Best Centrino laptop ?

[iparouto]

Hi.

I am thinking of buying a laptop for work and I want it to have the new Intel Centrino CPU. There are currently many brands of laptops utilizing this technology and I would like to know which of them is the most reliable and generally better than the others.

So far, I've checked Toshiba (Tecra M1), Dell (Latitude D600) and IBM (ThinkPad T40). They are roughly the same in price and performance so my choice will be made according to the brand of the laptop. What I would like to know is which brand is the best\most reliable in the laptop field.

Thanks in advance.

[melee]

Try the dell inspriron 600m, very inexpessive (fully loaded cost ya about 1.6k) and its upgradable. Not just ram but CPU and video card too. or even the new 500m.

[iparouto]

What's the difference between the Inspiron and the Latitude series ?How come the Inspiron is so much cheaper, eventhough it utilizes the Centrino technology as well ?

[bbunps]

I purchased a Latitude D800 and am very impressed. IMHO Intel did a nice job with centrino. Wireless works great, processing speed is solid, battery life is good and the screen is terrific.

[melee]

Latitudes= made for mobilty
Inspirirons+ made for multimedia

[ua549]

Latitude = Business class (high quality components)
Inspiron = Consumer class (cost optimized components)

[Smacz]

I don't think that is exactly the case. I think that Dell just doesn't give their Latitude models that many component changes and upgrades over their the entire production time-span. It can can very well be built better or have better parts. I talked to a few service reps when I was trying to make a decision a few months ago - three of them offered three stories as to how the D600 and the 600m were different. Although, when I was configuring specs and prices on the Dell website, upgrade prices were different for the same components. I'm using my 600m right now and it's a solid machine. Gaming is excellent on the MR 9000 64MB :D. I guess in the end, I just decided to get the "less solid" machine and baby it hehehe.

[Smacz]

oh BTW to answer the question: Try the IBM T41p. Amazing battery life, Dual radio antennaes, 9000 FireGL, Embedded security. Costs a lot though.

[Vengance_01]

I let you know what I think about the Dell 600M I will be ordering it tonight. To bad it takes dell two weeks to get it to me:)

[SkyDog]

ua549's exactly right. Dell's Latitude series is aimed at business customers who are willing to pay a little more for better reliability. Inspirons are aimed at people whose first priority is purchase price.

It's just like the difference between Dell's Dimension and Optiplex desktops, or HP/Compaq's Presario vs. Evo notebooks. One family of products is built to be cheap, while the other is built to be more reliable but costs a bit more.

Of the major manufacturers' laptops I've used, I'd have to say that Dell's Inspirons have been far the best consumer-grade laptops I've tried. They tend to have a cheap plastic feel to them, but are actually fairly reliable and durable. I'm less impressed by the most recent Inspirons I've seen, though. Nothing against them performance-wise, but I just don't like the feel of the machines -- they just feel too cheap for my comfort and I don't know how well they'd stand up to the stresses of being constantly lugged around.

If you're going to be lugging a box around for work, I'd suggest you keep to the business-oriented lines. Not only are they built to stand up to the physical rigors a bit better, but manufacturers' business model support is usually quite a bit better than the support for their home consumer models.

[mynameis]

Originally posted by Vengance_01
I let you know what I think about the Dell 600M I will be ordering it tonight. To bad it takes dell two weeks to get it to me:)

Try about 5 weeks, I am still waiting on mine.

I read a review on computers.com I think that said the dell 600m didn't quiet get as good of battery life as the rest, but it is so cheap I dont' care, plus it was only behind by a bit.

[Vengance_01]

Originally posted by mynameis


Try about 5 weeks, I am still waiting on mine.

I read a review on computers.com I think that said the dell 600m didn't quiet get as good of battery life as the rest, but it is so cheap I dont' care, plus it was only behind by a bit. But did you get the 100MIR and free 2 bettery?:D

[mynameis]

Originally posted by Vengance_01
But did you get the 100MIR and free 2 bettery?:D

$100 Instant Rebate, Free DVD/CD-RW upgrade, Free Shipping, Free Bag.
I only paid $1350 shipped.

[Vengance_01]

Originally posted by mynameis


$100 Instant Rebate, Free DVD/CD-RW upgrade, Free Shipping, Free Bag.
I only paid $1350 shipped. damn I like yours better than my deals:p