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07/20/2007 09:00:11 PM · #1 |
What do you think of this system?
I have not purchased it yet, but want to make sure that I have everything I need, minus a cup holder.
This would be for PS CS2, Vector Works, Word Office, photo uploads, internet, and much more.
Please give me your thoughts of where I can do better.
Thanks.
My System Details
PROCESSOR Intel® Coreâ„¢ 2 Duo T7100 (1.8GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® XP Professional, SP2 edit
LCD PANEL 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA LCD Display edit
MEMORY 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM edit
HARD DRIVE 160G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive edit
HARD DRIVE PARTITION Custom Hard Drive Partition, 20GB Primary, Remainder Secondary (XP Only) edit
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD Burner w/ double-layer DVD+R write capability edit
VIDEO CARD 128MB NVIDIA® GeForceâ„¢ 8400M GS edit
WI-FI WIRELESS CARD Dell Wireless 1490 802.11a/g Wi-Fi Mini Card edit
WEBCAM No Webcam Option edit
SOUND OPTION High Definition Audio 2.0 edit
My Accessories
BATTERIES 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery edit
My Software
PRODUCTIVITY MS Works 8.5-Eng: Basic Spreadsheet, Word Processing & Calendar Program edit
SECURITY Norton Internet Securityâ„¢ 2006 90 Day Subscription edit
ONLINE BUSINESS GROWTH TOOLS Free Microsoft Office Live Basics edit
ADOBE SOFTWARE Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.08 edit
My Services & Warranties
WARRANTY & SERVICE 2 Year Limited Hardware Warranty with Next Business Day On-Site Service edit
ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE SERVICE 2 Year CompleteCare Accidental Damage Service edit
DELL DATASAFEâ„¢ ONLINE BACKUP 10GB for 1yr Online Backup by Dell Datasafe edit
AUTOMATED PC TUNEUP 1 Year Dell Automated PC Tuneup edit
DELL NETWORK ASSISTANT DellNetwork Assistant 1.7 edit
ON-SITE SYSTEM SETUP No Onsite System Setup edit
PURCHASE INTENT Purchase is not intended for resale. edit
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
Integrated NIC and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Labels Windows XPâ„¢
Processor Branding Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Miscellaneous Vostro 1500
Message edited by author 2007-07-20 21:01:52.
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07/20/2007 09:01:10 PM · #2 |
| You could have also posted which exact DELL laptop model you pulled the options/customizations from! |
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07/20/2007 09:02:40 PM · #3 |
Sorry, the Dell Vostro 1500
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07/20/2007 09:10:13 PM · #4 |
Any reason this doesn't have a Gbic in it? Most laptaps today come with gigabit lan. Just asking? Gig switches for the home are really reasonable these days.
The rest looks pretty decent...
Ed: typos of course
Message edited by author 2007-07-20 21:10:50. |
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07/20/2007 09:14:40 PM · #5 |
It comes with a cup holder...
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07/20/2007 09:21:00 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by awpollard:
Any reason this doesn't have a Gbic in it? Most laptaps today come with gigabit lan. Just asking? Gig switches for the home are really reasonable these days.
The rest looks pretty decent...
Ed: typos of course |
Of course unless you are accessing networked storage or other PCs on your home network, a faster NIC won't get you any faster Internet. How long do you expect to keep this laptop? I always get the three year on-site warrantee. They really whack you you hard for the additional warrantee once the initial one is up. If you think you will be upgrading in 2 years, no problem.
The Complete Care is essential. I think the non-Dell wireless is faster. Not sure if they are offering it still. And I go for the higher capacity batteries, but that may only come as an add-on. |
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07/20/2007 09:31:25 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by awpollard:
Any reason this doesn't have a Gbic in it? Most laptaps today come with gigabit lan. Just asking? Gig switches for the home are really reasonable these days
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Don't see it offered any where.
Originally posted by alexzen:
I think the non-Dell wireless is faster. Not sure if they are offering it still. |
Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g Wi-Fi Mini Card
or
Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini-card
Thought I would add a blue tooth to it for data downloads from my Motorola Q.
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate)
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07/20/2007 09:55:58 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by alexzen:
Originally posted by awpollard:
Any reason this doesn't have a Gbic in it? Most laptaps today come with gigabit lan. Just asking? Gig switches for the home are really reasonable these days.
The rest looks pretty decent...
Ed: typos of course |
Of course unless you are accessing networked storage or other PCs on your home network, a faster NIC won't get you any faster Internet.
