Dell e1705 owners I could use some advice

Hi all,

Last week I purcahsed a new Apple Macbook 13.3" and decided that the screen size was too small for the work I want to do (HTML, C++ Programming etc). I've got my eye on the e1705 as the $750 off coupon is really hard to pass up.

The 17" WUXGA+ screen with 1920x1200 resultion is the selling factor for me. I plan on having multiple windows open and would love the screen real estate this resoltuion provides.

For around $1300 I can get a nicely equped model with the 7900GS and a 7200rpm hard drive. My questions to all the owners are:

1)"Is it worth it"?
2) I plan on playing World of Warcraft and UT2k4 how will these run?
3) Is the bulkiness of the laptop a huge factor? I bought my fiance an xps m140 and honestly i wouldnt mind a little bit larger size.
4) Can I get 2 hours out of the 9-cell battery with wifi?

thanks,

Jeff

 

1) Yes -- so long as you dont mind the size
2) They will run like champs, no problem
3) It doesnt bother me, I love having my giant screen -- only thing people seem to complain about is light leakage(which mine is awesome doesnt have any) and the native resolution being too small.
4) At full charge, minimum brightness with the 9-cell battery i get about 4 hours with wifi on. If you are doing power intensive applications yes you should still get at least 2 hours, i did some cd burning one day and it lasted well.

 

What about Windows Media Center Edition? For gaming and coding should I use XP Home or XP MCE?

Jeff

 

Just go with MCE, there's a previous discussion somewhere, and people will debate it, but MCE can be hacked to pretty much get the same features as Pro, and its the same price as home. Gaming wise, no difference between the two

to answer your other questions, the e1705 will handle ANYTHING out there right now graphically. My friend has one with the 7800 and he can get a playable rate out of F.E.A.R at FULL settings without overclocking and with stock dell drivers, and FEAR is one of the most graphically demanding games out there. Pretty much, it's the best deal out there right now.

 

Cool, I just sold my athlon 64/7900GT box and need a system to get me through until conroe comes out. From what I am hearing it will be late july until they start shipping. Plus it would be nice to finally have a decent laptop.

Jeff

 

Also, I am trying to decide between a 100gb 5400 drive and the 60gb 7200 drive. They are both about the same price. Would i loose a bunch of performance with the 5400?

What do you all recommend.

Jeff

 

I chose the 100GB HD purely for storage, but you may benefit from it if you're going to game a lot - it'll cut back on the amount of load time a lot.

 

K 1 more question before i pull the trigger...

I have the following configured:

1.83 cor duo
7900gs
512mb ram (i have 2gb-ddr667 waiting at home)
60gb 7200 drive
WUXGA screen

total after coupons $1255

Will I be sorry that I didnt get the 2.0 processor? Its an extra $100.

Jeff

 

No you will be not, the price increase for the minimal performance is not worth it. I doubt you will even notice it. I would get a warranty though and bluetooth equipped with a dvd burner and you will be all set.

 

No, $100 isn't worth the slightly faster speed. An extended warranty is up to you. I think Dell offers the first year of warranty free though.

 

Make sure you buy the extended warranty, alot of people have been complaining that thier laptops last fine for about 1 year then after that they get all sorts of problems, trust me the extended warranty is worth it. I've had my 9400 for about 3 months and i can easily feel the keyboard is starting to wear out (some keys don't spring back as nicely as they use too), also mine was perfect for a month or two and then all of a sudden its developed a few problems (won't turn on sometimes, harddrive grinds etc.). trust me extended warranty is worth it, these 9400's seem to develop problems all of a sudden

(by the way the 9400 is the same as the e1705 just badged different for different areas)

 

Thanks for the advice about the warranty. Right now after doing some research, I am really torn between the e1405 and the e1705. After coupons I can get the 1405 for $650 (1.66 + truelife etc), or the 1705 for $1250(1.83+7900gs).

The 1405 is half of the 1705, more portable, but lacks the 7900.

The 1705 has a huge screen, and allows me to play games until the fall when I get a conroe box.

Has anyone tried both of these?

Jeff

 

I have not, but those two notebooks are in two different worlds. One is not graphically strong, but very portable while the other is very strong all around but a beast to lug around. I personally just bought the e1705 for 1600 w/ 4 year complete care coverage.