Some Input Please

Based on my sub $1000 price point and needs no gaming, good battery life, portability. I have not owned a Dell and build my own desktops from parts. I do own a laptop Sager 5660, which came with no OS or software so (no Bloatware). I know all retail type comps HP, Dell, Gateway, load down their system with software adware, etc.
I have narrowed my search to these 2 laptops:
I guess my ? is the build quality between the 640m & the Z62

1) Inspiron 640m
Inspiron 640m Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5200 (1.60GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533 MHz FSB)
Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows® XP Home
LCD Panel 14.1 inch WXGA+ UltraSharp™ TFT Display with TrueLife™
Memory 2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 DIMM
Video Card Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Hard Drive 80GB Sata Hard Drive
Network Card and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Combo or DVD+RW Drive 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Sound Options Integrated Audio
Wireless Networking Cards Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 Internal Wireless
Battery 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

TOTAL:$948.00

2) Asus Z62Fm:
CD2 T5500 1.66
1 G ram
No HD (have a new 7200 rpm PATA)
Win XP
Intel wifi card
Combo drive dvd/cdrw
from here... http://www.geared2play.com/store/products/laptops/asus/z62f/z62fm.htm
Total $964

 

To be honest, both of them have similiar build quality, not the best but its what you pay for. The Dell, which is the e1405, is more well equipped for its price, I would recommend that actually, as on paper, its much more worth its cost. However, for the ASUS it has a much better support service in G2P(BTOTech).


I've never been a fan of ASUS's lower end models, so I'm kinda biased on that.

 

I'd rather have support for a year through Eddie then support for three years through Dell. Lots of horror stories with friends and Dell consumer grade support, both desktop and laptop.

Other then that the systems are pretty well matched. The Dell has more RAM, a DVDRW instead of a combo drive. The Asus has a slightly faster CPU and you get to use the hard drive that you already have. You already have a desktop which probably has a DVDRW, and it's easy to add more RAM at a later time...

As far as build quality goes I would still expect the Asus to be a bit better then the Dell...

 

I'd take the E1405 over the Z62. However, I would not recommend going for the T5200 CPU, If you can spend a few more dollars try and get the T5500, the FSB is 667mhz vs 533. I really think the build quality is very similar. I have compared the A8 series to the E1405 and they are about the same. 2GB's of RAM for the E1405 at that price point is just awesome!