Eric the Red

I just found out that I've been accepted to a nearby college in September. They told me that I have to buy one of there "approved laptops" and gave me 2 decent options. As much as that sucks (I already have a laptop and don't want to buy another), I have to get one because it's added to my tuition fee.

Can you guys tell me which one I should get? Which one's more powerful?

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Booooze

Only dif is ports, wireless, and video. Hoenstly wouldn't care which one get spicked, Although I would probably lean a little more towards the Thinkpad. Just consider which ports you would use more, and maybe which video you prefer. As for wireless, I would go with an Intel product over a Dell any day.

somehollis

From what I see, the only possible reason to pick the Dell would be if you plan to run Linux and want an easier time w/ 3d acceleration (nvidia is notably simpler to setup than ati on linux due to driver issues). Other than that, I'd say the thinkpad is the better machine.

Lich

Dell has the better gfx card, but the Lenovo is going to be better built. I'd go the thinkpad route

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andro

Dell does not have the better gfx card. The Nvidia TurboCache is garbage, and shares system memory.

The ThinkPad is a better computer.

grumpy

I suggest they're not that different. If you're not hooking up to other devices, the thinkpad is the better machine. If you want to drive a VGA screen or some older serial devices (eg some printers, some home-made data collection devices) then the Latitude may be better.

Other things to consider are system weight, heat generation, size of keyboard, screen size, clarity of the screen display, etc. Weight can be an issue if you have to lug the system around. Heat generation can be an issue if you're likely to be resting it on your lap for a lot of work. Physical dimensions will affect you if you have to work in small spaces (an aircraft seat comes to mind, but that may not be relevant to a student).

Personally, I think it's crazy that you have to buy a particular machine as part of your tuition fee. The cynic in me suggests it's because the college gets a kick-back from the suppliers, but it may just be that they want to know all students have something which is at a consistent useful standard (and prevent students from buying a a minimal system that isn't much good). It might pay to ask for a reduction in tuition fee, particularly if the specs of the laptop you already own are better than these two machines. Failing that, take delivery, and then sell either your current or the new machine (eg on ebay).

nemesis

I personally would get the Dell, my sister has a ThinkPad and its build quality is terrible, everything is so plasticy.

Also i had issues getting windows xp to work on it, so she had to stick to windows 2000. I dont know if its still the same now IBM sold the brand to levono, but i cant imagine it being any better.

The Nvidia chipset on the Dell is probably better if you want to 3D work, but other than that both should equally be as fast.

You could always sell your old laptop on ebay. I hope your start at your new college goes well. Im starting college in september too and i cant wait.

Indigno

You forgot to list the important factor of price. Also, you should talk to your principal or dean or whatever they call it and see if you can work something out. Maybe take in your laptop and show it how fast or expensive it was and say that it really pisses you off that you now have to buy a new one when you already have a perfectly operational machine. Don't forget to mention the fact that it's a lot of money to blow twice.

Of course you can only do this if you have a method to contact your administrative leader.

If it comes down to you have to pick one, I think the dell is good. Dells give you a good deal for your money, though their costomer support sucks unless you speak Indian, I know people who or pretty satisfied with the send-it-in-and-get-a-fixed-one service.
I've also heard bad things about the IBM machines. I've heard that they're cheap and they break easy.

Lich

That's exactly what I've seen first hand about the Dell notebooks.

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Eric the Red

They're both 1200 Canadian Dollars.

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Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back.