New M1710 Questions

Hi,

I ordered a new M1710 recently and it is due to arrive in the next week. I would have liked the M1730, however I couldn't really justify the extra cost for the amount and type of games I play.

Anyway, after looking at these forums for a while I have a couple of questions:
First of all my specs if they are needed:

C2D T7400
4GB RAM
7950 GTX
Vista Ultimate (see #2.)

#1. Is there a place (on or off these forums) that has average 3DMark/FRAPS test values for this laptop/GPU? I would like something to compare my eventual tests on the new laptop.

#2. I had to get Vista because the wireless card wasn't compatible with XP. Has anyone else heard about this, or if there is a driver to get it working with XP. This is because...

#3. ...I would like to put XP on it when I get it, depending on #2. I was wondering if this was worth it? I never used Vista much and not on one of my personal computers, only at work. So I'm a bit in the dark about using Vista over XP. Sure I know about some of the compatibility issues and slightly lower speeds, but I still don't know overall and especially from other M1710 users.

#4. Is this laptop too heavy/warm to use on your lap? I currently use an upturned tray on my lap with my current laptop ontop and that works fine. Apparently, the M1710 is only slightly heavier than my current laptop (D810).

#5. If I was to reinstall the OS (especially to XP) is it best to use the stock (from Dell website) drivers and then update the graphics drivers, or shall I use all the suggested drivers from the get-go?

#6. Any other advice for me!?

Thanks very much,

 

1) You can probably look and see if NBR hosted a review of it. That's the best "official" numbers you'll get.
2) Go to www.Intel.com and find the drivers.
3) We'll be able to help you...I'm sure others with your laptop have done it too.
4) I don't know.
5) Always start fresh with the latest, only use outdated Dell drivers if absolutely needed.
6) Not yet.

 

Anyone else with some advice??