Difference between Dell laptops?

[redruby]

I'm looking at the Dell Inspiron laptops right now, can anybody tell me the difference between the 6000, 600m, 700m, 9300 models. Cuz, they all sort of look the same to me.

What's the difference between 512MB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms memory and 256MB Shared DDR2 SDRAM 1 Dimm memory? What's the difference between Combo/DVD+RW Drives, Optical, CD ROM/DVD ROM, and CD/DVD drives?

I'm just looking for a computer for med school, no video editing, game playing or whatnot.

Also, pretty please don't turn this into a Mac vs. PC debate.

Thanks!

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[shiraz84]

I'm looking at the Dell Inspiron laptops right now, can anybody tell me the difference between the 6000, 600m, 700m, 9300 models. Cuz, they all sort of look the same to me.

What's the difference between 512MB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms memory and 256MB Shared DDR2 SDRAM 1 Dimm memory? What's the difference between Combo/DVD+RW Drives, Optical, CD ROM/DVD ROM, and CD/DVD drives?

I'm just looking for a computer for med school, no video editing, game playing or whatnot.

Also, pretty please don't turn this into a Mac vs. PC debate.

Thanks!

700m is much smaller than the others, with a 12.1" screen. 600m is a regular aspect ratio (4:3) laptop. 6000 and 9300 have widescreens (16:9 I believe). There are other minor differences - availability of processsors, video cards, and RAM expandability. For example, the 6000 comes with integrated graphics whereas the 6000D comes with a dedicated graphics card.

Shared memory means that the RAM is shared between the system memory and the video memory. This means that the notebook has an integrated graphics card. If the notebook has a dedicated graphics card, then the RAM will be dedicated to the system and the graphics card will have its own memory. 2 DIMMs of 512 means that the RAM comes in two "sticks" - each one is 256 MB. If you are going for 512, get it in 1 DIMM if possible; that way, later down the road, you can add another DIMM of 512 to upgrade to 1 GB instead of having to buy 2 new DIMMs of 512.

Hope that helps. The Dell website also highlights differences between the different notebooks that they offer.

 

[bwells46]

I'm looking at the Dell Inspiron laptops right now, can anybody tell me the difference between the 6000, 600m, 700m, 9300 models. Cuz, they all sort of look the same to me.

What's the difference between 512MB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms memory and 256MB Shared DDR2 SDRAM 1 Dimm memory? What's the difference between Combo/DVD+RW Drives, Optical, CD ROM/DVD ROM, and CD/DVD drives?

I'm just looking for a computer for med school, no video editing, game playing or whatnot.

Also, pretty please don't turn this into a Mac vs. PC debate.

Thanks!

Well, for one thing, DDR and DDR2 are different types of memory. Intel chips need DDR2 for the increased bandwidth due to Intel's use of a front side bus memory connection. AMD chips are find with DDR because AMD uses an on-chip memory controller.

That said, you'll want to go with 2 DIMMs if the chipset supports dual channel memory. If not, then go with one DIMM and save the extra slot for later upgrades

I'm not sure I understand your question about the optical drives but here's a rundown:

DVD+/-RW - Writes to DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-R, CD-RW
DVD-ROM - Read DVDs and CDs - can not write to optical media
CD-RW - Writes to CD-R and CD-RW
CD-ROM - Only reads CDs - can not write to optical media

Let me know if you have more questions and I'll be glad to answer them.

P.S. Mac sucks.

 

[shiraz84]

P.S. Mac sucks.

 

[redruby]

Thanks guys! I'm so computer illiterate, it's embarrassing.

Another question- if it comes with a wireless card- that means I should be able to go online wherever they have wireless computing, right? I wouldn't have to buy anything else?

Basically, I'm just looking for a run of the mill laptop that will serve simple med school related needs. Can I just buy one of the Compaqs or Toshibas or "economy" Dell models that sometimes go for around $500 when on sale?

 

[AxlxA]

Here is my tips:

I've owned all those laptops mentioned. 600m/6000/700m

If you want to use ur laptop in class, do not get a 6000.... it's freakin big. Seriously it's too big!! but it does have awesome performance w/ the x300 dedicated graphics card. It plays doom3 and america's army fine. even bf2.

