Just ordered M1710...Did I do good?

[royludt]

I will start out saying that I am of average insight in to computers, and have ZERO experience with notebooks. I have always wanted one, and finally ordered it.

Also, I really appreciate any and all info I can gather. I appreciate your time in reading this and any light you may shed.

So, what'd I get?

2.0Ghz Core2 Duo
80GB HD
7900 GS Video Card
2GB Ram
etc. etc. etc.

Now, my questions.

First off, this is being delivered tomorrow, and I hear all this talk about "generations" (i.e. "I have a gen 3...") of these. Which generation did I just buy? Are we up to 3 or 4 in the lineup now?

I do not game for the most part. I have no real time to do so, but have also not had the computer to do so. I may spend 1 hour a week with this new 1710... maybe. Will I regret not getting the 7950GTX or whatever it is? One would assume I can purchase this card at a later date and install it (as well as upgrade some drivers, BIOS, etc.)...Is this correct?

Does the 2.0Ghz vs. the 2.33Ghz matter much? I surf the internet, run lots of Norton Internet Security and Malware programs. I just hate waiting for that type of stuff. Am I good with 2.0?

Thanks again for your time, all opinions and info appreciated, even if it's not what I want to hear.

Roy Ludt

[Justageek95]

Ok as far as the generation go, there are:

Gen1= The first XPS laptop (pentium 4, MR9800/9700)
Gen2= First XPS with mobile processor (pentium m, 6800Ultra)(you can add a 7800GTX)
M170= basically the same as the gen2 except it could be configured with a 2.26Ghz CPU vs a 2.13Ghz cpu (you can put the 2.26 in the gen2 though) and a 7800GTX (also fits in the Gen2)
M1710= The latest generation XPS (core 2 duo, 7900/7950)

You will not regret getting the 7900GS over the 7950GTX unless you play games much more than you do. Besides the 7900GS can overclock to 7950GTX speeds easily. Replacing the 7900Gs with the 7950GTX is easy, no mods/bios updates required, just new drivers (you can find these on dell's site)

The 2Ghz vs. 2.33Ghz isn't a big difference. The 2Ghz will be fine.

[royludt]

Ok as far as the generation go, there are:

Gen1= The first XPS laptop (pentium 4, MR9800/9700)
Gen2= First XPS with mobile processor (pentium m, 6800Ultra)(you can add a 7800GTX)
M170= basically the same as the gen2 except it could be configured with a 2.26Ghz CPU vs a 2.13Ghz cpu (you can put the 2.26 in the gen2 though) and a 7800GTX (also fits in the Gen2)
M1710= The latest generation XPS (core 2 duo, 7900/7950)

You will not regret getting the 7900GS over the 7950GTX unless you play games much more than you do. Besides the 7900GS can overclock to 7950GTX speeds easily. Replacing the 7900Gs with the 7950GTX is easy, no mods/bios updates required, just new drivers (you can find these on dell's site)

The 2Ghz vs. 2.33Ghz isn't a big difference. The 2Ghz will be fine.
AWESOME! You (and the news you bring) RULE!

On a serious note, this is the type of positive attitude I like to see in a forum. Thank you. The last place I asked I got no answers, just remarks on how my system isn't as fast as the next guys. I really appreciate the informed, intelligent opinion.

And also, thanks for explaining the breakdown for me. I know it can be irritating answering newbee questions, but we all are new at everything at one point in time.

Sounds good. I guess I will be back soon for hints or the overclocking!

Thanks again and have a great day!

Roy

[411sponge]

Trust me. It RAWKS!! :headbang: :headbang: Congrats! :thumbup:

[ChrisLilley]

To add just a little to the good reply from Justageek95:

You mentioned using malware and virus scanners. The twin cores in your Core 2 Duo mean you spend less time waiting for that sort of thing - its often running on a different core to the program (browser, email client) you are using.

Also, a 2 Ghz core 2 duo is way faster than a 2GHz Pentium 4M or Pentium M. My last laptop had a 2.5GHz Pentium 4M. CPU-intensive tasks on my new 2GHz Core 2 Duo are 3 or 4 times faster!

[BossMan]

LOL I think it is funny that you made this thread after ordering it, but it doesn't matter you bought a wonderful system..wish I could of..but they cost so dang much.