Can anybody offer their opinions on these laptops?

[KingKobra]

I'll be a freshman in college this fall and am looking to buy my first laptop. Basically I am clueless and have been using the university's computer buying guide as my, well, guide. I've narrowed it down to two top choices: Gateway 450E and Dell Inspiron 600M. The gateway has very few reviews online, but all have been positive. There are a lot of reviews for the Dell, but they are mixed. Some either loved it or hated it...So if anybody has any opinions/comments about either computer they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Gateway 450E

Processor:
• 1.5GHz Intel Pentium M with Centrino mobile technology
• 1MB L2 Cache

Storage:
• 40GB hard drive
• 24x10x24x CDRW and 8x DVD combo drive

Memory:
• 512MB PC2100 memory (1-512MB module)
• expandable to 1GB

Display:
• 15” TFT SXGA active matrix to 1400 x 1050 resolution

Communications:
• Integrated 56K V.92 modem
• Intel 802.11b/g Wireless LAN
• 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN

Video & sound:
• 64MB 4x AGP ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 video
• integrated audio

Operating system:
• Windows XP Professional

Ports & expansion:
• Parallel port
• serial port
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• IEEE 1394 port
• S-Video out
• Microphone/Line in
• Headphone/Line out
• VGA display port
• 2 Type II PC card slots

Battery:
• Lithium Ion, approx 5 hours

Weight:
• 5.79 pounds

Warranty:
• 3 years, parts & labor with Accidental Damage protection (battery 1 year)


Dell Inspiron 600M

Processor:
• 1.6GHz Intel Pentium M
• 1MB L2 Cache

Storage:
• 40GB hard drive
• 24x10x24x CDRW and 8x DVD combo drive

Memory:
• 512MB PC2100 memory (1x512)
• expandable to 2GB

Display:
• 14” TFT SXGA active matrix at 1400x1050 resolution

Communications:
• Integrated 56K V.92 modem
• Dell TrueMobile 1300 802.11b/g Wireless LAN
• 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN

Video & sound:
• 32MB DDR 4x AGP ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 video
• Integrated stereo sound

Operating system:
• Windows XP Professional

Ports & expansion:
• Parallel port
• Serial port
• Infrared port
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• S-Video out
• Microphone/Line in
• Headphone/Line out
• VGA display port
• Type II PC card slot

Battery:
• Lithium Ion, approx 4 hours

Weight & dimensions:
• 5.3 pounds
• H: 1.2", W: 12.4", D: 10.1"

Warranty:
• 3 years, parts & labor with CompleteCare Accidental Damage protection (battery 1 year)

 

[BarryHom]

If your school has a wireless LAN, you might want to go for the Centrino processor since the wireless LAN card is built right into the processor. Of course, I would say buy a Sony, but that's because I work for the company.

 

[WDWAurora]

Ok, I just searched for one and did research for nearly a year, so I'm just going to share my general opinions, not anything on those specific models.

In general, the centrino is nice, but they aren't as fast as say, a pentium 4. Speed is important, since some programs require a certain processing speed and no doubt those will continue to get higher in the future, so you want the highest processing speed possible. You can get a wireless card without getting a centrino, in fact, most laptops now have them built in.

According to everyone I asked, all laptops are heading to being widescreen, so if you can afford a widescreen go ahead and get it becaues that's what they'll be soon.

I got an HP because after looking and comparing I could get way more computer than the other 3 brands I consider to be equal in quality and service (Sony, Gateway, Dell). I am absolutely in love with the one I got and I got it in the most unlikely place: Sam's club! It was great because I didn't have to deal with any rebates and I still got a better price than anywhere else.

Like I said, these are only my opinions and that's all...I did my homework, and I got the absolute best computer (specs wise) on the market for less than I was actually willing to spend.

Hope that helps!

 

[katerkat]

I don't have much of an opinion, but I do have a Dell Inspiron. I like it - it's not bad, it gets the job done, but we save the big stuff for our PC. Bu, given your two choices, I will say we've had much better service from Dell than Gateway, though Dell has its call centers in India and you can barely understand them. They've had to take back our laptop twice (once for a motherboard problem and I don't remember the other one) and the laptop was back to us in three days. Gateway, um, has done a very bad job servicing our PC (and my sister's and my father's).