Is this a good deal? /laptop suggestions

harper on 27/04/2015 - 14:21

Hi all, my laptop finally carked it and am looking for a new one. I use it mainly for streaming / watching movies, skype and surfing the net. I rarely take it outside but still prefer 14 inch screen. The Dell outlet has a few Latitude 14 7000 Series Intel Core i5-5200U Processor for $749.

Is this good value? I heard Latitude is mainly for business use but they seem to have a better build. The other option are the Inspiron 15 3000 Series 4th Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4210U processor for $459. Willing to forgoe the smaller screen for a saving.

Am open to any other suggestions though. Looking to spend under $750

Thanks alot. Sorry if this has been asked already.

http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/product…

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 27/04/2015 - 14:54
    +2

    If you don't need to take the laptop outside, you could just roll with an Inspiron. Less build quality and possibly less durability, but it is much cheaper overall. Use the savings for a monitor for a desktop experience.

    there's also the Lenovo Edge series, customize it with a full HD display and buy a ThinkPad OneLink Dock for an extra buck.

    If you configure it as Core i5 + Full HD display the prices comes up as $754, then add to cart, then add-in the OneLink Pro Dock for a buck, for a total of $755.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2015 - 16:11
      +1

      I use my Inspiron 15 5000 for work and its great build quality.

      I highly recommend getting the 1080P Full HD display and touch screen. I thought the touch screen was a gimmick but I use it all day long, even working in Excel.

  • mrmarkau67 on 27/04/2015 - 17:04

    I think the 7440 is good value - I was looking at one myself.

    As Scrimshaw said, maybe you can live with an Inspiron if you are using it more like a desktop replacement. Keep in mind that it is likely to have inferior build, screen, keyboard, trackpad and battery life to the Latitude.

    Also check on the presence of an SSD. The Latitude may have an SSD and space for a conventional drive - you would need to check with the agent on this. The Inspiron probably only has a slow old conventional HDD.

  • harper on 28/04/2015 - 23:13

    Thanks all. Had a look at the 15 at Jb and didn't like the feel of it. The 14 has an SSD too so thinking I might just get that.

  • harper on 03/05/2015 - 18:28

    Thanks scrimshaw. Had a look into the Lenovo E450.With Full HD as you suggested, i5 and 128gb ssd it comes to about $855. Which would be the better pick between that and the Latitude 14 7000 (if another one comes up)for $749? Will be ordering tomorrow.

    • scrimshaw on 04/05/2015 - 15:54

      I'm a Dell fan so I'd say go for the Dell :)

      Here are the spec sheets for the Lenovo
      http://news.lenovo.com/images/20034/Lenovo%20ThinkPad%20E450…

      and for the Dell Latitude 3000 series (note, this is the lower end version compared to 7000 series), I'm comparing this because this seem to be the only thing available in stock on Outlet.
      http://partnerdirect.dell.com/sites/channel/Documents/Dell-L…

      The one thing that stands out is that the Lenovo E450 is more portable, weighing in at 1.83 KG while the Dell is 2kg. the battery capacities are different too, Lenovo seems to pack a slightly bigger battery (47 whr) and Dell 3000 has a smaller battery (40 whr). The Dell however has an option for backlit keyboard, E450 doesn't.

      The Dell Latitude 7000 is more of a true ultrabook, as it is much lighter when equipped with a 3 cell battery (1.3 kilograms) and it does not have a DVD optical drive. The display is also matte unless you opted for a touchscreen configuration. Also may include backlit KB as an option and it has 3 USB 3.0 ports. Battery can be either 3 cell config (31 whr) or 4 cell (42 whr). I had this machine for work and it's simply great. The touchpad could use some work though…

      If weight and portability is an issue Id go for the Latitude 7000, but if it is not, then the E450 is the better option over the Latitude 3000.

  • mrmarkau67 on 04/05/2015 - 12:10

    How did you go?

    If you didn't purchase already, here's another option:

    http://www.graysonline.com/lot/0003-2147138/computers-and-it…

    Its the previous model to the Latitude 7000 model, but in some ways its better. This particular one has Full HD, 8GB of RAM and a small SSD. It says you can buy a warranty from Dell.

  • harper on 05/05/2015 - 15:07

    Decided to go with the Lenovo. Sounds like a good machine for everything I need and it's a good price. Fingers crossed with the after sales support.

  • Always think price on 06/05/2015 - 14:30
    +1

    I am in the same boat as you. Lenovo is looking like a solid option which should last me a couple of years of nothing too intensive… My only quetsion would be the worth of having a touch screen vs not having one.

    any opinions on this?

    • scrimshaw on 06/05/2015 - 21:07

      It's more intuitive to browse with a touchscreen. Just swipe and use pinch gestures to navigate a web UI.

      Touchscreen is very useful, though not as useful as a device that ships with a proper stylus and has a convertible mode.
      If you must have a touchscreen you should probably think about a Surface 3 or Pro 3. Or maybe a Dell Inspiron 11 3000 series, as the display can fold back on itself for tablet mode.
      A touchscreen on an ordinary laptop is not as intuitive to use, for very obvious reasons.

  • harper on 07/05/2015 - 22:34

    Thanks Scrimshaw, purchased over the phone to get the $100 gift card

  • Always think price on 08/05/2015 - 09:02
    +1

    Hi Harper, could you just clarify if the gift card is lenovo specific?
    thinking i may do the same:)

    • scrimshaw on 08/05/2015 - 09:09

      The gift card promotion is no more — it ran last night from 6-9PM only.

  • Always think price on 08/05/2015 - 13:13
    +1

    ended up getting one from dell (http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/product…)
    the outlet had a bunch of xps' go up.

    i opted for the XPS 15. Bigger screen and touch. Lit bit more pricey but hopefully all worth it:)

    • harper on 23/05/2015 - 03:30

      Hi johnzac, How is your purchase? Have read many good things about the XPS.

      • Always think price on 27/05/2015 - 10:29
        +1

        Hi,
        Really happy with it. I mean the laptop is 2k rrp… i would not pay that much for it. I chose the option with the 1080p screen not the 3k screen:)

        Can not see any marks on the laptop even though it was classed as a refurb with minor scratches.

        that being said this is my first laptop ever so i may not be the best person for comparisons.

        Sorry to hear about your one. hopefully they let you refund?

  • harper on 23/05/2015 - 03:26

    Received it this week after just 12 days, however I think I will try and return it. I liked the feel of it and would buy lenovo again but the main thing I don't like is the screen. It's extremely dim. Just not great for watching movies. I did read about it but thought I would just try it anyway. Has anyone had experience returning a lenovo device? The website says it 'offer free return shipping and full refunds on all purchases from our online store. All we ask is that you return your product as you received it, in its original packaging, within 14 days of delivery' I bought it over the phone so I'm hoping this isn't an issue. I also got the $100 gift card for ordering online so I don't know what will happen with that.

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