[Mrvile]

Well the thing is, I don't really need a workstation PC, since I won't be doing any hardcore rendering on the comp I won't need like a Quadro or any of that fancy schmancy. The most labor intensive program I'll be using will be Photoshop, which really isn't all that bad, so a standard home setup would work for me. However, since I can get virtually the same computer between an Inspiron and a Vostro, I'd rather go with the better build, better service, and less crap (although I'll be installing a fresh copy of XP Pro anyway).

 

[Assorted]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrvile /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well the thing is, I don't really need a workstation PC, since I won't be doing any hardcore rendering on the comp I won't need like a Quadro or any of that fancy schmancy. The most labor intensive program I'll be using will be Photoshop, which really isn't all that bad, so a standard home setup would work for me. However, since I can get virtually the same computer between an Inspiron and a Vostro, I'd rather go with the better build, better service, and less crap (although I'll be installing a fresh copy of XP Pro anyway).

Let me just say you should check out the XPS line. Their customer service is in another department, and they're more helpful. I'm using the 17" M1710 now but you should check out their 12" one too. It might change your mind if you see how small it is.

 

[epaludo]

I own a XPS M1210 which i totally love. I use it for 95% of the time (the other 5% is spent in my desktop). It's well build, awesome screen, excellent configuration. I think Dell service is superb. Never had a single issue with them regarding service ...

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrvile /img/forum/go_quote.gif However, since I can get virtually the same computer between an Inspiron and a Vostro, I'd rather go with the better build, better service, and less crap (although I'll be installing a fresh copy of XP Pro anyway).

Yeah, computers are so fast enough that even working with HDR images in Photoshop doesn't require the latest and greatest. How large is the hard drive BTW? The larger the capacity, the slower 5400 RPM is going to be.....that's the only slight speed disadvantage that I can see with the Vostro. However, reliability and service would go with Vostro. And my previous experience with Dell's home service would make me harp on avoiding their home service

 

[epaludo]

Be advised that XPS line has a more refined service though ...

 

[Mrvile]

The XPS comes in 13.3" and 17". Also, it costs just a taaad bit more than I want to spend. Mmmm...no thanks.

 

[DJShadow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverTrumpet999 /img/forum/go_quote.gif 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).

From the all comments I've read over the notebookreview forums, that isn't the case. IBM/Lenovo business line notebooks have maintained their fabled build quality. And the HP business notebooks (nc prefix) have superb build quality which I can personally attest to.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Davesrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif The larger the capacity, the slower 5400 RPM is going to be

Eh? Absolutely not. I upgraded from an 80GB 5400rpm drive to a 160GB 5400rpm which is faster not slower.

 

[SilverTrumpet999]

If your budget is equal to or greater than $1450 (and I suspect you're within ~$100 of that, from poking at configurations at Dell) then a Latitude may not be out of reach - until 7/18, they are running a $450 instant discount on Latitudes (including the D630 and D830) priced over $1899. Your build comes in lower than that on the Latitudes, but adding a few extra things to just break $1900 would kick that discount in and bring you back to the $1450 range.

This page at AnandTech http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2984&p=4 has a table which relates the NVidia GeForce and Quadro chipsets, which are really the same things with different names. Quadros are often optimized for rendering, true, but they play games just fine...

I don't want to keep harping the Latitude lines, but I have enough experience with them versus other brands that I thought it would be worth the space to alert you to the promotion.

DJShadow: I had forgotten about the nc line; they are also built quite well from what little I have seen. However, I would disagree about the Lenovo switch - from what I have read and seen, they are still better than the average consumer laptop but are now incorporating plastic, inferior interior components (one reason why their prices are lower now), and inferior keyboards relative to the IBM T4x series. This is particularly true with the series that have come out since the acquisition, like the Z6x. Maybe I have only seen duds...

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJShadow /img/forum/go_quote.gif Eh? Absolutely not. I upgraded from an 80GB 5400rpm drive to a 160GB 5400rpm which is faster not slower.

Eh? And how old is that 80GB hard drive?? I was referring to new pre-configured hard drives

Drive manufacturers tend to install the same amount of cache and same drive heads on all their new drive models. Since smaller drives have smaller platters, they tend to have faster seek times at the same speed as their larger capacity counterparts.....assuming this is the same model of course.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/06/...ks/page13.html

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverTrumpet999 /img/forum/go_quote.gif This page at AnandTech http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2984&p=4 has a table which relates the NVidia GeForce and Quadro chipsets, which are really the same things with different names. Quadros are often optimized for rendering, true, but they play games just fine... .

It's not just hardware rendering....it's software stability. Even with the most recent versions of Maya, I have run into display problems using a GForce or ATI (even Fire series). While they do share the same GPUs, memory optimization is different with both types of cards (so it seems to have a performance difference with Maya as well). So anyway it's well worth it to get a Quadro if you're doing serious 3D apps. I haven't run into any problems running games on a Quadro: but then again, the Quadro would be an expensive game card

Not really pertinent to Mrvile since he says he isn't going to do 3D, but just a FYI.

 

[dissembled]

If you're planning to buy an XPS notebook (or any expensive gaming ntbk for the matter) be sure to be proficient enough to take apart the laptop to clean the heat sinks/fans out.

I've received my XPS 2 at 05 and IDLE GPU temps were 56C. Now they plumetted to 69C due to dust. I don't trust myself opening the laptop so I think I'll let the GPU die a slow death rather than killing it immediately with my clumsy hands/ignorance. ;D

A compressed air + notebook cooler should help too.

 

[ChaseD13]

the slower rpm drive is "better" in my eyes. Slower means better battery life. Also, i fix computers around my town (I'm in high school) and i would say that it seems that the faster drives fail much more often then slow ones. This has just been my experience. I have probably replaced 1/4 as many 5400 rpm drives as 7400 rpm ones. This could be coincidence, but it has convinced me.

 

[vagarach]

You know, I configured a Vostro to the same specs as my 2.2Ghz macbook pro, and it comes in right at 1799 (but it has double the video ram), which is around the education price less the $229 ipod you get, which is somewhat relieving. The mbp doesn't have a magnesium shell though, which is probably far more durable than aluminium.

Also, do look at the HP business line, they are solid machines.

 

[chesebert]

I think IBM is the only way to go for biz laptop. If you do any traveling with your laptop you will appreciate the IBM. T/X are the only 2 series I would consider, the rest are not that great. I have been using IBM T series for the past 6 years..gone through my share of them, now on the latest T61. Yes the keyboard is not as good as the T4x series, but still light years better than Dell, Sony, HP, etc. Once you owned an IBM you will not, and cannot go back to other junk laptops. Yes I think Dell is junk too (owned one and gave it to my dad).

 

[Mrvile]

Well I ended up ordering the Vostro. It had a fat discount that I couldn't give up ($215 off, free 3-5 day shipping) so that was good. Final setup:

15.4" WXGA+
Intel T7300
Geforce 8600GT
2GB ram
160GB 5400rpm HDD
DVD burner
9-cell battery
2-year warranty

Came out to about $1360, plus something like $100 in tax

Oh well I got a free pair of Creative EP630's with it

Thanks for all the help, guys!