Question:
Dell Business versus HP Business - or something else?
Hello! Thanks for your help earlier when I filled out the FAQ. I'm thinking of one of these two models, and would love some help deciding. Of course, if you have another suggestion, that would be great too! I think these are reasonably good deals, but I don't know. I don't need a "deal" per se, but a good value. I'd love a T60, but I don't think I can afford it. I don't know if the other Thinkpads are as good?
Thanks in advance.
It's $899 before tax and shipping for this at HP:
Product
HP Compaq nx6325 Notebook PC
Operating system: Genuine Windows® XP Professional
Processor: AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Mobile Technology Processor, TL-50 (1.6GHz, 2 x 256KB L2 cache)
Memory: 1024MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2 DIMM)
Hard drive: 100GB Hard drive (5400 rpm)
Display: 15.0-inch XGA Brightview display
Optical drive: DVD+/-RW SuperMulti with Double Layer (Fixed)
Modem: 56K modem
Network card: NetLink Gigabit Ethernet Controller (10/100/1000 NIC)
Battery: 6 cell Li-Ion battery
Wireless hardware: Broadcom 4311AG 802.11 a/b/g
Security: Embedded TPM 1.2 security chip
Warranty Infomation: 1 Year Worldwide Limited Warranty
This is $889 before tax/shipping at the Dell outlet (D520):
Operating System
Genuine Windows XP ProMemory
1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz (2 DIMMs)Hard Disk Drive
80 GB EIDE SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)Base
Latitude D520 Notebook: Intel Core Duo T2400 (1.86GHz) 667Mhz Dual CoreMedia Bay
24X CD RW/DVD Combo DriveNetwork Interface Card
1490 Wireless CardNoteBook Screen
14.1 inch XGA Notebook ScreenPreviously Ordered New
Previously Ordered New
Because I don't really expect that anyone will remember, here's my FAQ again:
1) What is your budget?
Around 1200. Lower is better obviously, but I'm going to keep this for awhile, so if I need to pay more for a good machine, I will.
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
A 14.1 or 15 inch screen would be good.
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
MS Office Stuff, using Endnote, managing medium-sized datasets, statistical analysis (SPSS), doing some narrated powerpoints for lectures, ripping cds - basic stuff, but I use my computer all the time and am almost always multitasking, so it will be on a lot. I also use an external display and an ergonomic keyboard when I am working at home..
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Yes, I'll be taking it to school, to a coffeeshop for studying, to conferences etc. I'll probably use it at home the most though. So, I don't want it to be super-heavy, but it doesn't have to be four pounds or anything either. I have a latitude D600 now which is fine but I wouldn't want to go any bigger than that.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
No
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Well, my concerns are build quality and durability. So, I'd prefer to avoid brands such as Gateway that don't have a good track record in that arena.
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
I'd like 4, but if it's only 3, I can deal.
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
No, I don't mind at all!
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
USA
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
I prefer standard. I read articles online and will be doing my thesis on this machine, so I find that a widescreen is a pain because I can hardly read or write anything without having to page down. I could probably deal with a 14" widescreen, but a 15.4" widescreen might be too big.
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Standard
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA. I could probably deal with XGA if I had to. I don't have great eyes ;)
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Hmmm, I'm not sure, I think I need to go look at some
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Not really - the quality is more important to me than the design. I need something reliable!
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
Pretty soon. I'd like it to last about 4 years.
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
At least 80
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
Yes, I'd like to be able to burn both CDs and DVDs
Please state any additional features you need.
Before I was a doctoral student, I used to travel a lot for work and had a Thinkpad and then a Dell Latitude that work provided. So, I'm used to the business quality machines. I don't mind going with a consumer grade machine if it's good though. It seems as though those are mostly multi-media oriented though (that's just my impression though, I could be wrong).
Answer:
Re: Dell Business versus HP Business - or something else?
ThinnkPad Z night be worth a look. The lower end HP consumer notebooks are pretty good.
Answer:
Re: Dell Business versus HP Business - or something else?
Thanks ZaZ. Do you think the options I listed weren't as good as the Thinkpad Z and HP consumer notebooks (I was looking at the dv2000)?
Answer:
Re: Dell Business versus HP Business - or something else?
ThinkPad Z61m/t is just perfect (great quality) if you find a good price for it.
The ThinkPad Series is better even then HP business notebooks. Actually, ThinkPads are the best as a quality...
dv2000t (budget) is good notebook but can not be compared to ThinkPad z61t
Answer:
Re: Dell Business versus HP Business - or something else?
Thanks. I liked the Thinkpad I had (it was a T series). I wasn't really sure about the Z series and I've never seen it or anything but it's good to know that about the quality. It's sort of pricey though!
Answer:
Re: Dell Business versus HP Business - or something else?
Actually, it's pricey yes (~2000$) but you can find some discount (~1200$)
otherwise Z's are great notebooks I have one and I really love it. No complains
You can read the reviews (on this site) about notebooks you're interested in...
Answer:
Re: Dell Business versus HP Business - or something else?
Thanks! I've looked at a bunch of reviews so that's kind of how I decided on these two. I'm just not sure if the $300 difference between the Thinkpad and the HP or Dell is worth it. Of course "worth it" is subjective..... Then again, nobody here has commented that positively on the ones I suggested, so that makes me wonder....
Answer:
Re: Dell Business versus HP Business - or something else?
Actually, it's pricey yes (~2000$) but you can find some discount (~1200$)
Where can I find discount?
Thanks
Answer:
Re: Dell Business versus HP Business - or something else?
The Z61m I saw was very solid. You can configure one on Lenovo.com. They start around $1100 with the WSXGA+ screen. I would suggest keepiing the memory and hard drive to a minimum as you can upgrade those later if needed. Unfortunetly you have to pay tax on Lenovo. You can buy preconfigured models elsewhere for less with no tax, but the return policies are not lenient as at Lenovo. Usually the cheapest way to get a ThinkPad is to know someone who works there allowing you access to EPP. Good Luck.
Answer:
Re: Dell Business versus HP Business - or something else?
for hp business and lenovo it's definitely a better idea to buy off a reseller preconfigured unless you are comfortable upgrading yourself..the warranties should be the same too
i'd still recomment the wsxga+ for you..wxga is simply too small of a resolution and for heavy text work on a 15.4 you'd definitnely need at least a res of 1440x900. I pointed on a hp business wsxga+ model w/o graphics but AFAIK there's no reviews for it on this forum..OTOH there are plenty of reviews for the z61m..its a bit bulky compared to the T-series but its definitnely solid and since you're planning on keeping it for a while i'd say its a good tradeoff