New Dell Latitude

Latitude D520, Intel Core 2 Duo T7200, 2.00GHz, 667Mhz 4M L2 Cache
512MB, DDR2-533 SDRAM
80GB Hard Drive 9.5MM, 5400RPM
Windows XP Home, SP2 with media,
8X DVD for with Cyberlink Power DVD
Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN (802.11g,54Mbps)
Resource CD w/ Diagnostics andDrivers for Latitude D520 Notebook

How much work to de-crapify? What is the path of least resistance?
Do Latitudes come with as much junkware as Inspirons?

Please advise, I have only two weeks prep time til my new toy arrives.

 

Get a graphics card if you are going to watch dvds or play any games.

Get 1 gig of ram if you are going to do any gaming. 1 gig of ram will also make your computer much faster. Really these days you almost need 2 gigs of ram.. but if you don't have the money 1 gig will have to do.

Right now your computer is going to bottleneck at the ram and the lack of a graphics card. You have a pretty good processor, so there is no problem there. I can not stress enough how if you want to watch movies get a laptop with at least an X1400. If you are going to do ANY gaming what so ever get nothing less than a X1400. If you are going to be doing media editing of any kind, whether it be video or pictures, get at least an X1400. Other than that you are fine.

You should have something like 21 days to exchange your notebook. I highly advice it.

Your computer is comepletly fine if all you are going to be doing is word, and light internet stuff. If you are not going to do any gaming or watching dvds then the only problem you might have is your memory.

I like dells laptops.

There is a lot to decrapify in a lot of dell's computers. It doesn't matter. If you have basic knowlege of a computer you can handle it.

Have fun.

 

No time for games. Mostly Internet, work and an ocasional DVD in flight.

Is a better Graphics card THAT important for me, really?

I planned on adding RAM when I get it...it's cheaper.

 

Not if you dont want to play more demanding games, no need for dedicated graphics. DVD playback will be fine on integrated.

 

From what I understand you don't need to decrapify computers bought from the 'Small Office' store, and that includes Latitude.

 

That was the method to my madness. I sure hope your right. I'm not affraid of decrapiying...but why if it's avoidable. I travel a lot and wanted to get something better suited to it than a Inspiron too.

 

You don't need an x1400 to watch DVD's, edit pictures or movies. I don't understand where this advice is coming from. Integrated video will be able to do all of this just fine ( it even handles basic gaming...go figure )

 

This thread too far along so I have to close it.

Please use the 'Post about your new Dell' thread in the future to post things like this, Thank you!