Anyone have anything that'll beat this?

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mybellyisempty · #1 Post by **mybellyisempty** » Wed May 10, 2006 4:46 pm

I'm looking into a deal on another forum.

$275 for the following
Dell Latitude C400
1.0ghz P3-m
256mb RAM
40gb 4200rpm hdd
CDRW (external)
1.5 hr battery life
PCMCIA WiFi
12.1" XGA

I'm looking into it as a GPS for the car, however I'd like more than 1 USB port to be available.

anyone have a thinkpad in that price range that might make a good alternative to that latitude?

#2 Post by **draco2527** » Wed May 10, 2006 4:58 pm

FWIW:

I currently maintain about 20 of these machines (I have three with little use, sitting untouched!) and they have been horrible! Most of the users have switched them for the D410's. They CAN NOT take the abuse of a FREQUENT traveler, and if you are going to put it in a car for GPS those hinges(LCD) will last you weeks!!

For that price I would look at something else....

My $.02

#3 Post by **schen** » Wed May 10, 2006 11:00 pm

At my last job, I maintained about 8 of the C series PIII Dells and they were as unstable as anything I've every seen. 4 of them saw extensive Dell warranty work. All required new images on a regular basis. They were the main reason, I was able to talk my boss into letting me buck the system and buy IBM ThinkPads instead. T40s and R40s that were a great improvement.

For my money, I'd buy a slower spec'd T2x before spending the same money on one of those Dells.

#4 Post by **BillMorrow** » Thu May 11, 2006 2:24 am

buy a garmin road mate..
the display on a laptop is too big and can not be used safely..
FWIW, i don't even like the built in navigators..
i have a garmin mounted in my line of sight and the valentine 1 radar detector remote is mounted on the garmin..
all situated so i don't need to take my eyes off the road when using these..

mybellyisempty · #5 Post by **mybellyisempty** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:14 am

I'd love a T or X 2x series....but at that price, I don't know that I'll be able to find one.

A GPS isn't something I'd need all that often, the only time I've used it in the past was a trip to Chicago, and a trip to Dallas.

Since my new job may or may not have me traveling around, it may be useful there as well.

A secondary laptop or terciary system in general is what I need, and if I can have it pull double duty, great.

JHEM · #6 Post by **JHEM** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:15 am

I've got my Tungsten setup right next to the rearview mirror in my truck. Good position for me due to my height, easily seen and, more importantly at times, heard. The Bluetooth GPS receiver just lays on the dash in the corner, although the flashing LEDs on its top can be a little distracting at night.

i have to admit that between the Tungsten, my cell phone, my Sirius radio and my Passport Solo radar detector the dashboard is getting a bit overpopulated.

Like Bill. i've used some of my Thinkpads over the years for GPS service, but they're really too large to setup in a convenient location in a vehicle, although they're great on the boats.

Next car (possibly this week!) will have GPS and Sirius radio built in.

Regards,

James

mybellyisempty · #7 Post by **mybellyisempty** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:52 am

I just realized something...

I go in on Monday for an interview with IBM.

I'd potentially be working with them at SBC.

Actually, there's more to this story than what was mentioned.

I'm actually giving up a Dell 600m (1.4ghz Celeron, 1gb RAM, 40gb hdd, DVD+-DL, Wifi, etc.) that I bought off a for $500, with plans on buying a lower end laptop & an MP3 player. After reading this I'm having serious second thoughts on buying the C400.

Prior to realizing that I have an empending EPP availability...I'd been thinking of just keeping the 600m, even though I think it's "junk". Now, I'll keep the $500 and put it towards something else.

(ADMIN Edit: Minor edit performed to prevent EPP overload!)

t20user · #8 Post by **t20user** » Thu May 11, 2006 4:21 pm

I use my X21 almost exclusivly for GPS when I travel. I think its perfect for the job and it was cheap. My complete GPS solution cost about $300 including the X21 the Holux dongle and software. It has been on 4 road trips with me so far and a few planned this summer.

As far as beating Dell on price/specs alone good luck, they are rock bottom. But I'm sure you will find you get what you pay for.

JHEM · #9 Post by **JHEM** » Thu May 11, 2006 5:23 pm

t20user wrote:I use my X21 almost exclusivly for GPS when I travel. I think its perfect for the job and it was cheap. My complete GPS solution cost about $300 including the X21 the Holux dongle and software.

Which software are you using with the Holux dongle? The Palm GPS is just a rebadged Holux and it works very well.

I'm using the Tom-Tom software from Palm on my Tungsten and Microsoft Mappoint or MS Streets on my various BT equipped Thinkpads.

Regards,

James

Anyone have anything that'll beat this?

Anyone have anything that'll beat this?

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