Laptop dilema: Help me decide between Dell or Lenovo

ok.. so I've narrowed down my choices to either a Dell M4400 or Lenovo W500.

Here's my main concern:
The prices for a Dell unit seems to be ridiculously more expensive than a Lenovo W500 with similar specs. My first preference was to get a unit with an Intel Core 2 Quad processor, which only the Dell M4400 provides for a 15" unit, but I'm left wondering if I'm being ripped off by Dell. A Dell M4400 Quad Core unit comes to around $2,591

I'd appreciate some advice on which unit to get (prefer a 15" unit), what specs I can do without, if there are any other Brands I should look into, deals/coupons I should be aware of etc. Also, is there a significant difference in speed between a unit utilizing an Intel Core 2 Duo 3.6GHZ and a unit that has an Intel Core 2 Quad 2.5GHZ?

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Here are the specs and pricing for Lenovo W500, (see below for a similar spec Dell M4400 unit)

Total cost after 15% ecoupon/discounts: $1,597.15

Intel Core2 Duo processor T9900 (3.06GHz 1066MHz 6MBL2)
15.4" WUXGA TFT
ATI Mobility FireGL V5700 (512MB VRAM) with Intel AMT
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
250 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)5
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Intel WiFi Link 5300 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology10
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
6 cell Li-Ion Battery60
1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller7

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Here are the specs and price for the Dell M4400.

Total cost with discounts (I couldn't find any coupons): $2,362

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo X9100 (3.06GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
15.4” UltraSharp™ WXGA+ (1440x900) LED Display
3 Year Basic Limited Warranty and 3 Year NBD On-Site Service
NVIDIA Quadro FX 770M, 512MB
4.0GB, DDR2-800 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS
160GB Hard Drive, 7200RPM with Free Fall Sensor
8X DVD+/-RW w/Roxio and Cyberlink Power DVD™
6 Cell Battery
Intel® WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/g/n Draft Mini Card
Dell Wireless® 370 Bluetooth Module
Internal English Backlit Keyboard
No Fingerprint Reader
Integrated webcam with microphone
130W 3P, A/C Adapter




Thanks

 

1. In that comparison I would go Lenovo.
2. What is the warranty on the Lenovo? Is it comparable to the Dell? There is some value associated with the warranty.
3. What graphics processor do you need for your apps? Here you have Quadra vs. FireGl. Depending on your apps you might prefer one vs. the other. If you don't need special graphics processor then you could save money by going for the Dell E6500 (which is what I bought for Autocad and Revit).
4. Dual core vs. quad core- again this depends on your apps. Some apps will make use of multiple cores, in which case the quad core processor will typically be faster even if it starts at a slower clock speed. But other apps don't make use of multiple cores very well so a dual core would be fine. And if battery life is important to you then a dual core will be a better choice. I run Autocad and I've tested it on dual core machines and quad core machines. It is definitely faster on a dual core machine. With other apps it is the other way around.
5. Are M4400's available in the Dell Outlet? You can frequently save money through the outlet for an E6500.

 

For a fair comparison, you need to do the following:

-Upgrade the Lenovo to a 3-year onsite warranty
-Upgrade the Dell to Intel 5300 wireless (or downgrade the W500 to Intel 5100)
-Equalize the hard disk drive size between the two models (seeing as the W500 has a much larger one)
-Upgrade the Dell to a WUXGA screen (1900x1200)

These systems are not the same in features, so it's hard to make a good price comparison. Also note that you can save some money by buying either unit with a single 2GB memory module and then picking up an aftermarket 2GB module to get to 4GB.

My inclination is towards the Lenovo (you could save more by dropping it to WSXGA+ 1680x1050 resolution, which would probably be more eye-friendly as well) mainly because I'm still leery of nVidia mobile graphics, but both notebooks are decent. I would strongly suggest getting onsite service with the Lenovo notebook though; I find that with both Dell and Lenovo, onsite service means you get more control over the process.

P.S. I find that Techbargains.net usually has pretty up-to-date Dell coupons.

