Budget 14" notebook opinions

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ddac

New Member
Hi,

I currently have a '06 Dell Inspiron 640m (14.1" screen). This was my first laptop. Although the laptop works fine, it's time for an upgrade. The battery is completely dead. The power supply acts up once in a while (the cable seems to act up and no power gets to the power supply) and the hinge that holds the screen in place is loose (common on Dells....I think).

My budget for this new notebook is around $600. $700 would be the absolute maximum I'm willing to spend. Seems like laptops aren't made to last???

I've been doing some research and it looks like the technology today has been greatly improved. Because I don't have experience with other brands, I'm thinking of sticking with Dell.

Here are two notebooks (both 14") that caught my eye (and is within my budget). I don't know much about their Studio line....which is why I'm here. Both these machines cost the same. They go for $649. They seem similarly spec'd as well.

Which is the better machine? As you can see from the comparison below:
The Inspiron has more RAM (4GB vs 3GB)
The Inspiron has a slower spinning HDD (5,400rpm vs 7,200rpm)
The Inspiron has a lower quality camera (1.3pixel vs 2.0pixel)
The Inspiron has a longer Antivirus software (15 months vs 30 days)
The Inspiron has a better warranty (1 yr basic service vs 1 yr mail-in service).

My main use for this laptop will be mostly for web browsing, Excel files, word docs, music, pictures, online banking, youtube watching, home video editing, and the occasional game (very very little).

In terms of weight, durability, keyboard comfort, etc., do you know which machine would be better?

I'm mainly concerned about durability. I want this next computer to last more than 3 years!

Thanks in advance for any opinions or advice. If you don't like Dell and would like to recommend a different machine, I'm open to anything. Hopefully, with your help through personal experience, I'll be able to pick a good budget notebook.

Thanks again.

Again, both these notebooks are $650 on Dell's website.

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I agree most laptops aren't made to last. I'm still fighting to keep this 2-year-old Compaq alive simply because it's battery is still good :P Looks like it's time to roast it again.

Anyway, for the differences;
- RAM difference wouldn't matter that much, probably wouldn't even be noticeable.
- The faster drive might help with performance, but slower drives are said to last longer. Either way, not much of a difference.
- Most webcam's have pretty horrible quality anyway. I doubt you'd see much of a difference, if any in the two.
- I wouldn't bother with paid virus scans with how good most free ones are today.
- Don't know the difference between the warranties...

In short, they are essentially the same. If they're the exact same price, I'd probably go with the Inspiron simply because of RAM.

I'm not sure how the current ones are, but I have an Inspiron 1420 and it's actually been quite good. The only real problem to speak of is the dead battery. Keyboard wasn't quite as nice as some other laptops I've used, but not bad either.

Assuming the laptops aren't much different than my current one, you'd probably be alright for 3 years. Only thing I'd worry about is the battery, but that can be said with most any laptop :P
 
I'm rather mixed on HPs as my experience with them has been good and bad. I'd say they're about even in my book with Dells.

Also, I don't know if you took this into consideration, but if you're ordering form Amazon and not a third party seller, you'll probably get no tax and free shipping. For me, Dell charges both :P
 
I'll most likely purchase an HP this time. But I started looking at some Lenovos as well. So many choices!

Thanks again for your advice.
 
Dude, seems like you went to dell, and did your homework, If I was you i'd go for that dell studio 14. You'll be very pleased, I have a dell studio 1557, as you can see from the specs below I paid a lot of money for it and it was worth every penny.
 
I'm still thinking about it. I currently have a Dell. I'm not exactly thrilled about it....but at the same time, I really can't complain too much either.
 
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