Laptop Advice

Bah

Ok, well basically I just want peoples opinions on three laptops. Not going to be used for anything too demanding - college coursework (Microsoft Office apps), Internet access and probably a few DVDs. Budget is €1000 including VAT and delivery. Definetly can't go over this. I've picked out three in my price range and just want peoples views on which is better and why. They are:

Dell Inspiron 510m (N015M1)
Intel ® Pentium ® M 710 Processor (1.40 GHz, 2MB L2 cache,400MHz FSB
15.0" XGA LCD Screen
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition SP2
384MB
40GB 5400RPM IDE Hard Drive
Internal 56K v.92 Capable Fax Mode
Modular 24x CDRW/24x DVD Combo Drive with Software
Intel® ProWireless 2200 802.11b/g
Microsoft® Works 7.0 9106 [630-11001] 25
1Y CAR (Collect and Return)
4 Cell 32WHr LI-ION Primary Battery
Total: €1068.44 including VAT and delivery.

Acer TravelMate 2702WLMi
Pentium-4 3.0GHz
15.4" WXGA WideScreen TFT
512MB DDR333 Memory (2x256MB)
40GB HDD
DVD-RW± (Dual) Drive
ATI Mobility™ Radeon 8-64MB Shared Graphics
802.11b/g Wi-Fi
Li-lon battery (Average 1.5 Hours Battery)
3.4Kg
Dimensions (WxDxH) 365 x 288 x 45.6 mm
Software: Windows® XP Professional, Norton Anti-Virus 2003, Power DVD, NTI CD-Maker
I/O Ports: 4x USB 2.0, Audio in/out, PCMCIA slot
Warranty: 1 year Collect and Return
Total: €1040.26 includint VAT and delivery

TBH, te Acer seems like the better deal to me. Any advice?

daymobrew

The battery life on the Dell might be considerably better than the Acer. Could be important if you are using this around college, possibly away from a socket.
This extra life is due to the Centrino chipset, designed for mobility. Obviously you sacrafice processor speed. I have a IBM with 1.4 GHz M processor. Plenty fast.

WRT Microsoft Office, be sure to download the free OpenOffice suite. Compatible with Ms Office and can save docs as in Ms Office formats.

I can see the attraction of the Acer - faster, more memory, DVD-RW.

Rew

Acer is far better for the price.

Rew

daymobrew wrote:

This extra life is due to the Centrino chipset, designed for mobility. Obviously you sacrafice processor speed. I have a IBM with 1.4 GHz M processor. Plenty fast.

You scarafice mhz but you get more instructions executed per clock cycle so a much lower clock centrino cpu can rival a higer clocked p4m.

Despite being a huge Centrino fan id still recomend the Acer over the Dell.

Bah

Rew wrote:

You scarafice mhz but you get more instructions executed per clock cycle so a much lower clock centrino cpu can rival a higer clocked p4m.

Despite being a huge Centrino fan id still recomend the Acer over the Dell.

TBH, even a regular P4 1.4GHZ would probably suffice for what I'm going to be using it for anyway. The Centrino would be handy in the Acer, but like everybody's said, the Acer with the regular P4 seems to be the better deal. But then again 1.5 hours battery life would be a real pain.

Thanks for the advice.

Wertz

I picked up a refurb Dell today on their outlet site.
A real bargain since they have a special on this week with a further €100 off the total VAT inclusive price.

Got a 2.2 P4M with 256mb RAM, 40G HDD, WSXGA+, nVidia 4200i Go64mb and DVD drive.
All for 780 quid

Also a free carrycase/rucksack with it.
I'll add another 512 stick of RAM, a DVD writer and a wireless card for another €220 after I get it.

Out of the 2 you've lsited I'd go with the Acer: I was looking at the 1672wlmi for a while but it was gonna end up costing €1340 which was alittle over the odds of what I wanted to pay...

PaddyofNine

Bah wrote:

Ok, well basically I just want peoples opinions on three laptops. Not going to be used for anything too demanding - college coursework (Microsoft Office apps), Internet access and probably a few DVDs. Budget is €1000 including VAT and delivery. Definetly can't go over this. I've picked out three in my price range and just want peoples views on which is better and why. They are:

Dell Inspiron 510m (N015M1)
Intel ® Pentium ® M 710 Processor (1.40 GHz, 2MB L2 cache,400MHz FSB
15.0" XGA LCD Screen
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition SP2
384MB
40GB 5400RPM IDE Hard Drive
Internal 56K v.92 Capable Fax Mode
Modular 24x CDRW/24x DVD Combo Drive with Software
Intel® ProWireless 2200 802.11b/g
Microsoft® Works 7.0 9106 [630-11001] 25
1Y CAR (Collect and Return)
4 Cell 32WHr LI-ION Primary Battery
Total: €1068.44 including VAT and delivery.

Acer TravelMate 2702WLMi
Pentium-4 3.0GHz
15.4" WXGA WideScreen TFT
512MB DDR333 Memory (2x256MB)
40GB HDD
DVD-RW± (Dual) Drive
ATI Mobility™ Radeon 8-64MB Shared Graphics
802.11b/g Wi-Fi
Li-lon battery (Average 1.5 Hours Battery)
3.4Kg
Dimensions (WxDxH) 365 x 288 x 45.6 mm
Software: Windows® XP Professional, Norton Anti-Virus 2003, Power DVD, NTI CD-Maker
I/O Ports: 4x USB 2.0, Audio in/out, PCMCIA slot
Warranty: 1 year Collect and Return
Total: €1040.26 includint VAT and delivery

TBH, te Acer seems like the better deal to me. Any advice?

Hah, they're the exact two I was looking at! Psychic....

You said three latops, what's the third?

As for me, I'm leaning more toward the Acer...

Bah

PaddyofNine wrote:

You said three latops, what's the third?

As for me, I'm leaning more toward the Acer...

Well, the third was another Dell, but after comparing it to the Dell I've already shortlisted, and the Acer, it was just too crap/overpriced to consider. Might give the outlet thing a look though.

The Acer is definetly looking better every minute, although the 1.5 hour battery life is making it very unattractive. I'll probably need about 3 hours... definetly more than 1.5 anyway.

Block (8

I've ordered a Dell 510m for €880 similar to your one bah except its 1.6 512mb and sxga.

PaddyofNine

What Dell model is that, Block_(8?

Block (8

PaddyofNine wrote:

What Dell model is that, Block_(8?

Sorry its the Inspiron. I'm going to try and maybe cancel my order on Monday and reorder straight away to get the money off and rucksack (gimme my rucksack!!)

PaddyofNine I see there's other Inspiron 510m for about the same price for the 1.5 but with one stick of 512mb as opposed to my one which is two sticks of 256mb if your interested.

Kenny_D

How about this one. Comes in at about 1050 incl delivery and seems to be better than both of those laptops. The centrino chip in it is a 1.6, Has a 40gig hdd, 512mb ram, dual layer dvdrw. Only thing I'm not sure of is the battery but with it being centrino i'd say you would probably get at least 3 hours out of it

http://www.jes-computer.de/product_info.php?pID=19325