I am almost done setting up my Dell E1505 - I need a little help - Page 2

no, i meant for that amount of money i'd get the M170, but with my current amount $1000ish I'd definetly get an E1505.

Once again, how are you setting up your system? Are you buying it from the phone or at a Dell Kiosk? Don't buy from a Kiosk. As I said earlier their prices there are inflated to cover the guys job who stands around the kiosk. Your prices are overinflated, plus you can get accidental damage coverage on ANY length of warranty not just 3 years.

Here's a config I just did right now with a $750 off coupon:
E1505 Dual Core
Date & Time: April 09,2006 11:46 AM CST

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

E1505 Dual Core Qty 1
Intel® Core™ Duo processor T2500 (2MB Cache/2GHz/667MHz FSB), Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 Unit Price $2,275.00
Save $750 off select $1999 Inspiron notebooks. Affiliates only!
Limited Time Offer Remove Coupon
- $750.00
Catalog Number: 29
Module Description Show Details
Inspiron E1505 Intel® Core™ Duo processor T2500 (2MB Cache/2GHz/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 512MB Shared Single Channel DDR2 SDRAM 533MHZ, 1 DIMM
Video Card 256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory™
Hard Drive 40GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Network Card and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
Combo/DVD+RW Drives 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Wireless Networking Cards Intel® PRO 3945 and Dell 350 Bluetooth Internal Wireless Cards
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor only
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) No Security Subscription
Primary Battery 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Hardware Warranty 3Yr Ltd Warr,At-Home Service,and HW Warr Support plus Nights and Weekends
Accidental Damage Protection (Except in Florida) Add CompleteCare Accidental Damage Service to 3Yr Lim Warranty
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months America Online Internet Access Included
Miscellaneous Award Winning Service, Support
Mobile Broadband No Broadband Expresscard technology is available in the market now
Operating System Re-Installation CD PC Restore recovery system by Symantec
Media Center Enhancements TV Tuner w/ Remote Control
Dell Digital Entertainment Starter Entertainment Pack - Basic digital Music, Photo and Game experience
ACCESSORIES
Logitech - V270 Cordless Optical Bluetooth Notebook Mouse - Silver Qty 1
Unit Price $48.00
TOTAL1,573.00

That gives you pretty much $1000 to play with. You could easily buy the microsoft office student pack anywhere for $150 and plenty of money still available to buy 2gb 667mhz Ram and a 100gb 7200 rpm hard drive. I even threw in bluetooth and a bluetooth wireless mouse to go with it. Once again don't buy the hard drive mem upgrades from dell.

No, it won't void your warranty. The parts will be compatible as long as it's a SATA HD and the memory is a DDR2 SODIM(you can use 533 or 667). Dell has no problem with you upgraded the components that are made to be upgraded(HD, RAM, mPCI card, cpu). If you start messing with the MB they will void your warranty. But the fact is that Dell can't tell if you've opnend up your laptop(unless you lose screws or do something to give them signs like gouged plastic) so they can't give you a hassle unless you've obviouslt screwed something up.

If Dell produces a service manual for all to use freely that shows you how to replace such parts yourself, how could this void the warranty?

And that $1000-2000 extra you seem to be paying over what most would consider a good price for the same system, would let you purchase the same system all over again if you accidently damaged it. Dump the overpriced warranty, and warrant it yourself!

Noody

I'd call DELL and check directly with them about that and what the implications are to the warranty and what their "burden" is with problems that may relate to your changes and what the subsequent turnover could/would be with support.

I bought my system (high spec I6400 - see below) totally from DELL just because I cannot afford the downtime that me customising options could present.

Also, it may be worth your while to call DELL and get yourself a sales rep. The reps seem to have alot of room to work with the $$$ when it comes to getting you into a decent warranty! I got my system including the full 3 year On-Site CompleteCare Accidental Damage Service warranty for CDN$2700 including taxes (15%).

If a 4 year warranty is desired, the best deal of that 4yr warranty will be to go the EPP way with 12% off systems. MS Office Student Edition sometimes go for as low as $89 or $99 after rebate (you'll have to be patient & wait for the deals). thecalifornian, I read that you'll be going to college soon & when you start attending, you may have the option to get the Office Professional 2003 (Academic Edition) for about $8-$10 only (you'll have to check with your school then)...

Links:

RAM (memory)
Seagate HDD



Good luck.