You're forgetting the coupons! I just built on their website an E1505 with the 1.66 core duo, 1GB of RAM, 80GB HD, X1400 GPU and a DVD+-RW for $807...

Check out the latest coupons here:

http://www.notebookforums.com/forum104.html

Also, check out the outlet at www.dell.com/outlet you can find great deals there.

About the lenovo:

It looks like a good system, but honeslty, $1K for it seems a bit expensive. You should also consider the fact that the it doesnt have a dedicated GPU, so the gaming performance will be pretty much null.

If you do want it, getit from here:

http://www.costcentral.com/proddetai...689A4U/K91616/

or maybe this one:

http://www.costcentral.com/proddetai...7686FU/K22553/

hmmm ok.. thanx a lot filippo!

Hello everyone.

I just purchased my 1st laptop computer, and I hope I chose wisely. I originally orered a Dell Latitude D820, but returned it and re-ordered a new M90, mainly due to the graphics card was much better, and it was just a better computer.

I own a landscape company, so I just purchased the new, latest version of my industry software, and will also use QB, and Word, email, light gaming (although I don't own a game, im in mid 30s, havent gamed in several years). I need it to be powerfull like desktop, this will be main ofice computer, just connect to dport and ofice printer,scanner,copier, phone,backup HD,mouse, etc... also will wi-fi for first time, never did wireless, currently use high speed cable sevice at home only, so this should be fun. Not too sure about pc cards, or express cards, or whatever cards you use, i have a great deal to learn, and quickly, the Dell computer is beening shipped as we speak. I also want to use this in my nice f350 truck for estimates, etc, with mobile printer in truck, can take digital photos, contracts, bids, customer history reports, etc, and print on site, become more effecient, also, in my biz i run the fertilization division (lawn care like TruGreen) and it is really only labor i do anymore, and it will be nice to print out fert reports (higly detailed info) on new laptop and print and keep copy on HD, etc.

Anyway, hope I chose well, can't wait.

Also, 3 questions, #1) can I still add bluetooth to my system, i failed to add that option to my order.? #2) What is the best game to start with, maybe best 2.? #3) Will I ever beable to pick up wifi wireless internet connection in my truck with the reg. wi-fi card? or do I have to order an additional card and sign a 1yr dealwith someone like Verizon and pay $200 extra? has that all work?

Thanks forthe feedback !!!!

Here are my specs:

Order GroupQuantityItemDescription11222-5481Dell Precision M90, Intel Core2 Duo Processor T7200 (2.00GHz/667MHz/4MB)11320-475217 Inch Wide Screen WUXGA LCD for Dell Precision M9011311-58772 GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMM for Dell Precision M9011310-7669Internal English Keyboard for Dell Precision M9011320-4754NVIDIA Quadro FX 2500M 512MB OpenGL, Dell Precision M9011341-332180GB Hard Drive 9.5MM, 7200RPMfor Dell Precision M90 Factory install11420-4867WINDOWS XP PRO SP2, with MediaDell Precision Mobile,English Factory Install11313-407024X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive withCyberLink PowerDVD, Dell Precision M9011430-1893Intel 3945 (802.11a/g) Dual-band Mini-Card, Dell Precision M9011313-4073Resource CD w/ Diagnostics and Drivers for Dell PrecisionM9011420-3699NTFS File System,Factory Install11310-7823Quick Reference Guide for DellPrecision M9011970-2208CompleteCare Accidental DamageSvc, WorkStation, 3Yr , 1-800-624-989611980-8010Type 3 Contract - Next Business Day Parts and Labor On-Site Response, Initial Year11980-8012Type 3 Contract - Next Business Day Parts and Labor On-Site Response, 2 Year Extended11461-3749GTS,Personal Systems,TechnicalSupport Letter11902-4902Gold Technical Support ServicePrecision, 3 Years, 1-866-876-3355 (DELL)11982-5729Thank you for choosing 3 Year Standard Plan11983-2207Thank You for buying Dell11983-2217Please visit WWW.Dell.COM11900-9987Standard On-Site Installation Declined11310-8314Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor

Hi my1stnotebook,

I think you'll be happy with the M90. I have one myself, and its great. Being a 17", its pretty large, so mobility isn't that easy, but if seeing as you had the D820 for a while and returned it, you know what a 15.4" is and you weren't afraid to go for a bigger notebook!

