Practical differences in the processors of Dell XPS M1330 laptops

[coffeemugnick]

Hi,

I am going to buy a Dell XPS M1330 laptop. If buying new, I can only afford the 'base' processor (Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor T5800 (2.00GHz, 800Mhz FSB, 2MB cache)). One has a choice of getting 2.1GHz all the way up to 2.6Ghz processors (for a hefty 600 euros more).
My question is if there is a practical difference between the base processor and say for example the 2.5 Ghz processor if I will be using the laptop for running a small business and for university?

I ask this because if it is important, I can get a refurbished XPS (for example, http://www.uklaptops.co.uk/del...ptop-t9300-p-315.html) which is pretty much top of the line but is second hand and only has a 3 month warranty.

Thanks!
Nick

 

[IlllI]

what kind of software will you use? getting something past the base config might be overkill

eidt: if you are looking at a refurb i'd get one directly from dell http://outlet.dell.com/Emea_Df...ge&lob_constraint=PREC

 

[coffeemugnick]

Well mostly word/excell, etc. documents, also email and webrowsing. To be able to have many windows open simultaneously it is more important to have enough RAM (3 GB is enough). I might also use Photoshop from time to time. Not planning on any gaming. Should I stick with the base config (+LED screen 😀 ) and buy it new then?

 

[IlllI]

word, excel etc isnt cpu intensive. dell tends to gouge you on ram upgrades though, unless theres a promotion going on

 

[FleshLight]

Upgrading to the "P" series might get you an extra 10-20 minutes of battery life.

 

[coffeemugnick]

Thanks for the replies. As I take it its impossible to upgrade the processor at a point in the future, would this 2ghz processor be enough for a couple of years?
What kind of work is processor heavy anyway (Im guessing image manipulation, mathematical calculations...?)

Edit: also, the base package contains 3GB of RAM. I dont currently need more since XP cant handle it anyway, but would I be able to upgrade the RAM later?

 

[coffeemugnick]

Hi again,

I just spoke to my tax advisor and it looks like I will have to pay back at least 1500 euro this year 🙁
Thus, I will have to pay as little as possible.
How does this one look:
http://www.uklaptops.co.uk/del...aptop-t9300-p-315.html

It is refurbished, but they assure me that it has only been used for a couple of weeks and comes with original Dell packaging etc.
It is close to the best specs one can get on the M1330 and will cost me about 150 euro less than a new model with low specs.
Only downside is that it doesn't come with a Dell warranty, but rather their own "3 month return to base warranty".

Would you guys go for this?