Help with configuring D630 -- need it done by 9 CST Wed!!

[eqmassa1]

About to order this from Dell?s site and have a few config questions. I only have 2 hours to figure this out, so I?d appreciate any advice.

1) Amount of RAM: I?d like to go with the 2-DIMM 1gb option, but will I be able to upgrade this without just getting rid of a whole 512 stick? In other words, does the fact that it has two memory slots mean I?ll have no room to add more memory if I take the 2-DIMM 1gb option? If so, I might spring the extra $30 and go for the 1-DIMM 1gb option.

2) Graphics card: I?m not a big fan of integrated graphics, but then again, I?m not buying this primarily for gaming. Ideally, I?d like to save the $70 and go with the integrated, then upgrade later if I want. However, I?ve read that Dell notebook motherboards with integrated graphics lack AGP slots, meaning I?d have to buy some old PCI card? if that?s the situation, then I?d go with the 128MB NVIDIA® Quadro NVS 135M option.

3) Wi-fi wireless card: Is there much difference between these 5 card options?

Dell Wireless? 1390 802.11g Mini Card [Included in Price]
Dell Wireless? 1490 802.11a/g Dual-band Mini Card [add $19]
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Dual-Band Mini Card [add $29]
Dell Wireless? 1505 Draft 802.11n Mini Card [add $39]
Intel® 4965 802.11a/g/n Dual-Band Mini Card [add $49]

4) If I don?t get Bluetooth now, can I add it later?

5) What is the difference between these LoJack options? Sorry for the silly question, but Dell?s own info page is worthless

ComputracePlus- 3 Year [add $97]
AbsoluteTrack- 3 Year [add $52]
AbsoluteTrack- 4 Year [add $60]
Absolute Computrace Complete 3YR License [add $142]
Absolute Computrace Complete 4YR License [add $172]


6) Trying to decide between 6-cell and 9-cell battery... what's the approximate difference? Only criteria I know of are weight, lifespan, and how long it'll stay charged in a given session, but I can't find data...

Thanks!

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: eqmassa1
About to order this from Dell?s site and have a few config questions. I only have 2 hours to figure this out, so I?d appreciate any advice.

1) Amount of RAM: I?d like to go with the 2-DIMM 1gb option, but will I be able to upgrade this without just getting rid of a whole 512 stick? In other words, does the fact that it has two memory slots mean I?ll have no room to add more memory if I take the 2-DIMM 1gb option? If so, I might spring the extra $30 and go for the 1-DIMM 1gb option.

Spring for the 1x1GB setup. It is cheaper to buy 1 extra 1GB stick later compared to buying 2 when you wnat to upgrade to 2GB

2) Graphics card: I?m not a big fan of integrated graphics, but then again, I?m not buying this primarily for gaming. Ideally, I?d like to save the $70 and go with the integrated, then upgrade later if I want. However, I?ve read that Dell notebook motherboards with integrated graphics lack AGP slots, meaning I?d have to buy some old PCI card? if that?s the situation, then I?d go with the 128MB NVIDIA® Quadro NVS 135M option.
There is no external graphics solution available or compatible with the D630. If you are not going to game, get the integrated chip, you'll enjoy the extra battery life. The Intel X3100 will play games, it might not be on high settings, but it will play them.

3) Wi-fi wireless card: Is there much difference between these 5 card options?

Dell Wireless? 1390 802.11g Mini Card [Included in Price]
Dell Wireless? 1490 802.11a/g Dual-band Mini Card [add $19]
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Dual-Band Mini Card [add $29]
Dell Wireless? 1505 Draft 802.11n Mini Card [add $39]
Intel® 4965 802.11a/g/n Dual-Band Mini Card [add $49]

By getting an Intel card, your system can be called "Centrino" but I don't think there is any real difference. Getting an AGN card will cover all your networking needs as N is the future, but B/G is most prevalent at the moment.

4) If I don?t get Bluetooth now, can I add it later?
Usually you can. You could probably find the part on EBay or order it for a little extra from Dell Spare Parts (the number for which is floating around on the Dell Community Forum they run).

5) What is the difference between these LoJack options? Sorry for the silly question, but Dell?s own info page is worthless

ComputracePlus- 3 Year [add $97]
AbsoluteTrack- 3 Year [add $52]
AbsoluteTrack- 4 Year [add $60]
Absolute Computrace Complete 3YR License [add $142]
Absolute Computrace Complete 4YR License [add $172]

I have no idea what the differences are. If you always watch your computer or have it locked up, those may be useless to you. Basically the options are computer tracing programs that can be activated if your laptop is stolen. Of course, they only work if the stolen computer connects to the internet.

6) Trying to decide between 6-cell and 9-cell battery... what's the approximate difference? Only criteria I know of are weight, lifespan, and how long it'll stay charged in a given session, but I can't find data...

The 9-cell battery sticks out the front while the 6-cell is completely enclosed by the computer. See this review: Link From that review, the user got 5+ hours with WiFi enabled with the Intel X3100 GPU and the 9-cell battery.

Thanks!