What to buy...

Hi I'm looking to get my first laptop for my Birthday and I want to know what I should get, I want a DELL.(since I'm posting here, duh) I want something that isn't too big, but has decent preformance. At the higher end of what is considered average today but not necesarily top notch. I would mainly use it for fairly standard stuff(word processing, web browsing, music and video entertainment etc...) The laptop that seems to be the right compromise is the XPS M140, What have been the experiences of owners of this machine? I want to make sure I'm making the right choice. All feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

you should post a faq in the "what to buy" forum, youll get much faster feedback, but i think the xps m140 is O.K., im not a big dell buyer though.

 

i'll try that thanks

 

where can I post my replies, the thread is locked.

 

What thread is locked? I don't see that you started a thread other than this one???

 

The questionare thread, oh well I can post my answers here I guess. I also want to know about the screen on the M140. There have been several threads saying that the M140 has a bad screen, the whites look grainy or something. How bad is it? is it something that I would notice or would I have to have owned multiple laptops to be able to make the distinction. Also, is it true that if you get the glossy finish that it will make all of the fonts really tiny, I don't have the best eyesight so somewhat small font will get tiring to read after a while. I would like to get the glossy finish but if it is really bad then I'll just get the Matte screen.

 

It has a Sparkly screen. I don't mind it to much, but than again its the GF that has to use it Basically it has a sand like look to it hard to describe.
as for Truelife vs Matte and smaller... its the same resolution, readiblity at any rate on a 14" WS with WXGA is fine, I wish in fact that they had a higher res option.

 

So there isn't that much of a difference in font size? Now that you mention it I have seen that sort of "sandy" look on a laptop screen before, how bad is it on the M140

 

Well, I just got an email from Dell about a new model coming soon E1505...
copied from:
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/pro...aspx/entnb_e1505?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

Looks like the same features as the E1705 with a 15 " screen instead 17"... if things don't work out with the replacement unit for my new E1705, I'll certainly consider it

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Built for Entertainment
With an optional dual-core processor, up to 2GB of shared1 memory, optional Dual-channel 2 memory, a 15.4-inch widescreen display, optional TV Tuner3 and stereo sound, plus up to 100GB4 of storage capacity, you can get more out of entertainment. More power, more storage and more speed add up to an intense audio/visual experience. Watch DVDs and videos, listen to your favorite songs, organize and edit digital photos, and more - the Inspiron E1505 has enough power to make it the perfect PC for those who want a great balance of price and performance.

 

The small version is great for people who need travel lot with there laptops

 

If you're not playing game and you want to travel around alot. Given the things you mentioned doing with the laptop. The M140 is probably a good match within the Dell Inspiron line up. I think its worth mention the Dell D610 to look at on Dell's buisness webbie.

 

^^ Not a bad suggestion, except the guy seems to want to use it for media oriented stuff, and the D610 is pretty lacking in that arena no True Life, no Wide Screen, fairly expensive upgrade to DVD Multi. I like the latitude build quality and feel alot more than the XPS M140 though (we use some precision's and D510s at work)