Upgrades for XPS 1530

I am in grade 11 and just ordered an XPS 1530. I am hoping it will last me until i finish or almost finish university. So that will be approximately 5-6years. I am ok with having to buy a new hard drive every 2 years or so on the way or formatting it. I was more curious if as of now there are any

-Ram Upgrades (and does vista 64 bit support 4gb where 32 bit only recognizes 3 or 3.5 or something) Also where can you buy ram upgrades for it and what exactly does the ram have to be? ( I know it is 200 pin DDR2. Is that all i need to know? will it just fit?)

-Processor upgrades...would it be possible to upgrade processor as new ones come out?

-Video Card...this is what im really curious about. Can the 8600M GT be replaced/upgraded with another (better) video card?

-Hard Drive- what is the best bang for the buck in a 7200rpm fast seek time hard drive?

 

RAM: 32-bit Vista uses up to 3 GB, 64-bit Vista can use > 3 GB. Buy upgrades for cheap at newegg.com (assuming you're in the US). Look for DDR2-667 (aka PC-5300)

Processor upgrades: not sure, but I wouldn't count on a major upgrade since they usually require new motherboards or BIOS updates.

Video card upgrades: no

Hard drive: check newegg.com, look up 7200 rpm HDDs and sort by # of reviews.

 

ok thanks, however I am in Canada. I usually try Tiger Direct. They are pretty good and have an office out of Ontario.

So vista 64 bit can only use 3gb aswell? I thought it could use more.

Edit, did not see the > 3gb. I thought you were just pointing to it.....

Where can i get vista 64 bit cheap or free? or should my new dell come with it. It is due to arrive on the 25th this month.

 

I would not worry too much about using the laptop for 5 or 6 years or upgrading it too much. Fact is, in about 2 years a low end $500 laptop will likely blow away anything you purchase right now, so just enjoy what you got while it lasts

 

yea, i know everything is changing. too bad they don't change the computers to make them so they can adapt better. (desktops arent bad i guess but laptops are) but then they would make less money and bill gates wouldn't have 58 billion dollars....lol...