Computer Purchase Advice

[Eric Vail]

I am buying a laptop for my wife. She mostly does internet stuff (facebook, low end games like scrabble), skype, word processing, etc.. I've brought my search down to two units. I am wondering if those who know more that I can help me decide which to go for.

Option 1: Dell Vostro 3555
Processor: AMD Quad Core A8-3500M
RAM: 6 GB
Hard Drive: 750 GB - 7200 RPM
8x optical drive
Backlit keyboard
Price: $549.00

Option 2: Toshiba Satellite L755D-04V
Processor: AMD Sabine Quad Core Mobile A8-3520M
RAM: 8 GB
Hard Drive: 750 GB - 5400 RPM
6x Optical Drive
Price: $650.00

I've highlighted the relevant differences.

I am wondering if Dell or Toshiba's machines are better than one another? Is the lesser memory in the Dell going to be made up for the increased speed of the hard drive? Are the two units close enough that I should just save $100 and go with the Dell?

Any insights would be appreciated.

[Pacem]

IMO, Toshiba is the better brand, but for your wifes needs both laptops will do just fine. I have an old Dell laptop that I use a work that is literally held together with duct tape. I think its about 5 years, maybe 4 years old. Google works and I used to play the facebook version of family feud and one of their poker games when I was bored. That was about a year ago so not sure if the specs needed to play most facebook games have increased by that much.

My wife pretty much does the same stuff and she has my old laptop. It has got 4gb of RAM, 500GB hard drive @5400rpm. She doesn't complain, and she is addicted to thsoe damn facebook games.

I'm cheap so i'd get the cheaper laptop.

[Hack&Lube]

She might not necessarily need a full laptop. If all she does is internet, email, and word processing, there may be other options. I bought my mom a $200 netbook with a 12" screen, threw in a $60 64GB SSD, and it's arguably works and feels significantly faster than most full size laptops with standard mechanical drives and much faster processors and much more ram. All that extra power doesn't make much difference with internet browsing. A faster hard drive however, will make all the difference in the world.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Pacem

IMO, Toshiba is the better brand

In my opinion, they are both low end brands, but Toshiba is hugely sub-par in my opinion. Older chipsets, subpar parts (look at that 5400 rpm drive..wtf), and I've never encountered a line of "professional" laptops that out of the box required BIOS updates to be even baseline stable with the OS they shipped with, the way I suffered with Toshiba in the last two years.

I don't love Dell, but even their Vostro stuff seems fairly decent if you are into plastic laptops (couldn't resist the Mac dig, sorry), and I've had far fewer problems with the Dell's I've rolled out to clients than anything Toshiba made.

[something]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I am wondering if Dell or Toshiba's machines are better than one another? Is the lesser memory in the Dell going to be made up for the increased speed of the hard drive? Are the two units close enough that I should just save $100 and go with the Dell?

Since her usage is confined to something so basic, her facebook and word processing experiences will not be impaired by either a 5400 sata drive or "only" 6 gigs of ram.

I am sure she will appreciate the backlit keyboard, though. They are often really helpful in dimly lit scenarios.

Plus, my experience with Dell vs. Toshiba has been to the preference of Dell. Dell's are surprisingly well built for the money that goes into them.

My opinion - the Dell is a clear winner. Cheaper with better and more relevant features.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by something

Since her usage is confined to something so basic, her facebook and word processing experiences will not be impaired by either a 5400 sata drive or "only" 6 gigs of ram.

I am sure she will appreciate the backlit keyboard, though. They are often really helpful in dimly lit scenarios.

Plus, my experience with Dell vs. Toshiba has been to the preference of Dell. Dell's are surprisingly well built for the money that goes into them.

My opinion - the Dell is a clear winner. Cheaper with better and more relevant features.

Agree with all of this.

[Eric Vail]

Thanks everyone. I placed my order for the Dell this afternoon.

I was leaning that direction, and your posts just took away my hesitation.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

I don't love Dell, but even their Vostro stuff seems fairly decent if you are into plastic laptops (couldn't resist the Mac dig, sorry), and I've had far fewer problems with the Dell's I've rolled out to clients than anything Toshiba made.

The Dell unit is at least partially aluminum in construction. It's a really sharp looking thing. My knock on it would be the viewing angle of the screen, and the battery life could be better. But for the money it's a nice unit I'd be happy to own one. One nice thing is the screen is not glossy at all.

Agreed on Toshiba my experience with their portables has not been good, I don't like them at all.