Comparing two mid-range laptops

Nymins

Nymins

Nymins

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So i have decided to sell off my desktop and put the money towards a laptop (never game on my PC now, so there isn't much point in it sucking up power and not being used!). I have found two laptops that are fairly similar in spec and in price, but was just wanting to ask the pro's here for their opinions ;). Its gonna be used mostly for internet, HD shows/movies and the odd game (well Diablo 3 is the only PC game im looking forward too, so something that will last till then and after!):

1) Dell Studio 1555

Pentium Dual Core T4300 (2.1GHz,800MHz,1MB)
4GB DDR2 800MHz
250GB HDD
15.6in Widescreen High Definition (1366X768) WLED with TrueLife
ATI Mobility RADEON HD 4570 512mb

2) Acer Aspire 6935G

Intel Core 2 Duo T6400
3GB DDR3 SDRAM
250 GB HDD
16" HD Widescreen 1366 x 768 (i assume LED?)
GeForce 9600M GT 512mb
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To me the Acer looks better specced. But after my brother got his Inspiron 1545 off Dell, i love how well put together they are and reading some stories online, it read like Acer's weren't built to last. Is this still true?

Would love any opinions or even experiences with either, performance wise, build wise etc. Both are about the same price (think the Acer is about £10-£20 more maybe).

Cheers guys! (sorry for another spec me thread :p)
 
Dell studios are atrocious for reliability, from personal (well, a friend's) experience, it went back 3 times within a month, If you go Dell, go Inspiron, they seem to last the longest

I'd have a google for the X16 HD and see what you can get for your budget with that
 
I've looked at the current Inspiron 15 and 17 and was very unimpressed with the build. The screen is much thinner than my old Inspiron 6000 Centrino model, it twists and bends as you adjust the angle of the screen. The Studio is quite a bit better in this repsect at least.
 
I believe there were issues with the older (original) Studio machines, they are now resolved from what I can tell.

I don't see how getting a lower end laptop (inspiron) would help. FWIW, Dells Home range in order is:

Inspiron - Studio - Studio XPS - XPS - Alienware

And business:

Vostro - Latitude - Precision
 
fair enough, as I say my friend did get a Studio (though it was last year) and if Nymins likes the build of the Inspiron to get that. I had an XPS for all of 14 hours before I got BSOD so I don't recommend Dell to anyone anymore, unless they're adamant they're getting one
 
Theres nothing wrong with either machine, but I'd be swayed towards the Acer due to the DDR3 RAM and the slightly superior cpu. Labelling Dells as having atrocious reliability is a bit harsh imo.

In terms of build quality and reliability neither brand are class leading, but given the massive number of units they sell you'd expect there to be more complaints circulating about these machines than most other brands.

Both are perfectly good if you're on a budget.

What prices have you seen them for?
 
I have found them both for sub £500, they are refurbished with 12 months warranty each. Probably will go for the Acer, seems to be a bit better specced and value wise.
 
Nymins said:
I have found them both for sub £500, they are refurbished with 12 months warranty each. Probably will go for the Acer, seems to be a bit better specced and value wise.
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Under 500 quid and a years warranty sounds like a very good deal to me. I'd snap the Acer up before someone else does.
 
Didn't want to make a new thread, so i thought i'd bump my own!

Still deciding between these two types cause there isn't anything in my price bracket that seems to come close:

Dell Studio 15 with the specs in the first post for around £400 with 1 year warranty

Acer 6930G (slightly different looks) for around £315 with only 3 months warranty.

The Acer seems like the best, but the warranty scares me slightly. People seem to question the build quality of Acers, and whilst i haven't seem many, if any, reports on them failing, im just wondering what you guys would do?
 
You can buy extra warranty from Acer Store on the official site. Link

Don't know what the criteria is, so read if eligible first.

Edit:
Formality of purchase
AcerAdvantage must be purchased and activated within 365 days from the product's purchase date.
The purchase date must be documented by a copy of an invoice or sales receipt.
This guarantee does not affect the rights possessed by the purchaser under law (including without limitation under any implementation of Directive 1999/44/EC) in the Territory.
Click to expand...
 
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Hmm looks like you can't then :(

the Acer seems too good to miss, but there is something stopping me from getting it other than the warranty. But I don't know what!
 
i got a refurb' dell inspiron 1545 for 300 from a ebay shop last march, picked it up in person and paid cash, 12 months on it, unused, and its been brilliant.

love its clean simple design, i always wanted a laptop without all the unnecessary flashing led's .

its got extras that would price it near 500 quid like bluetooth , red lid etc.

for 300 quid i got a good deal, but even if i had paid 470 to me still would have been worth it ,, build is solid and robust, and the screen is superb, the best laptop screen i have seen to be honest.

happy i went with dell, and happy i got inspiron
 
Seems the Acer is gone now anyway! Looks like the Studio 15 is the best bet for me.

The only game i can think of playing on it will be Diablo 3, which I think the Radeon 4570 should be able to handle fairly well.

My bro has the 1545 like you and I love the look of it. Has the WLED screen and looks great! Even on the lowest brightness setting it's perfectly usable in an conditions!
 
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Got the Acer 6935G in the end for £335 with cashback. Not a bad deal!

At least I can upgrade the gpu later in it's life if need be. Think it's compatible with the Radeon 4650.
 
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