Some Questions about Dell

Hi
I'm thinking about buying the Inspiron E1505 because it's the best deal that I could find. I was always an HP fan but now Dell's prices are much lower. I have several questions about Dell though.

1. Does Dell provide a OEM Windows installation CD? If not, can I format and reinstall and still receive the same warranty help?

2. Is the Dell BIOS 64-bit enabled? (Just making sure, because I read on Intel's site that EM64T works only on a proper BIOS).

3. Will the Vista upgrade package work on a formatted drive (ie not the original Dell Windows version?)

4. I've heard a lot of different complaints about the E1505 in particular, ranging from DVD to screen to battery etc. Is that normal for Dell products? I have a HP right now from 2000 and its still working fine without any problems. I certainly wouldn't want a notebook that breaks down after the warranty period.

5. (This is more specific) I'm thinking of the following configuration -- any suggestions?

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
Express Upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium from XP Media Center Edition
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
128MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1300 HyperMemory™
Integrated Audio
53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Dell Wireless 1390b/g (54Mbps)
1Yr Ltd Warranty and At-Home Service

for $906.00 before taxes and shipping (which is free I think)
I won't be doing gaming or anything graphics intensive, possibly a lot of code compilation.

Thanks for your input

 

1. Yes, you have to request it after you purchase the notebook or pay $10 upfront.

2. Yes the 64-bit is enabled

3. Yes with my notebook Vista automatically installed most of the drivers even though I formatted my computer before

4. I do not have any problems maybe just the DVD drive, there is minimal light leakage, the battery life is around 2:30 hours with a 6 cell. Wish I got the 9 cell

5. Change the battery to a 9-cell. If you upgrade your warranty later it most likely will be cheaper (4 years at home after mir is 175 for me) .

 

Thanks

Can you tell me exactly how to upgrade the warranty after purchase? Just call Dell? Do I also have to call Dell for the CD's, and if so, which CD's will they give? (I'll take as many as they are willing to give)

 

1.) They will send something in the mail. Otherwise I think you can upgrade online.
2.) You need to either call or use the chat feature to order CD-ROMs. If you haven't ordered yet, just fork over the 10 bucks so that you can reformat right away. If you are a cheapskate, request them later. You will get the OS & drivers disk as well as the sonic disks.

 

I suggest you make the following changed to your specification:

Good - T7200 - this is the best processor to get, price-performance sweetspot.

Not good - WXGA - Go for the WSXGA, the extra resolution will come in handy, and you can always simply run it at WXGA. The screen is the most expensive bit to replace and cannot be upgraded.

Not good - 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
The moment you get the machine sell the memory on e-Bay and get 2x1Gb chips at 667Mhz from newegg.com (+-$180, net cost should be about $120 after sale of Dell chips). The 533Mhz chips slow the bus down to the 533 (automatically done by the i945 chipset). Memory access is the second most common activity in the computer, the difference is more noteworthy than going to a T7400 processor.

Good - 120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive - If you are a programmer (like me) you want a 7200rpm seagate 100Gb drive. Performance is notable. For the price Dell charges for the upgrade you can buy one at newegg.com and keep $20.00 in change after shipping and taxes. Sell your old/new drive at ebay for +- $100.

Good - 8X CD/DVD Burner - This cannot be updated, you want to be able to burn DVD's.

NOT GOOD! - 128MB X1300. This card has insufficient memory for Vista and has pretty lousy performance in games. This component cannot be upgraded so pony up the extra $99.00 for the X1400 256Mb option. Your wont be sorry.

Average - 53 WHr 6-cell LION battery - this can be upgraded later.

Average - Dell Wireless 1390b/g (54Mbps). The Intel 3945 will give you better battery life and better wireless performance. Drivers will never be an issue, stick with the Intel option if you can.

OK - 1Yr Ltd Warranty and At-Home Service

Hope this helps. Remember to take the max on the items that you cannot upgrade. The machine will last for about 5 or more years. Investing the extra $200 or so delivers a lot of extra use down the line.

 

What do u mean by insufficient memory for Vista? I thought that 128 MB was the requirement, not 256. I likely won't be playing any modern games.

FYI I'm trying to keep the price under $1000, so I'm reluctant to shell out more money unless it is absolutely necessary.

 

Don't worry 1 gig of ram should do you good for vista. As for the processor, I would rather get the x1400 video card and downgrade the processor to t5600 because now a days the cpu don't mean a lot, all you need is duo core and you should be fine. Also for battery life.

Another thing, you should also think about the wxga+ screen with 1440*900, which is the same resolution as a macbookpro, if your not a gamer.

 

1 gig of RAM is fine, and the x1300 will be fine as well. Vista will run on GMA950 integrated graphics. All Aero requires is 128MB of video memory unless you're running extrememly high resolutions (up over 2000 I think). Your system is a pretty good setup for that price, and I'm sure it will do fine. I would also suggest going ahead and getting the OEM CD's sent out to you immediately... it will make things much easier.

 

Your answer #3 Did you have to reinstall XP after the format before upgrading to Vista?

 

Looking at Dell's online customization (below), I saw that on the OS page it said "Comes with OS reinstallation media" Is that a new policy or do I still have to ask Dell for the CDs?

Also, one more thing. WXGA is 16:9, WXGA+ and WSXGA+ are 16:10. Does the shape of the notebook change with the different screens? How does that work?

 

You cannot simply "switch down" to wxga. It will be blurry. LCD panels only run properly at native resolution or divided by 2,4..etc.

 

Quick question: What is the difference between Mail-in and At-home service? Dell's site says

Limited Warranty
Your Limited Warranty covers your PC against defective parts and workmanship. If you experience a part failure, we'll first troubleshoot the system with you over the phone, via e-mail or through online chat (24/7, 365 days a year). If we determine that your system needs a part replaced, we will either send you the part if it’s easy to install (like a mouse or a keyboard) or send a trained third-party technician to your home (often the next business day) to do it for you.


Which is pretty much the same thing as At-home service. It doesn't ouch on mail-in at all. If I decide to go mail-in and encounter a hardware problem (such as the DVD drive or the monitor), what do I have to do?