Question:
Dell e1405 vs e1505 vs Compaq V2000Z for cheap college laptop?
I just got myself $800-850 (max) for my first laptop, and I wonder what I can get in that price range. I'd be doing word processing in college, but would also like to play games as well. However, the screen is a big concern for me, as I don't want a high res one which will make text too small. But do normal matte screen from these companies tend to have any quality at all? And what about the issies of light leakage on teh Dell Insipiron screens? Aee the matte versions also affected by it? I would appreciate it if someone who owns an Inspiron w/ matte (WXGA) could tell me more about it.
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General Questions
1) What is your budget?
Between $800-$850 (can't be stretched above this).
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
Either one.
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Word Processing, Music, DVD's, Light Gaming.
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Carrying it around campus, but it's not too big a campus.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
NFS: Most Wanted, Half Life 2, WOW. I don't midn playing these games at slightyle lower resolution, but I want future games in 1-2 years to at least be jusssttt... about playable on this, as i'll be going back to a desktop after 2 years for gaming.
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
I was looking at HP/Compaq and Dell in this price range. If anyone knows about any good performing Lenovo Thinkpad's or Acer's as well, i'd appreciate it.
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
2-3.5 hours.
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Not exactly, but for Dell thats the only way, so yes.
9) What country are you buying this in?
US.
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Don't know, but want a compromise between work and play.
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.
Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
Err... XGA? or WXGA or WSXGA?? Don't really know here too, something which is a good compromise.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Matte maybe, cause i've been hearing all scary stories about light leakage on Dell's glossy screens. Also, are glossy's comfortable for long hours of word processing in a classroom? I mean, with a lot of tubelights overheard (about 15=20 feet above the laptop.)
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Maybe not so much, although the new Compaq V3000 is really alluring... but I suppose i could live with 'THe Ugliest Notebook in the World' :D (Dell), since it's quite good value for money.
14) How long do you want this laptop to last?
3 years minimum. preferably 4-4.5 years. Yes, I know, it's a tough ask on my kind of budget.
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
40 - 60GB.
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
DVD-RW perferred.
I've so far shortlisted the foll laptops:
1. Dell Inspiron E1405: $720 (after coupon)
Intel Core Duo T2300 @1.66Ghz
1Gb DDR2 SD RAM
DVD-RW
Intel GMA 950
60GB 5400rpm HDD
6-Cell battery
WXGA monitor (matte)
2. Dell Inspiron E1505 $857 (after coupon)
Intel Core Duo T2300 @1.66Ghz
1Gb DDR2 SD RAM
DVD-RW
ATI X1400 256MB
60GB 5400rpm HDD
6-Cell battery
WXGA monitor (matte)
3. Compaq V2000Z $679
AMD Turion ML-32 @1.8ghz
FREE! 512 MB DDR2 SD RAM (may upgrade more in the future from newegg.)
DVD-RW
ATI Xpress 200M 128MB
60GB 4200rpm HDD (may upgrade this too in the future.)
6-cell battery (is it big enough?)
WXGA screen (matte)
4. Compaq V3000Z ($900 onwards????)
AMD Turion X2 ??
512MB DDR2 SD RAM
DVD-RW
ATI XPress 1100? Geforce Go 7200?
60GB 5400rpm HDD
6-cell battery
WXGA screen (matte?)
I really want to know how fast these systems may become obsolete, what will all the news about Direct X10 making DX 9 cards obsolete, and 64-bit Vista's having a lot more features than ther 32-bit version. Is it worth wating for the Turion X2 instead of the Core DUo, or choosing a Turion single core simply for 64-bit computing? I need to buy latest by middle July, thats why. But then, Core Duo prices may drop even further, and thats a tempting option.
Answer:
Re: Dell e1405 vs e1505 vs Compaq V2000Z for cheap college laptop?
get the E1505.
you will not be able to game without a decent card, and the E1505 has the x1400, which is decent got your "light gaming."
the e1405 has integrated graphics, so it cannot run any decent game at a good fps.
Answer:
Re: Dell e1405 vs e1505 vs Compaq V2000Z for cheap college laptop?
Inspiron E1505
Answer:
Re: Dell e1405 vs e1505 vs Compaq V2000Z for cheap college laptop?
I too am making a similar decision as yours, thot you might want to consider Toshiba A105-S4001.. seems to be in the budget range ..
Answer:
Re: Dell e1405 vs e1505 vs Compaq V2000Z for cheap college laptop?
Can you give some link for the Toshiba? And does it come with a dedicated graphics card?
Answer:
Re: Dell e1405 vs e1505 vs Compaq V2000Z for cheap college laptop?
I can tell you one thing, if you apply to HP's APP program, you can get a fully loaded compaq V2000z for around 850 to 900USD. The Ati 200M though integrated is still ok for light gaming.
Answer:
Re: Dell e1405 vs e1505 vs Compaq V2000Z for cheap college laptop?
Yeah, but the reviews on the site say that the Compaq is not too good on build quality, particularly somehting about the CD/DVD Drive mechanism taking the full load of the notebook when you lift it up. And for spending $850, I wonder if getting a Dell e1505 with dedicated graphics card while sacrificing some mobility is worth it.
But then, for good builq quality, I guess a Latitude D620 is out of my range (cause if i want it, it ahs to be with a graphics card and at least 512MB RAM, I think the Latitude comes to $1000 +).
Answer:
Re: Dell e1405 vs e1505 vs Compaq V2000Z for cheap college laptop?
pdf specs .. http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/cont...A105-S4001.pdf
you can also look up the site http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/...HO&coid=-30596
Answer:
Re: Dell e1405 vs e1505 vs Compaq V2000Z for cheap college laptop?
But the Tohiba has only got an Intel GMA 950 and an Intel Core Solo T1300 processor for $850. With the e1405 I can get 1GB RAM, a core Duo T2300 as well, for $130 less than the Toshiba. But I am worried about Dell's light leakage issues. Is it more common on a matte or glossy screen?
Answer:
Re: Dell e1405 vs e1505 vs Compaq V2000Z for cheap college laptop?
ya .. thats there, but i have had people tell me to pick a Toshiba than a Dell anyday. According to them, Dells have more failures and need service, where as Toshiba is more like a buy and forget. I am just talking about the hardware here. I can manage my own software. I had a look at both the machines, the E1505 seems fragile, the keys and the casing, while the Toshiba is more tough, the keys are a pleasure to use. And i guess if i am looking at keeping it for the next couple of years, i'd prefer something that can stand time and have reasonable configuration for the next 3 years. I am right now torn between Dell and Toshiba. Dell gives you good bargains and makes life tougher :-)