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General discussion

HP ZT3380---ToshibaM35S456--Dell 8600--Which to buy?

Sep 27, 2004 5:45AM PDT

I have narrowed down my search to 3.
Dell 8600
Toshibal M35S456
HP ZT3380us
The last 2 are available at a local Circuit City, the HP is $1949 with a $300 rebate.
Toshiba is $1899 with a $200 rebate.
They both have the 12 months no interest option also.
Dell is around $1765.
Both the HP and Toshiba are configured the same.
Dell is configured as close to the other 2 as I could make it.
I will be using this as a desktop replacement, occasionally to travel (less than 5 times per year)
I am leaning towards the Toshiba.
Any suggestions?

Discussion is locked

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Re: HP ZT3380---ToshibaM35S456--Dell 8600--Which to buy?
Sep 27, 2004 8:28AM PDT

There are a lot of posts on these forums for all 3 so check them out (in the past 2-3 months).

1) The only reason to buy the Dell 8600 is if you insist on a Pentium M (Centrino) notebook with a 128mb dedicated ATI 9700 video card option (needed for the most state of the art new PC game releases) or the fastest 7200rpm Hitachi Hard drive option (much faster than 5400 rpm drives or 4200 rpm hard drives standard in the other 2). However, the Dell 8600 case was not made for a Pentium M cpu so it is too thick and heavy (6.9 pounds) and its keyboard response is also the worst of the 3 (but you can't try it of course unless you have a friend as you can only order Dells Custom).

2) If you insist on ordering prebuilt and want all the equipment the Toshiba M35S456 has (Trubrite LCD, multiformat DVD burner --64mb dedicated RAM, 80gb 4200 hard drive), etc -- buy it .. they are selling these out (the add this week for Compusa stated it was closeout so only models left could be sold) so get one immediately if you want this.

3) If you don't need a DVD burner (satisfied with a CD-RW/DVD ROM as many people are in a notebook) or if you want to order custom and save money as well get the HPZT3000 series online at hpshopping. (I have the sister Compaq X1000 series and you can compare those as well at the same website). The HPZT3380 is equipped very similar to the Toshiba M35S456 (same Pentium M 1.7 735 cpu, 64mb dedicated video, 80gb hard drive 4200, 512gb RAM, etc) but it does not have a multiformat DVD burner (only DVD+) and it does not the Trubrite XGA LCD equivalent (HP is called Briteview)

However, if you order custom online not only can you get the HP Briteview LCD, you can order a 5400rpm hard drive (50% faster seek time), a multiformat DVD burner in 2 speeds, and other options for less ($100 custom order mail in rebate on any HP or Compaq custom order notebook through 12/1/04). Go to X1000forums.com(dedicated site for sister machines Compaq X1000, HP ZT3000 and business HPnx7000) for all the information you need regarding discounts (including 6% student APP discount) and coupons and the ideal ordering specification.

The HPZT3380US again is only ideal if you are satisfied with a DVD+ burner only and you do not want the brighter LCD option (Briteview) you can get on the Toshiba prebuilt or HP custom order.

Note also that you can get 1 year no interest financing from HPshopping if the cost is an issue (if you won't pay off your credit card immediately and incur interest charges).

Again, eliminate the Dell 8600 if you don't insist on 128mb dedicated video graphics and the 7200rpm hard drive option.

The HP and Toshiba both should be purchased with the 64mb dedicated video (and both prebuilt models have that).

Another option you can get at HP custom is internal bluetooth.

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Re: HP ZT3380---ToshibaM35S456--Dell 8600--Which to buy?
Sep 27, 2004 8:44AM PDT

Also, make sure you carefully try the keyboards on both the Toshiba M35S456 and the HPZT3380US.

Most people like the HPZT3000/Compaq X1000 series keyboard the best (and much better than the Dell). IBM notebooks are better but you are not looking at those.

Also, note again that you can spend less money than all 3 of these if you order the HPZT3000 series (or Compaq X1000) online (as you have done with the Dell).

One way to save even more money is to order only 256mb RAM from the manufacturer and then go out and add your own PC2700 512mb notebook RAM yourself (333mhz) for less $ than you will spend for the extra 256mb from the manufacturer. It is very easy to put in RAM in the 2nd slot of the HP (under the notebook).

The Kingston PC2700 512mb RAM I put in my Compaq X1360US is only 79.99 after rebates this week at Best Buy. Thus, you will get 256 + 512 = 768mb RAM for less than you will pay for 512mb RAM on any of the prebuilt models.

