What's the difference: D620 vs 640M?

Can you please tell me the difference between a Latitude D620 and an Inspiron 640m? I can't see the differences. Thanks.

 

The Latitude is about one pound lighter. But you can't use the awesome Inspiron coupons on them.

 

Yup, it also has S-Video and TrueLife on the 1440x900 screen... Six cell battery should still get over 4.5 hours... Dell now claims the nine cell at 9 hours.

 

Dell 640 m is more geared towards entertainment with two speakers, weighs 5.3 lbs with 6 cell battery, function keys on the front lip, has S video output, and is made of plastic.

D620 is a mobile business computer with 1 speaker, 5 lbs with 6 cell battery, spill proof keyboard, and drop zone hard drive with the option for additional security using a smart card and fingerprint recognition. There is less bloatware and a standard 3 year warranty.

Both have the option of rapid recharge. Both have the options for WXGA+, 100 GB 7200 RPM HD and integrated video.

 

So, as a college student wanting to watch movies, listen to music, and surf the internet, but will be using my computer a heck of a lot and want it to last at least 4 years in college, would i be better off with the 1405/640m or the 620?

 

i just bought the d620 for law school. even though you'll be an undergraduate, the d620 is probably a better bet. it's a more solidly constructed, for one. trust me you'll be taking it places and you'll want it to be sturdy. that beer-proof keyboard is a MUST (trust me). lighter is better, too, if you plan on taking it to the library or (like me) to class everyday. you can watch a DVD on any laptop, but since the d620 has a crumy momo-speaker, i'd just suggest plugging it into some real speakers.

the 3 year warantee will cover 75% of your time @ a university - very important should anything go wrong.

i had an Latitude X1 for 4 years in college - couldn't be happier with its performace (and I was a computer science major). i think the core duo with 1 gig of ram and a 80 GB 7200 rpm hard disk should be sufficient for the lexus-nexus searching and word doc reading I'll be doing for the next 3 years

good luck at school!

 

I second the opinion upon the durability of a business laptop. It has subdued styling which I prefer over the plastic gray/white trim Inspiron notebooks. I just compared the size of the D620 to the 640m and the D620 is thinner, and narrower in the Anterior/posterior dimension. It is more solid in feel and construction.

Keep in mind the following caveats:
No Firewire port built in and no S video out port.

The workaround for the lack of Firewire access is a PCMCIA slot for Firewire. Prior to the built in wireless card era, I used the PCMCIA for a 14,400 baud modem/9600 baud Fax card.

 

the D620 also does not have the option of the glossy screen, though like people said it is more durable.

 

I was never a fan of the glossy screen. I had one with that screen and I did not care for it. It's just a matter of personal preference.