Dell X1 or D810

Hi,

I am trying to ducide between a Dell X1 and D810. I would like to hear from anyone who has either for some advice.

The issue I have are as follows. I unsure about the processor on the X1 as it is only 1.1ghz compare to the D810's 1.86ghz. What do people think?

The other issue I have is with the weight/size of the D810. It is 2.94kg's in weight and I have read on different sites that people find this too heavy.

I would really appreciate any views on this as I am very confused. I know I will have to make a tradoff but wonder which one. The price of either is similar, around $2141.

An outside runner is the D610.

Any help please?

 

the x1 and the 810 are two completely different notebooks suited for two completely different purposes. the fact that are deciding between the two leads me to believe that you haven't yet worked out what your actual computing needs are.

i think you would best be served by filling out the "What Should I Buy?" sticky/FAQ at the top of the Hardware thread.

going through the questions there will help you focus your search and you will get some good answers pointing you to hardware that will actually be suited to your needs.

 

General Usage

What will you be using the notebook mainly for? Will you be using it to play games? Will you be using it for word processing / general productivity? etc. - General Productivity/Web Devlopment

Are you looking more at a very small notebook, a standard notebook, or a large desktop replacement? - standard notebook

Will you be carrying the notebook around a lot or be keeping it stationary most of the time? - I will be carrying it around a bit but not alot

How important is battery life to you? - Not extremely important

How long do you intend on using this laptop? - 2+ years

Features

Do you need lots of hard drive space? - No 30GB

Will you be burning DVD's or just CD's? - VBurning both DVD's and CD's

Do you tend to work with a lot of applications at once? - Dont intend to but would like to be able to

Graphics & Display

How big would you like your screen to be? Do you care if it's widescreen or not? - dont mind whether widescreen or not, screen size isnt a major issue

Are you willing to pay more for premium screens enhanced by XBRITE, Crystal View, or Bright View? (Go to the bottom of this post for an explanation) - Maybe, depend if the rest of the laptops specs suit

(If applicable) Will you be playing casual games or the latest games?

(If applicable) Will you be doing work in a 3D modeling program like 3D Studio Max or Maya?

Miscellaneous

Do you care if your notebook looks good or not? - not too bothered

Are there particular brands you prefer or won't buy from? - Prefer to buy from Dell or Sony

How much are you willing to pay for this notebook? - Max €1800

Are there particular models you have already looked at? - Dell & Sony

 

How about something like the Dell D610, inbetween the X1 and D810.

 

I sympahtise with your buying dilemma.

If you want something small but not necessarily ultra-portable, the Sony S-series may suit you better - it's a quality machine with a good spec, 13.3" screen and @1.95kg is great to carry about occasionally. I had a Sony S-series (S2XP) for a few months and it fell right between my needs - too heavy for regular travel, yet not quite powerful enough to be a desktop replacement.

I have an X1 and an Inspiron 9300 - I travel a lot & I take the X1 everywhere. It's definitely powerful enough for everything except playing more recent games - in "everyday" use I set it to the minimum performance level (600Mhz) even plugged in, and I only need to crank it up for the odd game & video encoding.

 

I'd look at some ThinkPad T series, Fujitsu S or Asus if they are offered where you are at. They will offer you better build quality than Sony or Dell. If you are doing a lot of typing, Thinkpads have the best keyboards.

 

The question was "I am trying to decide between a Dell X1 and D810...An outside runner is the D610". In answer to that question, maybe the D610 might be worth a consideration: full-featured (with the same great keyboard of the D810) but significantly easier to carry around.

 

The OP said they would prefer to buy from Dell or Sony not that they must. I was only pointing out there are other options. The fact they are deciding between two completely different notebooks makes me believe they are open to suggestions. If you'll notice I did point out the D610 a few posts up.

 

Oops! Missed reference in 2nd post re Sony. Sorry. Fair enough. Thinkpad also is great option, along with D610. Whether the keyboard of the IBM is better or not that the Latitude line is pretty much personal preference. I like both. The new Latitude keyboards are rock solid and very nice to use; and build is good. Warranty is also very important - they all break. Whether the IBM is as affordable, with equal features, is another matter.

 

No harm no foul. I have found no better keyboards than ThinkPads. Lattitudes aren't that much cheaper than ThinkPads.

 

people who say the d81o to heavy need to work out more, thats absurd, its not too heavy but out of all your choices I would say dont go with any of them, if youre that much of a newbie and not in a corporate environmen t, I would go with the inspiron 6000D which is similar to the d810 with more updated features for multimedia and a whole lot cheaper because its made for the home user. The 6000D could be had with all the bells and whistles for several hundred less than either the d810 or x1.

 

sony quality i wouldnt call better, IBM is now lenovo a chinese company making the lappies , all the models you mention here cost significantly more and not necessarily better quality build.a

 

I have to agree here, IBM thinkpads have the very best keyboards on a notebook that money can buy. I wish others like Dell would stand up and take notice wiht their keyboards. Some dell keyboards are good, others not soo good, give different companies supply the keyboards for the notebooks so it all depends on which company ended up supplying yours. I have a chinese keyboard on my 9300 and like it very much, made an exchange to get it. IBM did a great job, the keyword here is DID, the lappies are now made by lenovo so one must hold their breath but anyhow, on the outside, the IBM's are the very best lappies money can buy, on the inside? this can be a different story as they dont carry the latest and greatest technology on the motherboards and graphics but then again, you have to remember these laptops were like the latitude line, designed for the business/corporate world where change is slow and durability is more important. As others have stressed in this post, it is VERY important that you assess what you will be doing with a laptop and then find a model to match those needs, in your case, I dont think you quite know what those needs are and I caution you against making any hasty decisions and certainly dont shop for a laptop based on cosmetics, its not a car afterall, just a tool.
Do what I did, browse notebookforums.com and read, I mean read read read read read, then formulate opinions but did I mention you have to read??? Dont forget that part and you will make a good purchase. As mentioned earlier, I would look at the Dell Inspiron line, the 6000D.

 

"Too heavy" of course depends on how much you are carrying the thing around. Whatever your typical walking-with-computer screnario, lighter is always preferable than heavier. The D610 is significantly lighter than the D810 and i6000. The Latitudes are not just corporate machines. Pound for pound they are superior in most ways to the Inspiron line. Generally the technical support for them is superior too. Compared to the D810 the i6000 has the advantage of price.

 

The laptop you buy today was still designed by IBM.

 

Thanks very much for all yer help.

I am also now considering the Sony Vaio VGN-FS315S - http://vaio.sony-europe.com/PageVie...VGNFS315S.CEK&site=ite_en_GB&page=ProductHome

I am wondering if this is a better option for me. Anyone have experience of this or have advice for me?