E1420 vs E1520

The price of the M1330 is just out of the question for me, but I have a couple of questions. I prefer the E1420 SIZE, but the 8600GT in the E1520 is awefully tempting. I've posed these questions more than once in the other bigger threads, but due to the massive content they are getting overlooked - so I decided to post my own thread.

If size is important to me, and I'm a medium gamer (Counter Strike Source and Command and Conquer Generals only) so I'm not extreme, but I want the DX10 card...no integrated graphics here. A couple of questions I have:

1. In the NEAR future, can I upgrade the card to something else in a E1420 or no?
2. What's the battery life difference between the E1420 with the 8400GS and the E1520 with the 8600GT - taking into account the larger screen size, and faster GPU - 9 cell battery on both?
3. Does the 9 cell battery stick out on the E1420?

Thanks!

 

I doubt you can upgrade the card.

I have no idea about the battery life since they just came out today

9 cell sticks out on both 1420 and 1520 i believe.

 

It sticks out of the 1520?!? I have an 1505 and it doesn't...now that would be retarded.

I realize they came out today of course, but I was just looking for some kind of an educated guess or whatnot. Also, does anyone know if you can upgrade to a SSD in the 1420 or 1520?

 

I'm sure you can upgrade to a SSD; they are just plug and play like normal hard drives, or that's my understanding (someone correct me if I'm wrong)

 

I was also wondering, is the Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition really worth it...?

 

i wouldnt think so...since its all software and not even hardware! but, if you have a extra 20 dollars (is that the price?) then im sure it wont hurt.

 

Well it's just $20, but so is an extra battery, and this and that...and all these $20's add up after a while...

 

No. I got the normal speakers with my E1505 and then went to the support site and downloaded the sound blaster drivers for free. I bet you can do the same thing for the 1520

 

Another question I have, is I'm going to buy RAM from NewEgg. Dell.com says it's 667Mhz, but which one can I buy from NewEgg - DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) or DDR2 667 (PC2 5400). If they both work, which one is better? Or does that not matter either, whichever is cheaper?

 

Actually, they're the exact same thing, just two different names for it. Basically they rounded off differently. I forget where I read that, but I definitely saw it somewhere. So the answer is get whichever is cheaper that's from a reputable brand.

Edit: This page explains the (lack of) difference:
http://metku.net/index.html?path=reviews/ddr2_1/index_eng

 

I did that and went with the 5300... 666.6666*8 = 5300; that's what it's "supposed" to be and there's more 5300 than 5400. My guess is that the 5400 might give a little better performance? Anyone who actually knows about memory here.... lol