Getting Dell D620...Do I Need To Order Partition?

Hi there...I'm been looking at the Dell D620 and the Lenovo T60. I've decided on purchasing a Dell Latitude D620. Do I need to have the hard drive partitioned? If so, I need to pick one from each category? I've looked up some information, but I'm still not sure if I'm reading it right. Thanks! Lisa

Establish Second Partition Format
When choosing your secondary partition option, you must also choose a primary partition option.

None
Dell Configuration, Format 2nd partition to NTFS add $0
Dell Configuration, Format 2nd partition to FAT32 add $0
Dell Configuration, 2nd partition is unformatted add $0

Establish Hard Drive Partition

None
Custom Hard Drive Partition, 20GB Primary, Remainder Secondary [add $10]
Custom Hard Drive Partition, 40GB Primary, Remainder Secondary [add $10]
Custom Hard Drive Partition, 60GB Primary, Remainder Secondary [add $10]
Custom Factory Partition, 50 percent Primary, Remainder Secondary [add $10]
Custom Factory Partition, 90 Percent Primary, Remainder Secondary [add $10]
Custom Factory Partition, 80 Percent Primary, Remainder Secondary [add $10]

 

depends, how big is the hard drive in the first place?

do you plan on storing important files on this computer?

if you partition, you can have windows and programs on 1 partition, and your personal files on another partition as an example. so if anything bad happens to 1 partition the other one is safe.

me, i got a smaller hard drive (60gb) so i just put what i need on the laptop, and i store all my important files and backups on a external 500gb hard drive, or better yet a PC. i just use 1 partition, but im sure there are many who would recommend using partitions.

 

i think what this is saying is,

the first bank of choices are Dells configuration, they will install windows on the primary partition, and you get a choice of a 2nd partition formatted with FAT, NTFS (recommended), or not formatted at all.

the second option is for $10, and they will establish the partitions at the settings you indicate, so say your hard drive is 100gb, if you take the first option they will format the primary partition to 20gb and the remainder 80gb will be secondary, you understand.

the first one they will do whatever they think is best.

 

paying money to partition a hard drive is an unbelievable waste of money.

it's something you can do on your own.

it would be like buying a new car and then paying extra for someone to start it for you so you can drive it off the lot.

 

I thinks it's relative. My billable hours are worth much more than $10...and I'd have to research and read how to do it, since I know nothing about it.

So, with it partitioned, it would be like having another drive to pick from, when I save something?

 

It would take longer then 1hr to partition it if you dont know what you are doing. If you can bill more then $10, take the $10 work dell will do since the quick way is to purchase Norton Partition Magic (more then $10).

As for partitioning it, it makes sense, especially in the case when something screwy happens and the system has to be re-imaged (as in corporate tongue) or reinstalled. The secondary partition is normally used in corporate world to hold important data in the event a system must be re-imaged onto the main partition.


I would partition at LEAST 20GB to the main partition (where windows and apps will reside), and the rest as the secondary partition (typically that would be drive D). Remember to save all your data to Drive D:, infact, you can right click on "My Documents" and move it to drive D: as well =).

Of course, the ultimate solution is to not save any important data at all on the laptop, and move the data onto a network storage device safely sitting in a closet somewhere, but that may be out of your skills to setup.

 

OK...so it will look like a separate drive. I really don't save that much on the laptop, and what I do, I transfer over the network to my desktop.

I was thinking about going for less space but the 7200rpm drive. If I should dedicate 20GB to the main partition, maybe I should get the larger drive. Would 80GB work? I really don't save very much, but I don't want to slow the system down, either.

I wonder if these computer companies will run sales for Labor Day...

 

If you get the 80GB, just do 40GB for the main drive. Seperate drive is the rest. I would prefer a slightly smaller drive with the 7200RPM option as well.

Make sure you invest in purchasing Disk Keeper, its a hd defragmenter. It works wonders especially keeping the HD in an optimal fashion especially with tons of files stored on any HD.

As far as sales.... it's a latitude, the sales are never huge to begin with.

Enjoy the D620, i love mine.

 

Thanks! I appreciate your time...Lisa