Inspiron X1 vs 710m, need help choosing!

Hi guys, I really have a problem deciding on which one to buy...

I really want an ultra-portable notebook, the one I currently have is the Compaq v2000 series 14.1" WXGA, with 768MB ram and a P-M 1.6Ghz. It is a little chunky and heavy at times, I replaced my PowerBook 12" for this Compaq, so I can't get used to the bigger/heavier size.

The main things I use it for is general office stuff like web browsing, accounting. Plus web page development using programs like photoshop, dreamweaver and flash MX. I also like playing RTS's like RedAlert 2, and C&C Generals. On my Compaq I can also get CS to play pretty well.

I really like the X1 as it looks more robust and better (in my opinion). I think the silver accents the 710m is using is getting a bit boring now. Plus I like the X1 due to the size and weight.
I like the 710m due to the internal optical drive, and faster processor, but I really dislike the overall look of it. And it is more chunkier then the X1 due to the internal optical drive.

My main concern is the processing power, I know the 710m will be better in that respect, but will the X1 really lag that much behind for what I want it to do? I'm not to knowledgable with ULV processors.


Also price is not an issue as it is being bought through the company my wife works for, but it needs to be Dell as they only deal with them.

Thanks for any help guys.

*bump*

does the casing on the 700m feel solid or kind of plasticy?

I ask because my compaq presario feels quite flimsy/plasticy and i really dont like that feeling.

I am really tied between the two, I am now leaning more towards the 710m because I do indulge in the odd game or two..and now that everyone is saying it's a solid build, I'm leaning even more towards it.

Especially RTS's as I have mentioned, but the newer RTS's are going more and more 3Dish like Command and Conquer Generals and games as the such, I am a bit worried as to how they would perform.

I also do quite a bit of Photoshopping on my notebook in terms of designing webpages, so, once again, I have no idea how it will perform.

The other thing I was thinking of is the heat the X1 will produce when running Photoshop/Games for hours on end. Because my Compaq Presario ATM gets quite hot and that has a fan, so I dunno.... Well, not so much the heat, but the processor (i imagine) wouldn't run for very long with high heats, it would probably die sooner.

I'm about 60% leaning towards 710m and 30% leaning towards X1. The only thing that is really going for the X1 for me ATM is the form/build/size/look of the machine.

Thanks for the advice, and trust me I have thought of the Sony's quite a bit, just by their style they are in a league of their own.

But if you read my original post, it needs to be a Dell for the reason stated.

My Compaq Presario with a P-M 1.6 plays C&C Generals very well, so they are the kind of games I am looking at playing. So I don't think a 710m @ 2.0Ghz should have a problem, but I am a bit more doubtful of the X1.

BTW MitchellO, your sig makes my IE stutter when moving up and down the page for some reason, its very jittery when on screen.