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Suggestions for a College Student

post #1 of 42
6/27/04 at 12:50pm
Thread Starter 
Hey everyone...I'm a soon to be college student and I'm trying to decide on what kind of laptop I'm going to buy for next year. Academic Computing at my college strongly recommends and only supports fully Dell and Apple computers. Considering the fact that I've grown attached to the Windows operating system....that kinda leaves me with Dell. Which would you recommend for a college student- I want a powerful system, portable but not ultra-portable, with a decent performing and large screen. I am not a PC Gamer, just looking for a quick, reliable computer for word processing, internet, DVD playback, web design, etc. My budget is along the lines of $2400.00, and I do receive a 10% educational discount by buying through Dell. Here are my options:

Inspiron 5150
Inspiron 8600
Inspiron 9100
Latitude D600
Latitude D800

Also...I'm considering sticking with a Desktop because you can get a lot more for your money...which would recommend from this list?

Dell Dimension 8400
Dell Precision 360

Also, it seems as though the Inspiron 8600 (Dell's "flagship" performance laptop) has been out for nearly a year- are they planning to release an 8700 soon (I know Dell just updated their desktop line with the Dimension 8400)?

Thanks for your response! Much appreciated
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post #2 of 42
6/27/04 at 1:13pm
For laptop, I think 8600 is clear a winner.
For desktop, I think the best one is "do it yourself"
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post #3 of 42
6/27/04 at 1:20pm
If I were you and not going to play, I would buy a 8600 without top of range video card, w/ big HD,w/ DVD writer, w/ wireless, w/ bluetooth, and w/ 1.5 Mhz Pentium M will be enough for you. I do not know who expensive it could be in USA, but in europe it is not too expensive.
I will also say to you that you can spend your money in warranty and memory (at least 512Mb, recommended 1024Mb). If you can afford buy a Dothan and you will have notebook for a couple of years...
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post #4 of 42
6/27/04 at 1:26pm
plus if you check on here often, you can find coupons and freebies that will give you a much better deal than the 10% academic discount alone....or you could try to stack the academic discount on top of the rest
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post #5 of 42
6/27/04 at 1:43pm
Thread Starter 
My 10% Academic Discount is on top of any other offers than deal is currently giving. The system I configured for the 8600 is as follows....

Pentium M 1.8 Ghz
15.4" WXSGA+
XP Professional
512 MB, 1 DIMM Ram
64 MB Graphics Cards
Intel Pro Wireless 2200
Port Replicator Home Bundle (Replicator, Keyboard, D/View Stand, Mouse)
Combo CD-RW/DVD Drive
48 WHr Battery for Modular Bay
3 Year Warranty/3 Year At-Home-Service/Complete Care

Price: 2411.00 (After 10% discount, 10% academic discount. Includes Shipping and 6% State Tax)
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post #6 of 42
6/27/04 at 1:45pm
Thread Starter 
Also, I've heard the 8600 and D800 are essentially made from the same componets. Only the D800's body is mounted in a metal case as opposed to the "plastic" case for the 8600. Also, would you recommend giving up the 10% discount, taking a risk, and buying a better-priced HP desktop (Dell's Inspiron 8600 seems pricier than HP's models)
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post #7 of 42
6/27/04 at 3:33pm
Thread Starter 
Now, Compare the above 8600 to the 5150 I just priced....

Mobile Pentium 4 Processor 3.2 GHz with HT Technology
15" SXGA+ Screen
XP Professional
1 GB 2 DIMM Ram
64 MB Graphics Card
CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
Dell Wireless 1450
3 Year Warranty/3 Year On-Site/Complete Care
Port Replicator/Mouse/Keyboard
96 WHr Battery

Price: 2325.00 (with shipping and tax)

How does the 5150 compare to the 8600?
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post #8 of 42
6/27/04 at 3:37pm
You know something,

Your best bet might be to get a sales rep from the Educational Sales Dept. to help you out with pricing. These reps work on comission, so they will be willing to go the "extra mile" to make sure that they can get a purchase. I would strongly recommend either the I8600 or the D800.
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post #9 of 42
6/27/04 at 3:45pm
I just purchased a d800 through my college's education program. I could choose from reccomended d800 or d600 models with about a $500 discount or get the standard 10% discount. I don't know if you've seen this, but this document offers a comparison between the latitude and inspiron line as far as college students are concerned:
http://www.dell.com/downloads/us/ee...piron200311.doc
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post #10 of 42
6/27/04 at 4:20pm
killersnowgoon,

The link seems to be dead, could you please post the correct link.


