Final questions before purchase

I hope to order this new laptop within the next week since the wait is getting to me. I build the notebook and stare at it several times a day on the website. If I dont order soon, i fear ill need a shrink by Christmas.

I will order the E1705 since I require the 7900GS GPU and the price is alot better balanced in my mind than the XPS series of notebooks they offer. I do have a few questions some of you Dell vets may be able to answer before I go for it.

1. Which is more important? Matching memory speed to FSB or simply having a faster processor? I read in a previous post that the 667MHz ram had slower timings than the 533, so the price premium wasnt worth it. Should I buy the slower Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz processor to match the 2gigs of 533MHz ram? Or can I mix?

2. Is the UXGA with true life worth the extra cash? I really like nice clear displays but since I have never seen the 2 compared side by side, i figured I would ask here.

3. What is the Audigy HD Software edition actually? Is it an upgraded sound card or simply the integrated audio with some tweeking software?

4. Are there any range or quality differences between the Dell wireless and the Intel Pro Wireless cards? Should i try Draft N?

5. Anyone here watch the new Battlestar Galactica? New episode on tonight

6. One of 2 year warranty? This one is really for the people who have owned Dells for several years. Usually when do problems crop up? within the first year? Second year?
I build desktops without problems and can probably change ram or replace a hard drive in a notebook without much problem. However if the display suddenly goes, ill be at a loss.

Thank you for your time

 

1) Yes? Neither will hurt it. The processor will be limited by the memory no matter what. You can mix and match, and 533MHz isn't a lot slower than 667.

2) I think so. But I like more pixels. The glossy has more glare, but if you can ignore that or change the angle of your screen, it's got richer colors.

3) Yes, it's an upgraded sound card. Audigy is a Creative brand, and it's going to have a bit better sound processing capabilities than the integrated chip. That being said, integrated sound any more is still very good.

4) I wouldn't do the Draft N. It's Draft because it's not finalized yet, and you won't find any N access points anyway. I'd go with the Intel, but that's because I run Linux and it works better. The Dell branded cards are Broadcom chips or something, I think. They should still work fine, though.

5) My roommate does. I tend to ignore that show, never caught my interest.

6) I'd go 2. My buddy has had problems with his Dell as it got past the 1 year mark. It's individual though... would you want to/be able to pay for a repair if it needed to happen in over a year? They tend to be pretty reliable if you treat them well, but most anything wears out. It's your call on how much risk you want to take. I personally like 3 year warranties. I'll keep the machine until the warranty runs out, sell it and get something new. Fits my finances, performance needs and desire for new stuff or hacking the current stuff is mitigated by it being still under warranty

7) You're welcome

 

I try to get a 3 year warranty.

I usually keep a laptop for around 2 years, and when I go to sell it, it seems to help that it's still under warranty.

Get the 533MHz ram and use the money for the warranty.

 

thank you pita. Ill think about the 2 year warranty.

On the processor question. Would a 2GHz processor with 667MHz FSB paired with 2gigs of 533MHz RAM be significantly faster than the 1.6GHz processor with 533MHz FSB paired with the same ram simply due to more processing power?

Or simply, will I notice any difference?

 

I was wondering the same thing, but I think it makes more sense to get the t7200 processor with the 533MHz RAM. I am in the exact same boat as you, getting the exact same computer, and trying to stay sane while waiting to order it. You can always upgrade the RAM later on if you think you will need to, but you probably will never have the need to do so. I personally am going to opt for the 1 year warranty, I dont think anything more is necessary.

 

Also...on 2) I saw the True Life Screen at a kiosk and it looked great, the resolution might take a little adjustment but I think I will like the amount of space on the screen. Not sure what the cheaper screen would look like but the upgrade looks amazing. 3) I'm still not sure about the audio difference, I wish someone could explain it in depth on here...wish this post was in the buying section might get more responses. It's only 20 bucks I think, but I wonder if Dell is just throwing that in as a tax for the ignorant...

 

my thoughts exactly doozie. Why does it say "software edition"? I know and trust creative's audio products but why the need to specify software in the title. Makes me think its just spiced up standard integrated audio.

 

The T7200 is def in the sweet spot.

Any kind of motherboard or LCD screen issue is going to cost several hundred dollars. My 4000 and 5000 needed new screens. My 5150 needed a new motherboard. Also, when you go to sell the laptop off on Craigslist or University bboard, it's easier to sell when you can say "still under warranty."

As far as I could tell, Audigy was just stuff like software things like 5.1 and post processor "concert hall" and "small room" type settings. I dunno, yeah, Creative is shady.

 

like schemula says, the audio upgrade is software only