First of all, I decided to buy a PC and later changed my mind to buy a laptop for its flexibility and mobility.
Then, my search started as to which one will be a better option for me.
I was very much interested in buying a IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad and went to near by showroom. But finally I opted for the DELL. Details below.
The IBM/Lenovo showroom sales guy has shown many models and for the configuration I asked the prices are bit high for me to afford. I asked him various combinations and finally he came up a configuration for 55k, which I later found it be becoming obsolete in the near future. He offered Pentium M and a single-layer DVD writer as a part of the configuration. I asked him to customize it to have a DVD-dual layer writer and later when I checked up with the customer-care of IBM laptop division, they told that customization is possible but at the cost of warranty. They told that I would lose the warranty if it is customized.
Then I started searching in the net and visited the Dell, Compaq sites. The models shown in DELL are trendy and are of good configuration at an affordable price. Finally I customized the Inspiron 6400 model according to my needs and the booking is so simple but you have to believe it. You can do the booking either over phone or through the online order form provided in their site. There are no showrooms for DELL.
Firstly, I feared of giving my credit card’s number but I got to believe according to what the sales guy said to me. He said, they would destroy all the documental evidence related with credit card and such things by burning them. So I faxed him the order form which he has sent me through email.
The booking took me just one day and the guy told that it would take a total of 15 days for the product to reach me. The order can be checked online. From the day two I booked the order, it is made and tested and ready for shipping from Malaysia. But I received it after 16 days from the day of booking.
So as to compare with the Thinkpad what the IBM sales guy offered me(I do not remember the model, but it is an old model) with the present dell laptop I possess, the configuration itself is damn good. Moreover, Thinkpad looks damn good but the prices are high. The IBM sales guy tried to play a trick on me but am NOT complaining on the Thinkpad brand. I love that brand anyway. But let’s take a look at the following comparisions:
DELL Inspiron 6400 ----- Thinkpad ( I do not remember the model)
Dual core processor ----- Pentium M
DVD-dual layer writer ----- DVD-single layer writer
80 GB ----- 60 GB
Windows XP ----- DOS
512 MB RAM ----- 256 MB RAM
15.4 " screen ----- 15" screen
Bluetooth device ----- Not provided
IEEE 1394 connector ----- Not provided
Complete Cover warranty ----- Not Provided
5-in-1 memory card reader ----- 3-in-1 memory card reader
Express Card slot ----- PCMCIA card slot
track ball (Not provided) ----- Provided
Price: 54672 ----- 55, 000
(including taxes and ----- (inclusive of taxes only)
shipping charges)
I want to say that DELL comes with trendy features at an affordable price and I repeat, am not complaining on the Thinkpad.
The system is working fine so far. Sometimes it gives me a small problem with the screen.
When I fold the screen and open it up, the screen will not switch on. I have to talk to the dell technical support regarding this, but this seldom happens.
The audio from the built-in speakers is good.
The wireless lan card is doing fine and the bluetooth device is also working fine.
The bluetooth software given along with it is not that user-friendly. Not as easy as the one I have seen provided by the Cable & Wireless company.
Overall, the performance of the system so far is good. It’s been 4 months am using it.
I would recommend this laptop for programming, business, entertainment.
Regards,
Uresh.