Is this a good laptop?

So I've been searching for a laptop the past few weeks. I basically want it for work and I want it to last me at least three-four years. I have a 2k budget and this is what I came up with

ntel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB, 6MB Cache
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900) & 2MP Camera
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
Size: 250GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M

One thing I noticed is they don't give you the option to add the Adobe software, which was free before the special. Also I didn't upgrade the batter and stayed with the standard 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery. Wondering if that would be a problem.

 

Two things.

1) With 2K, I would go for a 7200rpm HD
2) Unless you get 64-bit Vista, you will only be able to use up to ~3.5GB of your RAM

Other than that, it looks good.

 

So I should get the 3gb ram instead of 4?

 

Well, 4GB wouldn't hurt, as you might get a little more out of it, but 3GB would probably do just as well. However, I think there might be an advantage to having 4GB actually, as it would be 2x2GB, which would give you dual-core, but someone needs to confirm that....

Anyways, 4GB would be fine, I was just letting you know in advance that you wouldn't be able to use all of it.

 

The 32 bit operating system won't utilize the full 4GB. I would stick with 3G I did not know that when I ordered mine

 

But what about the battery?

Should I get a good span of hours while unplugged?

56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery.

 

Expect ~3hrs.

 

forget 7200rpm HDDs, the 320 gb drives are faster, larger and about the same price. Yes I'd stick with 3gb. and definitely get the extended battery for that price, it runs 75% longer (even though it's not spec'd to do so).

maybe I missed it but what model is this?

 

Looks like an M1530 to me, since thats pretty much the on 15.4" Dell with a slot loader.