The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    New Inspiron

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by blazin89, Jul 7, 2006.

  1. blazin89

    blazin89 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I have a few questions and I know there's a number of previous threads created asking related question's, but I just purchased a new top of the line Inspiron 1705 for college and I was just wondering what kind of problems people encounter when taking this notebook to college. And if weight is the major problem...


    on an other note, the XPS M1210 is a great portable laptop but the video cards are not the type's that games favor. So would it be possible to replace the current 7400 turbo cache video card with a 7900gs bought at newegg.com???
     
    blazin89, Jul 7, 2006
    #1
  2. j4y_7

    j4y_7 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    18
    Messages:
    244
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Theft... that could be a problem.
     
    j4y_7, Jul 7, 2006
    #2
  3. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,659
    Messages:
    5,066
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Negatives: with a 17in, you'll have the bulky bags, larger computer vs. smaller desk issue. Plus everyone can see what you are doing, so don't expect to take your laptop to class and play games (or surf NBR), shorter battery life.

    Positives: nice large screen, good gaming/entertainment machine, able to do multitask better (like working on two documents at the same time, or maybe using the web while typing a paper).
     
    Amber, Jul 7, 2006
    #3
  4. Redline

    Redline Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,213
    Messages:
    4,482
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    About switching the gfx cards, that is an absolute NO. The ones at newegg are desktop cards, which wont fit in laptops. If Dell were to put a Go7900GS into teh 12" form factor, it wouldmelt, cause the 7900 produces so much heat.

    I remember that AbN610 returned his E1705 and got an Asus W3J 14" because it was too bulky to take to college. THats what made me decide against the 17" notebooks. Now I am looking at the Sony SZ, Asus W7Jand A8Jm, and the XPS M1210.
     
    Redline, Jul 7, 2006
    #4
  5. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,659
    Messages:
    5,066
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    You can upgrade the graphic cards, but you can only upgrade to the cards that are specifically offered for your laptop. You can get the part off of ebay or from dell spare parts and maybe some online retailers, but the major places like newegg, Best Buy, CompUSA, etc only carry desktop cards - not laptop cards.

    The reason is because most laptops can not have their graphics card upgraded. Dell is the weird exception.
     
    Amber, Jul 7, 2006
    #5
  6. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    22,339
    Messages:
    36,639
    Likes Received:
    5,080
    Trophy Points:
    931
    I would be hesitant to buy a 17" if it is going to be transported everywhere. I suggest completing the FAQ in the What Should I Buy forum.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jul 7, 2006
    #6