Dell XPS or Latitude

16 years ago

My old laptop finally died and I am trying to decide between the Dell Latitude and the XPS. I don't use the laptop for anything fancy, but I would like to get one that won't be obsolete in 3-5 years. The only game I play online is bridge. And I spend a lot of time at Gardenweb.

The XPS and Latitude both price out at a bit over $1,000. I want the Vista OS, a video card that is not integrated, 2GB of memory, a pentium core 2 processor and I want it to be sturdy. The processor on the Latitude is a little bit faster (IntelÂ® CoreÂ 2 Duo T7250 (2.00GHz) 2M L2 Cache, 800MHz Dual Core) as opposed to T5400 on the XPS. The monitors would be the same size (15.4") and both with 1280 x 800 resolution.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I never bought any other computer but Dell (5 of them), and I have always been satisfied with the product (I still have the first Dell Tower I bought in 1993 and it's in storage now but it still works).

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

mikie_gw
16 years ago
T5400 ? is that a Quad core processor ? That' would be 2x more processors than a dual core.
jerzeegirl
Original Author
16 years ago
No it's still a duo core. It's as follows: IntelÂ® CoreÂ 2 Duo T5450 (2MB cache/1.66GHz/667Mhz FSB)
Related Discussions
XP Windows upgrade to 32-Bit Windows 7
Q
Comments (7)
When you speak of upgrading "my Dell computer", you're not speaking of installing an upgrade over top of XP are you? If so, I misunderstand, so disregard the rest of my post. :) So I'm assuming you intend to purchase a retail version of Windows 7 and do a clean install. In the first line of your post you mention 512 MB of RAM, a date, and then 2.00 GB of RAM. Does that mean it now has 2.00 GB of RAM or maybe 2 1/2 GB of RAM? Either way, I'm no expert but I'd think 512 MB is less than enough, but either 2 or 2 1/2 GB would be fine. I don't know much about Office, but wasn't Office 2003 was the last version that had the old style menu, before the newfangled ribbon came along. According to this, your Office 2002 would not be compatible but according to this, Office 2003 would be. Would your 2002 macros work in 2003? I don't know. Would it be worth the expense of buying a retail version of Windows 7, as well as Office 2003(or at least Word)? To me, probably not, to you, only you can decide. Personally, since it works, I'd probably just continue using it. Continue running a good real-time AV, occasionally scanning with a couple on-demand malware tools(Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware come to mind), use Firefox or Chrome(lie detected), using the WOT add-on(trusting it somewhat less than fully), and being careful what I open(email) and what I install. Just my opinion though. Edit: GrammerGrammar Edit2: Spelling This post was edited by chuggerguy on Thu, Jan 23, 14 at 3:10
...See More
Dell brought me back to life!
Q
Comments (12)
wizard, I just wanted to say I have a 6 year old Dell, and though I can no longer extend the warranty (could only get it for 5 years), the last 2 years I had what was called Gold Support. I'm not sure if I paid extra for that over wwhat it would have normally cost for years 4 and 5, but with the Gold Support, my repair call was to be answered in 5 minutes....and it always was. Additionally, other than the initial repair call to tech support which was overseas (India I think) all the later calls were to US tech folks. LMK if you ever want me to check for a US repair # for you. My one and only call to India was a disaster and drove me nuts. Additionally, since having the Gold Warranty for years 4 and 5, I am entitled to tech support for the life of the computer.
...See More
Anyone Rememberr XP?
Q
Comments (2)
I hate passwords and seem to remember going to box where you set your password and erasing the PW and leaving it blank. Don't remember what version I did that on, but it worked for me.
...See More
Still using XP with no problems.
Q
Comments (17)
cptcosmos, please share with us the experiences you allude to regarding new OS versions having greater security risks than older ones. i'm not a computer security expert, just an interested user, but I've read press accounts describing the opposite to be true. The bad guys get better at finding vulnerabilities in particular software products the longer they have to work with them. For XP in particular, I've read about a lot of attention given to several now well-known structural problems with the code that Microsoft decided were not fixable without a very disproportionate amount of effort. That (along with the obvious commercial reason) was why support was ended, they felt that the major problems couldn't be addressed. Those specific problems were avoided in later versions. The vulnerabilities in XP remain as open doors for evil doers to use to gain unauthorized access. Is the risk real and imminent on a daily basis? I don't need or want to find out, it's easy enough to avoid.
...See More
mikie_gw
16 years ago
Would think the one with the fastest front side bus - FSB, for you would be the better.
jane__ny
16 years ago
Check out their Vostro line. It's their business machine and sturdy. I just ordered one with a T8100 processor, free fall hard drive - 160 GB 7200RPM, dedicated card, 15.4 in screen, camera, bluetooth, N wireless card. 2yr pro support warranty (No America) and 2 yr. accident - $1,300

We looked at the Latitudes, but they cost more and don't have a webcam or a media card reader. They are nice looking, though,

Jane
jerzeegirl
Original Author
16 years ago
Here are the specs for the XPS ($1,088)

