Opinions on Possible new Vostro

mik_da_man

I'm thinkin of getting the below laptop from dell.
Opinions are welcome.
I need good RAM and Processor

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7250 (2.00 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2-cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate (32Bit) - English
1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day Included - No Upgrade Selected
15.4" Wide Screen WXGA+ (1440 x 900) Display with TrueLife™
Matte Jet Black with 2.0 mega pixel camera
4096MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]
250GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
256MB nVidia® GeForce® 8600M GT
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
Primary 6-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (56 WHr)
Services & Software
Declined CompleteCare
No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English
Accessories
Microsoft® Office 2007 Basic - English
No Carry Case
Dell™ Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0 Module (up to 3Mbps) with Enhanced Data Rate
Intel® Pro Wireless 3945 802.11a/b/g Mini-Card - Europe
Also Includes
N0215019
Vostro Laptop Order - Ireland
English Documentation with English Power Cord
Resource CD - contains Diagnostics and Drivers
90W AC Adapter
56.6k V.92 Capable Internal Modem & Adapter - Ireland/Spain
Internal Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day
Dell Internet Order.
Free upgrade to Office Basic

All for €1317 inc Vat

AlmightyCushion

It seems a bit expensive. I presume this is the one and you upgraded.

Instead of upgrading the hard drive you could buy this (look around though you may find one cheaper) and replace the 160GB that comes with it. Sell the 160GB on adverts and make a few quid out of it.

Instead of upgrading the ram you could get a 2GB stick here for about €60 and replace the 1GB that comes in it. 4GBs isn't really worth it as a 32bit os can only see around 3.25GBs ram. I wouldn't bother upgrading to 4GBs if I were you.

Do you really need to upgrade the graphics card. This will only be useful for gaming or other autocad style stuff.

mik_da_man

OK - was not aware of the 32 bit issue.. Thanks.
I may need a 64 bit system for running an Oracle DB..
Good point about changing the HD but dell don't usually supply proper OS Install discs. Could I image the installed HD onto the new one?

And prob do not need the good graphics as it'll mainly be a work laptop, but it would be nice. it's only €60 more

AlmightyCushion

mik_da_man wrote: »

OK - was not aware of the 32 bit issue.. Thanks.
I may need a 64 bit system for running an Oracle DB..

It depends if you think the extra GB of ram is worth the €65 for the odd time you do use it.

mik_da_man wrote: »

Good point about changing the HD but dell don't usually supply proper OS Install discs. Could I image the installed HD onto the new one?

You could use something like acronis trueimage to set up you install the way you like it and then make an image of it. Both of the vostros I have bought had a vista disk and these were lower end ones costing €600.

mik_da_man wrote: »

And prob do not need the good graphics as it'll mainly be a work laptop, but it would be nice. it's only €60 more

If you think you'll use it then go for it. It's a bit of a waste if you never use it though.

Voodu Child

F83HW0S41J$6FS

5% off business models ( including the Vostro's).

Expires 27/2/08 (i.e. tonight).

e1320 seems a bit much for a Vostro, im sure i've seen similar specs for quite a bit cheaper.

mik_da_man

Thanks for the advice.
I dropped the extra RAM and HD and thanks to the Discount code and the below comes to €981 inc vat & Delivery - €811 Ex VAT.
That's more like it

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7250 (2.00 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2-cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate (32Bit) - English
1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day Included - No Upgrade Selected
15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display with TrueLife™
Matte Jet Black with 2.0 mega pixel camera
3072MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (1x1024 + 1x2048 MB)
160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
256MB nVidia® GeForce® 8600M GT
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
Primary 6-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (56 WHr)
Services & Software
Declined CompleteCare
No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English
Accessories
Microsoft® Office 2007 Basic - English
No Carry Case
Dell™ Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0 Module (up to 3Mbps) with Enhanced Data Rate
Intel® Pro Wireless 3945 802.11a/b/g Mini-Card - Europe
Also Includes
N0215019
Vostro Laptop Order - Ireland
English Documentation with English Power Cord
Resource CD - contains Diagnostics and Drivers
90W AC Adapter
56.6k V.92 Capable Internal Modem & Adapter - Ireland/Spain
Internal Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day
Dell Internet Order.
Free upgrade to Office Basic

AlmightyCushion

You've also dropped the screen resolution by the looks of it. It's 1280x800 in the second build where as it's 1440x900 in the first.

mik_da_man

Yep
I didn't see the need for the higher res
Unless I'm not thinking of something....

Voodu Child

See if you can find the brightness of the screen....when i was looking at specs for my last Dell I noticed that the 1440x900 screen was a little brighter than the 1280x800.

Apart from that, just go for whatever one suits you. Some like a little more room, others like everything a bit bigger/clearer.

mik_da_man

Glad I didn't get the lappy last night

Looked @ the specs today and I can get more for my cash..
N0315021

Better processor, Bigger Hd but no MS Office for €724 ex vat

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.40 GHz, 3 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate (32Bit) - English
1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day Included - No Upgrade Selected
15.4" Wide Screen WXGA+ (1440 x 900) Display with TrueLife™
Matte Jet Black with 2.0 mega pixel camera
3072MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (1x1024 + 1x2048 MB)
250GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
256MB nVidia® GeForce® 8600M GT
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
Primary 6-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (56 WHr)
Services & Software
Declined CompleteCare
No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English
Accessories
Microsoft® Works 8.0 - English
No Carry Case
Dell™ Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0 Module (up to 3Mbps) with Enhanced Data Rate
Intel® Pro Wireless 3945 802.11a/b/g Mini-Card - Europe
Also Includes
N0315021
Vostro Laptop Order - Ireland
English Documentation with English Power Cord
Resource CD - contains Diagnostics and Drivers
90W AC Adapter
56.6k V.92 Capable Internal Modem & Adapter - Ireland/Spain
Internal Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day
Dell Internet Order.

dulpit

mik_da_man wrote: »

...but no MS Office for €724 ex vat

And you can just download open office as a replacement, which is nice and free...

mik_da_man

Yep no Office does not bother me TBH