wondering does it being dual core shorten battery life over a pentium m / anyone know what sort of battery life i could expect from this?

Bateman

Haven't had any problems with my Inspiron 1300 yet, apart from the screen not being as bright when you're on battery power, but wouldn't imagine that's exclusive to the 1300.

xebec

Bateman wrote:

Haven't had any problems with my Inspiron 1300 yet, apart from the screen not being as bright when you're on battery power, but wouldn't imagine that's exclusive to the 1300.

That's a default setting to save battery power, the screen darkens meaning that it's less power hungry

Ruu_Old

Only use the battery when you need and plug it into the mains the rest of the time, that will keep it in good shape (well as best as you can with a Li-Ion battery). Also if it comes with wireless, turn it off when not in use to save more battery power.

DirkVoodoo

That Dell one seems expensive, were there no better offers on the outlet? I just got an XPS M1210 for €1017 incl. VAT and delivery.

dcarroll

no the cheapest xps seems to be just over 1000, think that is excluding vat no?

DirkVoodoo

keep checking, i got this one for 841 excl. VAT, just depends on what you want, i.e. the 1000+ ones more than likely have ~2GB RAM and discrete graphics.

The dell outlet uses a random number generator to calculate their prices. It's science as Mr.Burgundy would say.

dcarroll

ive decided to buy a new 6400 from dell.ie, just wondering would i be better of getting the one with 512mb ram and buying more to install myself as i would save over €100 rather than getting the 1024mb ram?
Would this be easy to install?