New Laptop

[rabbit]

Well, I need a laptop for school, and so I'm getting one.  As some of you may know, I get software free, but companies don't like that.

I can get a Dell XPS (customized below) for $2231 or an IMB ThinkPad Z61m (customized below-er) for $2071.  These prices are also before I get Windows removed from the price, so the Z61m will be <$2000 and the XPS might be around $2000.  Right now I'm debating which to get.  My parents favor the Z61m, partly for its smaller price tag, but mostly because I just customized the XPS and haven't shown it to them yet.


XPS:
Date                      8/13/2006 2:21:16 PM Central Standard Time
Catalog Number                23 Retail 2236
Catalog Number / Description                               Product Code    SKU          Id

XPS M1210:
Intel® Core™ Duo proc T2300E (1.66GHz/667MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache)       BAE16HK          [222-3142]       1

Operating System (Office software not included):
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005                   WMCE          [etc...]       11
AV Communication Package:

None                                                 12XGAL          [320-4788]       2

Memory:
2GB Dual Shared Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)             2G2D6          [311-5989]       3

Hard Drive:
120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive                               120GB          [341-3560]       8

CD ROM/DVD ROM:
8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability8XDVDRW          [etc...]       16

Video Card:
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7400 TurboCache™                      NVT256          [320-4790]       6

Sound Options:
Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™ HD Software Edition             SBAHD          [313-4235]       17

Network Card:
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem                      INTNIC          [430-0493]       13

Adobe Software:
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0                                  ADOBER          [430-1048]       15

Future Operating Systems:
Windows Vista™ Capable                                     VISTAC          [465-4663]       118

Primary Battery:
53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery                      6BAT          [312-0432]       27

Wireless Networking Cards:
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 Internal Wireless,
   Netgear 802.11g wireless router                            3945RO          [etc...]       19

Office Software (not included in Windows XP):
No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor only       ICOREL          [412-0803]       22

Hardware Warranty:
4Yr LtdWarr, At-Home,CompleteCare,
   30Day DOC,PC Training, 2Yr AntivirusSuite                   ATG4GLS          [etc...]       29

Dell Recycling:
Free Recycling Kit                                        RECYCL          [310-5408]

Z61m
Description   Part no   Unit price*   Quantity   Price*
ThinkPad Z61m 9452E8U
   Processor:      Intel Core Duo processor T2500 (2GHz, 2MB L2, 667MHz FSB) (Standard)
   Operating system:   Genuine Windows XP Professional (Standard)
   Display type:      15.4 inch WSXGA+ (1680x1050) TFT (Standard)
   Memory:         512MB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM (Standard)
   Graphics:         128MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 HyperMemory (Standard)
   Ports:         3 USB 2.0 (back),
               IEEE 1394,
               3-1 digital media reader (SD/MMC/MS),
               S-Video out,
               External Display,
               External Microphone/Line-In,
               Headphone / Line out(Standard)   
   Hard drive:      80GB, 5400rpm Serial ATA (Standard)
   Optical device:   8x Max DVD Recordable EIDE Ultrabay Enhanced Drive (Standard)
   Integrated data/fax modem:
               56K V.92 Designed Modem (Standard)
   Integrated Ethernet:
               Integrated Gigabit Ethernet (Standard)
   Integrated WiFi wireless LAN:
               Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (Standard)
   Keyboard:         ThinkPad Fullsize (Standard)
   Pointing device:   ThinkPad UltraNav (Standard)
   Battery:         6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (Standard)
   Security:         Client Security Solution and Integrated fingerprint reader (Standard)
 
Accessories and options:
   Memory:         512MB PC2-5300 CL5 NP DDR2 SDRAM SODIMM
   Storage and removable storage:
               ThinkPad 100 GB 5400 rpm Serial Hard Drive
   Protection services:
               3-Year ThinkPad Protection

[Joe]

My mom just got a Dell Inspiron, and I wouldn't recommend their computers because of the software they pack on them, but if you're not getting an OEM operating system, that's no problem. However, I still recommend IBM because they have a legacy of being like Toyota, lasting forever and working great while they do it.

