E1505 for Photoshop: What to compromise on?

This is a good setup for you:
Inspiron E1505:
Intel® Core™ Duo processor T2400 (2MB Cache/1.83GHz/667MHz FSB)

Operating System (Office software not included):
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005

Operating System Re-Installation CD:
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition re-installation CD

LCD Panel:
15.4 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen SXGA+ Display with TrueLife™ (Since you are docking the laptop, you may not need to best screen like this.)

Memory:
FREE 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm

Hard Drive:
60GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive

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

Video Card:
256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory™

Primary Battery:
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed):
No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor only

Network Card and Modem:
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem

Hardware Warranty:
1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support

With the $450 discount: 9STJJSD$361BFX

Cost: $1,291.00



To answer your question directly:
1. The 1.83gHz is probably good enough for you.
2. I heard there is a big difference in the 7200rpm and the 5200rpm.
3. If you do a lot of video editing, the 2gb maybe best for you.

With the setup I put above, you don't have to compromise ^_^ You could take stuff off if you don't think you need them. This is just my 2 cents. I would wait and see what others say.

I'd get the 1.83Ghz Duo as it is a decent step up from the 1.66, but for the money the 2Ghz isn't that big of a step up. My 1.66Ghz is damn fast, faster than my 2Ghz Pentium M was, so no matter what you get it will be fast, so it just comes down to what you want to spend. Don't get RAM through Dell, they really overcharge for it. If you want 2gb(which you will need if you're doing PS working on high-res photos) get it through newegg. The G.Skill DDR2 667 is only $88 a stick for 1gb modules, so 2gb is only $170. As for the hard drive, there isn't a huge difference between the 5400 and the 7200 drives honestly. Yes, programs will load a slight bit faster, but other than that most everything else will be in RAM so there's not a big difference anywhere else. It's been shown that the higher density 100gig 5400 drives are almost as fast as the 60gig 7200 drives anyway, so that's what I'd go for, the 100gig 5400. Also go for the 256mb x1400 if you want to run an external monitor, as the integrated graphics would probably struggle with a high-res LCD display. Plus if you're going to be working with high-res images, or doing anything in 3D, you'll need some graphics processing power which integrated can't provide. Plus it's a pretty darn good card for light to medium gaming, and it overclocks really well. If you don't have bad eyes, make sure you get the WSXGA+ screen too, as that will give you alot more room to work on your photos. Everything else looks good, but I would be patient and wait for a better coupon. Look at the price I got in my sig, and that's with a 3 yr onsite warranty. Do you have access to a EPP(Employee Purchase Program) code? You can usually get a laptop through EPP for the same price as through Dell Home with a better warranty(since they give you an additional 12% off for the 3yr warranty). If you don't have access then just wait for a good promo or coupon through Dell home. Check www.slickdeals.net for the latest deals, or type Dell coupons into google and check some of the sites that come up(there are entire websites dedicated to the latest Dell coupons).

So that's my advice. For the work you'll be doing the E1505 is an excellent choice. The Core Duo will work excellent for you and it's just a great all around laptop. I know I love mine!

go with 1.83 duo, (250 more for 2ghz is too much)
go with 7200 rpm hd, again, photoshop runs slower on my 5400 HD , youll be happier with the 7200...

ram, 1gb should be ok, if not, u can buy elsewhere.

you can get a decked out 1505 with 2ghz/1gbram/60gb7200/wsxga for 1350 with a coupon, so i dont know why your worried about your budget.

please tell me u know about the 750 off 1999

edit:

just priced a maxxed out system

2ghz duo
1gb 533 ram (free upgrade)
256 x1400
9cell battery
wSxga 15.4 trulife
60gb 7200 sata HD
intel 3915 wifi with bluetooth.
1yr @home warranty...

total= 1324$, -35 from ebay coupon. SHIPPED

thats less than 1300$ shipped to my door with coupons. what the heck are you pricing?

klopus,

Your WAY over budget, I have the E1505, can easily do RAW and Photoshop with the base setup. The 950GMA will drive a second monitor to 1900 x 1200. Its only weakness is frame rate NOT resolution.


1] Each CPU step is 10% faster, is that worth $200, not for me.
2] For most things Photoshop will not be disk swapping, if the object is smaller than the RAM, then no disk swapping. So unless you're disk swapping, that extra HD speed is a waste of money.
3] NewEgg has a matched pair of Muskin 2x1GB DDR2 SODIMMs for $140 with a 5 star rating. Need I say more?

The way I have it figured, $699 for a base E1505 + $140 for 2GB = $840. Actually, I think you are set on spending $1300, come hell or high water!!!

Hermit

Yah, just use the $750 coupon.

1CS4WZBB5$LVSS

It expires Thursday morning at 5:59AM

Here is a list of the coupons. All of them expire the 19th of this month.

Save $250 on SELECT Inspiron™ notebooks $799 or more - Q2RWHBDZ76XCT4
Save $300 on Select Inspiron™ notebooks $999 or more - HZKRKPW8PV0633
Save $450 on Select Inspiron™ notebooks $1499 or more - 9STJJSD$361BFX
Save $750 on Select Inspiron™ notebooks $1999 or more - 1CS4WZBB5$LVSS


I listed them all just incase the amount you spend is more than you thought. This way you have a list of all of the coupons for different prices. These percent off coupons don't stack.

1505 over 1300$ would be a waste to me. glad i got to u in time!

On the CPU, the 1.83 Mhz is probably a fine compromise.

I would recommend the X1300 dedicated, over the integrated video. This is just my impression from seeing a Latitude D610... where there is signifigant delay in redraws of screen objects, etc. I just find this annoying. Either will drive the resolution, it's just a question of speed to redraw.

The upgrade to the X1400 would be a waste of money, unless you're doing 3d gaming.

As for the 7200 rpm drive. That's what I have, and I wouldn't do anything else. But I'm a developer who doesn't mostly compiles and such, so I'm more disk intensive. You may want say a 100 Gig drive, as you may want the disk storage.

On the memory, I concur that it's cheaper to upgrade by buying it through newegg. The only downside of that is if you get a bad one, like I did and have to wait two weeks to send it back and get a new one. The strange thing is, you can even get the memory cheaper through Dell accessory sales than what they want to install it.(no idea why)

if your not dead set on a 1505 you can get a similar setup on the 1705 for the same cost... using the 750 coupon.

just a thought

klopus, two things to keep in mind:

1. configure the system just beyond $2000 (assuming there's a $750 off $1999+ coupon available), if you need to, just add something small (i chose the media center remote, $29.) i configured my E1505 with every option maxed out except for memory (ordered that on newegg, much cheaper), my total with shipping was just a little over $1300.

2. the E1505 doesn't have a DVI port - this may or may not be important to you, but you did mention using an LCD panel with it. your call.

hope you find what you're looking for!

you can get a 15"/17" for 1300$. something thatll suit your needs fine. (and maxxed out on the 15's)

i myself love the 15.4 for PS

I prefer the biggest screen I can get when I am working on my photography projects. I know you are going to be mostly using a 19" but having the ability to have a large screen anywhere you go is nice.

Congrats on your purchase.

awesome, i got to u first (:

enjoy it!

Great buy! i'm sure you'll love it!