latitude or inspiron?

i'm starting college in september and i'm looking for a nice notebook to mostly do work such as computer programming and occasionally watch a dvd and rarely playing games, i've narrowed down my choices to the insprion 6400 and the latutide d820, i really like the d820 but my friends tell me i'm better off with the inspiron, what shall i do???

 

Well, if your main purpose of getting a laptop is for work then I would go for the Latitude. Otherwise, if you're going to be doing any medium to high multimedia tasks then go for the Inspiron.

Justin.

 

Are those the only two laptops you are considering? There may be better ones in your price range.

 

If you sure you want to go with a dell, then go with the latitude if you are not a gamer. The latitude is more durable, better built, better support, etc but comes at a higher price and the coupons are not valid with it. You might be able to get an EPP coupon, but you'll need to look on ebay for those.

The inspirons are more for the gamers and users who don't plan on taking their laptop out very often. They really are not meant to travel everyday, so if you are looking for a stationary laptop, then that might be a good choice. You'll get a lower price and be able to use the coupons.

Personally, i would go with the latitude no matter what. The inspirons are a tad bit on the ugly side (sorry had to say it) because of the white bumpers.

 

I think Latitudes are as good as IBMs laptops qualitywise. Alternatively, if you are travelling a lot with the laptop, i.e. bring it to your classrooms and home or dorm, I will suggest that M1210 or the D420, light, small and convenient and you will thank me for this advise.

 

I kinda liked the white bumpers at first with my 700m but the novelty wore off pretty quick. Hello m1210!

 

As long as you don't plan on gaming, you should definitely go with the Latitude. The reasons have already been stated. Chaz was right, you could probably find a better all-around notebook for your price range such as an Asus/Compal or the like, but you won't get standard onsite next day service like you will with the Latitude. You'd have to pay extra for a good warranty through the reseller.

 

Definitely no ASUS! Quality is much inferior than Dell Inspirons! Good looking the 1st month only, becomes nasty and falling apart thereafter.

 

Ah, yes, the insprion and the latutide!

 

Can you please clarify how the EPP coupons are not valid on latitudes.

We can still take advantage off the discounts that Dell offers on Latitudes. Or am I missing something

 

I think she is saying THEY ARE VALID but you may have to go on eBay and get one there or from someone else, as the Inspiron coupons that are issued weekly and advertised here would not be valid.

 

You don't need them on ebay. Just go to a university site that supports the EPP coupon and put in the university.

For example: http://www.dell.com/umass uses the EPP
All you need to do is put "University of Massachusetts, Amherst" on the University box when it asks you, and then your address. You can get a 12% additioanl discount with warrenty purchases, however, you should always compare EPP to Dell Home. Sometimes Dell Home has even BETTER coupons and sales.

 

Thanks DJ and Thatbigbadwolfy [ now thats a lot of specs. ]

DJ you have a 1405, your ideas on the screen and leakage issue that I hear so much bad stuff about. Note I am a business user with occassional casual pleasure needs.

 

The Latitude D620 starts at $1,576, 12% off $1,791 in the EPP section. The same machine starts at $899 after $250 discount off $1,149 in the Small Business section.

 

randomuser do you have a link to the 620 for $899
Thanks

 

Are you kidding about ASUS quality? They make great notebooks.

The Latitude is a great notebook, but for a student, the Inspiron 6400 would seem like a better value.

 

I would be inclined to recommend a Latitude for a student; they are better built, more durable and business-class. For multimedia however, the Inspiron is better.

 

latitudes are better built - so in college environment, they are better than the inspirons.

The EPP coupons that i was talking about gives you like 30% off on the latitude series, but they are hard to find. You have to search eBay for them and i'm not sure if dell even has any out right now.

As it was pointed out, you are going to see a major difference in the university section and the regular small business section. I would configure the laptop of your choice in both, and choose which ever is cheaper.

If you can find an EPP coupon, then you'll need to buy your laptop from www.dell.com/epp or the university section (it should work in both sections).

 

With out getting too far off topic. My needs probably fall more in line with yours. My light leakage isn't bad, and quiet honestly I don't even notice it anymore at all.

I did at first, but its because people talked it up so much. I assume others are more picky than me, but I've rarely seen an LCD that was perfect.

 

Thanks SouthernGirl,
That was really helpful. I am trying these various configs on latitudes. I have found coupons for Inspirons that give 30% off but none for Latitudes.

I'll keep trying though.
Anyone please let me know of a special deal on dell latitudes if you hear of it.

 

i love my D620. Great build quality. While it isnt great for gaming or multimedia, i can play BF2 at highest settings. I have watched DVDs and they look pretty good. I would STRONGLY suggest the D620. Also, their support is incredible.

Samuel

 

Thanks Samuel,
I am more or less convinced on the Latitude 620. I am working out best buy possible on this with specs close to yours other than the fact that I shall be going for 1 GB. Thanks.