Questions about E1705

Okay I'm pretty confident I'll be buying the Dell E1705 soon but I have a few last minute questions.

1.) With the Windows Media Center Edition what exactly are all the features and are they worth it? I really don't plan on buying a tv tuner or using my laptop to watch tv. Could I still boot up a dvd with the media direct button or would it cease to work if i got xp home or pro? Also I've heard media center is glitchy any thoughts on this?

2.) Is it worth it to get a 7200 HD? Would it be better to get a larger hard drive if only 5400? Is there a noticeable difference? I've been trying to figure out what speed my current drive is to compare but I don't know where to find that info (I have a dell dimension desktop).

Thanks for the help!
hbanana

 

1. Media Center Edition is basically windows XP pro w/ SP2 and with the MCE interface/enchancements to connect to a tv tuner and act as a PVR. Most noted 'side-effect' is that you can't join a a domain. Shouldn't matter to most users and there are always work arounds.

2. This is a debated question, one user mentioned he swapped out his 5400 rpm drive for a 7200 rpm and in everyday applications the difference was minimal. He only knew there was a difference because he benchmarked it. Also theoretically you're going to generate more heat and drain more battery life with a 7200 rpm drive. My gf has a inspiron 6000, and she has a 7200 rpm drive in it. As far as heat, the unit in general runs cool, so I can't comment on that. But I can comment that there's no sound issue, under general usage and even benchmarking it, I hardly heard it.

 

thanks brn80, I think it's actually XP Home with SP2 and the extra applications placed on top.

I'd recommend getting it if you intend to have a TV tuner now or in the future for your notebook, if not then skip it.

 

That's great thanks - but what about the special media direct button built into the E1705?? Would I be able to use it? I think it just allows you to boot up a dvd without booting up windows.

Also is there anyway to figure out hard drive specs on a desktop? I know how much space I have but I wanna know the speed.

Thanks
hb

 

You should be able to use the Media Direct button with any XP version. Media Direct is just software that you have to install and create a partition plus a few other things.

You can go to your device manager on your desktop PC, and find your harddrive device there. Then just google it. It will bring up the specs. That's the easiest way I know without having to download software.

SG

 

Thanks SouthernGirl

 

Ah, yes that would make sense since Microsoft placed MCE in between XP home and pro. I might've read the article I remember it from wrong.

 

In micr@softs own words....

"And because Media Center Edition PCs use the reliable, powerful Windows XP Professional operating system, you can also do everything you’d normally do on a PC. You'll enjoy exactly the same power and flexibility you'd get with a Windows XP PC, but when you need a break, you can simply reach for the remote control and relax."
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windowsxp/mediacenter/default.mspx

 

hey!!...i just bought my e1705 and i was about to reformat it...but then i heard that i you do it, the media direct would stop working...could yo tell me more about this...is it true?..and if it is true, then what can i do to reinstall the media direct or reformat the laptop without erasing the media direct program..please help me!!!

 

yep she hit it on the head

 

Reformatting, repartitioning, deleting, reinstalling Windows will affect MediaDirect software. You can use Repair Utility or reinstall MediaDirect software. You won't lose that breeze feature in the notebook as long as you can repair or reinstall it. It's just a software that you will need to install. It's tricky though but earlier users of it.
I think just go ahead with your plan if you really want to reformat and get rid of the way you have the system out-of-the-box.
Then try to repair after you doing everything. If repair failed, reinstall should do it.