Help with new laptop spec please

[SlightlyMadScotland]

hi,

I am planning ot buy a laptop - but have only ever had desktops...so the world of laptops is new. I know what I need in terms of RAM processor and stuff like that. Is there anything specific I should be looking at that relates to laptops specifically.

The 2 main things that stand out on Dell that I don't know anything about are "battery packs" and cooling.

These are the main 2 systems I am looking at ATM, both pretty much same price - the Inspiron has Anti-virus the Vostro doesn't (as I don't like Norton); the Vostro has a better battery - other than that I think they are almost the same. I am thinking that the Vostro is the better deal as a better battery is better value as I have hardware firewall in my router; and I can get free anti-virus. Also the Vostro won't be clogged up with crap freeware. Opinons greatfully received:

System 1 - Vostro 1510 - £366:
Intel® Core?2 Duo Processor T5670 (1.8 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 - English
15.4" Widescreen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display with Anti-Glare Coating
No Biometric Fingerprint Reader
Glossy Black without Camera
3072MB (1x2048 & 1x1024) 667MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
250GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
IntelJ Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive including Software
Primary 6-cell 56 WHr Lithium Ion battery
No Carrying Case
Services & Software
1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day Onsite - No Upgrade Selected
Declined CompleteCare
Norton Internet Security? 2009 - 30 Day Trial Protection - English
Accessories
Microsoft® Works 9.0 - English
No Bluetooth® Card included
Dell? Wireless 1395 (802.11 b/g) MiniPCI Card
65W Power Adapter (3 Wire)
Also Includes
N0315129
Vostro Laptop 1510 Order - UK
English - Documentation Vostro Laptop
V1510 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)
1 Meter Power Cord (3 Wire) - UK
Internal Keyboard - English (QWERTY)
1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day
Dell Internet Order

System 2 - Inspiron 1545 - £369 (including VAT)
Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor T4200 (2.0GHz, 800MHz, 1MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 - English
1 Year Limited Warranty - Collect & Return
No Camera Included
Pacific blue color with custom high-gloss finish
15.6" Widescreen WXGA CCFL (1366 x 768) TFT Display with TrueLife?
3072MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [1x2048 + 1x1024]
250GB (5,400rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
Intel Integrated GMA 4500MHD
DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
4-cell 24WHr Li-Ion primary battery
Accessories
No Carry Case
Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English - (Does not include Microsoft® Word)
No Bluetooth Upgrade
Dell Wireless 1397 Mini Card (802.11 b/g)
Services & Software
McAfee® Security Centre - 15 Month Protection - English
No Accidental Damage Support
DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 year
Also Includes
N0354502
Inspiron 1545 Order - UK
English - Documentation Inspiron 1545
Inspiron 1545 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)
65W AC Adaptor
1 Meter Power Cord - UK
Internal UK English Qwerty Keyboard
1Yr Limited Warranty - Collect & Return
Wireless Label - Pentium Dual Core
Black palmrest

bump.

Don't know, sorry. I leave all PC/laptop related stuff to DH. As long as I can shop,email and MN I'm happy.

bump for any in the know?

One last bump before I order.

There is. But as one is a home user and one a small business machine I can't seem to save them both in the same list to compare them directly.

So which is more valuable - the 6 cell battery in teh vostro or the better processor in the Inspiron? (bearing in mind that I don't actually want to do anything complicated with it).

I think the "cooling" is basically a plastic case which fits on the bottom to add an air space.

For me battery looks like the big difference (for my needs)?

Ok...so final decision - which one?

Still haven't decided.

I think I will either toss a coin or ask DP if he wants blue or black! (he is to computers what the "stereotypical woman" is to cars")

to throw another one in, I love our samsung nc10 netbook. Good battery life, decent keyboard, screen is a bit bigger than some other netbooks. Very portable.

well I throw it back out.. I want a laptop not a netbook!

That was easy (besides I don't have a coin with 3 faces!)

fair enough