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    Vostro 1500, what upgrades?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Andr50, Sep 15, 2007.

  1. Andr50

    Andr50 Newbie

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    Howdy folks.

    I'm about to buy my first notebook (unless you count my old yardsale IBM from WAY back in the day) and after 2 weeks of shopping around, I've come to decide on one of the Vostro 1500s.

    I'm pretty much gonna keep the base stats from the model posted on TechBargains (BQPCKNB).

    The main purpose of this laptop, is to do some openoffice work (notes in class), Dreamweaver work (Php, sql and the like) and photoshop work. I _may_ do a bit of 3DS max work on it, but no rendering, just modeling. I have a pretty powerful desktop at home that I built, but I need a laptop for when I can't be at home.

    I'm not worried about the hard drive space, I have a 120gb external for data, If I can get all my needed progs on the harddrive, I'm happy.

    Anywho, my main upgrade I'm looking at is the battery. I will need to use it...at most...4 hours without outlet access (and that would just be openoffice typing), and I was wondering, what is the actual times that the batteries last? Ive seen reviews where they say the 9cell can last about 6 hours during basic tasks, but I haven't seen any about the 6 cell. The 9cell is still in my price range, but I don't know if I really need it.

    Any suggestions?
     
    Andr50, Sep 15, 2007
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  2. boeingguy1

    boeingguy1 Notebook Guru

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    I have the Vostro 1500 with the std. 6 cell battery, 8600M and WSGA or whatever its called with truelife. When in class, on "balanced" settings and surfing the web or typing notes, I can get about 3.5 hours off of it... so I would assume if you dont get the 8600, the battery life therefore would be improved.
     
    boeingguy1, Sep 15, 2007
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