Dell D500 for $1047 vs. Inspiron 5100 for $1067

Alright, now Im getting somewhere in my quest...
(and some questions below)

If you go to the Small Business section of the website, and click on Latitude, you will find the D500 real cheap. (Or just follow the link)

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&kc=6W300&l=en&oc=D500SAPP&s=bsd

I played around with the Latitude D600 at the school bookstore and its a nicely made piece. With its smaller size and lighter weight compared to the 5100, I think I'll be more motivated to take it with me everywhere; like a large PDA. Plus with its smaller form factor, it may in a sense be sturdier; if that makes sense. (The "Specs." link below says D500 has internal magnesium alloy frame....I dont know if thats true for the 5100). D500 is also not so cheasy looking like the 5100; Handsome. But, I digress.

For $1047, here is what you can get:

Pentium 'M' 1.3MHz
14" XGA (no SXGA option listed)
XP Home
256MB
40G 5400rpm HD (adds $49 over base config)
6 cell battery
CD-RW/DVD rom
~5.5lbs (1.25" x 12.5" x 10.2")
Specs: http://www.dell.com/downloads/us/products/latit/d500_spec.pdf


1) Can someone clarify: is Pentium 'M' the same thing as 'Centrino'?

2) How would the 1.3GHz Pentium M processor compare to the desktop
2.8GHz P4 in the 5100?


Since W2K is listed as OS option on D500, I feel safe it will run it, (unlike the stories Ive read about the Inspiron 1100). I have W2K at home so I'll just reload that onto the D500 instead of paying extra for the XP Pro. (This saves $60 on the D500; compared to the $79 extra I included in the price of the 5100 for the XP Pro.)

3) Does XP Pro have any advantages over W2K for Centrino/'M' laptops?

4) Any comments on the battery life of this model?

One downside on D500 compared to 5100 is that graphics are shared with the systems memory(!)

5) Would upgrading the RAM ameliorate this problem?
(512MB card from Crucial for $100 = 640MB total)

Thanks for any help with my questions, and advice on the configuration I should go with!

Neil

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For comparision purposes, Dell Inspiron 5100 is $1067 if configured like this:

2.8 GHz P4
XP Home (hearing doesnt run W2K; so I included the $79 XP Pro option)
384MB (266MHz)
30G 4200rpm HD
Hefty 9600WHr battery gives long battery life (3.5hrs)
CD-RW/DVD rom
32MB ATi Radeon 7500 Video (nonshared)
~8.1 lbs (1.75" x dont have other dimensions, but are larger)

 

The Latitude is a fairly solid notebook, with pretty good reviews. As for your questions...

1.Pentium M is the processor used in Centrino notebooks. Centrino is a label created by Intel which includes a Pentium M processor, an intel motherboard, and intel brand wireless mini pci card using the 'b' standard

2. A Pentium M 1.3 would probably be roughly equivalent to a 2.1, 2.2 ghz pentium 4. But that can be misleading, because the Pentium M can run more efficiently and actually have some better performance. A Pentium 4 will probably handle heavy graphical intensive programs than a Pentium M, but of course have much lower battery life

3) I'm not quite sure about this, however I think the most updated service pack for Win2k helps mobile performance. I need to do more research on this

4)battery life for D600 should be quite excellent. You will probably look at about 4 hours maybe 5.

5)shared memory is okay....unless you are playing games, then it sucks. adding more RAM really won't help process heavy 3D type programs which tend to rely more on graphics cards then anything else...but adding more RAM will speed up your computer overall

However, adding more RAM can really make a Pentium M fly.

Hope that helps!

 

Thanks Nesbo!

Few more Questions (please excuse my ignorance; Im trying here):

1) Which OS would you choose? I couldnt find anything about SP4 having mobility enhancements. I already have W2K at home.

2) Already have MS Office 2000 Professional; will it work on XP Home/Pro?

3) Which File system goes with which OS, or is it just preference? (FAT32, NTFS): Which would you recommend and why?

4) Will I get good DVD movie performance with the D500's 855GM chipsets shared graphics schema? (How about if I allocate the max of 64MB and add a 512MB RAM card? ) Bear in mind its a 14" XGA TFT (1024 x 768 x 16.7M colors).

Thanks!
Neil

 

oops, that should have said I have "W2K Professional" and "MS Office 2000".

