When buying a telescope, would you recommend an equatorial mount with tripod or a Dobsonian

Note: I'm a beginner. For additional info, these are the two I'm considering purchasing -

1) http://www.amazon.com/Orion-SpaceProbe-130ST-Equatorial-Reflector/dp/B0000XMSJI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

2) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DDW9V6/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk

I can't really go much above $250, which is why I don't think I can get the XT8. Still, I could look for others. It's for general use. I'm not specific on astrophotography or anything else, although that capability would be nice. Your thoughts on the two I've shortlisted would be appreciated. And any recommendations as well. Thanks. :)

Do what you can to get the 8" dob. The EQ would be ok, however that requires you to know how to setup the scope for accurate polar alignment, which can be very time consuming at first, but can get easier the more times you do it.

With the dob (alt-az mount), if all you are doing is visual work, this is way easier to use. You set up the scope and your basically ready to go. Now, with the dob, you will need to know the sky (which isn't a bad thing), but that does take time as well.

But the XT8 is a great scope to learn on. You can work most of the Messier list fairly easily and the rest just takes time to learn.

The 130mm size mirror is pretty tiny for faint objects. An 8 inch (200mm) gathers almost 2.4 times the light as the 130 (100x100 divided by 65x65 equals 2.366). That will make every view of galaxies and star clusters much brighter.

German Equatorial all the way.