Answering your questions:

1- Yes you can, but its not that simple because you have to open up your notebook.

2-This is a tough question. What type of games do you like? I recommend buying a pack that comes with CS:S, DOD:S and HL2, I think it's $19,90. CS:S and DOD:S are great first person shooters. If you're in to those games, you could also consider the new Battlefield game, Battlefield 2142.
Anyway I suggest taking a look at www.straferight.com as there is a lot of great info on games there.

3-You can if you find a hotspot. If you don't you'll have to get the card and a plan with verizon or another company like that...

I hope you enjoy your new notebook

Dear Filippo.
Once again thanks for making this topic. It has helped people in ways you can't imagine. Thanks to you, I will not be lied by people from retail stores like BestBuy who say that integrated graphics card can run latest games very good


Anyways, few quick questions:

1)
When i went to dell site and tried to tweak e1705, i always see this:



See it says "SHARED" ram? Okay I know what shared means..it means it shares RAM memory with the integrated video card.

But later when i try to configure the GFX card, i see this:



So, this dell e1705 has both, integrated card and dedicated one (if i were to choose nvidia go7900gs). Or not? Can you please explain how the memory can be "shared" while at the same time have dedicated graphics card in it?




2) You said in your earlier post (on page 5..regarding screen resolutions)


Okay i understand that.
But when i tried to configure "display" on dell website, i was given this option:



Why does the option with TruBrite not have the + sign you mentioned? Or is it just some website glitch?





3) In your earlier post you wrote:
I wanted to dual channel my desktop RAM and did some wiki search and found out that to dual channel a RAM, i need to put them in the matching color holes inside mobo. And wiki also said that i need to have even number of slots to be able to dual channel it..like 4 slots.

my problem is my desktop mobo (Asus K8V SE Deluxe) only has 3 slots for RAM. and all of them are same color. Does it mean my mobo sucks so much that I can't dual channel my RAM on it?




Sorry if my questions seem so annoying, but i would hate the fact that after i bought my laptop which i have been saving for like year and a half now, it would be ruined because i didn't do enough research when i had option to.
Thank you sooo much

No problem, I'm glad I can help sharing the knowledge I picked up from all the amazing information that's spread around these forums

To be completely honest with you, I don't know why Dell says that the RAM is shared, but don't worry, it's just regular RAM like any other...
A videocard however can use your system's RAM, it's own memory or both. The X1400 for instance has 128mb of dedicated RAM, but it can use up to 512mb, but 128mb are dedicated and 384mb are shares, wich means that your system will have 384mb less memory available.

The WUXGA doesn't have the "+" sign, only the WSXGA+ and WXGA+ do, so the website is actually correct (Widescreen UXGA = WUXGA)


Are you sure it has 3 slots? I couldn't find a picture of your mobo, but this is pretty close (its the ASUS K8V-VM)

http://www.clubedohardware.com.br/fu...hp?image=15711

As you can see there are 2 white slots, not 3

I'm sorry but I don't think I can be of much help there...
No problem, I know what you feel, and the reason why I did this is that I blew 2.2K on my first notebook, and I could've have gotten pretty much the same performance for 1.3K... But that's life, we learn from our mistakes, and when we do, I feel it's our job to help other in a constructive way!

Hi,

First of all..great post (not sure if you knew that after the first 1000 people already told you...lol). So I am in the market for a notebook and like the price and options of the Asus you mentioned. Since you recommend it, I assume the build quality is good (I understand Asus has been spotty in the past)?

Do you, or does anyone have another recommendation for a 15"/15.4" core 2 duo with minimun X1600/7600? I'm thinking it would be good to get a slightly better video card, but I cannot afford the top of the line ($$$$ ouch!)

Lastly, I am unclear about the differences between the T5000 series and the T7000 series. From what I gather, the T7000 series has 4mb cache vs 2mb cache for the T5000. Is this correct and are there other differences?

Thanks for the sage like advice.

John

Hi John, thanks for the compliments

The difference between T5x and T7x Core 2 Duo is the L2 cache size.

Now onto the notebook suggestion, first of all I have to give my props to Asus for being an AMAZING company, all of their products have extraordinary quality... But if you are looking for something different, I suggest taking a look at the Compal HEL80, wich is in my opinion a close tie with the Asus S96j/Z96j in terms of design, performance and value for your money.

