what would u do different with this laptop?

[mastrduke]

since i cant seem to fix the computer i built i think i willbe buying a dell laptop this week and then try to fix mine later...but i need a computer i can trust at school so im just gonna go with a dell with the premium 4 year warranty...that way if anything wrong i can send to them anda they fix if for me....


Module Description Show Details
Inspiron E1505 Intel® Core? 2 Duo processor T7200 (4MB Cache/2.00GHz/667MHz FSB)
Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
LCD Panel 15.4 inch UltraSharp? Wide Screen SXGA+ Display with TrueLife?
Memory 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 DIMM
Video Card 256MB ATI MOBILITY? RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory?
Hard Drive 80GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
Network Card and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0
Combo or DVD+RW Drive 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Sound Options Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy? HD Software Edition
Wireless Networking Cards Hi-Speed: Dell Draft N Wireless
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) No productivity suite- Includes Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) No Security Subscription
Primary Battery 6-cell Primary Battery and 9-cell additional Lithium Ion Battery
Warranty and Service SAVE $70 instantly with the 4yr Premium Solution Package
Internet Access Service 6 Months America Online Internet Access Included
Miscellaneous E1505 Dual Core
Bluetooth Options Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate)
Dell Digital Entertainment No Pre-Installed Software
Processor Branding Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
TOTAL:$1,784.80


you can even see that computer would come out to 1784...i was looking formore around 1500 but i plan on having this for all 4 years...so i dont wanna skimp on anything...will be my firstnotebook so letme know waht u guys think

 

[Ayah]

I would go with a single 9 cell. Ditch the expensive software sound cr@p. It's just emulation.

 

[mastrduke]

k...how much longer will the 9 cell battery last compared to the 6 cell...like the battery life?...and its only 27 dollars more to go with the 2 than just the 1 9 cell battery...do u think its worth it?

 

[slugg]

the problem with having 2 separate batteries is you can only charge one at a time... and just think, how often are you going to charge one, then switch it to charge the other? If you think you'll be doing that often, then it might be worth it to you. To most people, a single 9 cell is the most convenient.

 

[mastrduke]

ok i see what u mean...how much bulkier and heavier is the computer going to feel with a 9 cell in it? i was thinking id just use the 6 cell all the time and then use the 9 when i needed a longer charge...also is it worth it to upgrade to the 7200rpm harddarive like i did...or would 5400 be fine?

and that is the best video card i can get...will it be able to run WOW?

finally is the 2gb of ram worth it or should i stick with just 1?


thanks for all the help guys...sorry im so computer illiterate sometimes

 

[cheesehead]

I'd just forget the 1505. The x1400 is not powerful enough for serious gaming.

ABSPC, which has a very good rating, has some nice options. The Mayhem Z2, which features an x1600, is availible with a 1.83ghz Core Duo (not core 2, but pretty darn good, and it's not going to be the limiting factor, anyway) with 2GB of RAM for 1500$. 1GB of RAM will result in a 1400$ machine, and you can always upgrade the RAM later.

If you don't mind a 14" LCD, you can go with the excellent Asus A8J, for about 1400$.

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=DM-AS-...ab852a4f877dd5f9ffa529aeea0da0539dfd98

Specs:
1.83ghz Core Duo
1GB RAM
100GB/5400rpm hard drive
Nvidia 7600 Go graphics card
14" LCD
DVD burner.

A 7600 and Asus quality - what's not to like?

EDIT:

From experience, I can say that Dell is best avoided if you need reliability. Asus tech support sucks from what I have heard; however, I have no firsthand experience, as the one of my clients who bought one has yet to need it.

If you're willing to wait 'till they get them in stock, JNCS (jncs.com) is a very good reseller of Asus products. Their tech support is also very good.

Finally, if you really want convenice, consider a MacBook Pro, starting at about 1600$ with student discount. They're quite fast (Windows native FTW!), and the El Deluxo applecare warranty will get you set for three years for 250$.

 

[mastrduke]

my family experience with dellhas been nothing but great...and my sister is working for ag edwards right now and can get a very very good deal on a dell for me...so i prefer to stay with dells..i dont want serious gaming as i alrdy have enough distractions from my schoolwork..lol...but id like to be able to play WOW occaisionally...im going to rebuild my desktop eventually for the gaming...

