Business laptop needed.

[shironukie]

Hello all,

Could really use your help here. I have been researching for a week now and haven't gotten very far. I really thought that a Dell 6600 was for me, but now I'm having second thoughts since the phone reps have been LESS than helpful and quite rude actually. Thanks!

I am using a 6 yr old Dell Precision M90.

Here's the info:
What is your budget?
$1500-3000

What country will you be buying this in?
USA

What size notebook do you prefer?
Desktop Replacement (17-inch + screen)

Would you consider a refurbished laptop?
No

What are the primary tasks you need this notebook for?
Web Surfing, Office and Productivity Software, Photo Editing, Output Video to TV or Large Monitor, 3D CAD Design, Graphic Intense 3D Gaming

Photoshop and Autocad use 2-3 times per week. Autodesk Inventor 1-2 times per month.

What games will you be playing?
BF, COD, Assassins Creed

Where will you be using this laptop?
Will be used different places and Will stay on desk

How many hours of battery life do you need?
2-3

Will you be buying online or in store?
online

Which OS do you prefer?
Windows 7

List the screen resolutions that interest you:
Max Resolution (1920 x 1080)

Do you prefer a glossy or matte screen?
Matte is fine

Is the laptops design important to you?
No

Approximately what date will you be buying this laptop?
Around 08/16/2012

How long do you want this laptop to last?
5 years

How much storage capacity do you need?
1 TB+

Are you interested in SSD for storage?
Maybe

Do you want a built-in optical drive, what type?
Blu-Ray

[kanuk]

There isn't much available as far as 17" workstations. Lenovo doesn't make one anymore and I think HP has let the 17" Elitebook wither on the vine. Other than the Dell the only alternative I can think of is the Clevo 170, which is a gaming laptop (albeit high-quality). Beyond that you're looking at consumer-grade multimedia laptops.

[shironukie]

thanks for the response. what about increasing the budget and going for a MBP running parallels? Does anyone have experience with running acad, inventor and Adobe CS3 for Windows on a MBP? (possibly a diff thread.) I'll give it a search.

[kanuk]

thanks for the response. what about increasing the budget and going for a MBP running parallels? Does anyone have experience with running acad, inventor and Adobe CS3 for Windows on a MBP? (possibly a diff thread.) I'll give it a search.

The 17" MBP doesn't exist anymore.

[ralchevd]

MBP has great hardware and software (Mac OS X), they both combined are doing pretty well. My advice is - if you are going for a MBP (15" Retina) stay with the Mac OS X.

Also take a look at the Samsung 7 series - Series 7 15.6" .
Good luck!

[pianowizard]

I really thought that a Dell 6600 was for me, but now I'm having second thoughts since the phone reps have been LESS than helpful and quite rude actually.

The M6600 is your best choice. Why do you need to talk to Dell's reps when ordering, and why do you think the reps' behavior has anything to do with the quality or suitability of the M6600?

BTW, I had the M90 and loved it. Dell rules when it comes to 17-inch business-class laptops, though the 17" MacBook Pro (which wasn't exactly a business-class model) was the best 17-incher ever IMO. If you don't need the very latest technologies, the previous generation of the M6*00, the M6500, had 19200x1200 just like your M90. At least for me, 1920x1200 is much better than 1920x1080, which you would get if you end up buying the M6600. The M6500 would still be a huge performance upgrade from the M90. Get one from the Dell Business Outlet and you would have 3 years of warrany.

[shironukie]

JUST found that out by chatting with Apple rep. Oh well....back to Dell M6600. thanks

[shironukie]

The Dell rep REFUSED to quote me on a M6600. Maybe has something to do with the compensation structure. I asked twice via e-mail with the (same person I spoke to) to provide a quote on the M6600 and twice they came back with a M6700. This doesn't make me distrust Dell, I just don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling which I'd like to receive from a Dell Business rep. I tried to contact because I had some questions and wanted to make sure I was getting the best price.
Would you advise getting a refurb M6500?

[pianowizard]

Would you advise getting a refurb M6500?

Totally. Just make sure you get one with 1920x1200 (WUXGA), not 1440x900 (WXGA+). On the Dell Outlet site, the cheapest WUXGA unit currently available is $1,029.00, though it's classified as "scratch and dent". The cheapest "certified refurbished" M6500 with 1920x1200 is $1,249.00. The price may seem high for a refurbished unit but keep in mind that you would get 3-year warranty.

Finally, here's a $999.00 one on eBay that has minor blemishes, but it too comes with 3-year warranty: Dell Precision M6500 I-7 X920 16GB FX-2800M 1920x1200 Webcam Finger print 3Years | eBay .

None of these have 1TB hard drives, but it's easy enough to upgrade yourself.

[shironukie]

I will check them out. Thanks for your help!