Thanks
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post #11 of 42
6/27/04 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 
Yes, please post. I would be interested to see the differences. I'm inclined to purchase a Business quality desktop over a Home version, because I find they're more reliable in most cases. But, I'm a little worried about the D800's pricetag. How much did you get it for with what specifications?
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post #12 of 42
6/27/04 at 9:17pm
Whzup, I'd also keep in mind that usually once a month Dell pours out their 20% off on Inspirons 1599 or more and that saved me a ton (518 bucks) on my laptop. I'd also HIGHLY recommend the ATI 9600 Pro for much improved desktop and video preformance. (CG packages, games even though you arn't a gamer, and overall preformance). Typically it seems as about every 3-4 weeks they 20% will come up on all the coupon sites and it'd be great if you can stack that on ur EDU....(agh, too bad my college doesn't have that).

After tax my system came to be 2107 and this was in May when the 745 was a few days old.

~GMCloud

(All my specs are what came with it but the 512MB of PC2700 Corsair)
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post #13 of 42
6/27/04 at 10:07pm
Thread Starter 
That's a pretty nice deal. I figure that with July 4th weekend and the expected "deals" of the holiday, I might get away with a better price. The real killer is the extended warranty and the complete care package which jacks up the price a few hundred dollars. Also, sales tax and shipping factor in.

BTW, I've heard that 8600's feel somewhat poorly made (plastic). I'm still considering the D800, which has a tri-metal chassis and seems and looks a little sturdier (despite the fact that I feel it's overpriced- Does Dell run discounts on it's Latitude line of laptops?). How do you feel your Inspiron 8600 quality is?
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post #14 of 42
6/27/04 at 10:16pm
Whz,
Dell does offer discounts on Latitudes but I usually see the refurb discounts rather than new. Personally for the price I'd still stick with the good ole i8600 but it's your call on build quality requirements. Personally the 8600 does admittingly feel a bit "plasticy" meaning light plastic that creeks a bit but this is about .3% of an issue for me. It stil is a very well built laptop and for the price and power, nothing can beat it.

Hope this helps!
~GMCloud
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post #15 of 42
6/27/04 at 11:25pm
get your ram from a third party and save yourself some money
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post #16 of 42
6/27/04 at 11:38pm
Thread Starter 
A third party? I think CompUSA installs ram for free- is that what your referring to?
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post #17 of 42
6/28/04 at 12:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by whzup444
A third party? I think CompUSA installs ram for free- is that what your referring to?
No, they mean another seller. Crucial, New Egg etc.

You can get 1GB 2x512mb of pc3200 A-data ram from Newegg for $194 shipped. Get the minimum amt of memory from dell and then upgrade through another source. Install the memory yourself, its extremly easy.
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post #18 of 42
6/28/04 at 12:05am
Sorry about that... this should work:

http://www.dell.com/downloads/us/eep...iron200311.doc
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post #19 of 42
6/28/04 at 12:06am
I sent you a private message too.
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post #20 of 42
6/28/04 at 12:07am
Thread Starter 
What would you recommend for the screen on either the D800 or 8600? Again, the computer is primarily going to be used for word-processing, multimedia (DVD Playback, photo viewing, light photo editing), internet access, etc. What exactly is the difference in clarity between the WSXGA and the WSXGA+? Is it worth the extra money? Also, is the WUXGA practical for someone whose into text-based applications rather than graphic based?

Thanks.
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