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    Laptop component questions: i3 & Blu-ray, thank guys :)

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by rich1uk, May 7, 2011.

  1. rich1uk

    rich1uk Newbie

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    Hey, may I ask a couple of questions please before I purchase my new computer just to double check a couple of things :)

    The computer I am interested in is the Sony Vaio E-Series 15 here: https://shop.sony.co.uk/shop/VAIO-Laptop-PCs/E-Series-14-15-17

    1) Is it possible to use 3GB RAM alongside the i3-380M CPU or will it restrict it in some way? Another words is there a minimum recommended RAM to be used in conjunction with this processor?

    2) Do you think there would be noticeable performance differences between 3GB RAM and 4GB RAM for basic tasks (basic office programs, iTunes, etc..) with only a couple of applications loaded at any one time? Am I correct in thinking 3GB RAM would lose dual-channel support (compared to 4GB)?

    3) Would the Blu-ray writer also write to DVD-R/DVD+R discs? Sorry if this is a basic question, this is the first time I have come across a Blu-ray writer in a notebook. The website does suggest it will but as it is really important to me I would just like to double check.

    4) Am I correct in thinking I would have to upgrade the screen option to the 1920x1080 (as well as the required graphics upgrade) rather than the default 1366x768 to benefit from watching Blu-ray movies at their best quality?

    Thank you very much for your time and help I really appreciate it, thanks guys. :)
     
    rich1uk, May 7, 2011
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  2. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    1) Depends on your tasks.
    2) Probably not
    3) Probably (almost all, if not all do), though check the specs of the drive.
    4) Bluray movies are all 1080p IIRC, so yes to get the full experience you would need to connect it to a monitor. Upgrading to a 1080p panel from a 1366x768 panel is not always possible as 1080p panels require dual LVDS connections and you need the chip on the motherboard and a cable capable of this, a lot of manufacturers cut a corner here and dont include one or the other, and the cable could not actually exist. All modern graphics chips (even integrated ones) can display basic bluray movies.
    You will notice an improvement over DVDs still on a 1366x768 display as they have a lower resolution than that.
     
    Meaker@Sager, May 7, 2011
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