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    Vostro/Latitude?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by lucas37, Aug 8, 2007.

  1. lucas37

    lucas37 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,

    I work as a journalist and at the moment I am looking a new notebook. I was looking Vostro 1500:

    PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7100 (1.8GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
    OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Business
    LCD PANEL 15.4 in UltraSharp™ Wide Scrn XGA+LCD Display w/TrueLife™
    MEMORY 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM
    HARD DRIVE 160G 5400RPM SATA
    OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD Burner w/ double-layer DVD+R write capability
    VIDEO CARD 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT
    WI-FI WIRELESS CARD Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card
    WEBCAM Integrated 2.0 mega pixel Web Camera
    SOUND OPTION High Definition Audio 2.0
    BATTERIES 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
    WARRANTY & SERVICE 4 Year Limited Hardware Warranty with Next Business Day On-Site Service
    ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE SERVICE 4 Year CompleteCare Accidental Damage

    Will this be fine for me? I will use my notebook to write, edit images and to connect my notebook with TV (S-video).

    Before Vostro came out I was looking Latitude D830 – but it looks that Vostro 1500 would be better for me? Maybe someone have some experience with these two notebooks?

    The bad point is that my laser printer (Sharp AL-840) has a parallel port and Vostro no. I had one USB to parallel cable but it not work, don’t know why. Any ideas?
     
    lucas37, Aug 8, 2007
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  2. lucas37

    lucas37 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,

    Someone can help me to find out some answers? Thanks!
     
    lucas37, Aug 27, 2007
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  3. jbjarko

    jbjarko Notebook Geek

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    You shouldn't have a problem with that. And I don't think the 8600 GT would be a necessity. Enjoy!
     
    jbjarko, Aug 27, 2007
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  4. Sredni Vashtar

    Sredni Vashtar Notebook Evangelist

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    More than adequate: it's an overshoot.
    Three points you might want to consider:

    1. The graphics card: if you are not a gamer you won't exploit it at all. I'd rather go with a 8400GS that can still give you a better compatibility with Linux (...you never know...) and will drain a little less your battery.
    2. The battery: since you are saving on the graphics card, why not getting the 9 cell battery? It will stick out from the back, though.
    3. The screen? Are you sure you want a glossy one? You might have a hard time struggling with reflections.

    No idea for you parallel printer problem. Maybe the converter you got is just broken.
     
    Sredni Vashtar, Aug 27, 2007
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  5. boonkauc

    boonkauc Notebook Guru

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    I feel like the 1.8 GHz processor upgrade is a waste of money. Either stick with the 1.6GHz or jump to the 2.0 to get 4MB of cache. Save yourself $90 bucks :) If you can see any real-world performance gain, you could easily overclock and get it for free.
     
    boonkauc, Aug 27, 2007
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  6. oresteez

    oresteez Notebook Consultant

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    As a journalist, I would guess you will be travelling a lot?? You might also want to upgrade the wireless card from the Dell wireless to the Intel wireless...I think it's a 30 or 40 dollar upgrade. This will increase your range, especially if you want to leech off other peoples' wireless networks...
     
    oresteez, Aug 27, 2007
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  7. dordale

    dordale Notebook Consultant

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    One thing about the latitudes--they are pretty solidly built. I think more so than the Vostros. If you'll be carrying it with you, that might be a consideration.

    Regarding the wireless card...I have the standard Dell wireless in my Latitude D630--and it works really well...very good range. Not sure if that's the norm or not though.

    Good luck!
    dordale :)
     
    dordale, Aug 27, 2007
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