Thinking of buying a Dell Inspiron 8200
http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/model_inspn_1_inspn_8200.htm

2.2GHz Mobile Pentium®4 Processor
128 MB RAM - plan to buy more off crucial

15.0" Dell® UltraSharp™ Display - 1600x1200
ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON™ 9000 64MB DDR 4X AGP Graphics

Fixed 40 GB Ultra ATA 5400 RPM Hard Drive
Fixed 24X CD-RW/DVD Combo

Modular Floppy
Modular Extra Battery

Free Nylon Carry Case

Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Microsoft® Office XP Small Business

3 year at home service
3 year complete care warranty

$2406 after $250 mail in Rebates

Comments?

Plastic bricks. The hardware has always seemed nice to me on the high end Dell laptops, but I've never been a fan of their cheep feeling plastic cases. After owning a magnesium alloy constructed laptop, I refuse to go to anything a smidge less durable. Dell has gotten better with the weight, but they are still on the high end.

I suppose it all depends on what you are buying it for. Looks to have all the specs to be a decent desktop replacement (but not a cheep gaming machine).

edit: 19 more reviews of the 8200

I absolutely love the 8100 I got for work. The thing is seriously cool. I didn't notice the cheap feel that Drakino noted. There are two things though. The 8100 weighs as much as a desktop. The thing is huge. The nylon case (if yours is the same one that mine came with) is next to useless. It fits the machine nice, but add a mouse and a power supply, and you are reaching the edge of its carrying capability. Those two issues are the only problems I have with the 8100 (might or might not apply to the 8200), but it makes taking the thing on long trips a PITA sometimes.

I also use one for work and refuse to call it a laptop.
This thing is a DRAG-ABLE. The GX240 is lighter!
We use the leather case which is much better for carrying the power brick and cables etc.
The actual plastic box seems to be really flimsy with the screen being almost too flexible, BUT, it has lasted through some tough time with me and come out with flying colors. It is actually quite robust.

I use it with two hard disks to switch between W2k and Linux and am very happy with it, it is my full time PC now so is a desktop replacement.

Just to put a little perspective on Drakino's comments about a Dell product... Keep in mind that his employer is a direct competitor to Dell.

Just to put a little perspective on Drakino's comments about a Dell product... Keep in mind that his employer is a direct competitor to Dell

Yes, but not in a division that competes with Dell's consumer division. I bash my companies products all the time as well, as I feel those who use me for advice deserve an honest opponion.

My experience with the 8200 has been limited to working with a friends for a short time. The plastic did not impress me for the above stated reasons, but it seems it will still stand the test of time. Reviews were mixed about it though in the link I posted above. Laptop reviews are hard at times, since they change so quickly, and reviews on duarability are hard to come by.

General rule of thumb for durable laptops is to buy a companies buisness oriented line. Since those are the ones that are bought in huge lots for other companies, they tend to put more detail to minor things into them.

The other thing to consider is the new tablet PCs that are out. Would one of those possibly suit your needs? Keep in mind that they could be very useful to any artists out there, due to products like Alias Sketchbook.