[Mrvile]

Ok, time to get a laptop for school.

I'm looking at Dell, either an Inspiron 1520 (home) or Vostro 1500 (business). Both are configured exactly the same except the Inspiron has a 7200rpm HDD while the Vostro has a 5400rpm HDD. Both cost exactly the same too. Which would I be better off getting?

Thanks!

 

[DJShadow]

From what I've read, the business line will have much better build quality so that would be my pick.

Do you have the links to the notebooks' specs in question?

 

[Assorted]

The business version is better built and AFAIK it has more security features.

Home is for gaming and such. Business has workstation gfx.

 

[Mrvile]

Well I had them configured exactly the same. Here are the specs:

15.4" WXGA+ screen
Intel T7300
nVidia GeForce 8600M GT
160GB HDD
2GB ram
DVD burner
9-cell battery

It's basically going to be used as a normal computer, some gaming, art, photography, music, movie every once in a while. Main programs are going to be games, Photoshop, Painter, Winamp, etc.

I pretty much know what I want in the comp, I just want to know if it's better to go with the business model or the home model.

 

[Mrvile]

Oh one more question: How is Dell's business service compared to its home service?

 

[PerformanceFirst]

The laptops are the same thing. If you want a higher end laptop, look at Latitudes

 

[Darkestred]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrvile /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ok, time to get a laptop for school. I'm looking at Dell, either an Inspiron 1520 (home) or Vostro 1500 (business). Both are configured exactly the same except the Inspiron has a 7200rpm HDD while the Vostro has a 5400rpm HDD. Both cost exactly the same too. Which would I be better off getting? Thanks!

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[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrvile /img/forum/go_quote.gif Oh one more question: How is Dell's business service compared to its home service?

I had Dell home service awhile ago....it was the second worst computer service I've had. The all time worst is Alienware. I know some people who have gotten Dell business workstations and have been pleased with them. I'm pretty sure that the service included with the business line is different (and better).

FWIW, the best costumer service I've had is HP's business computers.

 

[NeoSlayer888]

Not related to your question, but, have you looked at buying your laptop through the school? When I was configuring laptops, the Dell University price was around $250 less than the same laptop priced through Dell Home & Home Office.

 

[zachary80]

I'd go business, and have been in the market for one lately for a keyboard controller rig

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=556273
"The Vostro line also features a magnesium alloy chassis, a mylar-sealed keyboard and a hard drive shock absorber. There is also a 30-day return period with no restocking fee if you are dissatisfied."

 

[Mrvile]

Thanks for the responses guys.

---

PerformanceFirst: The Vostros are actually more useful to me since I'll need a decent video card.

Darkestred: Thanks but I already know what I'm getting.

Dave: I've always heard good things about Dell's services and warranties but you never know what you're going to get. I've used HP for the majority of my early life before I started building my own comps, and HP's service was decent (got the job done but they were pretty slow).

NeoSlayer: I wish I could get the comp through the school but since I'll be attending a relatively small, private, fine arts school, they don't really offer anything in student discounts through Dell.

Zachary: Thanks for the info. Looks like I'll be going with the business line.

---

You know, I was actually quite attracted to the Espresso Brown version of the 1520, too bad the Vostros only come in black. Oh well

 

[magnetic]

I'm typing on a Dell laptop right now (inspiron). The down arrow, enter button, and tilda key don't work. It's not a problem with the actual keyboard, which I replaced and helped nothing. So what did I do to mess it up, you ask? Nothing, the tech support sent it back to me broken. Twice. The first time they broke the mouse button. When I got it back with the keys broken I wasn't using it and didn't notice until the warranty was over. Besides, if I had sent it back again they probably would have sent it back with the screen missing or something. I hope you have better luck than I do.

 

[SilverTrumpet999]

I'm typing on a Dell laptop right now (Latitude D610). This computer has been on many trips across many states, and recently went with me for a month to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. It works as well as it did when I bought it.

The latitude business line is the only acceptable laptop anymore now that IBM sold out to Lenovo (I am a college student; we abuse things at least as much as businessmen. You should stay away from the plasticy crap in the consumer domain as it will fail). They are built with all-metal chassis and can take tremendous amounts of abuse without showing any of it. I would love to comment on the warranty service (I got the 3 year, on-site, accidental protection warranty... I recommend this warranty because it covers stuff like LCD problems and spills that can spawn repair bills for more than laptops are worth) but I can't - even though I take this thing everywhere, it just won't break. My biggest problem that it has ever developed is an almost invisible scratch on the top cover after my month-long trip to Ecuador. In contrast, my Dimension from the consumer side of things has had numerous warranty service calls.

Ditch the Vostro line, get a Latitude. You will not have the issues 'magnetic' points out above, and it will outlast its usefulness as a computer (something almost no laptops can claim). My family has 3 of them (D600, mine, and a D620) and none of them have any problems whatsoever. I recommend the Latitude line and nothing else. They cost a bit more but it's worth it - sacrifice some minor specs (if you have to) to move up. You will not regret it.

You could also search http://outlet.dell.com for New In Box discounted models if cost is a huge issue. I would stay away from "Scratch and Dent" and "Recertified" overstock models, but their "New in Box" ones would be just fine - if you can find one with the specs you want.

 

[Mrvile]

SilverTrumpet - as much as I would like to own a Latitude, they don't have the options I want and are pretty expensive. Not mention that Dell just did a price drop on the Vostros and now I can get even more for my budget.

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrvile /img/forum/go_quote.gif Dave: I've always heard good things about Dell's services and warranties but you never know what you're going to get. I've used HP for the majority of my early life before I started building my own comps, and HP's service was decent (got the job done but they were pretty slow).

Well I have found that YMMV with computer companies.....but across the board, there's a lot of hate for Alienware at least. Avoid them at all cost!!

And since Dell bought them, I don't think they'll be improving either (the bigger companies rarely help smaller ones). Do keep in mind that both HP and Dell have different service for their business computers.....which tends to be better, and the computers tend to be faster (as they don't have extra crap that you never use). With my special requirements for 3D animation, HP's new laptop workstation was the best computer I could find.....it's pretty fast, lightweight, has good battery life, and has a much needed Nvidia Quadro card.

But your requirements are different....so I would first consider if you want a home edition or business edition.