Almost ready to purchase E6500

OK, I think I found "it" at the Outlet. It has more than is needed for sure (4GB RAM, Bluetooth, 9 cell batt, Nvidia GPU), but when I compare it to a Inspirion (purchease new though, with Standard warranty), it seems silly not to grab this one. What do you guys think?

Inspiron:

Module Description Show Details
Inspiron 1525 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T6600 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
System Color Jet Black
Memory 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 (2 Dimms)
LCD Panel Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
Video Card Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Hard Drive Size: 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Network Integrated 10/100 Network Card
Modem Integrated Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0
Combo or DVD+RW Drive CD / DVD Writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
Sound Card High Definition Audio 2.0
Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-Card with Linksys WRT160N Wireless Router
Camera Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) Microsoft Works
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 30-Days
Battery Options 6 cell battery
Warranty & Service 1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty and Mail In Service
Datasafe Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
Dial-Up Internet Access Earthlink Internet Access
Dell Recycling Recycling Kit and Plant a Tree for Me
Entertainment and Editing Software WildTangent Games
Processor Branding Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor
Labels Windows Vista™ Premium
Dell Remote Access Dell Remote Access, free basic service

TOTAL: $851.00

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E6500 from Outlet:

M412C
125V Power Cord
G077C
Back-lit Keyboard
G500D
Fingerprint Reader Internal
MP704
9 Cell Battery, Primary
HW426
90W AC Adapter
J158F
NO Intel vPro Secure Advanced Hardware Enabled Systems Management
MT803
Latitude E6500 Laptop: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.40GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
K174C
4 GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz (2 DIMMs)
R190F
160 GB Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive (7200RPM)
R221F
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
R004F
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 160M
T465G
Intel WiFi Link 5300 802.11a/g/n Draft Mini Card
15.4 inch WXGA+ LED Laptop Screen
WY479
Genuine Windows XP Pro with Vista Business License
H367D
Regatta Blue
T947C
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module
R982C
Integrated Webcam with digital microphone

Lat E6500: 3Yr ProSupport for End Users and NBD On-site Service

Quantity: 1

Item Number Item Description
493412
Lat E6500: 3Yr ProSupport for End Users and NBD On-site Service


Subtotal: $1,177.00
Shipping & Handling: $0.00
Tax: $117.76

Total Price w/Discounts: $1,294.76

One question is how heavier/clunkier is the 9 cell battery than the 6 cell?

 

If you have the budget for it, the Latitude is WAY better, especially on the warranty you get, graphics, and screen. It is also better built and managed heat better.

The 9 cell battery sticks out from the back, while the 6 cell doesn't. Not sure on the weight though.

 

She can handle the extra $$. I posted the new Inspiron for a comparison on how close the two are in price (I don't think I'd get an Inspiron from the Outlet). Even though the Latitude is waaaay overkill for her in terms of specs, the main thing is to get something that will last, isn't frustrating to use, and has a good warranty and phone support. I don't think we would get that from a more budget-oriented $700 laptop.

You're happy with yours even though it looks like you've had a few hassles?

 

The Latitude should last longer than the Inspiron, and it is also easier to upgrade. As for frustration, each person is different so I wouldn't know. The main difference between those two laptops for me is the warranty: on-site service is great, if you have even if just a scratch, call them, stay one afternoon or one day working from home and it's fixed. That's three hours or so that you can't use the laptop. Mail-in = two weeks without a laptop, assuming the problem is easy to fix.

I think that's a great way to describe how I feel. The computer is now working perfectly, even though I had to tweak it here and there. If "she" (the person who's going to use the laptop) is willing to spend one afternoon or two doing the things mentioned elsewhere in these forums (I can provide a link if and when she needs it), I'm pretty sure she'll be very happy.

If she can't do it or is not willing to do it, she can always call support. Which will definitely be of better quality for the Latitude than the Inspiron.