Question:
Dell D620 w/4M L2 Cache or Wait 2 Wks for Lenovo T60
I've taken a few months to decide on a laptop. I've been getting quotes from a rep at Dell on D620 and a Lenovo T60p. I got the prices within a few hundred of each other, but the T60p won't have the 4M L2 Cache available for another 2 weeks.
I know this is an upgrade, but I really don't understand what I've read....will it make that much of a difference or should I just go ahead and order the Thinkpad. I need to get an order in ASAP. Thanks! Lisa
Answer:
Re: Dell D620 w/4M L2 Cache or Wait 2 Wks for Lenovo T60
It really all depends on what kinds of tasks you will be performing. For basic web surfing, email, light gaming, etc, you will not see a difference. Most users won't honestly. The difference lies in how much data can the processor store for immediate retrieval, which in turn does make it a little faster. If you use processor intensive programs, then I would vote that you do go ahead and wait for the t7200 as the 4m cache will definitely help.
Answer:
Re: Dell D620 w/4M L2 Cache or Wait 2 Wks for Lenovo T60
I don't do any gaming. Spreadsheets, photo editing for work, order processing...and watching movies when I travel. With tax, the T60p will be $2500, and that's within $200 of the Dell D620, but the dell has the newer cache.
Answer:
Re: Dell D620 w/4M L2 Cache or Wait 2 Wks for Lenovo T60
You won't notice a difference in the work you are doing..Only if you need 64-bit capability would I wait. The t60 will have a higher build quality than the dell, but you do pay a price premium.
Answer:
Re: Dell D620 w/4M L2 Cache or Wait 2 Wks for Lenovo T60
Makes me wonder if I got a really good deal on the T60 or a really bad deal on the Dell...or both! Haha!
Answer:
Re: Dell D620 w/4M L2 Cache or Wait 2 Wks for Lenovo T60
Well the Lenovo will offer a better build quality as well. The dells business line is definitely nothing to scoff at when it comes to quality, but Lenovo does dominate that field, as that is the major thing they produce. Photoshop or similar editing programs may or may not use all of the 4M, it really all depends on how much you are trying to get it to render at once. Spreadsheets more than likely won't use it all either, as the processor sits pretty idle until you start editing it, and even then its really not very intensive. Movie watching will not see a difference at all. And order processing is less intensive than spreadsheets. So if you have your eye on the Thinkpad, I would go ahead and go for it, because I really don't think you are going to see that big of an increase, especially if you get 1gb or 2gb of ram, then that can really offset the weight that gets put on the processor.
Answer:
Re: Dell D620 w/4M L2 Cache or Wait 2 Wks for Lenovo T60
Caution: the Dell D620 has a very poor screen:
http://forum.us.dell.com/supportforu...cending&page=1
Answer:
Re: Dell D620 w/4M L2 Cache or Wait 2 Wks for Lenovo T60
Not like the ThinkPad screen is noted for being particularly good or anything....
Anyhow, go for the ThinkPad regardless. If the prices are similar, the T60 is a better buy because of better quality and keyboard. You honestly wont notice the difference between 2 and 4mb cache, and 64bit compatibility wont come into play for quite a while [ie, 2 or 3 years].
Answer:
Re: Dell D620 w/4M L2 Cache or Wait 2 Wks for Lenovo T60
I'm sorry but I find paying over 2 grand for a Dell to be a joke...go for the Lenovo. If you've waited months to pick your laptop, I'm also sure that 2 more weeks won't faze you.
That said, that 2MB cache will make zero difference in the work you're doing. Unless you plan to calculate pi all day, you really won't notice it. You might render a photoshopped image a few seconds faster once in a while, but it definitely does not justify the hundreds premium over the "slower" processor. CPU power is light-years ahead of the ability of software to properly utilize it in any case.
Answer:
Re: Dell D620 w/4M L2 Cache or Wait 2 Wks for Lenovo T60
I appreciate all the helpful responses! Lisa