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Re: HP ZT3380---ToshibaM35S456--Dell 8600--Which to buy?
Sep 27, 2004 9:39AM PDT

Thanks Ken> I tried a Dell 9100 at a Dell outlet center in a mall. I am leaning towards the Toshiba but if I can knock $400 or so off by ordering the HP custom it may be the way to go. I am 45 yrs old and returning to school. I don't forsee playing games so that rules out the need for the Dell. I would like to be able to use the notebook at home anywhere in the house so the wireless is an issue. I also like the idea of adding more memory for less money. I also don't need it to watch DVDs. I would like to be able to have a RW/cd drive. If I want to tranfer the files from my old system what would I need to order to do it the easiest? Also, can I hook up a wireless access unit while I have a dial-up internet provider? Cable just became available here, so I may go with it later on.
Thanks again

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Re: HP ZT3380---ToshibaM35S456--Dell 8600--Which to buy?
Sep 27, 2004 10:12AM PDT

If you don't need the DVD burner then order the HPZT3000/Compaq X1000 or Dell 8600 custom. In fact you will notice you get a free DVD ROM to CD-RW/DVD ROM drive upgrade by ordering custom at hpshopping for the HPZT3000.

As I said before, you can get a $100 custom order HP or Compaq notebook (not the $30 or $50 rebate posted) by printing off the rebate form on the hpshopping homepage (1 for HP, 1 for Compaq) good through 12/1/04.

Also, if you are returning to college look up the HP APP program on the website or call them to get registered for an additional 6% off.

You can easily get under $1500 and even under $1200 after rebates and discounts if you don't need the DVD burner. You can get one later anyway that will perform better for less money by ordering an external USB 2.0 or firewire DVD burner.

See X1000forums.com for even more information on discounts including how to order through the Fatcash portal for another 3% off. And there are some coupon codes good for a limited time you can also find about about.

64mb dedicated video is fine for many games, including Doom 3 at reduced settings, so you only need to go with the Dell 8600 with the 128mb dedicated if you are a serious gamer and are not using a desktop.

No, I think you have to have either DSL or cable high speed internet to use wi-fi but you will have no problems with the built in Intel 2200b/g when you are ready to use it (I have a D-link wi-fi router on the 2nd floor and never have any connection problems on the first floor with my Compaq X1360US).

Also, as I said, decide whether you like the Toshiba Trubrite LCD (with the shiny glass layer over LCD) better than the standard LCD (both XGA resolution) 15.4" screen on the in store HPZT3380US.

If so you can order the Briteview LCD at hpshopping for only $50 more than the regular XGA.

Also, note that the Toshiba runs a bit hot around the touchpad area (and hotter underneath). The HP/Compaq do not have this issue and the fan does not even run at all (completely silent) in normal wi-fi and spreadsheet operation (it does come on while using the DVD player, hard drive extensively, etc).

Both notebooks are outstanding but if you don't need the internal DVD burner you are spending at least Two hundred dollars too much for either prebuilt notebook.

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Re: HP ZT3380---ToshibaM35S456--Dell 8600--Which to buy?
Sep 27, 2004 10:18AM PDT

One last thing.

As I stated the CD-RW/DVD ROM most people get allows you to burn CD's (for data and music) and watch widescreen DVD's. You will appreciate doing this once in a while when you see how great DVD's look on a widescreen 15.4" screen (the headphone jack is on the front of the notebook for easy use on an airplane as well).

You are just losing the ability to burn in DVD if you save the money and get the CD-RW/DVD ROM drive most people buy (for burning and copying data DVD's you are better off with a desktop for less $ anyway (and they usually have 2 drives) or an external DVD burner.

Also, you can still easily carry around any of these 15.4" Centrino notebooks in a Targus student backpack or similar brand that will hold a 15" LCD.

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Re: HP ZT3380---ToshibaM35S456--Dell 8600--Which to buy?
Sep 27, 2004 10:26AM PDT

Also, the 735 Pentium M 1.7 Dothan has very little improvement over the 725 1.6 Pentium M 1.6 Dothan cpu so order that and save a bit more $ custom.

Also, if you do not have a strong preference for the HPZT3000 versus the Compaq X1000 the Compaq gives you 2 free upgrades:

1) free upgrade to 80gb 4200 hard drive
2) free upgrade to CD-RW/DVD ROM (from DVD ROM)

The ZT3000 only has the 2nd free upgrade.

Note that the stated Compaq rebate on the order screen is lower ($30 versus $50) but you can get a $100 custom order rebate instead as I have stated (or see X1000forums.com) so this is not an issue.

Configure both as you want them exactly as exact pricing fluctuates so sometimes one is a better value and sometimes the other is.

If you decide to order the 60gb 5400rpm hard drive (for only $25 more than the 4200 60gb hard drive) the additional Compaq incentive will not help you but if you do want the 80gb 4200 rpm drive that is an extra perk.

The only significance differences between the 2 other than the colors used inside is that the Compaq has a ridge on the touchpad between the mouse and scroll areas the HP does not have. Also, the HP uses Harmon Kardon Speakers and the Compaq uses JBL speakers (Harmon Kardon may be slightly better but both are the same case design).

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Re: HP ZT3380---ToshibaM35S456--Dell 8600--Which to buy?
Sep 27, 2004 10:30AM PDT

Thanks, it sounds like I should order what I want. Like I said, I don't play any games at all and don't plan to. I really like the idea of only buying what I want and paying less money. Thanks again.