Help me pick one. All are the same price.



Dell Latitude E6400

INTEL T9600 CORE 2 DUO PROCESSOR 2.80GHZ,
CHIPSET/BUS SPEED Intel 45 express, w/1066Mhz system bus,
HARD DRIVE160GB (SATA) 7200rpm
MEMORY – 4GB DDR2 SDRAM (2X2GB), 2 slots
VIDEO MEMORY (Std/Max) up to 256MB shared memory
GRAPHICS Intel GMA X4500
SCREEN SIZE 14.1” WXGA+ LED
SCREEN RESOLUTION 1440 X 900
DVD DRIVE 8X DVD+/-RW
MODEM/ETHERNET Integrated 56K V.92 modem and 82567LM Gigabit NIC
WiFi Integrated Dell 1510 WLAN
(802.11a/b/g/n)
BLUETOOTH included
ENERGY STAR RATING 4.0
EPEAT LEVEL Gold
OPERATING SYSTEM Win XP Pro / OBI 6.2.00.0
WEIGHT 6.3 lbs.



Toshiba Tecra M10

INTEL T9700 CORE 2 DUO PROCESSOR 2.80GHZ,
CHIPSET/BUS SPEED Intel PM45 express, w/1066Mhz system bus,
HARD DRIVE160GB (SATA) 7200rpm
MEMORY – 4GB DDR2 SDRAM (2X2GB), 2 slots
VIDEO MEMORY (Std/Max) up to 256MB GDDR2 dedicated memory
GRAPHICS nVIDIA Quadro NVS 150M
SCREEN SIZE 14.1” WXGA+
SCREEN RESOLUTION 1440 X 900
DVD DRIVE 8X DVD Super Multi drive
MODEM/ETHERNET Integrated 56K V.92 modem and 82567LM Gigabit NIC
WiFi Integrated Intel 5100 WLAN
(802.11a/g/draft-n)
BLUETOOTH included
ENERGY STAR RATING 4.0
EPEAT LEVEL Silver
OPERATING SYSTEM Win XP Pro / OBI 6.2.00.0
WEIGHT 5.38 lbs.



Lenovo ThinkPad T400

INTEL T9400 CORE 2 DUO PROCESSOR 2.53GHZ,
CHIPSET/BUS SPEED Intel 45 express, w/1066Mhz system bus,
HARD DRIVE 160GB (SATA) 7200rpm
MEMORY – 4GB DDR3 SDRAM (2X2GB), 2 slots
VIDEO MEMORY (Std/Max) up to 256MB shared memory
GRAPHICS Ati Mobility Radeon HD 3400
SCREEN SIZE 14.1” WXGA+
SCREEN RESOLUTION 1440 X 900
DVD DRIVE 8X DVD Super Multi
MODEM/ETHERNET Integrated 56K V.92 modem and 82567LM Gigabit NIC
WiFi Integrated Intel 5100 WLAN
(802.11a/b/g/draft-n)
BLUETOOTH included
ENERGY STAR RATING 4.0
EPEAT LEVEL Silver
OPERATING SYSTEM Win XP Pro / OBI 6.2.00.0
WEIGHT 5.4 lbs.

Do you have an opportunity to try out the keyboards?

I have the 13.3" Dell E4300, which is in the same series as the E6400, but it's a lot lighter. I like my E4300, but I think the E6400 is on the heavy side, so I'd probably pick the Toshiba or Lenovo machine (though they aren't the lightest, either). The Toshiba has dedicated video memory, which can be good.

I'd take the Toshiba.

Thinkpad. I used them for over a decade and supported them at every company during that time (IT Ops). They never let me down.

I would base it on things like battery life how the keyboard feels. I love Dells, they have been quite good to me, but everything else being equal, that extra weight will probably make me pass it over. I could add in another battery pack for about the same weight and have twice as long without connecting.

These machines are quite similar... I'd go for the one that I feel the most comfortable with on the keyboard.

I have a work E6400, it's quite nice and lasts a long time on the larger battery, but I;m not too crazy about the keyboard.

HTSC

Thinkpad. They take a licking and keep on ticking. Good keyboards. Just good machines.

I've had 3 Toshibas over the years and have not had a single problem.

I agree with what others have stated check out the keyboards and the displays see if you like one best, if so pick that one.

I recently purchased a T500 Thinkpad (with my money), so you know which one I would say.

Thanks for the keyboard advise. However this corporate and I have to order it through Procurement sight unseen,


(I am an idiot as I guess I can go to Best Buy and see what I like).

These aren't likely to be found in Best Buy or other retail locations.

If they're corporate standard machines, though, I'd imagine others in your office use these models. That would be a quick way to get your hands on the keyboard.

Personally, I avoid anything "Dell".

Also, even though you didn't mention its use, the Dell is the heaviest of the bunch. Heavy = dislocated shoulders.

I've had Toshibas since my first laptop; with one exception, they've lived long beyond the normal laptop life expectancy--with heavy usage. The exception was a Satellite model instead of a Tecra model.

I'll throw in another vote for the Thinkpad. Sooner or later there will be a shock to the notebook (dropping it, getting crushed in an overhead bin, etc.) and the Lenovo is rugged as hell. The fact it's tied as the lightest, is an additional bonus.

I have nothing against Dells, but find the Vostro line better for business use.

Another vote for the ThinkPad (I currently have a T500 on order, the sixth ThinkPad I will have owned) - although the LED screen on the Dell is appealing.

You'll like the ThinkPad keyboard best however, IMO. And I use a Dell Latitude D630 almost as much as my ThinkPad.

"Meh" on the Toshiba - haven't considered them since their awful keyboard days in the late 90s.

I'm not excited about your tiny HD.

Oh, and since this appears to be an XP machine buy for light use (integrated graphics)...why are you wasting money on 4GB RAM? Spec 2 GB. Or spend the difference on a 250GB HD. Better use of your money for this kind of machine.