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Am I blind?

post #1 of 6
6/24/04 at 5:31pm
Thread Starter 
During the couple of weeks I've been on these forums, I've seen it mentioned numerous times that people feel that other brand names e.g. Sager, Alienware, Toshiba, etc. are superior machines (particularly in the area of build quality) to the Dell line, but the benefits come at an increased premium. Dell gives you "the most bang for your buck".

This morning, I decided to look at some of those manufacturer's websites and I am wondering if I am missing something. Because although the quality of the case may be better, I am not seeing the same level of customisability and many of the options seem to inferior to what Dell is offering e.g. only XGA screens available compared with SXGA or 1.7 GHz being the maximum processor speed available.

Note: I am talking specifically about Centrino/Pentium M based systems here. I haven't look at the desktop replacement systems with P4 M chips or what not. So, despite the "inferior" or "cheap" look, it seems to me that if one wants a PM computer with an extended battery life, low heat generation, and other related benefits, Dell is the way to go...

Which brings me back to my original question - am I missing something?
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post #2 of 6
6/24/04 at 6:32pm
Yes, you forgot about Compal 56

I was going to buy this one instead of Dell 8600; however, Dell suddenly offer a super great discount (20% + 150 off + ......), and I was forced to change my mind
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post #3 of 6
6/24/04 at 6:33pm
Your general assessment is right.
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post #4 of 6
6/24/04 at 6:44pm
yup i was in the marker for about 4 month looking for a laptop and this was the best i can do. best spec for the price.
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post #5 of 6
6/24/04 at 7:07pm
Thread Starter 
Thing is, I am not really talking about price.

In my opinion, it doesn't make any sense to compare, let's say an Alienware PM-base notebook with a Dell one, unless they both have the same options available. So that's why I am now finding it hard to understand why people say "I wanted X cause it's a better/nicer machine, but I went with Dell cause it was cheaper."

When I read things like this, I was under the impression that you could configure them both the same. But from what I've seen, you can't. So if you want that UXGA+ screen to go with your 60 GB 7200rpm HD and 1.7 GHz PM, you don't really have a choice but to go with Dell (speaking generally here). Basically, you aren't comparing the same machine with different build (case) quality, you are comparing two different machines and it is not an accurate comparison (again, in my opinion).
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post #6 of 6
6/24/04 at 7:22pm
Here's my thoughts. Because Dell (and a few other competitors) basically configures the notebooks with your selected options, they can be more current on the systems offered, and more flexible. Companies like Toshiba make one model (like the P10 model from Toshiba, the other one I was looking at), but because they're boxed units, you can only get it in about 2 flavors (60 or 80 GB HD). Their resellers can't afford to keep the huge stock of different configurations like they'd need to if they were customized for each available option. Heck, Dell doesn't even do that; they just keep all the different parts available, and slap them together at order time.

Kind of like ordering a hamburger at your local burger shop. If it's a small shop, you can probably order what you want, with whatever options you like. But it will take a little longer to get, because they custom make it when you order. If you go to a large chain, you can order what you like so long as it's on the menu. You'll get it as fast as they can pull it from under the heat lamp, but it might be a little stale by the time you do.

Anyway, enough rambling...

Clint
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