HD for m15x ??

ok guys, i'm almost ready to pull the trigger ...

just had two questions:

1. Express Card Media Center Remote Control - is this a TV tuner and remote ?? or just a remote ???


2. the most important question ... i needed around 400-500 GB of space .... so i had two options:

get the 500GB 5,400RPM (8MB cache)

---OR---

get 200GB 7,200RPM AND 200GB 7,200RPM (for smart bay) - (16MB cache each)



they'r the same price ... but how much faster would the second option be ?? i really dont care about the lost 100GB if the second option would give me slighlty better speeds ... any ideas ???

 

I think the remote is just a remote, and that the TV tuner is in the machine. But you know what? I have no idea really. Just guessing. Someone else who actually knows can answer that one.

As for the HDD, I think with a laptop this powerful, you'll want the 7,200RPM drive for your main drive. Don't hamstring your performance with a slower drive. If you need extra space, go with your plan to get a smart-bay drive as well.

 

The Express Card Media Center Remote Control, is both tuner and remote. Regarding the drive, the 7200rpm is better over the 5400rpm drive.

 

so, if i do get the remote, i get a built in TV-tuner as well .... otherwise, the laptop comes without a TV tuner ??

also, if i get two 7200 RPM drives .... one in the system... one in the smart bay, will the SBdrive affect my systems physical size ? or is it just integrated inside the laptop chasis ??

thanks !

 

i don't think the remote control functions as a TV tuner as well. plus the m15x has no TV-in (or whatever you call the port).

 

the smartbay is integrated inside the chassis. the drive will slide in and be flush with the outside edge of your chassis - so, no increase in physical size. Be aware, though, that the smartbay accomodates the DVD/CD drive as well (and the additional battery, if you bought that), and can only hold one device at a time. So, when your smartbay HDD is inserted, you won't have use of the DVD/CD drive, and vice versa.

 

No, it wont affect the physical size of the laptop it's just a hard drive that slides into the SB

 

the SBdrive actually replaces you cd/dvd drive so it is all internal and wont affect the size at all. it will make it slightly heavier though.
every time you want to watch a dvd or listen to music you will have to interchange the HD with the smartbay cd/dvd drive.

 

i really dont wanna be swapping drives in and out ... especially since i'll be on the go with the laptop, and i'd rather not carry all that stuff..

do i have any other options ??? the largest 7200 RPM drive is 320 gb .... but i want a tad bit more ....

would there be a significant difference between this 7200 RPM and the 500gb 5400RPM ???

 

there will be a difference. whether or not it bothers you is tough to say. whether or not a slight decrease in speed is acceptable in order to achieve more storage is the question. The only other option is to go 320gb for your main drive, and buy an external USB or Firewire drive to keep your smartbay open. Or put a HDD in the smartbay, and buy an external USB CD/DVD drive. Or go with the m17x, and get dual drives...

 

This is your best bet go with the 320gb and get an external drive they are pretty cheap and it will keep your SB open

 

It must have a TV tuner with the remote, look at the wording for the option.

"Alienware recommends a remote control and TV tuner to enhance your media center experience."
"Without Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner"
or
"With Express Card Media Center Remote Control"

 

IMO, get the cheapest harddrive and buy the new Samsung drive that is 500 gig and 7,200 RPM.

 

Well no... It only specifies that you get a REMOTE, whereas on the M17x you specify if you want a REMOTE or a REMOTE AND TV TUNER. I seriously doubt they've included it without saying.

Of course for me it's all objective: we don't even get a remote in the UK. Or a TV tuner on the XPS M1730 (or the Core 2 Extreme, or the same HDs and graphics cards as you US) despite all that being advertised on the dell site.

 

what would they want me to do with a remote without the tv tuner ??

 

While our m15x does not include a TV tuner, the remote can still be used for WMP/Media Center functionality within XP and Vista.

 

thanks for clearing that out !

 

Yeah, they're used for controlling media. And I was right *dances*

 

Wasnt the 500GB at speed of 5,400RPM, there's a new one again ?!?!?? is it out in newegg? and i agree with Lessaj7, its save some money if you know how to install it yourself or your friends know how to do it.

And if im not mistaken the speed of the 500gb 5,400RPM are the same as the 7200RPM due to the capacity... right?

 

The Samsung Spinpoint M6 is 500 gig and 7,200 RPM.

 

I did something on NBR that might be of use to you:
http://www.notebookforums.com/thread215940.html

 

I think its 5400 RPM for the M6 Spinpoint..

 

Hmmm... I had seen a page that said it was 7200 RPM and now I can't find it anymore. *Shrugs*

 

your right, its 5400RPM... i just google it