700m is really really tiny but it is PERFECT for going ot class with. The screen is crystal clear, it's not a typical LCD screen, it's got that glass thingy on it. It performs rather well but it doesn't have good GPU.

600m is kinda old now, it's the only non-wide screen out of these 3. The 600m is decently sized, performs pretty well. 600m's screen is not too small.

Out of all these 3 laptops.. i like using the 700m when i'm doing word processing, web surfing, etc etc, but for the entertainments, the 6000D(dedicated graphics) is what i use(or my fat PC with 1 gig o ram and 6600GT)


BTW i used to be a computer tech so i know alot about comps

 

[bwells46]

Thanks guys! I'm so computer illiterate, it's embarrassing.

Another question- if it comes with a wireless card- that means I should be able to go online wherever they have wireless computing, right? I wouldn't have to buy anything else?

Basically, I'm just looking for a run of the mill laptop that will serve simple med school related needs. Can I just buy one of the Compaqs or Toshibas or "economy" Dell models that sometimes go for around $500 when on sale?

Yes, all you need is the wireless card, the card's drivers, and an OS that supports it (i.e. Windows).

Yes - for what you want it for, just go with one of the "economy" models like a 600m.

 

[AxlxA]

Thanks guys! I'm so computer illiterate, it's embarrassing.

Another question- if it comes with a wireless card- that means I should be able to go online wherever they have wireless computing, right? I wouldn't have to buy anything else?

Basically, I'm just looking for a run of the mill laptop that will serve simple med school related needs. Can I just buy one of the Compaqs or Toshibas or "economy" Dell models that sometimes go for around $500 when on sale?

Yes, internal wireless is great.

Compaq/toshiba/gateway/HP -> whatever cheap computer you buy, make sure it has a Pentium MOBILE chip(hence the term centrino technology).

Pentium M help conserve alot of battery life.

Seriously, i had the options of getting those other ocmputers too but with dell, you get a great customer service if u break it(let's say the dvd drive's tray got bend, you tell them that the dvdrom isn't working but dont tell them it's bent, then u get either a on-site technician or u mail it, they fix it, you get it back good as new) with compaq or whatever u wont get as good services. Of course you hav eto deal with talking ot all those outsourced customer service representitives but it's worth it.

Laptops are hard to fix by urself unless you are a computer technician.

For med school, i'd get a small laptop so i can take notes in class or just go to the library/cafe w/ my tiny mobile laptop with extended battery life(offered with dell laptops, can last up to 5 hours).

 

[gbiz]

$750 off $1499 or higher Dell Inspiron, enter coupon code TZT85TH32SMG0B

Works in Dell HOME only.

You can add to the base price of the laptop to get it up to $1499 (extras).

 

[redruby]

Compaq/toshiba/gateway/HP -> whatever cheap computer you buy, make sure it has a Pentium MOBILE chip(hence the term centrino technology).

Why? Does the mobile chip affect the quality of the computer as a whole, or just wireless internet stuff? What about AMD? Don't they make some mobile sempron something?

I just want a regular ol' laptop for med school! Why are there so many choices to make feel incompetent?!

 

[DrBowtie]

I have an Inspiron 9100(I believe, I know it is 9***, im not at home now to check) but it is huge. It is heavy and has to run noisy fans to cool it because of all of the features.

I would suggest a more portable low performance option for word processing on surfing the net.
You can have your ultimate gaming machine at home.

 

[Jagleaso]

Might want to take a look at the Fujitsu Lifebook series. Great build quality.

 

[domukin]

Since we are on the topic, you can get a $750 rebate on these ATM, check out:

http://www.slickdeals.net/#p6281

Don't pay full price for these, they go on sale every moth.

 

[AxlxA]

Pentium M conserves alot of battery because it doesn't run as energy intensive as other chips such as celeron amd.

Centrino is just Intel's fancy way of saying "you've got the coolest stuff because it's made by us for mobile/wireless capabilities."

 

[gbiz]

$750 off $1499 or higher Dell Inspiron, enter coupon code TZT85TH32SMG0B

Works in Dell HOME only.

