Please help me buying the AMD 2.0 Ghz DOS-Pre Installed Inspiron 1501 INDIA

hi all,

i'm thaddeus from india. i'mplanning to buy a laptop that dell has recently introduced into the indian markets.

the configurations are as under



Q540302 - Dell Inspiron(TM) 1501 n-Series Notebook
Base System AMD Turion(TM) 64 Mobile technology MK-36 1
2.0GHz, 512KB L2 Cache
DOS Operating System DOS Factory Installed (English) - No Genuine Windows OS 1
System Driver CD Kit (N-Series)
N Series Label
Dell Services: Hardware Maintenance (H) 1 Year Next Business Day (8x5) Onsite
Notebook Batteries Carry 1 Year Warranty Only From Invoice Date
1 Year Telephone Technical Support (9am To 6pm, Monday - Friday)
Regional Support Within Asia Pacific Countries for Notebooks with 1 Yr NBD Dell Services: Installations (H) Basic System Install (Qty 1 System) 1 Item included in the System 1 ExpressCard Slot, (DOES NOT SUPPORT PCMCIA CARDS)



Mod Specs Info (India)
Artic Silver with Alpine White accents on a black base 1
ATI Radeon(R) Xpress 1150 256MB HyperMemoryTM (integrated) 1
Internal Dell(TM) 87 Keys Keyboard (English) 1
Integrated 10/100 Fast Ethernet 1
Internal 56K Modem 1
RJ-11 Modem cable (AP)
65W AC Adapter 1
Display 15.4" Wide Screen XGA TFT Display (1280x800 res.) 1
Memory 512MB (1 X 512MB) DDR2 SDRAM 1
Audio Solution Integrated Stereo Sound 1
Floppy Drive No Floppy Drive
SATA Hard Drives 80GB SATA Hard Drive 1
Internal Optical Drive Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Combination Drive with dual layer write capabilities 1


Cyberlinks PowerDVD Software


Roxio Creator LE and Roxio MyDVD LE
Wireless Network Solution Dell Wireless.11g 54Mbps Wireless Mini Card 1
Primary Battery 6-cell 53Whr Lithium Ion Primary Battery 1
Carry Case No Case


Shipment Box with No Case

If you see in the configurations DOS is pre installed onto the system. Now i've got a windows XP Homedition CD. Would there be any problem installing windowXP from my cd or would it require Win VISTA only. As DOS is pre-installed the prices are low.

I have a windows Edition CD so can i install it easily on the new DOS Installed DELL Inspiron? i hope it wouldn't be a problem

kindly tell me if this config. is advisable for general purpose use.

Also the AMD comes with 512kb L2 Cache. Does a 512 KB L2 Cache, 2.0 Ghz system perform slower than a Intel 1.8 Ghz, 2 MB L2 Cache?

someone please put some light on these issues before i buy the laptop

regards,
thaddeus fernandes
India

[email protected]

 

To answer your last question first, yes, there's a noticeable difference in performance between the core 2 duos and the AMD Turions. The most difference you'd see would be higher temperatures, a lower battery life, slightly longer boot-up times, and an increase in program loading times. However, since you are looking at a general purpose notebook, neither of these would make much difference to you. Even the battery life difference would not be more than 30 minutes, at the worst case.

As far as the OS is installed, you can install your XP home on this system. Of course, you'd have to check whether you license allows you to do that. As far as I know, you are allowed to install two copies.

The configuration would be good for watching movies, general office stuff, surfing, i.e. anything that is not too graphics intensive.

You can always fill out the FAQ , for suggestions from more experienced users.

 

I would try and go dual core if you have the option, a slower speed turion X2 or core duo system would give you improved overall performance than a higher clocked single core system. More and more software is taking advantage of dual core cpus, and for that programs that dont, you cant beat the multitasking prowes of 2 cores. If the copy of xp you have has a valid license, and it isnt in use on a another system it should be just fone for your new laptop.