Dell Laptop Options

Hey everyone,
I'm looking into a new laptop. I have looked into the MacBook Pro a lot and really like it, but the price is a little high for me.
I'm looking for options on a high quality Dell. Right now I have the Latitude work model.
I have a lot of songs on iTunes and might build up a fair amount of pictures (100 at a time).
Needs to have good battery life.
My price range is about to $1000.
Anyone have suggestions? Thanks!

 

I'm also looking for a new computer soon. I like the new XPS. It's in that price range. Also, I have an asus, bought from newegg, and it's been good.

It mostly depends on the features you want to buy. I like video cards.

 

New Asus G73 owner here. Use to build hi hp overclocked monsters and copete in some cs cyberleaging. Bought a 24" iMac and got out of gaming and building custom machines.
Come around full circle with this Asus lappy ati 5870 and 160 gig sd hybrid hd.
I like the cells unfortunately my buddy is going thru hell with his alienware mx15.
I would steer clear of em.

 

Thanks guys.
How is Windows 7 doing? The Vista software didn't go over well. I tried working on it and couldn't take it.
And where is the best place to buy a higher quality Dell?

 

get a referb mac book

 

I just updated from vista to 7 and love it, seems to respond a bit quicker and I really like the new bar at the bottom.

As for where to buy, I'd look at Dell's website first. If you don't mind refurbished you can buy from their outlet and very good prices, the computer I'm using at home is a dell refurb and I've had it for 5 years now.

I think the biggest things to look for are a good CPU and a big hard drive, those are things you won't be able to upgrade in a laptop later on. Memory you can install fairly easy, so its not as big an issue. I think if you went with something like an Intel i5 chip and 4 Gb's of memory on a win 7 laptop you'd be good for a while.

 

I would go HP or something, I have never been impressed with DELL I bought one once and it didn't last long even with virus protection, I have a macbook pro and I am pretty happy with it had it a couple years and no problems also you don't have to run virus protection on them, at least I never have, apple also has some cheaper models you could look at.

 

gaming on an apple sucks goat bawls.

 

I have an older XPS and love it. Very good model line. Look refurb sometimes great deals in there online.

I bought a Studio for a family member as a gift. It was somewhat disappointing. The DVD & keyboard gave us fits.

My vote is an XPS system if you are set on Dell. I would buy another one.

 

I'd have to agree, if you want to play any games go with windows. I don't really see the connection between Dell and virus's, and I've had 4 dell's and all 4 have lasted me years.

Also, not sure how reliable this reliability study is, but you should check this chart out first:
http://lifehacker.com/5524704/laptop+reliability-study-highlights-the-most-sturdy-laptop-makers

 

when dell bought alienware=lose
when apple paired with intel=loss
when amd and ati joined=loss.

 

Interesting article. I would be interested to see how "scientific" that survey is. It's a voluntary reporting source on the internet...which has several biases built into it.

 

We used Dell notebooks at work for several years and although I didn't want to switch (I'm a ThinkPad guy myself) we had very good luck with the later D620 and D630 models...and keep in mind employees don't usually take very good care of work equipment. We've been switching over to Win7 and so far haven't had any issues. I think Microsoft may have (at least partially) learned their lesson over the Vista fiasco.

At $1k you'll have plenty of options (unless you're looking for something to do gaming on). One thing I always recommend is checking the price on the accidental warranty coverage. Each manufacturer has their own name for it and with Dell it is called Complete Care. Not necessary if it is only for your use and you're a careful person but if you have kids or if it will travel a lot it can save you from a spilled drink or a cracked display (the repair for either will likely be more than the coverage).

The Dell site is usually the best place to buy a Dell system. Even with our company discount their "specials" were often cheaper than our cost on systems.

 

I'm not into gaming. Never really have been.
I am doing a double major with biology and music performance in college with...The MacBook impressed me with GarageBand. That's the main reason I looked at it.

I'm looking for about a 13-15" screen that is fairly light so I can put it in my bookbag if that matters.

As for the refurbs, it sounds like a great idea but I just don't want to take the chance as I will be far away from home and it's hard to not have a computer in college now. I'll have enough money for a new Dell.
Thanks for the responses guys!

 

I have also been looking into a new laptop and if I had to go and buy one right now, it would be a 13 inch macbook pro. Small, light, and an advertised 10 hours of battery life. Throw in 8 gb of ram with atleast 500gb HD and I would be set. My current macbook pro that is 3 1/2 years old is super fast. i couldnt imagine what a new would run like.

I will never buy a dell after two of them crapped out on me in less than 2 years. I will never buy a windows based machine ever again.

 

My sister just got a new MacBook Pro 13". So far it's been nice. I'm just trying to look into the higher quality Dells. Thanks!

 

Anyone else have an imput on Dells? Thanks, just researching still

 

Since you mentioned what screen size you are looking at.
Mine is an XPS M1210. It is still humming along quite nicely today. Small and powerful & absolutely no issues in 3+ years of ownership. I'm typing on it now & very portable.
Because its so small, I run it on a cooling fan pad to get some air circulation.

 

I actually just bought a DELL Inspiron 17R about a month ago and I am really impressed by it!! Like you, I dont do any gaming or what not but its mostly just for goofing around. I pretty much only use it for checking my e-mails, web browsing, and listening to music. Just simple stuff like that. I got it for around $620 shipped. But its the Intel i3 core processor instead of the i5. But it has plenty of power and memory for what I use it for!!

 

I just found that and it seems to be selling well! Thanks for the imput man.