My New computer, thoughts?

[The Flannel Guy]

Well hello out there, I will make this quick.

I am hoping for some feed back on a laptop that I purchased recently. I would like to know what those of you in the computer field think about the system I purchased.

DELL - 1520
15.4" matte screen 1200 x 800 resolution
Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T7500 @ 2.2 GHz, 800 MHz, 4M L2 Cache
3.0 GHz DDR2 RAM, 667MHz 2DIMM
256 MHz nVIDIA GE FORCE 8600
250GB SATA HD
Running XP

There were many other minor things that I added to the system but I wont write here because its rather mundane stuff.

Does this seem like a system with good longevity? How upgradeable are DELL laptops, a little, a lot? I used to have a dell desktop but the need for travel made it rather inconvenient.

I've heard that the Intel chip sets are better (so to speak) than the AVG's, which is what the new Dell 1521 are using. The Intel chip set isn't even an option anymore. But if I wanted to move up to a faster processor in the future, do you think that I will have the ability to?

Reason I ask is because I have heard recently that to access some wireless networks later this year will require a MINIMUM of a 2 GHz processor? Has anyone else heard this? Apparently its due to more servers and Wi-Fi providers changing over to Vista (UGH).

I did know that nVIDIA is a good brand, its why I went with it! ha ha ha I wasn't gonna suffer because of a few hundred for a better video card!

Also what is a good manual or web site that details startup programs: what are the various ones, which can be disabled, which are crucial(!), etc...

Thank you:
The Flannel Guy

Additionally: Learning and repairing computers is almost as hard as repairing cars, the info and the hard/soft-ware changes CONSTANTLY! I do the best I can to keep up with this stuff.

[The Flannel Guy]

Yeah kinda screwed up on the system info, I meant 3.0 GB of RAM. But you realised that...didn't you?

[Minsc]

Originally Posted by The Flannel Guy

DELL - 1520
15.4" matte screen 1200 x 800 resolution
Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T7500 @ 2.2 GHz, 800 MHz, 4M L2 Cache
3.0 GHz DDR2 RAM, 667MHz 2DIMM
256 MHz nVIDIA GE FORCE 8600
250GB SATA HD
Running XP

I only really use desktops but:
-1200x800 sounds like a weird resolution...
-3GB is an odd number for RAM... Unless you have 3 channels or 1536MB DIMMs or something.
-Make sure to mention if the 8600 is a plain 8600 or if it has a suffix at the end(ex. GT, GE, MX, whatever).
-The "600" means that the 8600 is sort of middle-end and that a high-end series 7 card might beat it in performance(ex. maybe a 7900, not sure).

Does this seem like a system with good longevity? How upgradeable are DELL laptops, a little, a lot?

I think Dell makes pretty good laptops(their desktops suck though). The longevity depends on what you want to use it for(games, internet?).

Reason I ask is because I have heard recently that to access some wireless networks later this year will require a MINIMUM of a 2 GHz processor? Has anyone else heard this? Apparently its due to more servers and Wi-Fi providers changing over to Vista (UGH).

The clock speed of a processor only matters if it's compared to the speeds of processors from the same series(Pentium, Core 2, Althon, ect).

I did know that nVIDIA is a good brand, its why I went with it! ha ha ha I wasn't gonna suffer because of a few hundred for a better video card!

ATI's not really different from Nvidia except that their OpenGL support sucks. Anyway, for your CPU and GPU, go with whatever brand is doing better than the other at the time and don't pick a preferance. Ex: When the Pentium 4s where around, you'd go with AMD since their CPUs were better. Now that ATI has the Radeon HDs you might want to consider one of those, but I'm not sure how good they are(heard some pretty good things about them)...

Also what is a good manual or web site that details startup programs: what are the various ones, which can be disabled, which are crucial(!), etc...

None of them are really crucial. Spoolsv manages your printer... You could usually just google the process name to find out what it does.
Remember to reformat it when you get it since Dell puts a bunch of crap on it. Also, disable most services and mess around with the registry to turn off things like Windows keeping track of the recent files even if you turn off the folder, ect.

[Dan.Linehan]

These would be the laptops I'd buy right now: solid performance, solid state laptops for less than $500...

But again, I am very frugal. Especially when it comes to electronics. I definitely do not try to keep up with the Joneses.

[aussieNickuss]

@ Minsc .... I think he meant 1280x800 resolution (widescreen display).

Also, the memory could be 1x2GB & 1x1GB, or 3x1GB (I've seen laptops with 3 slots).

Reason I ask is because I have heard recently that to access some wireless networks later this year will require a MINIMUM of a 2 GHz processor? Has anyone else heard this? Apparently its due to more servers and Wi-Fi providers changing over to Vista (UGH).

Wireless is not dependent on processor speed. It depends whether your wireless adapter supports the required protocol (such as 802.11G, B or N). What operating system a server uses should not effect your ability to connect to their networks at all.

Does this seem like a system with good longevity? How upgradeable are DELL laptops, a little, a lot?

If you stay on XP, this system should last you quite a few years. Service Pack 3 will be coming out a bit later in the year, which is said to speed up XP more. Vista would run perfectly fine on this machine. It would be a bit (maybe a lot) slower than XP, and all you're really doing is sacrificing performance for eye candy, if you up(down)grade to Vista.

Beyond memory and possibly the hard drive, laptops aren't really upgradeable. Because of the way everything is packed in tightly, and the way heat has to be dissipated, the processor isn't user-replaceable. (someone correct me if I'm wrong, but that is what I've experienced).

