Dell Inspiron 5150 or Dell Inspiron 8600?

Hi,

I must say I have fallen in love with these 2 notebooks since my friend recommended it to me several months ago.
I am impressed with the notebooks technology, too!
However, I will have to choose one of them.

I like the Dell Inspiron 5150 for its processor speed and the fact that it supports Hyper Threading Technology.
I am not an avid gamer so I can make do with its graphics performance. Even though the Inspiron 5150 has its speed advantages, the power management feature will limit the processor speed to maintain system cooling or power requirements.

However, I also like the Dell Inspiron 8600, for the ability to go truly wireless. But I learnt that the 8600 have a Centrino processor that can go as high as only 1.7Ghz. [I don't know if I can accept that or not [ ] ]


I mainly browse websites, write and receive emails, do programming, rip CDs, and watch DVDs/CDs, and maybe some gaming, too. [8D]

Can anyone here advice me on which notebook is worth my money?

Thank you!

Regards,
Zjellen

 

Remember that you must multiply a M Centrino processor by 1.6, to compare it with a P4-M.

So a 1.7Mhz Centrino = 2.72Mhz P4-M

 

A 1.6x multiplication factor is a little too generous for Centrino.

Being a Centrino owner who has run quite a few synthetic benchmarks and real-world software apps, I'd say ~1.4x is more accurate.

However, nothing beats the Centrino for battery life and usability. Looking at your usage patterns, Zjellen, I'd say that getting an overpowered system would be a waste. Hyperthreading would be useless or negligible for most of the apps you plan to use with it, the sole exception being maybe if you were to compile a lot of code with a SMT-capable compiler. Also, if you were to get a notebook for (3D) gaming, then getting a fast processor while skimping on the graphics processor is not advisable.

That said, for your case, I'd recommend a laptop that's reasonably light and with a good keyboard. This rules out most ultraportables, and my biggest gripe against the 8600 is its gargantuan weight - 7.2 lbs is too much, and defeats the purpose of getting a Centrino in the first place.

Now I may be a bit biased, being a Thinkpad owner, but I am certainly objective when I say that the keyboard on the Thinkpads are the best I have ever used on a laptop. They are the only laptop keyboards I have ever been able to touch-type on (I've had a Dell8000, Toshiba Satellite 3000, a Sharp Actius, and now a Thinkpad R50). If you do a lot of programming or emailing, the keyboard is the most important interface to the computer, and not something to overlook. It's a pity IBM refuse to put Windows keys on their machines. Anyway, you might want to consider the R40, R50, T40 or T41 as a no-nosense solution (you can read my evaluation of the R50 in the IBM section of this forum). They're certainly not geared towards gaming - the top-end graphics card on the R50 is an 128MB ATI Mobility FIREGL T2, with a 32 MB Radeon9000 being the next step down (no 9200 or 9600 as yet). But if you want a laptop for productivity, this is the one to get. Maybe I'm just anti-Dell, but I think that people should consider a range of models that suits them rather than confine themselves to a single manufacturer. Look at your options,and find one that suits you best.

Lastly, I'd say go for wireless. 802.11b (Centrino) is adequate for most tasks, but if you want more speed, you could go for 802.11g (these don't get called "Centrino"s since they don't use the anemic Intel Pro|Wireless card). I have an 802.11b card in my laptop, and am happy using it for web (sharing a 512kbps ADSL line with over a router with my desktop) and even for streaming divx and xvid videos over WLAN from my desktop/Fiwi External HDD).

Cheers,
V.

 

Hey, I just have to chime in on what Voldenuit says here about the IBM Thinkpads. I have an Inspiron 8200 and ThinkPad T23 at the moment and the T23 is just so much easier to be productive with when I'm coding, surfing the web or anything else classed as 'productivity'. Its form is just perfect for fast typing. But yes the graphics are sub-par. The Inspiron 8000 series is know for its beautiful screens, and I really miss that in the IBM. If you're set on a Dell though, I'd go with the 8600 and don't worry about that 1.7Ghz mark because processor speed is just so irrelevant today and it's not a numbers game anymore with processor cycles but rather how the machine performs as a whole and the class of processor.

 

I prefer the PM processor over the P4 for two main reasons, battery life and heat. I've found nothing that even the slowest PM's can't handle.

B

 

If i want a gaming rig but also need it for major college cramming is the dell 5150 the best deal or is there a rig i overlooked?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by littlemike

 

Voldenuit what is the price of this system i hve looked and can't find it.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by littlemike

 

Ok i need to know 2 things 1: what is up with this new centrino what does it do. also 2500 is my budget not 3500.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by littlemike

 

A lot of people feel confident with Dell. I'm typing this reply on an Inspiron 8200 at the moment. If you can affort it, a decked out 8600 with a high res screen is a no lose proposition if you don't mind the weight. Opt for the a/b/g card and the upgraded video card and you should be in great shape.

