Ordered Vostro 1700 Yesterday - A few questions

1. I ordered Vista Business - is this 64bit? I want to use 4GB's of RAM.
2. My previous laptop was a Dell Inspiron 9300 - would you say that this laptop is bigger/smaller/same size?
3. Why does the 9 cell battery stick out of the rear of the unit? This was not an issue with the 9300.
4. If the notebook comes with 2GB of RAM is it contained in 2 sticks? How many slots (I'm assuming there are 2)

Here is what I ordered - would you say it's a good deal? I'm going to upgrade the RAM to 4GB as long as the OS I purchased allows it.

1 222-9590 Vostro 1700, Intel Core 2 Duo T7500, 2.2GHz, 800Mhz FSB 4M L2 Cache
1 320-5553 17.0 inch Wide Screen UXGA TL LCD, Vostro 1700
1 311-7276 2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 DIMM
1 320-5557 256MB NVIDIA GEFORCE 8600M GT
1 341-4893 DUAL HARD DRIVES, 240G (2x 120) 5400RPM SATA hard drive
1 420-7041 Genuine Windows Vista Business
1 420-7291 Google Small Biz Home Page Internet Portal
1 430-0493 Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for Inspiron
1 313-5530 8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+R write capability, w/o Roxio Creator
1 313-4783 Integrated High Definition Audio 2.0
1 430-2430 Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini Card
1 320-5554 Integrated 2.0 mega pixel webcam 1700
1 412-1032 Dell Exclusive MediaDirect Instant Play Software Application
1 410-1067 No Anti-Virus/ Security Software requested
1 312-0551 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, Vostro 1700
1 412-0379 No software package
1 983-3920 Warranty Support,Initial Year
1 987-6829 No Warranty, Year 2 and 3
1 983-3990 Type 7 Contract - Mail-In Service, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year
1 987-6907 Dell Hardware Warranty Plus Return To Depot, Initial Year
1 987-7479 VOSTRO,Datasafe 10GB,1YR(Incl w/price)
1 420-7368 Dell DataSafe 2.0 Online, 10GBfor 1 Year Free (for ABU only)
1 420-7185 Dell Support 3.4, No Install
1 430-2432 Dell Wirless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0+EDR)
1 462-4506 Purchase is NOT intended for resell
1 310-8319 Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
1 310-8628 You have chosen a Windows Vista Premium System
1 310-8977 S and P Drop-in-Box Marcom forBSD Systems Boxes

$1772

 

1. it may be 32bit
2. should be about the same size
3. They are using different battery design than previous models
4. 2-1gb sticks .. ... 2 slots

 

2 DIMM = 2 sticks... that always makes it easy to tell. in my experience laptop / desktop doesn't matter, Dell always uses 2 DIMM minimum. this isn't really a bad thing design wise. if one fails your PC can still run / limp unless it can be replaced except the types of memory that run in pairs. many don't.

2 DIMM doesn't usually become a problem unless you're planning to go buy memory somewhere else to double it, which would often be cheaper than ordering it with double the standard memory. if it was 1 DIMM you could just add a DIMM. 2 DIMMS, you gotta replace both with larger ones.

on most models, the upgraded Dell 9-cell batteries stick out. this is also true with some other manufacturers because they're designed to come with the 4-cell or 6-cell out of the factory that will fit flush. unless you have a model where the 9-cell is standard, expect it to stick out at least a bit.
and as burkle25 mentioned, recently is a different design that probably takes up more room in general (less dense). probably for safety reasons they change it, who knows.

 

1. No. It is 32-bit.
2. Almost same size.
3. New efficient battery design. Doesn't overheat, cause fire or explode.
4. Yes. 2x1GB modules. 2 memory module slots.

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