using e1505 as desktop

hi,
my desktop mobo (socket 462) pretty much died. i don't replace, at least here in canada coices are pretty limtied, but then i don't wanna buy new desktop any time soon. so i was thinking of using my year old dell e1505 as a desktop - hook up monitor, keyboard, speakers, sata HD with enclosure and all.

does anybody know if that would really wear out my laptop or it shouldn't be an issue? should i buy cooling pad? what impact does using 4 USB ports at the same time have on temperature and stuff?

i browse the web, play HL2 or FEAR or similar once in a while, might download a thing or two on emule, but nothing major ... i just don't wanna spend $ on new mobo, video, memory, cpu, etc. on the other hand i don't wanna kill my laptop either.

your advice would be appreciated.

 

Are you talking about making this laptop into a desktop setup? I do that with my Sager right now. I have it hooked up to the following:
-17" LCD monitor
-Keyboard & mouse
-2.1 speakers
-Cooling pad
-USB hub
-SATA external hard drive
-Printer

It has been that way for over a year now and I have had no problems to date. It would be worth it to get a cooling pad for the e1505 if it is going to be on and stationary all the time.

 

Like chaz did, I would get the cooling pad. It should not be to bad on the notebook, the Dell should take it. It is just a really good idea to make a point to keep the laptop cool since it will be on all the time. Other than that the e1505 should be just fine as a replacement until you are ready to get a desktop.

 

thanks a lot guys!

 

Oh, forgot to ask. How important is it to have a fan for the HD enclosure? thanks.

 

In my experience, not important. I have a 3.5" hard drive in an enclosure and the enclosure gets warm but it is nothing to worry about.

 

thank you Chaz.

 

As long as it does not get too hot to the touch you should be fine. If it does not have a fan you'll want to probably try to pick up a metal enclosure just to play it on the safe side. It'll help cool it a little bit.

 

I'm in the same situation, I have my e1505 set up as a desktop, I just seem to be running out of USB ports, can some one direct me to a good cheap USB Hub? Thanks.

 

Load up your system with 2GB of ram (the max for the 1505) and this will apprarently extend the lifespan of the notebook. I don't remember where I actually read this but I believe that it would be due to the fact that any system uses the hard drive less for virtual memory when you have more ram. So essentially you will be extending the life of the hard drive. Other things to consider are having a quality surge protector or UPS (battery backup/power conditioner) that you plug all your equipment into. Other than the above it is the wear and tear parts that you will have to deal with. Stuff like screen hinges, graphics and CPU fans, keyboard and any other moving parts will wear out over time. The more you use them, the quicker they will wear out.

I would personally like a setup like this for your purposes (I'm pretty sure that Dell offers this type of dock):



Kensington piece that I found on the Dell US website (includes USB hub):



You will be able to find these types of docks at either Dell or possibly through one of the big box retailers (maybe Futureshop or BestBuy).

p.s. Since you're in Toronto if you need a 1gb stick of DDR2 667 Mhz, I've got one I'm parting with.

 

I haven't heard this before but it would reduce hard drive activity if you use that much RAM to begin with. If you have Vista, you can also reduce hard drive activity levels by plugging in a flash memory device and using ReadyBoost.

Check eBay for USB 2.0 hubs. I bought a cheap one for about $10 but it does not have an external power adapter. It is best to get one with an external power adapter so your laptop doesn't have to power the devices.