Inspiron 6000 or z60m?

I'm having trouble deciding which way to go here. I can certainly get more specs for the money by going dell, but I'm leery of quality/durability concerns. My previous notebook was an HP and I have no experience with either brand.

Because of a student discount, I can get the z60m I need (P-m 740, 1GB, 60GB, Combo drive, Wireless) for about $1000 before tax

I can get a similar-spec 6000 for about $900.

I don't travel much, it will be just used around the house with the occasional trip somewhere in town to study/work.

Is the extra $100 for the thinkpad worth it?

 

Yes if you enjoy things with higher build quality.

 

Yes.

I personally paid a good $500 more for a Thinkpad than for a similarly configured POS. (I'm not knocking any particular brands, I'm just saying . . .)

If the difference was $1000, then I would would probably need to reconsider.

 

IBMs memory is way over priced. You can bring that price down by adding some aftermarket memory yourself. After having many problems with my Dell I have now ordered an IBM. If you plan to keep the notebook for a while then the $100 now is a small investment IMO. To me IBMs superior costumer support is worth $100 alone. Once you add in features like the trackpoint, great keyboard and studier build the IBM starts looking like a much better value.

 

Exactly right on this part.

When I configured my Z60m online, base memory included memory was 256 (this was the top of the line model, but starts at no options). Jump to 512 was 13 bucks, and the jump to 1 gig with 1 chip was 180 bucks. Online price for DDR2 Pc-4200 is around 59 bucks for 1 gig right now, so I stuck with the 512 upgrade, and after I am happy with the laptop for a week or 2 I will be ordering the ram online.

 

It's gotten worse. much worse. going to 512 is $72. going to 1GB is $312!

I'm going to order it with 256MB and get 1GB from newegg for about $75.



Thanks guys.

 

HECK YEAH... If $100 bux more you get a better spec (stock) with the IBM than with the 6000... Doesn't the Dell 6000 come stock with a X300???? IBM X600.... THE QUALITY WITH THESE THINGS ARE FREAKEN AMAZING. I TOOK IT TO WORK SPILLED COFFE GOT AMAZING SUPPORT FIXED IT, DOG STEP ON IT AND NOTHING WENT WRONG... I LOVE IBM...!! SO worth it. ALSO LINUX IS very much not a pain!

BUY IBM but their memory is overpriced... It's like 30 bux more I just bought 256 then bought from one of my suppliers 2 gb for 149 !

 

You'll be happy with the Z60m purchase, I was a big fan of this notebook, certainly more so than the Dell 6000 which is just so stock and boring and has none of the mature security software, great features, superb build and awesome keyboard/trackpoint that the Z60m comes with.

 

After you've had the ThinkPad a while you'll wonder why you thought otherwise. Over time its value will be apperant.

 

Well, I was going off a discounted price range, so I am guessing the normal ones are quite higher.

 

I can't believe you even asked.