Editor in Chief bargainPDA.com
http://www.bargainPDA.com

 

Ok ty for explaining that but what systems have all the goodies of the dell for the same price and battery life? But with an athlon 64bit.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by littlemike

 

I have the Dell 5150 and actually at full speed I don't really have any problems with heat. And I usually get 4 to 4 1/2 hours on a battery charge, which in my opinion is longer then some Centrino notebooks out there.

The Hyperthreading Technology is excellent for gaming from what I have read.

Be warned though that the 5150 is about 8 lbs, so if you aren't going to do frequent travelling, I would recommend the 5150.

Personally, for what you are planning to do with the computer, you can save a lot more money getting the 5150.

 

Also,

The 5150 does not have an IR port, which is a big negative for such a fast laptop

 

Hi all!

I am facing the in dilemma here between 5150 and 8600. I generally use my the notebook for games and watching movies (formatted for 4:3 regular display ratio).

So, beautiful display is of utmost importance in my choice(besides the budget!![:I]).

1. DELL promises Ultrasharp LCD feature for all 8600 machines. For 5150, only the UXGA comes with Ultrasharp feature. Does the 5150 UXGA Ultrasharp produces significant improvement over its SXGA? Im not too interested in the resolution, as much as the brightness & contrast.

2. How does the Ultrasharp feature in 5150 UXGA compare to that of 8600's WSXGA?

3. The 8600 package Im looking at is:
WSXGA, 64MB nVidia GeForce 5200
Does this system has the capability to strecth the screen display for normal movies (not widescreen) and to maintain aspect ratio?


Really appreciate if anybody cud help!![ ] thanks!


*--kv--*

 

With the higher power, the 5150 should generate quite more heat, how about the fans of these notebooks? Are they noisy?

I have tried to find it on Dell homepage, but it seems like the 8600 is using some kind of heatpipes, does this mean that it has no fans and is quiet? The 5150 seems to have a fan (i guess it must have), is it noisy?

Thanks,

 

They all have fans, some are louder than others, I don't find the Dell fans to be any louder than anything else I've seen though.

Your concern over the PM1.7 chip is unfounded. You haven't listed anything it can't handle, in fact, aside from very intense graphics programs, I'd say there's not much that chip can't keep up with. Both machines offer wireless, so I'm confused about your statement regarding being truly wireless. MAybe you can provide more insight on that concept.

I prefer the 8600, but get a warranty that is at least as long as you hope to keep the machine. Dell's had some production issues lately, so you'll want to be protected.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Couple of things,
I own a 5150. There apparently is an issues with UXGA screen's for the 5150 which Dell has not yet fixed. When using the battery, the screen tends to flicker sometimes, on AC, it works fine. The SXGA screen does not have this problem. Also this problem does not occur on the 8600.

In my opinion, if I could go back in time, I would have gotten the SXGA screen...not because of the flicker, but the high resolution of the UXGA can be hard on the eyes. But this is just a personal preference. Dell rates their UXGA contrast ratio for the 5150 at 400 units, while the SXGA 250 units...so technically the UXGA will be a bit brighter

The 8600 will have a resolution of 1900 x 1200 with contrast level of 300 units for the UXGA. The 5150 has 1600 x 1200 for its UXGA and contrast of 400 units

As for fan noise...it does kick in when I am at 3.06 ghz, but not at 1.6 ghz. It's not super loud, but it is noticeable and does keep the system fairly cool for a fast processor.

 

I would definitely second the warrantee extension and the SXGA's screen resolution...I have had too many problems with my Dell notebooks to NOT get an extended warantee. Also, as a wearer of contact lenses, I've noticed that the SXGA screen on the 8600 makes my eyes strain, hence they're a little dried out/more irritable. If you have any contacts or similar vision issues, go for the 250 contrast ratio.

 

Hey guy's. You people that are questioning the 8600's performance, I own a Dell Inspiron 8600, 1.6Ghz Pentium-M, 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon 8600, 256MB DDR SDRAM. I get INCREDABLE performance. I had gotten a 5150 but had to send it back because of heat issues and the fact that after I gamed with it for a while, it would get hot enough to burn my legs!. I sent it back under Dell's 21 day satisfaction guarantee and ordered the Dell Inspiron 8600 (Which im typing from right now) and its AWESOME!!, true... it may not be as powerful as the 3.06Ghz P4M that I had in my 5150, but its close. I can play ANY game with this laptop and it runs flawlessly. It is quiet, has GREAT battery (4HRS average) and is very fast. Most people think that just because the P4M's have clockspeeds up to 3.6Ghz and have Hyperthreading, that they are badass. Personally, the 1.6Ghz chip I have now will out-do some things based on a benchmark that we did with several programs. Also, I have the UXGA+, and it has EXCELLENT visibility and crispness. Also you can see it from a lot of angles, (Which I like). If you have any questions on the two, the 5150 and the 8600, send a IM in yahoo to tidus_the_swordkeeper or email me at: [email protected] , I would love to help anyone. Please dont make the same mistake I did with the 5150, VERY BAD HEAT ISSUES!!!!!. The 5150 I had would only get 2.8hrs to a battery vs over 4 with this one. Please contact me if you have any further questions.