[Sidoh]

x86] link=topic=7022.msg86981#msg86981 date=1155498788]
My mom just got a Dell Inspiron, and I wouldn't recommend their computers because of the software they pack on them, but if you're not getting an OEM operating system, that's no problem. However, I still recommend IBM because they have a legacy of being like Toyota, lasting forever and working great while they do it.

IBM sucks.  They may create innovative technology, but it's arbitrariliy innovative.  They defy standards which would actually make their products better if they'd maintain them.  They try to create new, stupid standards which never catch on.  I've used some old IBM thinkpads.  They may still work, but so do some of the Dell laptops that I've used of equal age.

[MyndFyre]

The guy I work for does IBM.  *shrug*

rabbit..... WHEN AM I GETTING MY NEW COMPUTER??

[Sidoh]

x86] link=topic=7022.msg86993#msg86993 date=1155501489]
The guy I work for does IBM.  *shrug*

rabbit..... WHEN AM I GETTING MY NEW COMPUTER??

I shouldn't have said "IBM sucks," haha.  I realize that some of their products are top-of-the line (most corporations have at least one IBM server with a $100,000 price tag or so), but I don't think laptops are really their thing.

[deadly7]

How exactly do you plan to keep these laptops cool?

[rabbit]

x86] link=topic=7022.msg86993#msg86993 date=1155501489]
The guy I work for does IBM.  *shrug*

rabbit..... WHEN AM I GETTING MY NEW COMPUTER??

None of the computers are newer than 7 years, so nothing I give you will be anywhere near "new", the biggest drive is 4gb, btw.

Anyway, they will be cooled by magic.  Lots of magic.  And fans.

[nslay]

Don't forget the student discount :)
I know for sure IBM gives a discount for students.

EDIT:
To note, IBM Laptops are extremely well suited to other operating systems besides Windows.  I run a IBM Thinkpad T43 with FreeBSD 6.1...everything except for the winmodem works.  Even the thumbprint reader works...and I use it for everything from su to xdm.  Of course, it is a thrill when things work for non-Windows users :)

[nslay]

How exactly do you plan to keep these laptops cool?

IBM laptop's ACPI settings are extremely conservative.  I have an older Thinkpad T40 running 24/7 as a misc server/jukebox back home.

[deadly7]

IBM laptop's ACPI settings are extremely conservative.  I have an older Thinkpad T40 running 24/7 as a misc server/jukebox back home.

Newer technology heats up much more than older technology.

[nslay]

IBM laptop's ACPI settings are extremely conservative.  I have an older Thinkpad T40 running 24/7 as a misc server/jukebox back home.

Newer technology heats up much more than older technology.

And?  ACPI is the subsystem that controls the fans, power and so forth.  I've yet to have a thinkpad overheat on me.
This new T43 that I have, I literally use all day for work, even computationally heavy work.

[deadly7]

And?  ACPI is the subsystem that controls the fans, power and so forth.

Ah, cool.  I didn't know that.

[nslay]

And?  ACPI is the subsystem that controls the fans, power and so forth.

Ah, cool.  I didn't know that.

Yeah, you don't hear about ACPI in Windows much. I doubt the DeLL computer would overheat either ... although I've heard Skywing has had problems with his older P4 laptop.

[rabbit]

Don't forget the student discount :)
I know for sure IBM gives a discount for students.

EDIT:
To note, IBM Laptops are extremely well suited to other operating systems besides Windows.  I run a IBM Thinkpad T43 with FreeBSD 6.1...everything except for the winmodem works.  Even the thumbprint reader works...and I use it for everything from su to xdm.  Of course, it is a thrill when things work for non-Windows users :)

Well, it's already marked down $700 because I'm buying it for Drexel.  Anyway, I have to use Windows or Mac, and I'm just a lot more comfortable with Windows.

[Newby]

It's your choice, really. I'd go with the IBM, personally. I have not had a problem with Dell though (I am using an Inspiron 8100 w/ FreeBSD 6.0 and it works 100% fine, the only problem is suspend but I don't suspend so it's not a problem. :)) so in reality there's no difference.

If you have to use Windows, that sucks. Why do you have to use Windows?