700M vs 6000

Check out my post in the dell general forum on my detailed purchasing decision that lead to the 9300.

Happy Hunting!!

The weight difference is 2.55 pounds. I suggest the 700m. You didn't mention gaming, so I would assume you don't need the system for that. Also, you said you didn't really need a bigger screen.

Need a large screen and game, 6000. Basic computing and portability, 700m. If all else fails, go all out and get a decked out XPS Gen 2

I have a Dell 8600 at home, which is the predecessor to the 6000, with similar size, performance, and weight ratings. It just doesn't look as fashionable. I also have a 700m that I take with me everywhere I go.

These are fairly different notebooks designed for different users. I think the Dell 6000 is almost a desktop replacement class machine without being so large and heavy as to be merely "movable" like the 9300. I am okay with it sitting on my lap while watching TV, but my wife who is a much smaller person than I am simply refuse to use it because it is too large.

And I would never lug that thing around in a bag. It is just too heavy and large to be a "bring with me everywhere" computer.

My 700m, though, I lug around with me all day long. Just got back from a trip to Chicago and I was really happy with it. It's not as light as I would have liked, about 5 pounds travel weight including the 8cell battery and AC adapter. But it's small and reasonably light. I bring my 700m to work with me everyday.

The two are very different machines. If you will be carrying your computer with you all the time, the 700m will be a much better choice. But if not, the 6000 is probably better for you. And of course the graphics system on the 6000 is powerful enough to play most 3D games on the market at a decent frame rate. I have a 1.6GHz Pentium M in my 8600 and a 1.8GHz Pentium M in my 700m. Both have 1GB of ram and both have 60GB hard drives, though the one in the 8600 is 7200 RPMS versus 5400 in the 700m. Both run plenty fast for me but the 8600 feels a bit more "effortless". I suspect that this is mainly because the 8600 is not as claustrophobic as the 700m with its full size keyboard and 15.4" screen. Working on the 700m requires more precise typing and results in a bit more eye/neck strain.

At home, I use my 8600. On the road, I always have my 700m. So maybe "buy both" is not the answer you are looking for. But if I could only choose to have one machine, I would keep my 700m because I tote a computer with me all the time.

There's a brief 6000 review here...

http://www.itreviews.co.uk/hardware/h779.htm

.... which mentions the size/weight issue, and also a couple of other sticking points with it, which might be helpful with your decision.

I owned a 700m for a month. I actually intended to buy a 700m again because i want a nice small laptop. but after rethinking it i went for the 6000. Most non-business laptop owners "think" theyre going to carry their laptop everywhere, but in reality then it just sits on a desk 90% of the time so why not pack it with features.


700m
Pro:
-Size. Its so small that if you need to carry it around alot then its perfect
-Cool. It doesnt get warm at all and thats very important to me. I absolutely hate using a laptop and your palms feel sweaty.
-Screen. One of the best screens ive ever seen. Pictures and movies are deceptively crisp. Its awesome.
-Power. Some smaller notebooks make you sacrifice power for size. This doesnt. Its a real workhorse. Just make sure you get the 12cell battery upgrade for 4+ hours of juice.

Con:
-Keyboard. The primary reason i returned it. Many people can get used to it, but for me then why should i change the way i type just to adapt to a flawed keyboard design. Look at all that wasted space on the sides and its obvious they couldve fit a better keyboard here.
-Screen. While its a great screen, its still only 12". For movies and multimedia its just fine, but for browsing or typing it may strain your eyes. I think 13-14" is the sweet spot for portable notebooks. And that reflective coating makes things look incredible, but it also makes it very tough to see outdoors. Thats may be a big deal to some.


Inspiron 6000.
Pro:
-Size. A bigger screen is nice. This isnt intended to be a desktop replacement, but its nice to know it could be.
-Games. This is the first time im getting a laptop with a legitimate video card. Games on a laptop just doesnt make sense when our desktop is probably 5 feet away, but still. 128mb dedicated will be great.

Con:
-Size. This is my 8th laptop and I still think i'm going to carry it around everywhere. So it kinda sucks to know that this thing wont be too comfortable to drag around town. 6.7lbs isnt much compared to the old days, but its still enough to break your back.
-Heat/Fan. I hear the fan stays on ALL THE TIME. They say its not loud but it still sucks. It might mean that this thing gets hot and thats one of the things i hate most of some notebooks.


So thats my thoughts. Hope it helps.

Some people were over my house for my grad party and this one girl had a 6000. I did not like it all. It was definitely big and I can't see myself carrying it around. Call me a wuss if you want.

I got a 700m. Still waiting for it.

I already have a 9 lb. laptop in my Inspiron 9100, so I went with the i700m to carry around every day to college and to travel with. It's in boxing right now, hopefully it'll be here before the end of the month and my 9100 can go on more permenant desktop duty.

Why not just go to a Dell kiosk and check out the 2 side-by-side. That's probably your best bet, unless you don't have a Dell kiosk nearby.

Got 6000D.

Then got 700m.

Now I am settled.

Libretto 110CT has to go..But I loved Libretoo..

Most people spend about $1500 for a notebook. You got both for about that much so it works out well for you. But i wonder in the long run which you will actually use more.

Actually considering CPU, RAM, HDD and DVD upgrades I spent about $1800 for both.

6000D is going to be my video machine - editing, encoding, burning DVD's etc.

700m is going to be my travel machine.

Did I mention I have 5 self-buid desktops at home and none is good for my video editing needs? My display is 64' HDTV but unfortunately it is an old model and only good at 640x480. Modern video software despises 640x480.

My travel machine until now was Toshiba Libretto 110CT 2 pounds, 7 inch kind of widescreen, I love this thing. It runs XP on 64MB RAM and PII 266 MHZ CPU. But...it cannot play video...so it has to go..I want my videos!!!

Yeah, I know I am crazy...no need to confirm