buying a laptop, Dell Inspiron quality?

I'm in Sweden, have a very poor budget and need to buy cheap, but still want a quality brand with good warranty and support. Everyone here tells me Dell got so good support, and they got a drive right now on the new Inspiron 2200, and 1150. I want it to be silent, so 5160 is out of question. Now, I've read here some says Inspiron has poor quality? The alternative is a Latitude, the only cheap ones are Latitude 110L and 505. I have an old Latitude myself, CP, the first model from -98, and while it is falling apart, believe it or not it's still working. So I'm impressed. Though there's nothing to say Dell is still good 7 years later...

The alternatives I'm looking at is a small brand called Zepto Znote laptops, and cheap IBM (overpriced?). I don't need a gaming computer, but preferably *not* shared graphics, but know that costs... need 512 RAM. Need a laptop for work, and working with digital photos.

 

My opinion is that if you're on a budget but still want a notebook from a big name brand that will support their product, but are willing to accept that the "build" (or ruggedness) and quality is not on par with IBM (which it simply is not) then Dell is the way to go.

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I'd recommend the Inspiron 6000d with ATI graphics. You can probably fit a good configuration that includes what you need and maybe even more for about $1,000 if you find good deals/coupons.

 

So, there are cheap IBM's too, like the Thinkpad R50e model, though it's very stripped... would that be better then a Dell which got more? Inspiron or Latitude?

Also, I've seen a used IBM Thinkpad T40 for sale, warranty left till 2006-07. Is it very risky buying used? At the time (2003) it was a super laptop according to reviews...

Linda

 

no that's not the one, Zepto Znote only manufactures laptops if I understand it right. I think they got a site: www.zepto.com. Yep, go to that site, choose international.

Linda

 

I've heard Inspiron is of less quality then Latitude, anyone got an opinion on that?

Also, Inspiron 6000 is tempting, but here in Sweden it costs $1100 from the start, if I want 3 years warranty and something extra it jumps up to $1400. Too expensive for me.

So, is that IBM Thinkpad T40 a good deal or not?

Linda

 

Wow a fellow owner of the Latitude CP. lol I bought mine in 1997, a 233mhz Pentium MMX, 64MB ram, 4GB HD beast of a machine. It was my daily computer for a good portion of the last 7 years. Right now the screen hinge is a little creaky, CD-ROM tray a little loose, but computer still functions perfectly running win2k pro. [ ]

I've had Thinkpads crap out on me for less punishment that I've dished to the CP (got mine as I entered college). My personal experience with the laptop tells me that it is every bit as durable as the de facto standards that is the IBM Thinkpads. I have heard thou that the older Inspirons are not as well built.

Currently I'm using an Inspiron 9300, everything seems to be pretty sturdy. I use it moderate to heavily on a daily basis, so I guess only time will tell. So far no complaints, 2years down the road? Who knows, probably not would be my guess.

cheers,

yass

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by avalancher

 

WOw, a fellow CP:er, lol! I got the exact same model, but with 3 GB harddrive.

Well, 9300 is too expensive. But I'm considering the new 2200. Problem is I can't find any reviews whatsoever, the salesman tried to convince me to go with it, but probably only cause it's a new product he wants to sell.

 

No point for me checking out that site, since they don't sell in Sweden. I'll take a look though someday-

www.zepto.com

Just worked for me, 4 flags are shown, pick the Europe one : )

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by avalancher