Question:
Dell vs. IBM vs. Sony
Have been looking at the Dell Inspiron 8600 and 9200 ... also look at the LAtitude 800 and 810 .... and notice the nice Dell deals that keep recurring ... then learned on this forum about the 9300 coming soon. So I've delayed. Have noticed stong pro-dell and equally strong anti-dell comments on the boards, which also gives me some pause. Meanwhile through my alma mater I can get an partucilar model of IBM Thinkpad T42 for $1550, (it lists for $2160) or the T41 for $1705. On both the IBM models however the screen display is 14.1; also 40 or 60 GB. Do hear good things about IBM quality, and my Mom has a still functioning Thinkpad from 1995.
BUT - Sony VAIO still tugs at my heart -- got an XG29 in 2000 and have really put it through the ringer --- its been a real workhorse for me, but its now time to move up.
My computer use is word processing, desktop publishing and web design.
Speed, storage, good display / graphics are important factors. Do photo work, but not video editing. Not into games, music, DVD, etc.
Portability less of an issue.
Any advice from you pros out there?
Thanks,
Taraway
Answer:
IBMs from fellow YUPPIES/ITs that I know have the opinion that these are the best laptops for reliability and durability. They are priced high but I know people who still carry their 2-3 year old IBMs around. The T42 is an excellent and my personal favorite but I wouldn't pay that premium. That deal for the T42 is awesome, do you mind hooking us up? LOL!
Sony has the bells and whistles of a multimedia PC but I am not a fan of their bundled software which I feel is dated.
The Dell 9200 is nice but I read that the 9300 is coming out soon. I love the 8600 but for styling, well...it is not aesthetically pleasing.
For desktop publishing and photo work, I feel that the Macs rule (esp with video editing/production). My sister in law (Broadcast Journalism) has a Mac that runs a notch above the Windows OS in this subset of applications.
If you are not in a rush, you can wait until the market restabilizes after all of the Next Generation Alviso/Sonomas battle it out. Since portability is less of an issue, you may still get a better deal. PC Magazine, www.anandtech.com or PC World should be rating them soon.
"It's Doctor Evil. I didn't go to Evil Medical School for 6 years to be called Mister." (Dr. Evil, Austin Powers 1997)
Dell Inspiron 6000
1.6 GHZ Centrino (Sonoma)
WUXGA 15.4" WS
512 MB RAM
60 GB HD
Wireless B/G
DVD/CD-RW
--
Still looking for a case....
---
Palmone Tungsten C/WIFI
Answer:
If you want to pay less get the Dell. If you want it to last get the IBM. IBMs are the best built notebooks. Plus I'm assuming if you are buying from IBM you'll get the three year warranty. If you are going to be doing a lot of typing, IBMs have the best keyboard, all those years of making typewriters I guess. Sonys, in my opinion, are overpriced. GoodLuck.
I know things, things that could get me killed
Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *
Answer:
I had a look at IBMs and couldn't find one with 15.4" WXGA screen -- that was on the list of my must haves. Also, neither IBM, Sony or Dell seem to offer AMD processors. My advice is to look at must have features first and then decide among the brands.
Answer:
Since you mentioned the I9200, I am waiting for the I9300 and the G5 PB to make their debuts. They may be worth looking at. The IBM's, which you mentioned are great rigs and it seems you can get them at an excellent price.
Dell Inspiron 8600:
* 1.6 Ghz Pentium M * 1024 MB DDR SDRAM * 100 Gb Seagate Momentus 5400 Rpm HD * 15.4" WSXGA+ * Internal Bluetooth * Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 * 4x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) * ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo 128 MB * Win XP Pro SP2 *
* Apple 17" PowerBook G4 * 14" Toshiba Tecra 8000 * Apple 14" iBook G4 *
Answer:
IBM for the moment does not do widescreen or AMD. Dell doesn't do AMD either. Pentium Ms have the best battery life plus they generate less heat. If you want to look at a good widescreen laptop take a look at the Fujitsu n3510 or the Acer TravelMate 8100 depending on your budget. Good Luck.
I know things, things that could get me killed
Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *
Answer:
Do you have a preferred screen size and resolution? It seems that you are looking for a 15" plus notebook and there are plenty of them out there that satisfy the needs you listed (they are not that hard to satisfy, really, unless you are really specific on the screen). IBM T42 is great, and it does come in 15" LCD, you just have to make sure the resolution and the size of screen is good enough for your personal preference. There will be cheaper (and I think also more cost-effective, but that's just me) alternative to IBM, like Dell, but you won't go wrong with IBM as a brand either.
As for Sony, I have used three VAIOs and I like Sony too, but I am not too impressed with the line-up of Sony in the 15"+ arena -- great screen and style, but lacking some performance options. If you want a great 17" monitor and the 1920 resolution, then Sony A690 is the way to go if you have the budget. Otherwise, Sony will satisfy your needs at a higher price tag (premium for the screen and the style) than other brands.
I am personally neutral to Dell and I feel that you should definitely put it in considerations. I don't see how the 9200 or 9300 will be better than Sony A series 17" line-up, though, except the lower price tag.
Whatever brand you look, you will probably want to go with a higher RPM hard drive (5400 RPM or 7200 RPM) and larger RAM, in addition to picking the best screen for you (you can probably do without a good video card, though, especially if you are buying a Sonoma laptop).