Neil

 

1) Personally, I would go with Windows XP. Mainly because that OS is supported by pretty much everything. Honestly, you could get the home edition and be just fine. Pro is more expensive and is really geared more towards businesses.

2)I used to run Office 2000 on Windows XP until I upgraded. I never had any problems using Office 2000.

3)I would go with NTFS with Windows XP or even 2000.

4)DVD performance should be just fine.

 

Thanks Nesbo!

It looks like the one major problem with the D500/600 is that they really poorly designed it so that the HD (which is under the left handrest) has virtually no airflow, thus using the underside of the plastic handrest as the heatsink, and secondarily/effectively, YOUR LEFT HAND ...(ouch)

The problem seems to depend on what HD model and brand you end up with, though user reports are inconsistant. The Dell Official response is essitntially BS, "there is no problem"; yet everyone, well, MANY people, have been complaining ever since this series was introduced last spring.

http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_Latitude_D600/4852-3121_7-20906166.html?tag=dir

The problem cannot be fixed without a major redesign of the internals(read: majorly stupid design flaw).

Go ahead, look at the pictures of the internals if you want:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=latit_harddrive&message.id=6745&view=by_date_ascending&page=1



Nevertheless, Im still tempted to get this D500, if I can figure out which HD and brand runs coolest and find a way to spec it as such in my order. Its the cheapest Centrino Im aware of that you can get. Battery life is shorter than some other more expensive Centrino equipped pc's, but this is smaller and lighter and cheaper than a ~comparably equipped Inspiron 5100. They have a 30day refund, I think?

The first time I played with a D600 at school a few weeks ago before I got so far into my laptop search, I happened to touch a part of it and remember that Damn!, that thing is HoT! However, other times I have visited it, it is normal temperature. Other than this painful heating issue, the D500 looks really good for its price. Not being able to use your keyboard could be a drag though...

Neil

 

Hi Neil and Nesbo,

I've been reading your posts closely today, as I'm also looking into buying a Dell, either a Latitude D500/D600 or Inspiron 600m. However, since I've only recently started my search, and I'm not really a tech person, I'd like some help on what you think the difference in the Inspiron and Latitude is?

Are the graphics on the Inspiron supposed to be better?

I've also read about the heat problem with the D600's. How is the case any different on the Inspiron 600m? I think the weight and appeareance of the D600 and 600m is the same, but the D500 is slightly larger? (i.e 1.25'' rather than 1.2'' thick??) Have you seen both models to tell the difference? Can this ameliorate the heat problem that the D600 has?? Right now, I'm trying to figure out if it's worth paying 300-400 extra for the D600, if you can get as good a system for less. However, I've realized that the D500 has less configuration options, such as you can't go beyond a 1.3 GHz processor speed. But, with the D600 you're stuck with getting a 3-year warranty, and can't opt for the 1-year like with the other models.

Getting a lightweight system, that is not going to make a lot of fan noise is very important for me. I'm currently using the Inspiron 1100, and let me tell you I hate the fan noise it makes, and the overall bulkiness of the system. You can't carry it around anywhere easily. Luckily, it's owned by the office i work for, and now time has come for me to get my own laptop.

In any case, I've seen the Inspiron 600m up close, and didn't notice any heat problems (although it was a 30GB HD). I'm just wary about getting the Latitude since I haven't seen it. But, given the fact that it's a longer lasting system with greater networking capabilities (i plan on switching between home, office, random library wireless connections) I feel that's it's a better option.

Also, what exactly is this bluetooth technology? The infrared port is sufficient for connecting the mobile phone to the computer right? What added benefits does the bluetooth have?

And what does the NTF File System do exactly? The Inspiron systems don't have it, and I'd like to know what it is.

I guess I've been asking a lot of random things, but specifically any insights into differences between Inspiron/Lattitude and D500 vs. D600 would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

by the way, here are the specs for the system i'm intereted in:

1.3Ghz Pentium M or 1.4 Ghz if I get 600m/D600
40 GB 5400 RPM HD
512 MB RAM DDR SDRam 2 Dimms (what's the difference between 2 Dimms and 1 Dimms exactly, I think 1 Dimms is supposed to be more expensive)
CDRW/DVD combo drive
XP Professional/Home (haven't decided, don't know if I need Pro)
1 year warranty (how important is it to get a 3 year warrantly, why do you think D600 doesn't have the 1 year option??)

oh, and the Lattitude doesn't seem to come with the media software that the Inspiron comes with becuase it's a corporate laptop, is this true?? does anyone know what is missing exactly, or where I can look?

