Dell.outlet: question re upgrading specs on lappie

Hmm_Messiah

Hi, I can't seem to post in tech forum, keeps logging me out

was looking at laptops in dell outlet

not being very tech minded i was looking at those showing a video casd installed

my question if i opt for one of the cheaper laptop offers , with no video card listed, is it possible(and easy) to install one later, and if so what would you recommend , and what price are we talking about ?


thanks

Sponge Bob

the price of doing it afterwarss afterwards is the killer, if you need 3d just get it now.

also note that one 3d card supplied by dell until recently (the x1200 or something) does not work with Vista apparently .

penexpers

In alot of laptops the graphics card comes as part of the motherboard so replacing the graphics card might involves replacing the motherboard, which is a slightly silly idea.

Ruu_Old

Moved from Bargain Alerts, if you are having difficulty accessing the forum let me know OP.

Oracle

This spec is available right now at the Outlet:

SYSTEM SPECIFICATION
Inspiron 6400 (System Identifier. ZRTD4C9F)
Inspiron 6400 Duo Processor T2050 (1.60 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
System Price EUR 707.00
Operating System: Genuine Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Memory: 1024MB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2x512)
Floppy Drive: No Floppy Drive
Hard Disk Drive: 80GB (5, 400 rpm) Hard Drive
Video: 128MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1300 graphics card
NoteBook Screen: 15.4 Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) TFT Display
Modem: Internal 56K Modem
DVD Drive: 8X DVD+/-RW
Software: Microsoft® Works® 7.0
English - Microsoft Works 8
MISC: 65W AC Adapter
NO SNAP COVER OPTION
Corel Snapfire Starter Edition
UK/Ire - Internal Keyboard
Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI - 60 day trial
6-cell , 53 WHr Li-Ion primary battery

The price would be €707 - €140 (current promotion) + VAT + delivery = €746

Headshot

lads what about upgraing a graphic card in a 9400

BostonB

For 99% of laptops. You can't upgrade the gfx. Where you can it makes no financial sense to do so. Buy the right machine, in the first place. Give Vista a few months and a few patches, and I'm sure it will work on most things. Of course you be better off with XP on a low spec machine.

Hmm_Messiah

I am wondering do I need a graphics card other than the one coming as standard.

so far was only looking at the laptops on outlet that list a radeon card but won't be using for games so would it make much of a difference to say watching dvds etc?

if I did decide to use for games ( plan to have the lappie a while so ya never know) is a video card essential (256 etc etc)
the laptop I was looking at had this
128MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1300 graphics card

any opinions / assistance ?

thanks

( though knowing my luck yet again the one I have an eye on will be gone by the time I decide )

thanks

BostonB

if you are not playing games the only reason you need a seperate gfx card is if you plan in using 3D apps or the 3D parts of the vista interface.

wingnut

Sponge Bob wrote:

also note that one 3d card supplied by dell until recently (the x1200 or something) does not work with Vista apparently .

Got a 9400 from the Dell Outlet almost a year ago at this stage. Has a 256MB GeForce 7800 which runs Vista perfectly.

BostonB

wingnut wrote:

Got a 9400 from the Dell Outlet almost a year ago at this stage. Has a 256MB GeForce 7800 which runs Vista perfectly.

Whats it like for gaming?

Headshot

can the DVD Drive upgraded

TerrorFirmer

Sponge Bob wrote:

the price of doing it afterwarss afterwards is the killer, if you need 3d just get it now.

also note that one 3d card supplied by dell until recently (the x1200 or something) does not work with Vista apparently .

No such thing as X1200. The X series cards Dell supply are X1150, X1300, X1400, all of which work fine with Vista.

Prior to that it was and still is in the Intel cases the GMA900 or 950, both of which also work with vista.