Here's a review on it: http://www.notebookreview.com/defaul...&review=Compal

The Asus A8js is only 14.1", but it's already coming out with the nVidia 7700, and there are a few models coming out the X1700/7700, so if you don't need to buy right now, keep an eye out for these new models!

Hey Filippo,

Thanks for the info...that 14" looks good...except that it is a 14"...lol. Do you have any insight as to when these new 15.4" notebooks will be released? Asus has so many models I'm afraid that I'll never find them when released.

Thanks again,
John

Filippo, quick question regarding LCD displays.

So yesterday I bought new 19 inch LCD monitor for my desktop.
When I was choosing which one to buy, i couldnt notice how desktop LCD's have much lesser resolution.

For example:
A usual widescreen 17 inch notebook display like Dell E1705 has max resolution of 1920x1200, while only being only a17 inch display
A usual widescreen 20 inch monitor has maximum resolution of 1680x1050, while being a 20 inch display.

So i dont get it.
How can a 17 inch monitor display up to 1920x1200 resolution, while the only way to have such a huge resolution on a desktop, you would need 23 inch monitor.

How can 17 inch laptop display do the same job as 23 inch desktop LCD.]


and 2nd question, which doesnt relate to 1st question in any way:

When i do buy my E1705 as you adviced, and conect it to my 19 inch monitor: what resolution will be used? The one that my monitor has (1280x1024) or the one which my laptop's display uses (1920x1200)?

I honestly don't know... However the upgrade from the 7600/7700 isn't that drastic, so if you want to buy now, just get the S96j/Z96j or the A8js..


1- I really don't know why the notebook resolutions are usually higher... But I don't think it's anything tech related, probably some marketing strategy...

2-It will display 1280x1024. No LCD can display any higher their native resolution

hey can someone plz help me by tellin me which laptop is better between the
acer aspire 5634wlmi or the toshiba satellite m115-s 3094
thanks in advance cheers

DELL Inspiron 1505 PLEASE MENTION ANY PROBLEMS PERIOD.

NOVEMBER 29, 2006
PLEASE MENTION ANY PROBLEMS PERIOD.

I am looking into purasing a Dell with:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5500 (1.66GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
Hi-Speed: Dell Draft N Wireless
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 [Included in Price]
15.4 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen SXGA+ Display with TrueLife
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 DIMM
160GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory
Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™ HD Software Edition
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
4Yr Ltd Warranty and At-Home Service
Add CompleteCare Accidental Damage Service to 4Yr Lim Warranty
Dell On Call, 30day, Getting started Assistance, unlimited incidents
PC-cillin Internet Security: AntiVirus, Firewall, Spyware removal 24-months

IS THERE ANYBODY THAT HAVE HAD PROCBLEMS WITH GETTING THE WIRELESS TO WORK PORPERLY?

ANY PROBLRMS WITH DELL 1505 PERIOD?

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOU ISSUES AND IF THER WERE RESOLVED.

NOVEMBER 29, 2006

I'd go for the acer between those two, but there are other models that give you more "bang for the buck", check out the first page


I suggest posting on the Dell forum part of these forums, but from my experience, the E1505 is a nice computer and doesn't have any particular problem.

Hey Filippo...

Thanks for this article. It's incredibly useful but I have some questions on cpus (the best Core 2 Duo vs the best Turion X2). I've done some research and there doesn't seem to be a clear cut winner. I've read about C2D winning in benchmarks but I'm not concerned with benchmarks. I'm looking for real world use. I've also read that the two cpus seem to be pretty much the same considering their architecture (C2D being loaded with L2 cache but poor memory architecture, and the Turion X2 having smaller cache but better memory architecture). I've also read the the C2D is the latest "next gen" cpu while AMD has yet to release their "next gen" Turion X2, so it is safe to say that you can't really compare the two (as the Turion X2 should be compared the original Core Duo and not the Core 2 Duo)? I've also read that the C2D is not a pure 64bit cpu (somewhere around 58bit or something) while the Turion X2 is pure 64bit.

I'm looking to get a laptop primarly for day-to-day use (email, internet, graphics (Macromedia Fireworks), website building, etc) and a gaming machine second (but I will be getting a really good gpu). So with what I want, which is the better cpu? I'm asking your opinion since a lot of posts I read (not just here, but everywhere) are very opinionated or think one is better over the other with minimal data to back up their claims and you seem to be incredibly knowledgable on the subject.

TIA!