Question:
Compaq R4225CA vs Dell Inspiron 6000?
I'm buying a new laptop for personal use because I'm starting to take courses part time. Laptop will probably be used mostly sitting on a desk at home, I just want the portability for summer time, if we decide to head out for a few days on vacation and I have a project to do I'd be able to throw the laptop in with the luggage and get some work done on road, otherwise I can refer to the unit as a "Desktop replacement", so size isn't a big issue. I'd like to keep the unit for a # of years without having to upgrade. Can't make up my mind and salespeople giving me usual runaround. Which unit is better and why. PS. All prices in Canadian Dollars.
Dell Inspiron 6000
Pentium M 740 (1.73Ghz)
1GB Ram
80Gig HDD
DVD Burner
9 Cell battery
Integ. Intel Graphics Media 900 video
Ati x300 64MB card extra $100
or
Ati x300 128MB PCI express card extra $200
I won't be gaming, but use Google Earth, etc frequently.
4 year total care package (+/-$250)
$1250 + $100(64vid) + $250 Four yr care = $1600 +tax
$1250 + $200(128vid) + $250 Four yr care = $1700 + tax
or
Compaq Presario 4225
Athlon 3500+ (2.2Ghz)
1GB Ram
100Gig HDD
DVD Burner
9Cell battery
ATI XPRESS 200M IGP with 128MB DDR
$250 for 3 yr wrrty extension
$400 for 3 yr total care package.
$1300 + $250(3yr wrrty) = $1550 +tax
$1300 + $400 (3yrtotalcare) = $1700 + tax
I realize both brands aren't the best in terms of durability, which is why I'd go with the ext. wrrty (very expensive on the Compaq) Both come out to approx. same price if I get the higher end video card on the Dell and the total care pkg for the Compaq. So, the decision for me seems to be deciding on the processor. Since the Athlon is a 64 bit processor, won't that allow me to be better prepared for the future as everything goes the 64bit route over the next few years with new Windows, etc? Or will the Pentium be fine. I just don't want to be in a situation where 3-4 years from now software won't work on the Dell because it's not 64bit compatible, or will it take MUCH longer for that to be an issue.
Questions:
1) 64bit or Pentium? (4-5 year timespan)
2) Dell route--> Will the 64MB card suffice? Or get the 128 is overkill?
3) Compaq route--> 3 year wrrty extension or 3 year total care pkg is overkill?
Feel free to email directly at spamenot@nbnet.nb.ca
yes, you read correctly, spamenot@nbnet.nb.ca
:-)
Answer:
Re: Compaq R4225CA vs Dell Inspiron 6000?
These are very comparable notebooks as far as size and capability. I have an HP zv6000 (the twin of the Compaq R4000) and a friend of mine has a Dell Inspiron 6000. My friend is already having some problems with his, not sure if it is just spyware, virus or what but his computer is shutting down on him inexplicably but starts back up with no problem. I have had no problems so far with my zv6000. Personally I would recommend the Compaq from my own experience. I would just get the 3 year warranty, the total care package is probably overkill. Good luck with whatever you get!
Answer:
Re: Compaq R4225CA vs Dell Inspiron 6000?
I have a 6000, and if you are going to pay $1700 for it might as well get 9300 which has a 17" widescreen instead of the 6000's 15" widescreen, and you can also upgrade the video card to a 256mb 7800 nvidea. The x300 radeon works well but seems to lag up a bit. it also might help to up grade your hard drive to a 7200 rpm one which increses the overall speed of the computer. o yes by the way get the full care package or what ever they call it its worth it. and if you havent bought it yet wait for a ecoupon to come out so you can save your self a couple of $100 i bought my 6000 with what you have listed and i payed $1000 minus the full care package
Answer:
Re: Compaq R4225CA vs Dell Inspiron 6000?
I would go for the Compaq. Better quality than the Dell, and from my experience, superior support.
If you are going to play games, then neither of them will be that great. . .
Answer:
Re: Compaq R4225CA vs Dell Inspiron 6000?
I have a 6000, and if you are going to pay $1700 for it might as well get 9300 which has a 17" widescreen instead of the 6000's 15" widescreen, and you can also upgrade the video card to a 256mb 7800 nvidea. The x300 radeon works well but seems to lag up a bit. it also might help to up grade your hard drive to a 7200 rpm one which increses the overall speed of the computer. o yes by the way get the full care package or what ever they call it its worth it. and if you havent bought it yet wait for a ecoupon to come out so you can save your self a couple of $100 i bought my 6000 with what you have listed and i payed $1000 minus the full care package
17" is not always better than 15". In fact I think 17" is too much for a portable laptop and I'd go for 15"