 

oops, I forgot to mention screen: 14.1 XGA (what's the difference between the XGA and SXGA+?? Apparently, the D600/D500's are having problems with the SXGA screens, so it's not worth dealing with that feature)

I hope someone takes the time to read through all this

Thanks again.

 

Hi Seafoam,

I'd like some help on what you think the difference in the Inspiron and Latitude is?

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Im a newby (ok, "Notebook enthusiast" now after 10posts here). Well the Inspiron is basically bigger and runs off of desktop P4 processors. The Latitiudes are Pentium M mobile processors; fast and energy efficient.

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Are the graphics on the Inspiron supposed to be better?

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I imagine so since they have dedicated video cards, instead of sharing the video processsing with the systems RAM.

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I've also read about the heat problem with the D600's. How is the case any different on the Inspiron 600m?

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I read it is exactly the same case...


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I think the weight and appeareance of the D600 and 600m is the same, but the D500 is slightly larger? (i.e 1.25'' rather than 1.2'' thick??) Have you seen both models to tell the difference?

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No, school only has D400 and D600, and D800 on display.

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Can this ameliorate the heat problem that the D600 has??

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Can what? The case is the same I read.

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Right now, I'm trying to figure out if it's worth paying 300-400 extra for the D600, if you can get as good a system for less. However, I've realized that the D500 has less configuration options, such as you can't go beyond a 1.3 GHz processor speed.

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True, but the price is great if your price conscious.

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But, with the D600 you're stuck with getting a 3-year warranty, and can't opt for the 1-year like with the other models.

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I wonder why that is? I dont know. Thats weird; is that what helps jack up the price?

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Getting a lightweight system, that is not going to make a lot of fan noise is very important for me. I'm currently using the Inspiron 1100, and let me tell you I hate the fan noise it makes, and the overall bulkiness of the system. You can't carry it around anywhere easily. Luckily, it's owned by the office i work for, and now time has come for me to get my own laptop.

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Thats what Im worried about too; the bulk. The 2.8GHz P4 sounds fastt.. and the battery life is acceptable (3-3.5hrs with the 9600batt), but the bulk..

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In any case, I've seen the Inspiron 600m up close, and didn't notice any heat problems (although it was a 30GB HD). I'm just wary about getting the Latitude since I haven't seen it. But, given the fact that it's a longer lasting system with greater networking capabilities (i plan on switching between home, office, random library wireless connections) I feel that's it's a better option.

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Sorry, never seen a 600m, though in the tiny pix they look very similar...was wondeirng that too....try a search under both models as the criteria on google

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Also, what exactly is this bluetooth technology? The infrared port is sufficient for connecting the mobile phone to the computer right? What added benefits does the bluetooth have?

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yea thats right, basically to wirelessly connect with your pc in a 'mini area network'....30ft or something. None that Im aware besides that.

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And what does the NTF File System do exactly? The Inspiron systems don't have it, and I'd like to know what it is.

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its the way your HD getts partitioned from the factory. OR you can do it I guess if you know how. Dont know too much more, search web

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I guess I've been asking a lot of random things, but specifically any insights into differences between Inspiron/Lattitude and D500 vs. D600 would be appreciated.

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I think the 600 just has more processor options and 15" screen option, and maybe differnet connections on back. Inspiron, well you know the difference between that and Latititude, dont you?

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oh, and the Lattitude doesn't seem to come with the media software that the Inspiron comes with becuase it's a corporate laptop, is this true?? does anyone know what is missing exactly, or where I can look?

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I dont know.


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oops, I forgot to mention screen: 14.1 XGA (what's the difference between the XGA and SXGA+??

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higher res

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Apparently, the D600/D500's are having problems with the SXGA screens, so it's not worth dealing with that feature)

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I thought it was the UXGA to avoid? Or is that on Inspiron 8600? I think its for inspirons....havent heard that their were probs with the SXGA on Latitudes. I would get SXGA if theres no probs. 500 only xga option anyway though..

good luck,
Neil