dv2500t vs latitude

i have narrowed down my decision ( i think) to the dv2500t or the latitude d630. both laptops are aprox equal in price and specs. which one do i get?

 

Latitude. The D630 is a business notebook, with less bloat, better build quality, and better tech support.

 

I sent back a dv2500t and have used the Latitudes briefly. The dv2500 is a toy, cool and shiny but not completely functional or practical; the Latitude is a work machine. For me it's Latitude without a doubt.

Chris

 

does the vostro compare to the latitude at all? i had a d600 for 4 years and had very few problems with it. i guess i was looking for something a little more "fancy" but maybe i shouldnt be...

 

No, the Vostro is an Inspiron painted black.

My advice? Make a statement with who you are and with your work, not with the color of your computer.

Chris

 

If you need something that's durable, the D630 is a better notebook. The HP does have a nice glossy screen if you prefer that sort of thing.

 

The D630 will be better in every respect except for the multimedia features on the dv2500t. IMO the only reason to pick the dv2500t over the D630 is the extra multimedia features like glossy screen (if you like that), built-in webcam, media card reader, S-Video, HDMI port. And you can get some of this stuff with the D630 through the dock or using an external webcam if that works for you. If not, then the Lenovo Thinkpad T61 has a built-in webcam and media card reader option... no glossy though.

I think the Vostro 1400 probably isn't bad, but it's no Latitude. Only get it to save cash vs. Latitude or to get a glossy screen, webcam, etc. It'll probably compare nicely to the dv2500t, but if you don't need the multimedia features or the cost savings, then go for the D630. I forgot to mention the D630 comes with a 3-year warranty standard... which is hard to complain about.

 

I dont think the D630s command the price they do. The keyboard is cheapy feeling. The form factor of the laptop is nice, compared to the old D600 series (which everyone seems to have). The only difference is the latitude doesn't have a glossy finish like the Inspiron. The 2500t is simply a slicker package. Get one of those and do a clean install and you'll have just as nice (if not nicer) laptop that the latitude.....which you pay out the nose for the name.

 

and lets not forget that currently Dell is having many issues with parts availability, delivery dates and quality (noisy headphone jack, screen issues)..if you have the time to wait, I think Dell is at least a month if not longer...Our company has been waiting for 5 weeks for my new Dell D630 and its looking like mid Sept...

I also think that ultimately these things have a shelf life of 3 years or so, will the HP last that long, yes, so will the Dell...the HP does give you a bit more bang for the buck in terms of features..but is not a business machine..its a toss up in terms of cost, features and perceived durability.

And you are able to built each to approx the same spec for the same price?..I need to do that as I am also looking at the 2500 for a home machine but thought the Dell was much higher..

 

"but is not a business machine"

I've never understood that statement. Of the "business" machines I've seen I find them to be -lacking- in features. If spartan = business machine then I'll pass. Let's also keep in mind that a lot of people take their work home and don't want to be saddled with a boring "business machine" that lacks things like HDMI out.

 

True that some business machines start with a higher price point and fewer features, but there's a reason in that (1) businesses may not need all that power, (2) support is much better, (3) quality is much better.

Many others actually a good buys against the consumer laptops.

But if you're looking to the newest features, HP business lines are really good. They often have better GPU options than the Latitudes, are priced surprisingly low for what they offer, and the newest ones do have HDMI.

 

Inteller: You are right, I think too many people excuse a lack of features by saying "its a business machine". For me, I want the remote, the HDMI, the lightscribe, the quick launch, those things that make it easy and fun to use...

 

that "toy" runs cad 08 faster than any machine iver ever used, which gets me paid, i take the dv2500 to work everyday i use it to draw, but i also use the features such as media buttons to control itunes while i listen to music, which is nice because i dont have to minimize autocad to change songs, i also use the fingerprint reader to get onto the server so i dont have to enter the server password every time i come to work. so you may call it a toy which all laptops really are, but its one hell of a fast laptop.

 

Just my two cents based on the D620's that the Army is using - in two words - crappy LCD's (Is LCD a word?? ). Understand the D630 may be using different/better screens - but the D620's are dim as heck. I really, really like my dv2000 and am not too far from letting my wife have it for travel and getting a dv2500t.

 

The Army should be using Toughbooks anyways.

 

D620's meet some (not all) of US Army requirements for field laptops, so I don't think the US Army is using them on the field. If they are, they are under tents or indoors (locked down no doubt ).

 

Even though they probably have 98% of the same components and can run the same OS...the dv2500 is a toy (not completely functional or practical)????

The latitude has a more business like docking station/port replicator....that is the only real difference.

 

After thinking about it for a while, i think im going to go with the HP. Im going to be using the pc as a "toy" as in not for business except for email so why not get the new shiny sleeker model?

i have been a long time advocate for dells, especially since their support was so good on my d600 but with all the issues i had when ordering my m1330 have totally swayed me in the opposite direction and im pretty fed up with dell and their phone support.

How is HP warranty support, the same?

 

Two words: glossy screen.

Chris