Help me pick final component for M1330

Heres the deal:

I'm ordering a M1330 next week, and the sole purpose of this notebook is to be light with good battery life...I have a desktop I just built that will handle any power use so I don't really care if this notebook can handle the latest games...maybe an occasional DVD or youtube video would be the extent of video usage...I am a student..and this notebook will be primarily for classes and basic computing...

...That being said...I use pro tools on my desktop...and I wouldn't mind being able to maybe throw some tracks on the lappy (when pt is out for vista) and play with them while im on a plane or in between classes or whatever...not the most important thing in the world...but i thought i would mention it...battery life and weight are much more important to me...

I've decided:
LED w/ webcam
2GB Ram
X3100
Fingerprint reader
Bluetooth + ABG
Vista Home Prem
6 cell battery

What I'm unsure about is the processor...I'm torn between the T5250 and the T7100....money isn't exactly the issue...I'm just worried about battery life...what kind of drop in battery life will I likely see with the T7100 versus the increased power....Dell is claiming 7 hours on the M1330...how far from the truth is that?

Any suggestions for the other components would be great as well.

Thanks

 

Why on earth would you configure a notebook who's primary purpose is to be mobile, with a 6 cell battery?

 

From some of the reports Ive read linked from there, there is no way the M1330 is going to get 7 hours from any battery, even the 9 cell.

If money is not an issue, I say get the T7300 at the least, and extra batteries. That is what Im doing, ordered the system 7/16 with a 6-cell for a trip overseas. Ordering 2 extra 9-cell batteries also.

 

Even still, a 6 cell will be far less sufficient than a 9 cell.

 

The only difference other than a difference in speed is twice the cache. It should have a minimal impact upon battery life.

 

For me being mobile, means always being able to pick up and go. Im using my computer in my car, office, parks, unfinished buildings and homes, construction sites. Yes weight is a major factor, but so is the lack of power outlets for me. Considering Im slimming down from a 15" laptop to the M1330 for size and portability. I dont mind the weight of a couple extra batteries in the bag.

 

I'd go with the T7300 for the 4mb and it's not going to change battery life because the processor will throttle when on battery power.

 

It appears my clearly laid out message isn't clear enough for some people: I AM IMPLYING THAT THE NOTEBOOK IS CONFIRGURED WITH 1 NINE CELL BATTERY!! NOT 2 OR 3 BATTERIES!! Ok, I'm good now.

 

The system come configured standard with a 4 cell battery. Check the build website yourself to verify. Any 6 or 9, or extra battery is an upgrade.

Standard: 4 cell
Upgrade: 6 cell
Upgrade: 9 cell
Upgrade: 4 cell + 9 cell
Upgrade: 9 cell + 9 cell
Upgrade: call Dell and they can sell you whatever extra batteries you want.

Hopefully THE DELL OFFICIAL WEBSITE IS CLEARLY DEFINED ENOUGH FOR YOU. And if you realize anything can be puchased seperately with a phone call, you will know that someone could purchase 99 9-cell batteries over the phone from Dell if they wanted to. Are you still good now?

 

i wish i could of gotten a deal for 1 9 1 6 cell
it was only $90 to get two 9 cells..would of been $60 for a 9 + 6 if they could figure out how to do it

 

I think he is saying you should configure your laptop with the 9 cell battery and not the 6 cell. Since battery life is an important issue for you and money isn't a problem, why not get the bigger battery?

 

You have to call and talk with a manager. They will order the batteries for you seperately in any configuration you want. This was seperate from my laptop order which I configured with a 6-cell battery. Upgrading to a 9-cell would delay shipping. So I ordered 2 of them seperately, not to delay the arrival of my laptop.

 

Could you order your computer with the 6 cell and get the 9 cell as a separate order, so as to not delay your laptop? Then when you finally do receive the 9 cell, use that as your main battery?

 

Thank you for your replies...

But... here is the thing...I don't want a 9 cell..because of the ugliness and the bulk and the awkward way it sits...and I don't want to be carrying around extra batteries..in my mind that almost defeats the purpose of having a small and light notebook.

and


I don't really want/need the T7300..like I said in my fist post...I have a desktop for any kind of power use..and I had the T2500 in a E1505 and it got hot and battery life wasn't amazing.

I'm debating between the T7100 and T5250...

as far as what acaurora said...

The only difference other than a difference in speed is twice the cache. It should have a minimal impact upon battery life.

minimal meaning like a 10 minutes difference in battery life?

 

That should be about right. 10-15 mins I would think.