 

I believe Dell offers a 3 Year Basic Limited Warranty and 3 Year NBD On-Site Service, while Lenovo is a 1 Year Depot Warranty. I don't know much about graphics processor but I'm getting this laptop for school and work tasks like intensive CAD, Rendering, Animation, Graphics work using Max, Autocad, Rhino, Maya, Adobe softwares. Do you think the Intel Core 2 Duo unit will be sufficient? I've been frustrated long enough with current laptop's speed and want to make sure this laptop will fulfill all those needs for a few years.

hahah Lonewolf, thnx for the comments. My main point for the comparison was to ask why is Dell's price considerably higher. If I made changes to the Dell M4400 laptop based on your comments, its price would go up much higher than it already is. Lenovo offers a larger 250GB hard-disk for no extra charge. Increasing the Dell's harddisk would increase its cost another $100+, and more if I upgraded it to a WUXGA screen (1900x1200) and to Intel 5300 wireless. Adding a 3yr onsite warranty to Lenovo does increase its final price to: $1,698.30 still a bargain compared to the Dell.

thanks for the link to Techbargains.net... will have to check it out.

 

I also am in a similar situation. I decided to go back to school, basically because i want to learn some new skills in regards to game development. The Los Angeles Film School recently put in a Game Production program, and I enrolled. Part of the program requires that you get a laptop, they give you one (though add the cost onto your tuition) if you do not get your own. In this program we will be doing everything from scripting to programming, 2d and 3d asset creation, game modification and testing... ect

Heres the problem. The program director was going to go with an Alienware m17, but since then has switched over to the Dell M4400 for software compatibility reasons. The total cost the school will charge if you go with their recommendation is $3,400. It includes a software package as well. I cant help but think this is still over priced for the Dell M4400 and I also question if it is really that wise of a choice.

In this program we will be required to run the games we are modifying and making. We need a mobile workstation (or laptop that can handle games&work) in which work can be done outside of the school lab.

Its tough because very few laptops offer both. The M4400 from what I read has horrible GPU issues, sound issues, and many just end up selling it after getting it. I also do not trust Nvidia this time around since they are merely charging more for a software modified version of their geforce 9600. Its not even that great of a GPU as far as I am concerned.

The price for the entire M4400 also does not seem worth it, its hard to justify getting the notebook. So I am on the fence regarding that model.

The M6400 is bigger, better designed, and can come with an ATI FirePro... but if you want to go that rout you will have to pay much much more. Also, I already have a Sager NP5720C and I learned the hard way that bigger is not very fun for mobile work.

I have no idea what to do at this point? I am open to some recommendations or just feed back regarding the issue. There are so very few notebooks that fit the criteria. They are either too big, or have too many issues or will break within a matter of months.

 

i hear ya... i do have a 17 Dell inspiron and cant be bothered to get another unit this big. Its pretty heavy to lug around, and takes up so much space in my bag with its power outlet and mouse, leaving little room for books etc. I thought of the M6400 but realized I'll be travelling around quite a bit and don't see a real need for such a large screen. Do you know if the Dell unit recommended by your instructors is a Quad core or Core 2 Duo? atm the only reason I'm considering the Dell is it offers the Quad Core on a 15"... I'd like to hear from someone who does heavy 3D and animation on what specs will be suitable. I'd hate to get a Core 2 Duo unit and realize its not cutting it for my tasks.

 

accesskb, just buy mine!

 

have you called dell? the prices on the site are just list prices. for example i called up my sales rep and he gave me a US$722 discount, and 2 free premium laser mice.

 

The W500 is a very fine machine - and as you found, much better price per features than the equivalent Dell. One thing the W500 has above and beyond the M4400 is ability in vista to switch between integrated and dedicated gpu, according to need. I love not having to use the power-hungry and heat-producing dedicated gpu when I don't need it - saves fan noise a lot. This is assisted by a very good thermal design. For the price, I suggest you replace the 5400rpm HDD with a 7200rpm (very quiet and much better), bluetooth, and webcam.

 

also the X9100 is a darn expensive processor because its an extreme edition part.. the T9900 is cheaper. try asking dell to swap the X9100 for a T9900.