<p>so which should i get?</p>
<p>the dell latitude 610 is $40 less but the inspiron 600m includes a printer...but that price difference isn't really that significant.</p>
<p>i was leaning towards the latitude d610.</p>
<p>so which is better built and has better quality? which looks better (just curious)? which is more mobile?</p>
<p>any comments are welcome, esp if you have personally own either one. </p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>I have a 600m and like it pretty well. I wish it was faster and I wish it had scroll bars on the mouse pad. It seems sturdy enough for light daily use and the mid-level screen looks good.</p>
<p>You should be aware that it's sometimes inconvenient to replace Dell printer cartridges. My friend's son has one and has to order the replacement cartridges from Dell...I'm just not that organized and need to be able to run to a brick and morter store to buy them. So for me, a Dell printer would be a negative even if it was free.</p>
<p>haha. well it is FREE. but i heard that too. so i was thinking of getting the d610 and buying a cheap $99 all in one hp printer or something else.</p>
<p>anyother comments</p>
<p>I certainly didn't mean to sound negative about the 600m. It's a really nice laptop. My son's Dell 6000 is just faster and has more features...but it is also larger and heavier and cost 3 or 4 times more (lots of upgrades).</p>
<p>The Latitude D610 is a newer version of the Inspiron 600m. Go with the D610, it is much better made (magnessium alloy lid on LCD).</p>
<p>i agree with IAm...i just got a D610 about a month ago and it's been really good -- fast, light [~5 lbs], etc.</p>
<p>The major differences between a latitude and its like model inspiron are: (a) the latitude can take more physical punishment, like dropping, than the inspiron; (b) the latitude is set up to be easily compatible with a business office network. The first reason gives the latitude somewhat of an advantage for a college student. However, you should make sure the latitude does in fact cost less than or same as a like inspiron. Comparing the base price is generally not enough. You should check to see if any discount coupons are available (see, e.g., techbargains.com), whether the inspiron or latitude may be cheaper to buy through your college's computer store (which often gets better deals than consumers get), and the cost after you have added any upgrades you might want like more memory (the cost of any upgrade can often be different between the two models).</p>
<p>Note I would not consider having a Dell printer as a difference of any significance. You can buy a non-Dell printer cheap and the cost of buying ink cartridges (the real cost of owning a printer) will likely be cheaper for the non-Dell printer.</p>
<p>thanks. i actually already know the "checkout" prices for the two, and in fact ordered them using the school's discount throught the dell website. i don't really care about the dell printer, it's just free with the 600m so why not just get the printer if i do infact get the 600m, which i don't think i will now.</p>
<p>i'm also looking at the IBM R50e. is this a good deal?</p>
<p>I would go with the latitude design. They are better built and much sturdier than the inspiron series. I owned the Inspiron 600m before, and I had a lot of problems with it because it can't take the slightest beating and is not reliable. You don't want to find yourself without a laptop because you have to send it to customer service for repairs, all the time.</p>
<p>If you want a cheap, reliable printer, then go with a cannon. I bought my cannon i450 for about 30 bucks about 6 months ago, and the black ink cartridges cost about 7 bucks. It works great and I haven't had any trouble with it.</p>
<p>I have a D610 and really enjoy it, havent had any trouble with it yet.</p>
<p>I love my D610, I wouldn't trust an Inspiron as far as I could throw it, my friend is already having trouble with hers and the customer service isn't too good.</p>
<p>I have had a D610 for 5 months now as do several of my friends. Very sturdy, very reliable. Can take the abuse. A number of colleges use the D610 as their mandatory laptop (i.e. Villanova)</p>
<p>The Dell Inspiron 6000 is a little larger, but a great laptop. Has been sturdy and reliable for my son so far...has a solid feeling keyboard, a nice wide screen and accepted a bunch of upgrades. I also have a 600m, which is smaller and lighter than the 6000. But the keyboard seems a little stiffer, there is no number pad on the right side of the keyboard and no scroll bar on the mouse pad. FOr my casual use, though, it is perfect.</p>
<p>Don't go for the free Dell Printer. In fact, don't buy any Dell printer. They aren't even made by Dell! Lexmark, which is already known for terrible printers, makes the Dell-branded ones too. They are very poor, both in quality of prints and quality of the product. Plus there's the usual complaint that you can only buy the ink from Dell directly. HP, Canon, or Epson printers are all better buys.</p>
<p>And I second all those who say the D610 is the better laptop.</p>
<p>What about the D510? It's less expensive than the D610. Would any of you recommend it?</p>
<p>I have a 600m. Here's what I did, that I highly recommend. Don't get the free printer. Get the $30 printer that is the next level up. It is an all in one printer/copier/scanner, the ink refils are cheaper, and it comes with ink. The free one does not come with ink, and you have to spend another $50 or so to fill it up.</p>