I have a Dell Inspiron 2650 laptop with a mediocre sound card and no composite video out....can I change components?

[rnmcd]

I'd like to be able to connect this laptop to a tv so I can watch DVD with the laptops included DVD player. Do you know if I can put a different video card (with composite video out) into this laptop?

I'd also like to swap out the audio card (unless it's integrated into the mobo) for something of a better quality.

Is any of this going to be possible or should I be looking for a laptop that originally comes with a better audio card and a video card with tv out?

Thanks.

 

[squirrel dog]

Dell is proprietary,and laptops are the worst.I dont think so,but check with the Dudes at Dell.

 

[Derango]

No, and no.

You might be able to swap the video card (dell is known for having swappable video cards in their laptops), but I'm not sure if you can do that with the 2650. Anyway, you can't add the component connections, so even if you could change the video card, you'd still be in the same boat.

Laptop sound has always kinda sucked. Its integrated on the motherboard. Some people would recommend the extigy (sp) from creative labs. I don't, really. Mostly because I seriously dislike creative

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: Derango
No, and no.

You might be able to swap the video card (dell is known for having swappable video cards in their laptops), but I'm not sure if you can do that with the 2650. Anyway, you can't add the component connections, so even if you could change the video card, you'd still be in the same boat.

Laptop sound has always kinda sucked. Its integrated on the motherboard. Some people would recommend the extigy (sp) from creative labs. I don't, really. Mostly because I seriously dislike creative

Which component connections are you referring to? If I could put in a different video card with a 'tv out' then I should be able to watch my DVDs on my tv, right?

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Originally posted by: Derango
No, and no.

You might be able to swap the video card (dell is known for having swappable video cards in their laptops), but I'm not sure if you can do that with the 2650. Anyway, you can't add the component connections, so even if you could change the video card, you'd still be in the same boat.

Laptop sound has always kinda sucked. Its integrated on the motherboard. Some people would recommend the extigy (sp) from creative labs. I don't, really. Mostly because I seriously dislike creative

Which component connections are you referring to? If I could put in a different video card with a 'tv out' then I should be able to watch my DVDs on my tv, right?

I think there'd be appropriate slots/opening for anything 'tv out', if it doesn't already exist.

 

[iamme]

there's a PC Card that does higher quality audio. i forget the brand name, but i know it's out there.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: iamme
there's a PC Card that does higher quality audio. i forget the brand name, but i know it's out there.

here ya go: http://www.geek.com/hwswrev/hardware/indigo/
this may be a better option, if you don't want to buy an Extigy.

wouldn't that be cool if someone made and video card upgrade via PC Card? breath new life into those old laptops....

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: aceO07

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Originally posted by: Derango
No, and no.

You might be able to swap the video card (dell is known for having swappable video cards in their laptops), but I'm not sure if you can do that with the 2650. Anyway, you can't add the component connections, so even if you could change the video card, you'd still be in the same boat.

Laptop sound has always kinda sucked. Its integrated on the motherboard. Some people would recommend the extigy (sp) from creative labs. I don't, really. Mostly because I seriously dislike creative

Which component connections are you referring to? If I could put in a different video card with a 'tv out' then I should be able to watch my DVDs on my tv, right?

I think there'd be appropriate slots/opening for anything 'tv out', if it doesn't already exist.

My laptop has only one PCI slot and I have a wireless network card in that so I'm probably screwed.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Originally posted by: aceO07

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Originally posted by: Derango
No, and no.

You might be able to swap the video card (dell is known for having swappable video cards in their laptops), but I'm not sure if you can do that with the 2650. Anyway, you can't add the component connections, so even if you could change the video card, you'd still be in the same boat.

Laptop sound has always kinda sucked. Its integrated on the motherboard. Some people would recommend the extigy (sp) from creative labs. I don't, really. Mostly because I seriously dislike creative

Which component connections are you referring to? If I could put in a different video card with a 'tv out' then I should be able to watch my DVDs on my tv, right?

I think there'd be appropriate slots/opening for anything 'tv out', if it doesn't already exist.

My laptop has only one PCI slot and I have a wireless network card in that so I'm probably screwed.

Get an Extigy.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Originally posted by: aceO07

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Originally posted by: Derango
No, and no.

You might be able to swap the video card (dell is known for having swappable video cards in their laptops), but I'm not sure if you can do that with the 2650. Anyway, you can't add the component connections, so even if you could change the video card, you'd still be in the same boat.

Laptop sound has always kinda sucked. Its integrated on the motherboard. Some people would recommend the extigy (sp) from creative labs. I don't, really. Mostly because I seriously dislike creative

Which component connections are you referring to? If I could put in a different video card with a 'tv out' then I should be able to watch my DVDs on my tv, right?

I think there'd be appropriate slots/opening for anything 'tv out', if it doesn't already exist.

My laptop has only one PCI slot and I have a wireless network card in that so I'm probably screwed.

Get an Extigy.

for better sound, it looks like you can either get an Extigy or sell your WiFi card and buy an internal WiFi card, and get the Indigo.

 

[rnmcd]

how can the the Extigy improve the sound of a mediocre sound card?

 

[alphatarget1]

i think extigy uses an USB port

I have the same laptop, I don't even think i'm gonna bother to "upgrade" it since i got pretty much the *bare basics*, buying another box is cheaper than trying to upgrade that thing.

or you can sell your laptop and get a better one

 

[alphatarget1]

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: Jellomancer

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Originally posted by: aceO07

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Originally posted by: Derango
No, and no.

You might be able to swap the video card (dell is known for having swappable video cards in their laptops), but I'm not sure if you can do that with the 2650. Anyway, you can't add the component connections, so even if you could change the video card, you'd still be in the same boat.

Laptop sound has always kinda sucked. Its integrated on the motherboard. Some people would recommend the extigy (sp) from creative labs. I don't, really. Mostly because I seriously dislike creative

Which component connections are you referring to? If I could put in a different video card with a 'tv out' then I should be able to watch my DVDs on my tv, right?

I think there'd be appropriate slots/opening for anything 'tv out', if it doesn't already exist.

My laptop has only one PCI slot and I have a wireless network card in that so I'm probably screwed.

Get an Extigy.

for better sound, it looks like you can either get an Extigy or sell your WiFi card and buy an internal WiFi card, and get the Indigo.

I don't think you can get an internal wifi for a dell inspirion 2650 :/

 

[KingNothing]

Found on a quick google search

PCMCIA upgrades are the way to go