Help me pick my Dell - choice out of four...

Ok, here it is, my long winded (maybe) post. Trying to decide on what Dell laptop to get. And please don't post about how this and that other model is so much better. I am getting Dell. If you would like to tell me why/what it was that made you decide on one of the following models, I would greatly appreciate it.

My current thoughts, I want a durable and well built laptop. Would prefer 14" screen but 15" if that what it takes. Want a good webcam as will be doing a bunch of video conferencing via MSN. Need to have good video, screen, all that. Price always an issue, but not the deciding factor. Not picky about colors and such. I just want a well built unit, good conferencing and a overall well rounded unit.

Considerations and thoughts:

Studio 15 - Cool little unit, nice styling. Decent webcam. Has that cool back lit keyboard, a nine cell battery will lift it a little to help cooling and overall seems to be a decently rated unit. My one negative, this bloody system has NO XP support. For me that is somewhat important as I have a bunch of little programs that may not run in Vista, but maybe Virtual PC an option?

E6400 - 14" display. Again, nice looking unit with the back lit keyboard. I like that it has the trackpoint unit, like them Thinkpads that I used so long ago. Good overall reviews, seems to have a good build quality and had XP support. Negatives... .3 MP webcam. Not sure how much worse this be then a 2MP unit in MSN. Also, the main knock on this unit is bad speakers, but that alone I can easily live with.

Inspiron 14 - 14" display. Has the better webcam, decent user reviews and ratings, again, the nice 9 cell battery. Althought cannot get with XP, Dell has released XP drivers for the unit. Stylish. Knocks on this one though are the questionable built quality when compared to my other 4 models, particularly against the E6400.

Inspiron 15 - Much the same as from the Inspiron 14, but, bit bigger display and again questionable build compared to the E6400 for sure, and maybe the Studio.

Well everyone, thanks for reading and I appreciate any comments.

 

I'd take the E6400 and get a USB Webcam. Problem solved .

 

Haha... knew someone would say that. I currently have that for my HP 530 which sadly has no webcam. Bit of a pain any time I need it to run around. Only reason I considering the E6400 is it DOES have a webcam, at least .3. THought maybe if that hands down the choice, can use internal and external when I want good quality...

 

Other item I noticed about all of them except the E6400, using older technology, Santa Rosa. Not always a bad thing, but the newer tech does come with a premimum. Is it worth it?

 

Well, that's up to you. The newer technology will be going down in price in the next few months.

Here's a few questions about going with the new technology - do you need it? Is it worth the premium if you do? Can you hold off a few months on it?

Also, you can check the outlet for new computers. There will be Santa Rosa latitudes in the outlet - new and at a lower price than on dell's website.

 

Nope, do not necessarily "need" the new tech, just if I getting something to last a few years, that be nice. And yes, I am holding off a bit to see if prices do come down, not likely much here in Canada, and if by some miracle we see a nice deal from Dell, note my comment about Canada earlier.
Of course the old adage with computers, anything you buy today is pretty much outdated tomorrow...

The Outlet store, have seen the one for US. Do you know if there is one for Canada?