Choosing a Laptop - CDROM-Guide forums

StevenrayXXX · #1 Mar 09, 2004, 08:17 PM

I plan on purchasing a new Dell laptop. Iam trying to choose between a 9100 and 8600. The 9100 model is configured with a Intel® Pentium® 4 2.8GHz, 15.4-in. WXGA and the 8600 with a Pentium®M Processor,1.4GHz,15.4 in UltraSharp™ Wide Screen XGA.
I plan on using the unit primarily a desktop replacement. I dont know which chip would be best as far as battery life and performance.
I appreciate any input.

Thanks!

Steve

C0UGAR UK · #2 Mar 09, 2004, 10:34 PM

Dell Inspiron 8600 is a sound machine. I would go for the WSXGA+ (1680x1050), as a WXGA (1280x800) seems to be the wrong ratio for a widescreen display, to me anyway, reckon it is one of the best performers in its price range.

StevenrayXXX · #3 Mar 10, 2004, 02:54 PM

Thanks for the reply, COUGAR
Would upgrading to a Pentium®M Processor,1.6GHz,15.4 in UltraSharp™ Wide Screen SXGA be a noticeable upgrade perfomance wise and picture quality?

C0UGAR UK · #4 Mar 11, 2004, 05:03 PM

Yes, and also I would consider the ATI 9600 upgrade also, depends how long you intend to keep it really, if the odd game will be played, and the demands you will place upon it, but, that is what I would do, specially if it was actually a desktop replacement.

konni3x · #5 Mar 12, 2004, 01:35 AM

If you got some $$ go for Fujitsu, the N Series.

StevenrayXXX · #6 Mar 12, 2004, 12:57 PM

This will be an employer purhased item. I have a $1500 budget which has to be a dell to take advantage of the corporate discount. Thanks to the suggestions in this forum I have managed to stay within this budget.
I have planned on upgrading the ram to 512 but the cost of that would have been $94 (512MB,DDR,333MHz 2 Dimms) I can buy a stick of 512 for that elsewhere.
Thanks for all the great advice!!