Vostro 1320 durability vs E5400 ?

The Vostro 1320 looks almost ideal for what I need (a pc easy to move around but can still serve as desktop replacement for most tasks). The matte screen is a big plus, as is the integrated optical drive. The price is also quite reasonable.

I however question his long term durability. I'd like to keep this laptop for around 4 years. Is the 5400 more susceptible to last that long ? It's a bit bigger but I'm ok with that, as long as there is a real quality difference. It's still smaller than my current 15".

In Belgium where I will be buying the computer, a 1320 with 3years warranty is 750€ vs 1000€ for a similar e5400 with 5years warranty.

 

The Latitude and Precision models should last better, because they're built using higher quality materials (magnesium alloy and the likes). The Vostro, in contrast, is more of a budget model, so they need to reduce the price somewhere.

That's not to say the Vostro is bad, just that the more expensive models will likely be better built. However, the longevity of any laptop depends on how you take care of it.

Happy shopping

 

Frankly speaking, if you had noticed, the development of laptop been going into a fast rate that almost every single month you may get to see new models coming out from different manufacturers. Laptops are going the way mobile phones had went through, hence, i wouldn't expect a newly purchase gear might last more than 18months...

However it will be a blessing if you get more than 3yrs of operation from your gear.

To play safe, i would suggest that you opt for 3yrs hardware warranty on your purchase, be it the Vostro or Latitude.
Also note that the battery that comes with it is only backed with one year warranty or 300 charge cycle limitation. So it is suggestible if you can get some kind of back up.

Back to the 2 models you mentioned, IMO, Vostro1320 is much portable than Latitude5400 in terms of weight and size. Looking at the thickness, i would say that Latitude might not have heat built up issues compares to Vostro slim and lean appearance.
On built quality, Latitude have a slight winning edge, unless you have opt for the E6400.

 

Sorry, I was away for the week-end. Thank you for the comments.

To address a few points:
- I'm pretty careful with my gear. I dragged around a Compaq Presario 1205 for 8 years (was still working as a linux box when it was stolen) and a Aopen 1557 for 5.
- Laptops come indeed out quickly and I know that quality control has gone the way of the dodo. However, Dell still has 5 year warranty... does it come with many strings attached (beside the obvious battery limited warranty) ?

 

no-but the 5 year warranty is ridiculously expensive, sometimes up to 1/3 the cost of the laptop. not worth it IMO.

if you want something that lasts, go for a latitude.

 

While generally speaking that is true, the Latitude E5000 series is an exception. Dell calls them "essential", which basically means not as good (compared to the mainstream models). I don't think it has as much magnesium alloy as the E6000 series. I would probably put it on par with the Vostro, maybe slightly higher.

As a little side note, the E5000 series comes standard with a 1-yr warranty, which is a departure from the standard business system warranty of three years, so there ya go.

 

The e5400 is made of aluminum and polycarbonate according to the website. No magnesium in sight. Just the same as the vostro...

Indeed. On dell.be, both vostro and the e5000 have the same standard 1year warranty (mail-in). The vostro go up to 3year nbd warranty for 120€, the e5000 up to 5year for 250€ (or 3year for 150€).

I can get a slightly better 1320 (especially better hard drives) for a 100€ less than a e5400 (with 3year warranties) so I think I will go this way.

 

Yup, I would say go with the Vostro.