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Inspiron 6400, help me customize.

post #1 of 33
3/9/06 at 12:18pm
Thread Starter 
I've decided to go forward with the following specifications, please post comments if you find anything useless or if it can be replaced by something better:

Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo Processor T2400
1.83 GHz, 2MB Cache, 667 MHz FSB

Displays 15.4" UltraSharp(TM) Wide Screen SXGA+ TFT Display with Truelife(TM): 1680x1050 -- Extra $90

Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Combination Drive with dual layer write capabilities
Intel(R) Media Accelerator 950 Graphics Up to 128MB shared system memory

1024MB (2 X 512MB) DDR2 SDRAM
60GB SATA Hard Drive
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945 Dual Band 802.11a/g 54Mbps Wireless Mini Card
Intel(R) 945 Chipset Family
6-cell 53Whr Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Weight-around 2.8 kg
All this is worth $1 526

This is much higher a configuration i asked for, but still, wanted to go for some future proofing.
Now tell me guys, is the money spent on screen a fair choice, i'm somewhat fascinated with good resolution. Also, am i adding extra weight by doing heavy customization? Please help me decode fast!
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post #2 of 33
3/9/06 at 12:36pm

coupon

make sure you use a coupon 1500 is too much
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post #3 of 33
3/9/06 at 12:54pm
nothing you have done will make much of a difference in weight. The main things that would affect weight would be having the 9 cell battery instead of the 6 cell.... (50% more battery life, but it's heavier), and replacing the dvd drive with a blank (would make it a little lighter, but then you cant do the cd/dvd thing....
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post #4 of 33
3/9/06 at 1:02pm
I recommend the 9-cells battery above the 6-cells. The weight difference is to small to notice on a 2.8KG weighing device. You'll get alot more batterytime.
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post #5 of 33
3/9/06 at 1:43pm
Thread Starter 
Fine, thanks for the comments, but anything else besides price and batterly life, what about graphics? Dell India doesnt have a ATI Rad as an option, just says you have upto 128 mb shared system memory.
And what about screen? Is it worth spending $90 for better resolution?
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post #6 of 33
3/9/06 at 1:51pm
I don't think any of the e1505 /I6400s have the ati cards in them yet. if you plan to game at all, that's probably worht waiting for.

I have a 15.4in WUXGA (1920x1200) and I love the high resolution. My parents can't read it, and my girlfriend doesn't like it (she has a 1024x768 on her 14.1in).

So, if you want more stuff on the screen at the same time, and don't mind stuff being smaller... then yes, the higher res is sweet. If you've got bad eyes you'll do this

But really even the WSXGA+ wouldn't be small compared to some screens
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post #7 of 33
3/9/06 at 2:06pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks. Another thing, is this ultrasharp screen a glossy one.
What about an average gamer like me, like playin Q4, AOE3, NFS U2, GTA SA etc, will they run fine?
ANother thing that cought my eye was this: there're two options for RAM, one is 1024 (2 X 512) DDR2 SDRAM, and anotheris 1024 (2 X 512) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM, i guess with Core Duo comin with 667MHz FSB, the latter should be better isnt it?
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post #8 of 33
3/9/06 at 2:15pm
i dont see an ultra-size screen availible for the 1505/6400?
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post #9 of 33
3/9/06 at 2:22pm
there isn't a WUXGA option on the 6400/e1505. sorry if i confused anyone. Yes, the truelife thing means glossy.

Define "runs fine."
What do you currently use to play them?
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post #10 of 33
3/9/06 at 2:22pm
Thread Starter 
Its Dell India from where I'm customizing from O My brothers.

Another query guys as i've gone real berserk over this: what about spending extra $71 for Windows Professional Edition? As right now i'm gettin the notebook with Home Edition preinstalled? Is it worth it? Choosing Professional skyrockets the price to $1 590.
ANother thing i was thinkin about: spending extra $154 on T2400? How much difference does it make, remember i stil have 1GB RAM to boot.
So what say brothers, 1.66/1.83 Core Duo, and $71 for Professional Edition?
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post #11 of 33
3/9/06 at 2:26pm
Is there a media center edition option? (it's basically pro, but usually costs thesame as home (from dell anyway))

What are you palnning to use the laptop for? the ram vs. processor speed tradeoff depends on the intended uses.

