Dell XPS M140 vs 700m

Hi,
can any experts out there suggest something and help clear my dilemma.

I'm looking for a cost effective but small & light notebook. I zeroed on 700m. Today I went to a dell direct store to have a feel of the machine. On its side was sittng a cool XPS M140. Apart from size it looked good. After several weeks of research, I think 700m fits well. However I noticed something about it which I'm curious about. On 700m, the text had a sort of shadow and it looked a bit blurred while XPS & other notebooks have very sharp texts. This was a down side and I'm not sure if it was a problem with 700m or some kind of setting. I'm really disappointed. And compared the two.. price wise what I'm looking for XPS costs about $150 more for the same config and along comes a little weight and bigger size. SO any experts on which one ???
700m config was:
-2.0 gig Pentium M (can make it 1.7 gig and get a universal docking station without afffecting the price)
-60 gid HDD
-1 gid RAM 1 Dim
-2200 b/g/ wireless
-3 yr waranty
-24x CD-DVD combo
-PCMCIA sound card (costs 100 bucks extra)
-all the crap software

Costs about $1260 with tax & shipping after coupon discounts


XPS M140
- 1.7 gig
-60 gig HDD
-1 gig RAM 2 DIM
- 2200 b/g/ wireless + bluetooth
- 2 yr waranty
- cd - DVD combo
- all crap software
(this one has a different graphics card .. and I donno if its better or same as 700m)

costs about $1400 ...

so the Qs is which one ????
I'm looking for something light and cost effective but packs performance ... I would do lot of word processing net, and some engineering applications... I'm no gamer... so no worries .. would like to watch a lot of movies and would listen to musics etc ...
so can any experts would share their views.... the coupon codes would expire wednesday and so I would appreciate a quick comment... I can provide more info if needed... I was almost in for 700m but the shadowy text has held me back ...

also I hope that700m would be alive for the next two yrs I don't want something which would be useless in the next couple of months ...
Thanks in advance !!
Cheers !!!
Jazz

 

If you are going to spend that kind of money, I would look at the ThinkPad T43 as it will offer much better quality than the Dell. They also have the best laptop keyboards for all that typing. The keyboard on the 700m is notvery good in my opinion. The Asus Z63a, ThinkPad x32 and Fujitsu s2110 would also be on my list. Good Luck.

 

I second every single model Zazonz selected! The XPS M140 is expensive for what you get. If you must have a 14" widescreen, the Z63a, MSI 1022, and Chembook 2030 is a better choice

 

Hi, both the 700m and XPS M140 are quite nice laptops despite what others may say.

The 700m has a very sharp screen, and should provide much better clearity and resolution than the XPS M140.

The 700m with the standard battery provides 2 hours. The XPS M140 provides 3 1/2. If you need a larger keyboard get the XPS M140.

Both the intel integrated graphics cards are horrible for a gammer, but could handel some light games no problem.

Both of the prices that you have listed seem very high for both laptops, I could help you save at least a couple of hundred off each one.

1st step use the $500 off $1499 coupon (5KTG5F4TX8339P) or the $750 off $1999 (CC2$$MRTCWJ5FD )

2nd step play get a $100 off $1499+ stackable coupon from playing the Dell holliday game.

3rd step get a fatwallet.com account to save 3% (rebate)

4th step pay using a dell preferred card 2% off.

For the 700m you can get the same configuration exactly like you had and these upgrades:

8 cell battery instead of 4 cell. 80 GB HD instead of 60GB. DVD+/- CD-RW, instead of DVD CD-RW. This is over $200 of upgrades and is the same price including tax and shipping.

If you like the XPS M140 I sudgest check out the 630m via dell small business, its the exact same thing with out the XPS logo, and windows media center edition 2005. And the XPS comes with better service and some freebies like a DJ Ditty 512 and some cases and polishing cloths not to mention a nicer box. But big deal.

 

The screen on the 700m is the best part. I think you can argue for Dell on price, but the build quality won't be as good as the others mentioned. If you would really like a Dell, I'd lean towards something like the Latitiude D610.

 

I take every opportunity I can to discourage people from buying pocket-sized computers. Tiny keyboards, extra cost, lesser components. As far as size goes, you don't hurt yourself in terms of "mobility" (the importance of which is far eclipsed by myth) by bumiping up to a 14" - especially if you already carry a backpack.

Best,
Howie

 

Thanks everybody for all the useful information. Here is some more info.
On the savings - it does include a DVD writer ... and in $1300 I do get everything from 700m ...


I didn't try other laptops simply for the same configuration they are way to expensive ... e.g. IBM T43 would cost about $2000 ... I know that I can save by EPP ... but I don't know any body ... any helping hands ??? I would love to have Z60t or T43 ... but ...


On fujitsu again they would cost about $1800 for the same configuration ... with 700m I was able to take off about $750 + 12% off the system price with EPP ...


so thatz my story ... I think I may go for 700m because its cheaper ... but I'm worried about the screen and was wondering if the shadowy text is a problem with THE machine or a machine ???? any comments on that ...
Thanks for all your help ... its been great, I'm a newbie here never expected so many quick responses so fast ... I appreciate it !!!

 

There are other ways to get those laptops cheaper than you mentioned.

 

Thanks man...
but how can I get those laptops cheaper ... ideally I would like to go for a thinkpad z60t ...
let me know if you have any suggestions...

also with 700m actually I need stuff which leads to a price of $1900 after that I add up something like a better processor or a dociking station to get the price to $2000 sothat I can take off $950 off the system price by all the things I mentioned ... I wanted something like taking off about 900 on my 1900 and I don't have to buy the extra stuff ...
any comments ... and any other clever ways ... dell sales reps can't take off any more than I can

 

The 700m is a brilliant screen you have nothing to worry about. Earlier you mentioned "wondering if the shadowy text is a problem with THE machine" The screan is very clear and crisp, one of the nicest screens I have ever layed eyes on.

 

Ebay is one good way.

 

The 700m's screen is very nice, no doubt. The standard battery is terrible, so I went for the extended. Gives me around 4 hours with wifi enabled. Granted, the build quality is not as good as on other laptops. It doesn't feel like a cheap piece of plastic, though. Your best bet would be to go and check it out.

 

"...the text had a sort of shadow and it looked a bit blurred..."

This is probably because of "ClearType" setting? Try turn it off and see if it helps.