Questions about my e1705 purchase

I just found this forum after ordering my 1705. So I have a few questions surrounding the laptop, optional equipment, and operating system. Here goes:

1. I ordered the T2300 core duo processor with XP Media Center Edition. Does
Media Center Edition support symmetric multiprocessing like XP Pro does? Since I've ordered the full version of XP Pro from another vendor, can I configure it as dual-boot with the oem version of Media Center Edition?

2. Any feedback on the Radeon X1400 Video Card? I was going to go with the integrated video, but decided to go with the ATI because it was less than a buck fifty. I'm sure the Nvidia card is better, but I wasn't going to shell out 300 for a laptop vid card.

 

Check out this guide on moble GPUs.

 

Thanks for the link, looks like I got just the card I was looking for. I'm not looking for a dedicated gaming machine, just a well rounded one capable of gaming.

 

Yes, Media Centre supports SMP. It is identical to XP Pro, except you can't connect to a domain (there is a fix for that, though), and it also includes the fancy media capabilities and the newest updates/themes. I use nothing but MCE now. If you have MCE, I don't think you need Pro as well.

The x1400 is good if you don't game heavily. The AVIVO technology is good for video encoding and general video quality, and ATI cards seem more compatible with HDTV displays (from personal experience).

 

Can you point me toward the "leather snap-on cover" ? Like it ?

 

It's great. Really goes well with the white "bumpers", and a nice upgrade from the "toy-ish" silver/white look.

I got mine from the Dell Canada site:

http://accessories.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=310-6569&c=ca&l=en&cs=CADHS1&category_id=5969&first=true&page=productlisting.aspx

 

Thanks for the link. If MCE is multimedia Pro...wonder why Dell charges $149 to upgrade to Pro? Makes one wonder.

 

Pro is technically seen as a business OS, and hence more expensive. It was probably easier for MS to take Pro and add the media stuff to create MCE than taking XP Home (MCE has those media extenders and what not, which probably make use of Pro's features). Very few people realize what MCE actually is, and businesses would scream if you said you were putting "Media Centre" on their workstations

 

Well, we'll soon see, as I've already ordered XP Pro. I'm wondering if all the security features etc. are included. However, me thinks I won't activate either one until I can really check things out in detail. If there isn't much differece I'll probably sell MCE on ebay, 'cuz I'll take the full version over an OEM version any
day. Thanks folks for the great feedback.