also need laptop advice

[PTinVT]

I get to pick one of these 3 for my new job. I'll be flying every week (direct flight, maybe 45-60 minutes of laptop time aboard); will have a client-provided workstation for daytime work, so would only be otherwise using for an hour or two tops at night in the hotel. Hopefully people with experience with these units can chime in.

I'm leaning towards the E4310 at first glance, just because of the low weight. I'm used to a 13" laptop screen, albeit non-HD. (When I had a 14" HD screen I ran it in a non-HD res so it was probably effectively the same size) I'm not put off by only 2 USB ports, I can just get a dongle USB multiplier. Comments I've read about the E4310 = runs hot (not lap friendly) and poor screen brightness/readability, and small trackpad.

For me, the weight seems like the most compelling factor. Battery life is not a huge concern, they would get me a "slice" battery that allegedly makes the alleged 5-hour stock time go up to more like 10. I wouldn't be running off charger more than 2-3 hours at a time ever, I imagine. [When working from home, I would be using external keyboard/mouse/monitor]

Unfortunately I have to pick one real soon... I may not have time to try to find local demo examples just to see them in person :/

Any input appreciated! Thanks guys.

Dell Latitude E6510: Intel Core i5-540M , 2.53 Ghz, 320 GB HD, RAM 4 GB, DVD/RW, Wireless 802.11a/g/n, Bluetooth, 15.6 inch HD+ (1600 x 900) screen, USB ext. H/D, 4 USB Ports, Weight 5.9 lbs, 3-year on-site maintenance, Windows 7, MSE, LoJack.

Dell Latitude E6410: Intel Core i5-540M, 2.53 Ghz, 320 GB HD, RAM 4 GB, DVD/RW, Wireless 802.11a/g/n, Bluetooth, 14.1 inch WXGA+ (1440 x 900) screen, USB ext. H/D, 4 USB Ports, Weight 4.8 lbs, 3-year on-site maintenance, Windows 7, MSE, LoJack.

Dell Latitude E4310: Intel Core i5-540M, 2.53Ghz, 320 GB HD, RAM 4 GB, DVD/RW, Wireless 802.11a/g/n, Bluetooth, 13.3 inch WXGA (1366x768) screen, USB ext. H/D, 2 USB Ports, Weight 3.3 lbs, 3-year on-site maintenance, Windows 7, MSE, LoJack.

[Simsims]

4310 if you're not gaming

[JayKay335i]

the 13"

I think anything larger than that is a pain in the ass to carry.

[CollinsE90]

what was the first thing you needed advice on?

[M_Six]

If it's just for a few hours a day and you need to haul it around, go light. Definitely go light. The 13" screen is fine for email and surfing. Otherwise it looks like similar specs. You won't miss the desktop real estate.

[skinnycow]

personally i think dells aren't that great, their laptops are overpriced. you should take a look at some of these laptops on http://www.newegg.com/

[BMW F22]

^ Agreed with the above advice. I would personally go with a Sony Vaio Z series. It's an amazing laptop that you can get for around $1500-1600 (sometimes less). If I had to choose between those Dells it's gonna come down to either the 13" or the 14". 13" if you value mobility more (less weight, etc.) and 14" if you can sacrifice a little bit of mobility for bigger screen size (easier to see, run more applications in the same window, etc.).

[shipill]

Dell = Pure garbage

[JayKay335i]

Dell is shit.

But he made it sound like his company is purchasing it and is just letting decide which one he wants.

[PTinVT]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately, I have to choose from the 3 listed above - company issued - cannot look at other brands/models. One guy has to support ~200 laptops (remotely) so if I want to look elsewhere, I'd have to pay for it myself.

I suppose I should have added HOW I might be using it, still not clear - but I don't imagine it's going to be intense... just usual corporate email, word, excel, and web for sharepoint/timesheets/etc. I don't game or run much personal stuff.

As far as actual advice, it was more a request if anyone had direct experience with these, and could say "I love my xxx" or "definitely don't buy a POS xxx".

I'm thinking of picking the smallest one because it is also the most expensive one by several hundred dollars. if I pick a bigger one and then think I want a smaller one later, I'd probably have to pay for it (or at least the difference).


And personally, I have no issues with Dell, I had a D610 which came on the road with me 10-12 weeks a year for 3-4 years (and was my only workstation in the office), and I never had any issues with it. Also posting this from a Costco Dell Inspiron desktop which has been drama-free since I got it over a year ago.

[Atorsesh]

If you want something that is going to hold up to some abuse go with a ThinkPad T-series. I have quite a few stories about some horrible things that no other computers would have survived through.

I currently have the T510 completely maxed out and it is ridiculous. Paid $1500 for it and am planning to keep it for about 4 years. I find it to be fairly portable too.

[talisman311]

E6410 or E6510 if you won't be carrying it around that much. 13" screen is a little tiny IMO. I had a D620 for awhile and then my company gave me an option of a 13" Macbook Pro or a T410 Thinkpad replacement. I test drove the Macbook and found the screen/resolution to be too small for what I wanted to do, so the T410 was a good fit. Only drawback is nothing tops the Mac's screen (damn did things look good on it).