Some help configuring a Dell D820

I am currently configuring a Dell D820 for purchase and have a couple questions.

Is the D820 with D820 with Intel® Core™ Duo T2500 (2.0GHz) with NVIDIA Quadro NVS 110M 256MB worth the extra money over the D820 with Intel® Core™ Duo T2500 (2.0GHz) with Integrated Intel GMA 950 ?

What is the D820 Resource CD?

15.4" WSXGA+ v 15.4" WUXGA, what do you prefer?

I have the option between:

6 Cell 56WHr LI-ION Primary Battery
9 Cell 85WHr LI-ION Primary Battery Extended Life

I am afraid that the 9 cell will add extra weight to the laptop and extend out the back of the laptop, is this true?

Is it worth the extra €63 to upgrade to PalmRest with Fingerprint Reader?

Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition v10.0 v's McAfee Security V7.0 15 Month, any views which is better?

 

The fingerprint reader thing is only worth the money if you plan on using it. The 9 cell battery on the D820 doesn't stick out l think and l wouldn't consider the extra weight a problem. Unless you want really tiny text l would go for the WSXGA. Also the processor options you posted are both the same...

 

Updated the post, thanks for pointing that out. Thanks for all your help.

 

I would go for the nVidia gfx card...it will def help to future-proof the laptop and will help if you plan do any lighter gaming or CAD programs...gotta think about vista, if you plan on using the aero glass, you'll almost certainly want a dedicated card.

 

Will go with the D820 with Intel® Core™ Duo T2500 (2.0GHz) with NVIDIA Quadro NVS 110M 256M, Thanks.

 

If you want to cut costs, you could downgrade the processor to the 1.83 GHz like I did. From what I heard, the 2.0 ghz is overall better but in terms of performance to price ratio, the 1.83 is better. I second the dedicated gfx adapter...it will help for CAD and engineering-type apps and will probably also help out if and when Vista comes along. I personally find the WUXGA res on a 15-incher a bit too small and ordered the WSXGA+, the same res I have on my 20.1-inch monitor. We'll see how that turns out--it seemed like a good compromise between readability and added workspace. Since most of the time I would be plugged into the wall, I just opted for the 6 cell batt. Of course, since the D820 is already quite a large laptop, I don't think the added weight of the 9 cell would be a dealbreaker. Just my thoughts.

 

You're welcome.

I also second the idea of downgrading the processor if you're looking to save some cash. Good luck with the laptop; sounds like a nice machine!

 

Thanks very much to everyone for yer feedback. I think i will downgrade to "D820 with Intel® Core™ Duo T2400 (1.83GHz) with NVIDIA Quadro NVS 110M 256MB", it will save me €43!

Anyone have an opinion on the anti virus package?

 

l would go with AVG or that other one..Kasperscy (spelt wrong) is good too and they are both free.

 

Just wondering, what is the D820 Resource CD?

Thanks for everyones help.

 

The Resource CD has all of the drivers. It's helpful to have it and it's free.

Get the Windows disk for $10.

 

Thanks for everyone's help. Just womdering also, is there a major difference between the following:

Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g Mini Card (54Mbps) Dual Core

Dell Wireless 1490 802.11a/g Mini Card (54Mbps) Dual Core

The Dell Wireless is an extra €10.

 

Just found out that I get a free D/Family 48WHr Media Bay Battery for dual battery support so going to go with the 6 cell. The thought of the extra weight of the 9 cell is probably the deciding factor for me.

What do others think of my choice?

 

It's a personal preference.

Intel runs a/b/g
Dell runs b/g

Most networks are only b/g anyways. Dell's card is made by Broadcomm. You can search for discussions on this. Opinions vary, I prefer Intel.

 

Thanks for your opinion. The Dell costs an extra €10 so wondering if it is worth it. Any other opinions on this?

 

if the dell costs more, i'd def go with the intel chip. then you can call your computer a centrino and get a nifty sticker saying so

 

It does alright and i'm trying to cut costs where I can! Intel it is, thanks!

 

It's got the drivers and also the diagnostic program on it. This stuff is also on a 2 gig (hidden from most programs) partition that dell ships the d820 with. You might eventually want to get rid of that though to free up disk space, especially if you're using something like Norton Ghost to save images of your C (or other windows) partition should disaster (drive failure, horrible virus) strike.

I'd get the CD if it's cheap or free. I did with my recent d820, but then if was free to me.

 

I think a is only in Europe, and scarce there, in part because the US suppliers which are cheaper and everyone uses are mostly b/g anyway.

The EU intitially sort of disallowed b/g (as going too far and potentially interfering) but either changed that or anyway isn't enforcing it whatsoever, far as I know.