From earlier about the 533 vs 667 MHz ram, as long as you have 2 identical sticks (not a 1 GB and a 512MB) then you can go with the 533, it'll be cheaper and wont be any slower.
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post #12 of 33
3/9/06 at 2:54pm
Thread Starter 
No, there's no Media Center Edition option.
I'm an engineering student, i'll have to run various simulation softwares such as Matlab, PSpice, RationalRose etc, along with them, i may play games (as mentioned above), run all the softwares like adobe, office, corel, watch dvd movies, heavy internet dependence, and every other thing a power user does.
What do you guys suggest? Is Core Duo that faster to compensate for the tradeoff. I mean 1.86-1.66?
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post #13 of 33
3/10/06 at 2:51pm
Thread Starter 
Guys, please help me out!

How much would 1.66 and 1.83 GHz Core Duo systems differ in performance considering both notebooks have 1024MB (2 X 512 ) 667MHz FSB RAM?

Or would you rather go with a 1.83, 512 MB RAM notebook? Kinda urgent!
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post #14 of 33
3/10/06 at 2:56pm
Oh... i didn't know you were debating 1GB vs 512.... thought it was 1GB vs 2 gb....

def get at least a gig of ram.

edit in: Well, if you can find 1 GB (2x512) online cheaper than the upgrade from 512->1GB from dell, then get the 512 and the extra gig from the online retailer... (if that's what you meant)

But I honestly wouldnt recommend less than a gig of ram to anyone.... much less a game playing, simulation running, engineering student power user.
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post #15 of 33
3/10/06 at 2:57pm
Thread Starter 
You mean to say, sacrifice 1.83 Gigs for 1 Gb ram?
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post #16 of 33
3/10/06 at 3:01pm
If the choice is either 1.66 with 1 GB or 1.83 with 512, I would not hesitate to go 1.66 with 1GB. (Unless I had plans for a (very) quick upgrade)

Of course if you could go 1.83 with 1GB it would be better still
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post #17 of 33
3/10/06 at 3:09pm
Thread Starter 
Darthpice, I'm in a pretty bad situation, just cant chose b/w 1.83 512 and 1.66 1 gb, i'm a heavy user but would still like to go for some kinda future proofing.
How much diffrence in performance will it make considering both are Core Duo, my heart says 1.83, but mind says 1.66!! SOS
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post #18 of 33
3/10/06 at 3:19pm
Well RAM would be the easiest update down the road, not that I think it is wise to go 512MB instead of 1GB but if you go 512 the update to 1 down the road may be cheaper and easier than the processor upgrade. I'm not sure, it would be a tough decision for me as well.
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post #19 of 33
3/10/06 at 3:42pm
I feel like getting 512 on any xp machine (especially since you're a power user and gamer) is going to seriously cripple the machine. If you're looking at months before you could go to at least a gig, I'd really have to say the 1.66 will be your better bet.

There are few situations where a 10% faster processor will benenfit you more than an upgrade from 512 to 1 GB. There will be specific tasks and benchmarks the 1.83 would be better on, but for your actual day-to-day use, I have no doubts that the 1.66 with a gig will be better.

So I guess it depends on how long it would take you to be able to upgrade the ram.

Speaking of upgrading.... you would probably be able to sell your used processor (if upgrading thatdown the road) a lot easier than used ram.

but the ram is of course much easier to do....

If upgrading isn't really in the works, go with the gig. Seriously.

Maybe this will help: you are choosing between upping the processor by 10% or the RAM by 100%
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post #20 of 33
3/10/06 at 4:30pm
Another thought about the ram, as I just re-realized we're talking about integrated graphics on this guy....

The intel graphics will eat away some of the system ram (up to 224 meg of it I believe), so it's another example of the importance of more ram for you.
Also on the note of integrated graphics.... they really are pretty weak performers in games. I can't say I'd recommend the 6400 to anyone planning to game until at least the ATI x1400 gets added as an option.
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