New E1505 owner - comments and issues

When I last posted on these forums, I was in search of a new great notebook computer. Well, in short, I have found almost exactly what I was looking for. I have been using the computer for a couple of days now and here are some comments and issues I have.

The specifications are as follows:

• 2.0 Ghz Core Duo
• 1GB of RAM in 1DIMM
• 60GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
• ATI X1400
• 1680x1050 display
• Intel wireless and bluetooth
• DVD/CD burner
• 9 Cell battery

That's all the really important stuff anyway. If you have any questions about the specifications I will glady answer them.

[RANT] First, why must dell put all sort of pointless bloatware on their computers before they give them to annoyed customers such as myself. [/RANT]

Needless to say, all that software takes up a lot of resources and really slows performance. I spent a couple of hours adjusting settings and removing junk. I'm still not sure I got it all either (probably should of just reformated), but now the computer runs much quicker.

Next, I ran a few benchmarks:

1. Super Pi calculation of Pi to 2 Million digits in 1 minute 13 seconds. This seems like a perfectly respectable score to me, but if it seems wrong to you please tell me.

2. 3Dmark 05 score of 1778 points running everything at default. This is the main thing I am concerned about. I was under the impression that I should be getting around 2000 points. This may have to do with me running the P.O.S. dell drivers. What do you think about this score?

That's all the real meaningful benchmarks that I have performed to date. Do you think that updating to new video drivers would help my seemingly low score? If so, what drivers would you recommend?

I really enjoy just about everything else about the notebook. The screen seems of nice quality, the build quality is what I would consider about standard, but I have not had much experience with Dell notebooks. The wireless internet works great and the DVD burner works exactly as advertised. I am running Windows XP media center edition and it works just as well as XP home. My USB TV tuner and Remote work well. I have not done any marathon sessions without being plugged in to the wall so I really can't tell how long the battery lasts on a full charge. If I had to estimate I would say that what the review on this site says is about right.

Overall, I am pleased with the computer and would just like your input about it. I may write a much more formal review later.

In short, these are some things that I have noticed about my machine and I thought I would share them with everbody. My only real concern is the 3Dmark 05 score of 1778 points, what do you think about that?

Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions.

 

You bought an awesome computer.

How is the weight with 9 cells? How is your battery life?
Did Dell send you the Windows disk and drivers disk?

 

Dell ships the drivers disk with all e1505s, but you have to pay the extra $ to get a windows reinstall disk. Im getting 4.5 - 5 hours out of my 9cell.

 

3dmark05 Benchmark

The 1778 is what everyone else is getting on an e1505 with stock drivers. If you go to the omega drivers it will give you about 100 points to 1875 or there bouts. The 2000+ score on the x1400 was on a lenovo... it might have the ATI card clocked a little higher by default or something else to achieve its faster score. The range for x1400 seems to be 1600 - 2100 so the e1505 is still doing respectible numbers.

I think the score is a little decieving... The x1400 supports microsofts shader3 shading model... and probably a few other features... in any case its done well at any game ive thrown at it... Doom 3, Battlefield 2, etc. In fact Battlefield2 seemed to get better when i cranked up the resolution and turned on dynamic shadows and 2x AA.

Its not a hardcore gamers card, but its respectable (unless you talk to someone with a 7800 nvidia then everything else is junk to them. <g>)

 

Yeah I got a backup XP disc and a driver/utilities (aka bloatware) CD. I haven't really tested the battery life fully, but if I had to guess, I would estimate that I could get 5+ hours out of it. As far as portability, I think it's entirely portable for my needs. I will be heading off to college soon and I need a portable machine. I think this notebook is not too heavy nor too large to carry around all day. Sure it's no ultra light ultra portable 12 inch notebook, but I don't have any trouble carrying it around.

Keep 'em coming.

EDIT:

okay, I understand the 3Dmark score a little better now. Thanks.

Do you think it's worth changing to the Omega Drivers? Does anybody know if they give any real world performance benefits?

Thanks