Put money into my 2007 dell or save for new laptop?

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komatta

Member
Oct 22, 2010
64
0
66
Hello, just a quick question.

I have a 2007 Dell Latitude D630 with a 1.8ghz c2d, 3gb ram, and a nice 1440x900 screen. I also put an SSD in it but if I buy a new laptop that would move.

I wonder if I should buy a new battery for it (~$100 for an OEM) and upgrade to windows 7, as a replacement for XP. I also use the computer for work, but I have Linux for that. So this would be a ~$200 investment.

Do you think it's worth it? Should I just save money for a macbook air/ultrabook? I hate that new laptops generally have the 1366x768 resolution, but I know some have nice displays.

Thanks.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
Are you simply trying to get any battery life back (as in current battery is almost completely dead), or would you like really good battery life? New notebooks based on the 2nd gen Core series (AKA Sandy Bridge) are not only much faster, but get much better battery life. If it weren't for the screen, you can get all kind of choices from $500+. With the higher res screen choices are more limited. For instance you can get a Lenovo T420 or T420s with 1600x900 14" screen, but pricing will be closer to $1000. Still, for that price you get a LOT more battery life than your old notebook can ever dream of even with a new battery, plus much better performance.
 
K

komatta

Member
Oct 22, 2010
64
0
66
Hi Zap, thanks for the reply.

I guess I'm trying to get some battery life back. Currently if I'm not on AC power the laptop will randomly turn off (I think the battery is messed up internally one way or another).

Ideally I would love a little machine that could give me 6-7 hours of battery life with relatively low weight and a healthy CPU. I need Linux for work and I guess Windows for compatibility. I would love to go the Mac route but the Air seems expensive for what I would want (13" base).

I guess I am also kind of hesitant to buy a new laptop because Ivy Bridge is coming in not too too long. I'm really not sure what to do. The biggest problem is that my current laptop is tethered to the wall, I guess.

Edit: also, the battery is a 9-cell, so it should get around 5 hours when brand new, if I were to replace it. (If it operates properly...)
 
Last edited:
T_Yamamoto

T_Yamamoto

Lifer
Jul 6, 2011
15,007
795
126
might want to sell your old computer here on the FS/FT and buy a new IB Laptop when it comes out.

or buy a 200 dollar atom netbook for temperaray
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
The new 2nd Gen Core notebooks get better battery life on much less battery, and plenty of them are inexpensive and light in weight. The catch, as I've mentioned, is that higher resolution screens are rare, which means more expensive. I do think you would be pleased with the performance and battery gain, however.
 
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