Also, I've heard a few negative stories about the quality of Dell's laptops, but that's mainly a problem with their cheap, bottom-line machines. Hopefully you got a mid range model???

[The Flannel Guy]

Ok, clarification here. I have already purchased it. I a few weeks ago. I spent almost $3000 US on it. Ok here goes:

8600 GT, an i picked nVIDIA because I used them a few years ago on a proprietary multi-million dollar machine and they were great.

I really dont understand RAM well enough to tell you more about the setup I have, I have 3 GB an that's all I know. I would have to look up some stuff tell you more. I think what aussienickuss said sounds like the best bet though.

I have an 802.11 a/g wireless

An yeah the screen is wide-screen

An I do not place much signifigance on the graphics of my operating system. I mean what a waste! I want the graphics abilities of my computer used for the program I am running, not something like "vista"! I already re-set most of the settings to lowest graphics on my laptop, it makes it look like I am on win 3.0 but hey! ha ha

An I read multiple reviews of these laptops (always with fewer of the additional features than mine) and the reviews were always favourable. An i like Dell, had a desktop by them and I really enjoyed it.

[The Flannel Guy]

Oh an the main thing I use it for right now, is the web and office programs. But that changes depending on the job I am doing. It can be anything from running notepad (for instance) all day, to running demanding graphic design or CAD software. I would have gone with 4 GB of RAM but it would have been so little more for substantially more money.

I'm wondering if there is a setting for low graphics on Vista. I haven't really had much time to play with Vista. I cant understand why Microsoft has to make things so flashy, shiny and lit-up. I love O.Systems like XP, that can be LOW on looks but high on performance. Why cant Microsoft stop screwin around with what works!

As far as longevity, does it seem like a competitive unit? Will this last me 4 years, 2 years? Best guess? I would think about 3, or so. I put a substantial amount of cash into this laptop so I'm hopin it has a good run!

[Minsc]

Originally Posted by The Flannel Guy

Oh an the main thing I use it for right now, is the web and office programs. But that changes depending on the job I am doing. It can be anything from running notepad (for instance) all day, to running demanding graphic design or CAD software. I would have gone with 4 GB of RAM but it would have been so little more for substantially more money.

For graphic design, your system specs would determine how fast the program runs but other than that it should last a while. Also, the speed of graphic design operations usually remains pretty constant...

If you're doing anything in 3D then your graphics card might eventually be not supported but that would take a while.

I think you can configure Vista to look like Windows 98 but I'm not entirely sure.

You should be able to use it for a while unless you want to play modern games or something. You might have to install Vista to get DX10...

[Ree]

Sorry to say this, but I wouldn't have a Dell laptop if someone gave me one. In fact someone did give me one a few months back and I gave it away to someone else.

I have three Acers which I use for digital recordings and transcribing. I run Dragon Naturally Speaking, Word and a few other programs regularly. I also regularly produce 100-200 page multipage PDFs and take color photographs for cover pages on depositions. One Acer is huge with a 17" screen. The others are average size. I got all three Acers for less than $2500. Had them for a little over a year now with no problems minor or major

Good luck with your Dell. Hopefully you got a good one

[andrew]

I'm an Apple fanboy I suppose, so I would have suggested a Mac.

I would have not payed $3000 for that, a regular pc. Could have got a nice Macbook Pro for that... haha.

Sorry, I had to.

The specs are good though. XP is fine, it will run a lot faster than Vista, since it has less eye candy going on, and everything works with XP.

[The Flannel Guy]

One of the reasons it also ran so high is due to the nontangeable extras I subscribe to, off site data storage (500GB aint cheap), multiple virus programs, anti-theft, help/support and onsite repair regardless where I am, warranties (4 year plans, dont knock em till you try em). Also mouse / keyboard, a bag, and multiples of the following: flash memory devices, batteries, power adapters, printer ink cartridges,

i bought everything at once. I do things as package deals most of the time, they cut the cost more depending on how much you spend. I saved almost 500 dollars on my deal.

Oh an no way, I cant stand the look or the working of a mac. Never did, even in the 80's. no way. Also I dont like the look of the display. But they are fine machines! If I didnt mind the MAC style OS's and the looks then I probably would have bought one. They always seem to run faster than anything else. Go fig...

[andrew]

Have you used them in the last year? I used to hate macs until the last few years, worth trying to take a serious drive if you haven't. To each their own of course.

Well, that makes more sense. When you say you spent $3000 on it, I assume you meant just the laptop. How much was just the latptop itself?

[The Flannel Guy]

Yes I have used them in the last year nad didnt like em. I dont know how much the laptop alone was, still a lot for me at almost 2000. All I know is I am using it right now and love it. And I used it for some design programs the other day and they ran great.

And to think that I could have saved some money an bought an e-machine......Oh well.

[ericwmontgomery]

I got a Dell laptop about 2.5 years ago or so and I've been really happy with it. I still use it for pretty intense tasks and it keeps up very well.

Personally I think RAM and harddrive space are the two most important components to pay attention to, and you're in good shape in those areas. I wish my laptop had nvidia graphics... I went with ATI on mine and knew it was a mistake when I got it, but I was getting a good deal so I did it anyway. nVidia is the way to go.

For the record, anyone else looking to buy pretty much any new laptop - choose the lowest RAM configuration option they will allow during the order (if you're buying online and can do that). You want lots of RAM, but it's cheaper to buy the laptop with just a little and then upgrade it after the fact; it's something you can do yourself.

Enjoy your new laptop!