Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Best Laptop for me

Jun 23, 2009 9:06AM PDT

hey guys,

Im in the midst of buying a laptop for school. I major in History so no big deal on specs for major. I love my music, and want it to be easy to watch a movie. so i need something that is gonna run smoothly while ive got word, itunes, internet, and aim running, or wanna watch a movie (simple right). I wanna stay around a $1,000 so a little over or under is cool (whatever is best) I intend on buying a Dell PERIOD (that is the only variable that must stay constant, i have no say in the matter =). I take what i can get ). Im thinking XPS m 1530 (eventhough i play no games) or a decked out Vostro. what do you guys think? maybe even a different model?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Dell Period
Jun 24, 2009 4:46AM PDT

Well heck. I'd never buy another Dell again. My Latitute had 3 problems before the 4th took it out of commission and Dell refused to honor the warranty. I have a year left on the Warranty. Their advice "shoulda got the better warranty" Sure, if my problmem wan't already covered.

The XPS I did get the better warranty. The enter key is breaking. I'd rather have something that doesn't break than a wonderful (and paid for) warranty.

However if you have to have Dell. The XPS or Latitute are perhaps the better offerings. XPX wins on specs. Latitude perhaps on quality. A local laptop shop only offers 2 kinds of used laptops. Latitutde and Thinkpad. Between the two I prefer the Latitude.

- Collapse -
Laptop
Jun 25, 2009 4:43AM PDT

If you are stuck on the idea of a Dell, the XPS 1530 does sound like a great laptop for what you need. It looks like it starts at around $1299, though, so it might be a little over your budget.

An option that could fit your budget a little better might be the Studio models, either the plain Studios, or the Studio XPS's. They're a little less loaded on the spec side, but are more affordable and should still be able to handle the multitasking you mentioned.

Cheers,

Cody
Windows Outreach Team