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Dell's keyboard v. IBM's

post #1 of 12
1/18/04 at 4:46pm
Thread Starter 
Hi-

I am looking into getting a top-of-the-line notebook for college and am currently looking at the Inspiron 8600 (or more acurately, the new model that is rumored to replace it in the spring) but I am wondering about the quality of the keyboard. I spend a lot of time timing and everything and I have only ever really used an IBM laptop. I really like the IBM's trackpoint mouse and am really happy that the I8600 has one but I have also heard that the keys for that are not so good.

As for the keyboards, IBM has close to a full sized one that is really easy to use and is of really high quality, how are dell's? Since I can't see them in a store I am kinda stumped. Is there anyway to find out on dell's website where their Mall kiosks are? I don't want to be hitting the wrong key all the time or anything. What is drawing me towards the dell is the high customizability you have when ordering and they seem to be at the top of the technology swing too.

I am really just hoping their new Inspiron has a full sized keyboard (there seems to be plenty of room to expand the keyboard on either side from looking at pictures) and also better trackpoint buttons.

Thanks!

-Dan
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post #2 of 12
1/18/04 at 5:52pm
yea man i am in the same boat ur in. I am lookin for a new laptop too and i dunno wat to get. the keyboard is a big thing for me. the dell 8600 is nice, but the only thing i dont like the screen seems flimsy. my dad has the t40 thinkpad and the build qaulity is beyond awesome. no major problems at all with anything. it really depends on wat u want to do with it, i am prolly gonna go wit the t41p thinkpad or the regular t41 becuase of the size,weight and thickness. the 8600 is quite big, although its defeinitly a power house. its really up to u with what u want to do.....personally the dell has a cheaper feeling. - jon
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post #3 of 12
1/18/04 at 6:35pm
Thread Starter 
Another thought.... does the 5150 or 5100 have the same keyboard as the 8600? I have a friend who has a 5150 (I think - it might be a 5100) and I could look at his if no one else has any ideas.
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post #4 of 12
1/18/04 at 8:50pm
I would definetly reccomend the IBM T50 if money allows for it. for fullsized keyboards however you might wish to consider a sager system with there units event a keypad is built in.the 5xx0 sere sInspiron uses essentially a cheaper and smaller version of the keyboard.
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post #5 of 12
1/18/04 at 10:40pm
Thread Starter 
Why do you say an IBM T50? Even over a Dell 8600? Also, where do you find info for the T50 - all I can seem to find on the IBM website is a T40 or 41.
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post #6 of 12
1/18/04 at 11:15pm
Try R50P
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post #7 of 12
1/19/04 at 12:03am
Im sorry a mistake I meant the R50 or T41p
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post #8 of 12
1/19/04 at 2:16am
Thread Starter 
oh, thanks, but why that over a dell 8600? Just curious on your thoughts...
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post #9 of 12
1/19/04 at 2:39am
Ibm generally sticks to one deisgn type when it comes to casing, keyboards, pointers regardless of who its outsoruced too its wide spread known IBM produces the best chasis made to last thru the years which by design is hard to tell from a model from 5 years ago. Ive directly used the T30, T40, R50, 8600, for this comparrison i make the point that the T30 and T40 had the same feeling and little room for improvement. Directly compared to the 8600 the T series has a very sturdy and tactile feel as if i needed to pry the keys with a screwdriver just to knwo how strong the keyboard is. Its very tactile and the keys are mostly in there good and loved places. The 8600 excels with bigger real estate for larger hands. Button placement in my opinion is best placed on the 8600 but it has a very fragile feeling compared to extensive use with ibm laptops or even a desktop keyboard. By far these 2 notebooks excel over less dependable keyboards like from Sony or Toshiba. It strieks me odd some of the toshibas share the same plants as dells i guess the design team from toshiba needs a lesson on keyboard durability?
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post #10 of 12
1/19/04 at 1:22pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks - in terms of technology how do the R50 and 8600 stack up? When I go on IBMs site I am dissapointed that I cannot customize the machines as much as on Dells and they seem to give me less info on the components. I definetely agree that IBM laptops have great keyboards and solid design, both of my parents have one from work. But I also don't want to be too far behind from the top of the line. Thank for all your help so far!
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post #11 of 12
1/19/04 at 2:16pm

I've owned them both

I have owned both the Dell 8600 and the new IBM R50P. Both were the highest end specs and virtually equivalant machines. I returned the Dell and bought the Thinkpad for two main reasons, the keyboard and the track stick.
There is really no comparison in quality, the IBM wins hands down in build quality, keyboard and pointing system. Now this doesn't mean that the Dell is bad, it's just not in the same league as the Thinkpad. (Bare in mind the Thinkpad was $700.00 MORE also). I could have lived with the Dell keyboard, as I had nothing to compare it to but the trackstick buttons were unusable. Dell has a real problem in this area, it is all over the Dell forums about how unhappy people are with the trackstick.

I guess you have to weigh the price difference between the two and decide if it is worth the bump up for the quality difference.
Link to ThinkPad:
http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/st...catalogId=-840
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post #12 of 12
1/19/04 at 2:45pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks. I really like the R50P from the looks of it. I don't need one for a few more months so I think I will wait to look at the new Dells that should be out later this spring and hopefully IBM will release a new model better than the R50P by then anyways. Thanks again for your insight-

-Dan
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