The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Questions about XPS

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Jeeper, Apr 9, 2008.

  1. Jeeper

    Jeeper Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    (PRODUCT) RED (PRODUCT) RED
    PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB, 4MB Cache)
    OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED
    LCD AND CAMERA High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4inch LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 MP
    MEMORY 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
    HARD DRIVE Size: 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
    INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
    VIDEO CARD 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
    WIRELESS CARDS Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card
    BATTERY OPTIONS 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
    SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0



    Hello, I’ve been looking to buy a laptop for a few months, and now that I actually have the cash to do so I am thinking about purchasing a Dell XPS m1530. I don’t know much about laptops so I have a few questions.

    What is the difference between Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB, 4MB Cache) and Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache) and which one is better?

    Also is 4gb of RAM overkill for a laptop with Vista or is that the standard amount needed to run the new operating system?

    Lastly, I read that a 250gb 5400rpm hard drive is faster than a 120gb 7200rpm hard drive. Is this true?

    I’m going to be using this laptop for school and maybe some games. Other recommendations for something besides an XPS are welcome, thanks for your help in advance.
     
  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

    Reputations:
    5,504
    Messages:
    9,788
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    T8300>T7500

    Never buy 4GB from Dell. Get it second hand for half the price. RAM Deals.

    Yes.
     
  3. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

    Reputations:
    2,962
    Messages:
    8,231
    Likes Received:
    63
    Trophy Points:
    216
    T8300 offers only slightly more performance than the T7500. It will, however, consume less power, and therefore run cooler.

    The general consensus is that 2GB is sufficient to run Vista with all the bells and whistles. You won't be able to make use of all 4GB unless you use Vista 64.

    The 250GB 5400RPM will usually best the 120GB 7200RPM drive in raw throughput, but the 7200RPM may best it in seek times. The 5400RPM drive will also consume less power, and obviously, it has more space. Overall the 5400RPM drive is a better choice here.