Inspiron 9300- almost ready to buy

I'm buying my first laptop (always have used desktop) and wanted to get comments and opinions from experienced owners to help make this buy even better.

Here is my planned configuration:
-1.86GHz (currently same price as 1.73GHz)
-XP Media Center OS
-17" WUXGA TrueLife display?? not sure which display to get, have been reading so many reviews and seems that this is a personal choice and need to see both options in person??
-1GB memory
-60GB 7200rpm hard drive
-8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW)
-Intel Pro 2200 w/ bluetooth
-128MB ATI video card(not much of a gamer- is this good?)
-9 cell battery
-Dell backpack- I read that might be best to buy Dell brand to make sure fits correctly?
-2yr at-home & CompleteCare warranty- not sure how long to get the warranty but have a 2yr old and think the CompleteCare would be good to have? or start with 1yr and add later?

Thank you all for your help in my decision!!

 

The display choice is usually a matter of opinion. WUXGA is basically at a higher resolution than WXGA. If you have problems reading smaller text, don't get the WUXGA. Personally, I think WXGA is fine, but others don't like it as much.

The ATI video card is good enough if you're not going to be doing hardcore gaming all the time.

If you can (and feel comfortable doing so) choose the lowest amount of RAM possible and then buy more elsewhere (such as from Crucial), because Dell seems to charge too much for it.

I'm not sure about the Dell backpack thing... the one that came with my notebook seems to fit it correctly.

Good luck!

 

Personally, I am glad that I went with the WXGA+ screen. It is easier for the videocard to run at native resolutions than at different resolutions. I mean if I am running a game a 1900x1200 that is huge and can really tax the video card. If I am running at 1440x900 it is easier for the video card to convert all the data. I get about 60FPS on fear at 1440x900 and I know alot of people get really low FPS at 1900x1200. Just a thought. Your choice.

 

I usually run resolution on my PC at 1024x768 so I probably won't like WUXGA if this would be alot smaller print. If I change the resolution with WUXGA doesn't the print blur or not look as good?

When you buy the 9300, case isn't included? did you have to buy a case? I see choices are case or backpack.

Thanks!

 

If you don't like the smaller font go for the WXGA+ screen...native resolution is 1440x900 and for a 17 inch screen it looks good. Text is big enough to read and you don't have to strain your eyes.

The case I would suggest looking online. The backpack has been getting bad reviews...also a shoulder bag is easier to carry and has better protection. Look at Targus...mine is great.

 

if you use 1024x768 on your desktop, then i would not recommenc the WUXGA. it is very high resolution compared to what your used to. the 1440x900 will be a little higher than what your used to. the only time to run a screen out of native is when your graphics card cant produce native resolutions in games. dont even think about lower resolution in windows. everthing will look horrible. I have the WUXGA screen and love the resolution (i actually wish it was a little higher resolution). you could also try going to circuit city or best buy and look at their 17" laptops. they should all be WXGA, but that is easy to check.

 

Gilby, I went through what you are several weeks ago and with the fine folks on this and another laptop forum hopefully made some good choices for my i9300 that you may benefit from. BTW, I ordered on 12/16 and its still "in production" and the 12/30 shipping date has disappeared.

I investigated the 60GB/7200 vs. the 100GB/5600 rpm and went with the 100. Someone tested both and while the 60 had some better reponses it was not apparent in actual usage. On the other hand you can never have enough room.

I saw all the opinions on the two LCD screens and went with the WXGA as I envisioned running games in the smaller resolution, and I don't like reflective screens that pick up glare. But many people find the U just great.

I went with Media Center also as I have hopes in using it as a DVR (another reason for the 100gig drive).

I went with the 2ghz processor just for the heck of it but think the 1.86 is mighty good.

I got the Nvida card as I plan on doing some gaming. If you are SURE you will not want to run graphic games, then you are making the right choice, I guess, with the ATI. The nice thing is the card can be upgraded later if dispare and regret kicks in.

I went with the 512MB memory and will be ordering 2 gigs of replacement for about $140 (or less!) vs. the $100 the 1gig would have cost with the Dell upgrade. So $40 (or less!) for an extra gig is a good decision I think.

I won't be using the battery all that much so the 6-cell was fine for me.

I think extended warranties are a waste of money and the 1 year Dell should be just fine. Will require returning it, vs. the in-house, but I expect it to be reliable, but will be doing some major testing during its 21-day honeymoon period.

Good luck!

Patrick

 

Thanks for the great response Patrick since you know what I'm going through. Just a couple questions more if you don't mind.
-I thought the 7200rpm speed would be much faster, I guess its not worth the increased cost for less space? I guess it depends on how much I'm going to store.

-It looks like the WXGA screen would be the best. I did go to Best Buy and looked at the WXGA screens and they look good but all of the screens were Truebrite. Is the WXGA screen still bright enough?

-I didn't know the ATI 128mb card can be upgraded-that's a plus!

-regarding memory- looks like best to buy 3rd party brand- do I have to put same size chip in each slot or can put 1gb in one slot and 256 in other slot?

-Finally, sounds like a case would be best to by 3rd party as well?

 

I have the wXGA, wishing I had the wUXGA.

I have the go6800 in my i9300.

 

Why do you wish you had the wUXGA? Isn't the wXGA a very good screen. I only look at CRT screens, not very often at laptops- only the laptop screens of my friends at work and those are probably not Truebrite or Truelife. It would be nice to see both 9300 screens side by side but don't have a place to see that?!
So will I like the WXGA+ screen compared to my 17" CRT?

 

-I thought the 7200rpm speed would be much faster, I guess its not worth the increased cost for less space? I guess it depends on how much I'm going to store.

I looked at this carefully as a faster drive appealed to me, but one post I found convinced me the extra speed was not worth the extra move while losing space. I will seee if I can find that thread and let you know. I also just read a message that indicate the higher speed drive is noisy, while the slower speed is silent. Another plus.

I think a careful person could certainly live with 60gb, and more space can lead to sloppy housekeeping, but I thought about using my Dell as a DVR and recording HD programs off an antenna. Those take up a lot of room and could quickly fill a drive.

-It looks like the WXGA screen would be the best. I did go to Best Buy and looked at the WXGA screens and they look good but all of the screens were Truebrite. Is the WXGA screen still bright enough?

The screen choice is a difficult one and in general it appears people are happy with either choice. I also went to BB and looked at all the laptops and I think all had the Truebrite/reflective screen. And interestingly nearly all the LCD computer monitors were exactly the opposite, with a matte finish!

I decided I didn't want to see any glare as we find it frustrating on our Sony Rear Projection TV. I also thought running games (one of my priorities) in native resolution would be better and faster.

There are lots of threads on this subject if you search around. The WXGA seems to be plenty bright. Lots of discussion goes on for this issue. I also see some people even return their computer for a screen type swap, so that's an option within the 21-day period too!

-I didn't know the ATI 128mb card can be upgraded-that's a plus!

Upgraded as in replaced with something else.

-regarding memory- looks like best to buy 3rd party brand- do I have to put same size chip in each slot or can put 1gb in one slot and 256 in other slot?

You know, I'm not exactly sure on this issue. I do know a matched pair triggers the dual channel feature that makes the memory run faster. Edit - I looked this up at Crucial. Here's what they say:

-Finally, sounds like a case would be best to by 3rd party as well?

I didn't buy a case and was just going to get one at Best Buy or elsewhere after I got it. People seem to like the backpacks so you might look around for postings.

Hope that helps! Good luck

Pat