You can add to the base price of the laptop to get it up to $1499 (extras).

This deal is now dead :/

 

[masterMood]

i don't want to make this into another pc versus apple thread, but for your needs, i don't see why an apple ibook 12 inch or 14 inch wouldn't serve your needs. the battery life is great, the operating system is straightforward and glitch-free, and it looks nicer (the whole white minimalist look).


the dells are made of cheap plastic, and don't usually last as long.

go on this website:

notebookreview.com, and look at models, and recently consumer reports gave apple the highest rating for consumer support whereas dell has gone down a lot.

here's the ibook:
http://www.notebookreview.com/defau...Book+G4+(1.2GHz/256MB/30GB)+Notebook+Computer

here's the dell 700m:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2022

and the dell 600m:
http://www.notebookreview.com/defau...n+600M+for+Home+(Celeron+1.5GHz,+256MB,+40GB)


and don't think that the apple computers are too expensive, they're just abou tthe smae price for the stuff you're looking for (if you buy now also, you get a free printer and free ipod). Don't forget that since you're a student you also get educational discounts.

 

[redruby]

and don't think that the apple computers are too expensive, they're just abou tthe smae price for the stuff you're looking for (if you buy now also, you get a free printer and free ipod). Don't forget that since you're a student you also get educational discounts.

Free ipod, really? I have such a fear of Apple computers and I don't know why. Maybe it's because my college roommate's stopped working overnight our sophomore year and she practically cried she was so upset. I've noticed that Apples typically run at around 1.2 gH while a lot of the others run at like 1.6 or 1.8. If it's not clear yet, I know jack**** about computers, so does that make a difference? I assume they come with the wireless and DVD stuff?

 

[masterMood]

i'm a computer master for over 7 years, and i've been using pcs (windows) comptuers for that whole time. I recently switched to the ibook, and i'm telling you it's a lot better.

Apple mhz are completely different from PC mhz. In one herz, the Apple is able to do different functions compared to the x86 processor. The Apple G4 1.2 Ghz is just as fast than many of these 1.6 or 1.8 if not faster (G4 Processor is very different compared to the Pentium M Processors).

The build quality of apples are stellar. It's like driving a japanese made Lexus or Acura. You just can't beat the quality of these notebooks unless you get an IBM Thinkpad (which are expensive).

And yes the iBooks come with wireless, and DVD- burning, and everythign pcs have. The wireless range on iBooks btw are a lot better than many of its pc counterparts.

Go to an apple store, and play around with the computers, you'll find them to be very durable, very high quality, and simply get the job done.

As to the free ipod, yeah when you buy any Apple computer, you get a free ipod, (and a free printer through the rebate).

As you saw, the dells are cheap for a reason. They are not durable, are made of cheap plastic (flexes a lot), and run windows (which is just so messed up to begin with).

If you have any more questions im me or pm me.

 

[bwells46]

i'm a computer master for over 7 years, and i've been using pcs (windows) comptuers for that whole time. I recently switched to the ibook, and i'm telling you it's a lot better.

Apple mhz are completely different from PC mhz. In one herz, the Apple is able to do different functions compared to the x86 processor. The Apple G4 1.2 Ghz is just as fast than many of these 1.6 or 1.8 if not faster (G4 Processor is very different compared to the Pentium M Processors).

Just to offer a counter viewpoint:

I've been working with PCs for 12 years and counting. During that time, I've built PCs, done network administration, network setup, hardware/software troubleshooting, and a bit of programming. I've tried the Mac but I've never seen a compelling reason to switch to it. Windows XP is perfectly stable as long as a) you know what you're doing and b) you don't have faulty harware.

Apple MHz are different from PC MHz just as Intel MHz are different from AMD MHz but the G4/G5 still can not keep up with Intel and AMD's fastest offerings. This probably has something do with Apple's recent switch to Intel chips. A fast AMD Athlon 64 system will easily handle the fastest Apple.

And don't get me started on Apple's false advertising of being the first company to release a 64-bit processor. That happened quite a while after Intel and AMD released their 64-bit chips...