SYSTEM COLOR Tuxedo Black
PROCESSOR IntelÂ® CoreÂ 2 Duo T5450 (2MB cache/1.66GHz/667Mhz FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows VistaÂ® Home Premium Edition
LCD AND CAMERA Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1280x800) & 2.0 MP Camera
MEMORY 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
HARD DRIVE Size: 120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
VIDEO CARD 128MB NVIDIAÂ® GeForceÂ® 8400M GS
WIRELESS CARDS Dell Wireless 1490 802.11a/g Mini Card
BATTERY OPTIONS 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0
FINGERPRINT SCANNER Finger Print Reader XPS M1530
ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE Trend Micro Internet Security 36-months
PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE No Microsoft Office
ADOBE Adobe Photoshop + Premiere Elements
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 1Yr In-Home Service, Parts Labor,24x7 Phone Support
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Included 10GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Year
DIAL-UP INTERNET ACCESS No ISP requested
Dell Printer Driver Windows VistaÂ Premium
Software - Adobe AdobeÂ® AcrobatÂ® Reader 8.1
Processor Branding Intel Core 2 Duo Processor

This is the Latitude ($1.157):

PROCESSOR IntelÂ® CoreÂ 2 Duo T7250 (2.00GHz) 2M L2 Cache, 800MHz Dual Core
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows VistaÂ® Business, with media
LCD PANEL 15.4 inch Wide Screen WXGA LCD Panel
MEMORY 2.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS
HARD DRIVE 120GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 5400RPM
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X DVD+/-RW w/Roxio and Cyberlink Power DVDÂ
VIDEO CARD 128MB NVIDIAÂ® Quadro NVS 135MÂ
WI-FI WIRELESS CARD Dell WirelessÂ 1395 802.11g Mini Card
FINGERPRINT READER OPTION Standard Touchpad
BACKUP OS DRIVERS AND SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION Resource DVD - Contains Diagnostics and Drivers for Vista
BATTERY 6 Cell Primary Battery
PRIMARY POWER OPTIONS 90W A/C Adapter
FLOPPY DRIVE No Floppy Drive
SECURITY Norton Internet SecurityÂ 2008 36 Month Subscription
WARRANTY & SERVICE 3 Year Limited Warranty and 3 Year Mail-in Service
Ship Group US - System Documentation, Power Cord
OS Labels Vista Premium Label
Internal Keyboard Internal English Keyboard
jane__ny
16 years ago
The Latitude seems to be a good deal. I drove myself crazy shopping around before I ordered the Vostro. I think the Latitude has a better processor then the first one (Inspirion?) . I know you can't get a webcam with it, but you may not care.

I played around with their website and came up with a low price for the configuration I wanted. Frankly, their website is messed up and you can get some really good deals if you play around with it enough. Just make sure you print it up, because they won't believe you. They made me fax the print-up I had. I even got a lower price last night and may send it back if I can get another $100.00 off. A few people got it down to $850.00. The prices keep changing. On the Latitude, try going to their Big Business site and configure it and see what you get. You don't need to be a business to buy their machines. I ordered it bare-bones with no virus or any junk installed.

I'm sure you checked this out and good luck,

Jane

Here is a link that might be useful: Laptop Reviews
genes
16 years ago
The way technology is today, its pretty much impossible to buy a laptop that will not be out of date etc in 3-5 years.
The rate at which technology develops, they are pretty much passe after 1 year to 2 years. Unless you are a gamer, they should normally be able to handle what the average homeowner needs from them for the 3-5 years. I myself had been a hardcore Toshiba laptop user for the last 10-12 years and was looking to update. I found an Acer Aspire laptop (7720-6604)(Cdn model) with a T8100 core2duo processor, 3Gs DDR2 RAM, 320G HDD, GeForce 8600M GT (512) vid chip, Built in webcam, 17" display for $1300ish Cdn. A comporable Toshiba would have close or over $2000
jerzeegirl
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for all the tips.

I find that my biggest problem right now is that every system that has a really "good" price has XP on it. I want to get Vista because they are going to stop supporting XP in the next year or so. I would rather the computer come with Vista installed than trying to do an upgrade later. Which means no bargains just yet.
genes
16 years ago
The laptop I had suggested comes with Vista Ultimate 64bit (top of the line)
jerzeegirl
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks gene for the recommendation - my brother has an Acer and he likes it a lot.

I was hoping to stick with a Dell just because I am used to their product line. I think I am going to get the Latitude.
jane__ny
16 years ago
All the Dell business machines give you the option of XP or Vista. I bought XP because of software I use and to avoid hassles with it. But I made sure the machine is upgradeable to Vista down the line. Actually, I hope XP lasts until Microsoft comes out with their new operating system in 20010.

Jane
genes
16 years ago
Thats a long time down the road Jane, Twenty Thousand and Ten.....lol
mikie_gw
16 years ago
With a new warp drive, and all these worms going around, we could be there sooner that we think.
jane__ny
16 years ago
Mikies right. Sorry about that.

Jane

Dell XPS or Latitude

Comments (14)

mikie_gw

jerzeegirl
Original Author

Related Discussions

mikie_gw

jane__ny

jerzeegirl
Original Author

jane__ny

genes

jerzeegirl
Original Author

genes

jerzeegirl
Original Author

jane__ny

genes

mikie_gw

jane__ny

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Dell XPS or Latitude

Comments (14)

jerzeegirlOriginal Author

Related Discussions

jerzeegirlOriginal Author

jerzeegirlOriginal Author

jerzeegirlOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

jerzeegirl
Original Author

jerzeegirl
Original Author

jerzeegirl
Original Author

jerzeegirl
Original Author