Some questions about the D630

Sorry if this has been asked but is it foolish to get a new Dell 630 and get Win XP? I think XP would work with more software I currently have and perhaps, when the 630 has run out, say in 4-5- years, there will be a new OS beyond Vista to consider?? Am I wrong?
Thanks.

When you order a 630, Dell gives you a choice between the standard 65W AC Adapter, or an upgraded 90W. Is there any reason to get the 90W?
Thanks

On a new 630, if I get the Bluetooth, does that let me run the computer through the Internet bluetoothed with my cell phone?

 

Yes, you can use the mobile phone as a modem.

I think this is done in order to make the laptop recharge faster. I don't think you need it if you are going for the integrated GPU.

 

On a new 630 order, Dell gives you the option of getting any of these Back Ups. The default option is #6. What does this all mean to a new buyer and should I get one of the options?
Thanks.

Backup OS Drivers and System Documentation
All options professionally tested and pre-installed for out-of-the-box protection

1. Resource CD - Contains Diagnostics and Drivers add $0
2. Resource DVD - Contains Diagnostics and Drivers for Vista add $0
3. Quick Reference Guide add $0
4. Resource CD and Quick Reference Guide add $0
5. Resource DVD and Quick Reference Guide add $0
6. No System Documenation [Included in Price]

 

xp Is Better Than Vista But Microsoft Still Sucks

 

On a new 630, is there any good reasons to consider this option?
14.1 inch Wide Screen WXGA+ LCD Panel [add $30]

Thank you.

 

Can anyone help with the question about back-up drivers DVDs and CDS?
Thanks.

Does anyone know about this option?

 

Can you wait a little, at this timezone, not much of the users are online. Wait for 8 hours so people would see and answer your question.
And, much of your questions have been answered previously, try the search function.

About this option, does the original screen a standard one ? (non-widescreen)
If yes, there are a lot of threads on this subject and even some info in the FAQ.

 

Thanks. The standard screen is without the +, otherwise the same with less resolution. :

14.1 inch Wide Screen WXGA LCD Panel [Included in Price]
14.1 inch Wide Screen WXGA+ LCD Panel [add $30]

 

One more question; Can anyone please help suggest whether I should get a Hard Drive Partition for an additional $10? It's not the $ but after reading the other questions, I am still uncertain. Does it mean it would be like having an external hard drive for safety of files??
If yes, what percentage of the HD should be partitioned. with an 80G HD? Dell offers:
Custom Hard Drive Partition, 20GB Primary, Remainder Secondary [add $10]
Custom Hard Drive Partition, 40GB Primary, Remainder Secondary [add $10]
Custom Hard Drive Partition, 60GB Primary, Remainder Secondary [add $10]
Custom Factory Partition, 50 percent Primary / 50 percent Secondary [add $10]
Custom Factory Partition, 80 percent Primary / 20 percent Secondary [add $10]

Thank you.

 

It's mainly for if you want to dual-boot two OSes. If you're not sure about the partition thing, just skip it. You can always partition it yourself later if you really want.

 

XP vs Vista - get whichever you like more, of if you use programs that aren't compatible with Vista, obviously get XP. I'd say (at least for me) it would be a personal preference.

Documentation and Backup stuff - if you want it, get it. It's free, isn't it?

WXGA vs WXGA+ - if you need the extra screen space, get it. Obviously there is a reason to get it, which is having a higher resolution screen, but whether you're willing to pay 30 bucks for it is up to you.

Partitions - IMO it's a waste of money. Just partition it yourself if you want, I highly doubt they do anything with "custom factory partition" that you couldn't do yourself.

 

Look around NBR a little bit. There are plenty of XP vs. Vista threads already, especially in the Windows OS and software forum, where this topic belongs. For screen res. info, this is covered both in the Dell forum (on other threads) and in the Notebook Dummy Guides forum. etc.

For docs and resource discs, just take the freebies.

 

Thank you. Sorry if some of this is in the wrong place. I am just trying to make a good decision.

 

I don't know how to partition, so it would be worth the $20 or so for them to do it. I read somewhere that it is useful to put your files in one side and your programs on the other in case you ever have to format..... you just format the one side with programs. Any value to that?

Sure I'll spend the extra $30 for the + screen. Any downside to it?

Also, is there any need to format when you first get the 630 to get rid of extra programs that run in the background?

 

I personally didn't re-format as I saw very little to no bloatware. I currently have 63 programs running in the background and that is with NOD32 and ZoneAlarm.

I believe Sirius re-formated his machine, he might be able to help you with more info.

 

It makes the text (and images) smaller, and because of that you can fit more of it on the screen. So the downside is some people may not like the smaller text.

 

Is there the option in settings to adjust the resolution to make everything larger, like you can on a desktop?
And what is the advantage? Is the screen brighter-clearer-

 

I was reading the string about the re-format. Perhaps that is just above my level and needs. To have look for, and reinstall drivers.... just seems like so much.

 

No, the advantage is to fit more stuff.
Adjusting the res on LCD tends to make things kind of blurry.
You can adjust the DPI in Windows, but not all programs would handle it very well.
If you're not sure, and you aren't super-interested in fitting as much stuff on the screen as possible, I'd say get the WXGA.

 

Thanks!! I know when I set my res too high on the desktop, everything does get smaller and somewhat uncomfortable. I didn't realize lowering the res on the + screen would be less clear than just getting the WXGA.

 

Please... another question. These are choices...... advice please???
1)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7100 (1.80GHz) 2M L2 Cache, 800MHz Dual Core [Included in Price] Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7300 (2.00GHz) 4M L2 Cache, 800MHz Dual Core [add $50]
2)
1.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS [Included in Price]
1.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 1 DIMM [add $29]
3)
80GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 5400RPM [Included in Price]
80GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 7200RPM [add $40]
120GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 5400RPM [add $30]
120GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 7200RPM [add $90]

I heard 7200rpm runs hotter..... ?? Is it better to get 80GB at 7200 or 120 GB at 5400?( same $30-40extra)

Thank you !!!

 

Personally, I would go with:

- T7300
- 1GB, 1 DIMM
- 120GB 5400RPM

 

I am curious... you upgraded the memory and processor, so why didn't you suggest the 7200RPM HD??

 

The machine loads programs faster with the 7200RPM, it will consume about the same amount of battery and produce close amounts of heat. The only reason why I didn't go with the faster drive is because I don't have the funds for it. Cutting a few seconds of loading my machine will give me very little benefit. If I need to do use a program that needs an extreme amount of hard drive usage, I would use my desktop.

Basically, it's because I'm a photographer and I need storage. The money saved from staying with the 5400RPM drive allowed me to buy another camera accessory.

 

I think it is now about $50 more to get the 7200 rpm so do you think, with the faster processor and ram upgrade ram it will make a big enough difference if I can swing the $?

 

We don't know your financial situation, if you can afford it and you want the a-little-faster loading and don't mind a little more noise, heat, and battery usage (note the word a little), then get the 7200 RPM. Personally, I just don't see the benefits of using that $50 for my hard drive.

 

How much difference between a Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7100 (1.80GHz) 2M L2 Cache, 800MHz Dual Core and Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7300 (2.00GHz) 4M L2 Cache, 800MHz Dual Core

 

$50 upgrade

 

I can afford the extra upgrade, as I want to do this only once... for the next few years; but I still want to do the right "computer savvy" thing. When you say " a little" is it worth the extra little speed vs. the little extra noise heat etc?? Does the heat make it uncomfortable to keep the notebook on your lap, or would the extra heat mean you must use an extra fan with it?