First I have to say that you guys on this forum have been EXTREMELY helpful. I was able to find almost all information I needed just by searching.

Before I found this forum I was unsure about laptops due to the lack of information. I have a great desktop so a laptop would always be a mobile secondary machine and not necassarily a desktop replacement.

I had to strip down the laptop when ordering from Dell because alot of there prices are hyped up. The main thing I wanted was that sweet 6800 ^_^

Now my laptop will be arriving in a weeks time (hopefully) and I was wondering what things in the 9300 I can safely upgrade.

Logically I know the ram and HDD can be upgraded. But what about the CPU, or eventually the GPU?

I was wanting testimony from people that have actually done it and if it worth it.
Once again thanks guys for the help. My specs for the laptop are in my sig

It is unlikely to upgrade the GPU (or difficult and risky at best it would seem). As for the cpu that is easy to do. Personally, I would hold off on any serious upgrades outside of RAM, Hard Drive, or a Dual Layer DVD burner for the simple fact that once Yonah is released a P-M 2.26 or there abouts should come cheaper. Then max it out and enjoy. Just remember that there will always be something better on the horizon and so buy for what you need and don't look back...

Welcome the the forum. Yes the CPU can be upgraded, but your current CPU should be plenty powerful. As far as the GPU, it will take Dell supporting the upgrade in the future. Your current 6800go, is plenty powerful for now. The upgrades I have done are the ram, and a second hard drive in the DVD bay via an adapter. It can be swapped out if I need the DVD drive.

The only upgrade I have made thus far was two 1GB sticks of Kingston RAM from newegg. They ran about 99 bucks apiece which was a hell of a deal when compared to Dell's ridiculous prices for memory upgrades.

I've upgraded RAM (to 2x1GB), HDD (to 60gig 7200rpm then 100gig 5400rpm) and DVD (to Panasonic UJ-845S and now possibly Pioneer K05 - if and when an rpc1 firmware becomes available)...

All a lot cheaper than Dell and I get to have a slot drive (because they are cool - no other difference really).

Congrats on your 9300, glad to see a man of good sense here, quite right a laptop should be a secondary computer and not a primary computer/desktop replacement. Let's face it, laptops just arent desktop replacements for soo many reasons, standardized form factors, price of upgraded hardware, comfort when gaming , the list goes on. If your lappy is just arriving why would you need to upgrade it? Just enjoy it and upgrade it when necessary.
Down the road Dell will no doubt offer a GPU upgrade, for now though, pay little attention to the 7800 craze, these people are insane, as if their current cards cant run everything thats out there and the 7800 really only offers twenty percent increase in performance at best, not at all worth four to five hundred dollars.
No one can give you testimony on upgrading their video card with this system for one very important reason, there isnt anything to upgrade too yet and all the hype you hear is gossip, lies and rumors galore. Dell doesnt offer ANY 7800 cards yet so just enjoy your new system, your gonna love the 9300