 

[slugg]

the 1505 is fine for WoW with 2 gb memory, x1400, and the 7200 rpm drive is NICE but not a must. A few of my friends have this same configuration and they're WoW freaks, and they seem to be happy with it.

and definitely drop the 6 cell for the 9 cell. It isnt physically bigger i dont think (i have a 1705 and the 6 and 9 cell are the same size), but it is a tad heavier. Not by much. The extra battery life is worth it

 

[cheesehead]

Originally posted by: mastrduke
my family experience with dellhas been nothing but great...and my sister is working for ag edwards right now and can get a very very good deal on a dell for me...so i prefer to stay with dells..i dont want serious gaming as i alrdy have enough distractions from my schoolwork..lol...but id like to be able to play WOW occaisionally...im going to rebuild my desktop eventually for the gaming...

Asus is a big step above Dell, but don't take my word for it. (It's also, in this case, less expensive.)

If you're determined to own a Dell, go for a 1.66ghz or 1.83ghz Core Duo, 1gb of RAM, and a 5400rpm drive. Then, use the money you save to buy a 7900GT or x1900 or Conroe.

 

[mastrduke]

does that asus come with a 4 year warranty also? if it does i might have to look at it...i prefer i 15inch screen and i want it to be able to run wow...but it doent have to be great because i will be fixing my desktop in the nearish future and i will game on that still

 

[pkme2]

Since you're going to college, Win XP Pro is recommended strongly.
Extended warranties are like playing Russisian Roulette. 2yrs maybe, 4 years never. You might get it stolen, drop it or buy another.
Don't forget to use the Discount Coupon found online. Just google it. You can save almost $350.
Other than that, you've done your homework, have fun in college, but not too much.

 

[mastrduke]

that price is with the 20% off coupon.

i thought i had heard that media center was just like xp pro with a fancy interface on top? is it?

and i plan on having this computer last me all 4 years...would you still not get the 4 year warranty knowing that?

 

[mastrduke]

that price is with the 20% off coupon.

i thought i had heard that media center was just like xp pro with a fancy interface on top? is it?

and i plan on having this computer last me all 4 years...would you still not get the 4 year warranty knowing that?

 

[pkme2]

If you planning to connect to your college computer system etc, you will need XP Pro because MCE is for home use.
Check with your college for O/S preferences.

 

[pkme2]

I suggest that you checkout 3rd party batteries for your Inspiron. Got Dell Lion batteries elsewhere at much better prices. You might too, just google.

or here

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: pkme2
I suggest that you checkout 3rd party batteries for your Inspiron. Got Dell Lion batteries elsewhere at much better prices. You might too, just google.

or here

I don't know if I'd go for third party batteries in a laptop. If something goes wrong with the 3rd party battery, you void your Dell warranty and plus, there are a lot of fake batteries running around, especially on EBay.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Originally posted by: mastrduke
that price is with the 20% off coupon.

i thought i had heard that media center was just like xp pro with a fancy interface on top? is it?

and i plan on having this computer last me all 4 years...would you still not get the 4 year warranty knowing that?

Although I love my e1505 i wouldn't buy it for that price. You can find laptops with better specs and better quality for $1700+


As for the OS most colleges will let you run any version of Windows XP as long as you have the most recente security updates.

 

[pkme2]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: pkme2
I suggest that you checkout 3rd party batteries for your Inspiron. Got Dell Lion batteries elsewhere at much better prices. You might too, just google.

or here

I don't know if I'd go for third party batteries in a laptop. If something goes wrong with the 3rd party battery, you void your Dell warranty and plus, there are a lot of fake batteries running around, especially on EBay.

Those batteries are built for Dell and you getting a better price because you're buying direct.

 

[mastrduke]

after talkng with one of my professors aparently my school has a very good deal wiht ibm thinkpads....supposedly they are high quality...and if u buy it from school and anything happens to itin 3 years they will fix it or give you a new one...you can drive over it with your car and if it was an accident...which it should be...they will replace it....an thoughts on the thinkpads? im gonna go see what we have for prices and whatnot later today

 

[andrewbabcock]

Originally posted by: mastrduke
after talkng with one of my professors aparently my school has a very good deal wiht ibm thinkpads....supposedly they are high quality...and if u buy it from school and anything happens to itin 3 years they will fix it or give you a new one...you can drive over it with your car and if it was an accident...which it should be...they will replace it....an thoughts on the thinkpads? im gonna go see what we have for prices and whatnot later today

Thats a much better option if you can afford it. Good luck.