I want a new laptop, and I'm looking at Dell. I'm just SUNK on what to get, however. $800 is the upper limit of what I can spend, but I really can't AFFORD that much (who can these days, really?).
I'm starting school, all my classes are online. I need something reliable. However, my main desktop is in the basement, and I'd love a laptop that was able to keep up with my desktop so that I didn't have to "hide out" everytime I wanted to play a game. Not talking Oblivion here, but something like Hitman, or whatever else suits my fancy...
I've been looking at the E1505 Single Core model. The dual core isn't much more, but the processor that comes for the price isn't as fast as the single core one.
I'm contemplating the 15.4 inch UltraSharp Wide Screen SXGA+ Display with TrueLife, it adds $100 to the price. Is this worth it?
I think I'll leave it with 512 megs of ram, I can get my own ram from Newegg for alot cheaper than Dell would charge.
Same with the HD. I want a 7200 rpm drive, but think I'll start with the 60GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive. Later, I can Newegg one.
The video card is what kills me. I can not upgrade this later, obviously. So, here are my options:
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 [Included in Price]
128MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1300 HyperMemory™ [add $49]
256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory™ [add $99]
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™Go 7300 TurboCache [add $129]
What to pick!?!?!!? The GeForce would be nice, but $129 is high. The $49 ATI wouldn't be bad, but the $99 one is close enough to the GeForce I'd be tempted to buy it too.
I can get integrated audio, or for $25 more, I can get the "Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition. SOFTWARE EDITION??? What the heck is THAT all about? Doesn't sound worth $25...is it?
Other options tempt me, like the 9 cell battery that goes longer ($100 more!), internal wifi (I assume that's got better signal, because it costs more), etc etc...
If anyone has any ideas, I'd be glad to hear them! Suggestions on the Dell, or something outside the box.
Thanks!
I'm starting school, all my classes are online. I need something reliable. However, my main desktop is in the basement, and I'd love a laptop that was able to keep up with my desktop so that I didn't have to "hide out" everytime I wanted to play a game. Not talking Oblivion here, but something like Hitman, or whatever else suits my fancy...
I've been looking at the E1505 Single Core model. The dual core isn't much more, but the processor that comes for the price isn't as fast as the single core one.
I'm contemplating the 15.4 inch UltraSharp Wide Screen SXGA+ Display with TrueLife, it adds $100 to the price. Is this worth it?
I think I'll leave it with 512 megs of ram, I can get my own ram from Newegg for alot cheaper than Dell would charge.
Same with the HD. I want a 7200 rpm drive, but think I'll start with the 60GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive. Later, I can Newegg one.
The video card is what kills me. I can not upgrade this later, obviously. So, here are my options:
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 [Included in Price]
128MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1300 HyperMemory™ [add $49]
256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory™ [add $99]
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™Go 7300 TurboCache [add $129]
What to pick!?!?!!? The GeForce would be nice, but $129 is high. The $49 ATI wouldn't be bad, but the $99 one is close enough to the GeForce I'd be tempted to buy it too.
I can get integrated audio, or for $25 more, I can get the "Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition. SOFTWARE EDITION??? What the heck is THAT all about? Doesn't sound worth $25...is it?
Other options tempt me, like the 9 cell battery that goes longer ($100 more!), internal wifi (I assume that's got better signal, because it costs more), etc etc...
If anyone has any ideas, I'd be glad to hear them! Suggestions on the Dell, or something outside the box.
Thanks!