Snip... |
That's a given... but in this media hungry day and age (photos/music/video) Hard disks fill up at the drop of a hat and adding a NAS/SAN is a bit easier than upgrading a laptop.
@ > A Man Called Horse...
Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini-card this is interesting... Wireless N is at Draft 2 right now and it is looking that this is real close to what the standards board is going to go with.
Your AP would need to be Wireless-N to reap the speeds but Router Prices are reason able... I went Wireless N a while back for $69 bucks on the router end. Get Wireless N w/MIMO and your Wireless G will score some range as well.
Message edited by author 2007-07-20 22:02:26. |
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07/20/2007 10:12:40 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by awpollard:
Any reason this doesn't have a Gbic in it? Most laptaps today come with gigabit lan. Just asking? Gig switches for the home are really reasonable these days.
The rest looks pretty decent...
Ed: typos of course |
Minus the fact the only thing its gonna allow you to do is transfer files over the network faster, its not gonna give you any better connection speed to the internet.
I think you'll be okay without it if the option isn't available on it.
ETA: it seems i was a bit slow or didnt read lol
Message edited by author 2007-07-20 22:13:18. |
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07/21/2007 12:24:36 AM · #10 |
Would like some more input please.
Looking for more possibly.
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07/21/2007 08:29:36 AM · #11 |
It looks like a very nice laptop. I cannot say that anything seems "wrong" with it. Of course, if you can find the same for less cash, that always helps ;)
We've had a Dell for a while now and just recently they replaced a frayed power cable under warranty, which was nice.
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07/25/2007 10:39:26 PM · #12 |
So, I made up my mind and finally purchased this machine, for Word, Excel, Photoshop, and Vector Works.
What do you guys think?
Alienware Area-51® m5550
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB NVidia® GeForceâ„¢ Go 7600
Display: 15.4" WideXGA 1280 x 800 LCD - Saucer Silver
Processor: Intel® Coreâ„¢ 2 Duo Processor T5500 1.66GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Windows Vistaâ„¢ Home Basic
Tuners and Remotes: Media Center upgrade options are not available with Windows Vista Home Basic.
System Drive: 80GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 5,400 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 24x DVD-ROM/CD-RW Burner
Sound Car: Intel® 7.1 High-Definition Audio
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® Wireless 4965 a/b/g/Draft-N Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ On site Service
Games: Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
Security and Utility Software: Nortonâ„¢ AntiVirusâ„¢ 2007
Microsoft Office Suites: Microsoft® Office 2007 Basic - Factory Installed!
Includes Word, Excel and Outlook!
Mouse: Razer Copperheadâ„¢ High Precision Gaming Mouse - Tempest Blue
Bluetooth: Bluetoothâ„¢ USB Adapter
Wireless Routers: RangeMax NEXT Wireless-N Router Gigabit Edition
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mousepad
Alienware Extras: AlienInspection - Exclusive Integration and Inspection - $100 Value - FREE!
Free Alienware® T-Shirt: Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Message edited by author 2007-07-25 22:39:57.
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07/25/2007 11:42:00 PM · #13 |
| How many arms and legs do you have left? |
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07/26/2007 12:03:11 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by Man_Called_Horse:
Free Alienware® T-Shirt: Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black |
At least you got a free T-Shirt out of it...
In all seriousness, that looks good to me. The only things I personally would have done differently is a 7200rpm hard drive, a DVD-R/RW drive, and a WUXGA screen (mine goes to 1920x1200). Other than that, it looks great. Mind if I ask how much that one set you back?
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07/26/2007 11:27:39 PM · #15 |
I don't mean to pirate this post (it appears you are done with it), but I'm doing the same thing as man_called_horseand I want to get your opinions on this Dell Inspiron 531 system. I'm not very computer savvy, and I'd like to know if I've got the essentials for digital photography and/or things I don't need. I will be running CS2. I have Office 2003 but don't know if its compatible with Vista. I have two perfectly good and fairly new monitors already, so I'm choosing the cheapest that comes with the system - by default I can't remove it. I have two 500GB WD external hds so I chose the smallest offered. I have Bose speakers.
PROCESSOR AMD Athlonâ„¢ 64 X2 Dual-Core 5600+ edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium edit
MONITOR Samsung 941BW Monitor edit
MEMORY Free Upgrade! 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs edit
HARD DRIVE 320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cacheâ„¢ edit
OPTICAL DRIVE 16x DVD+/-RW Drive edit
VIDEO CARD 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT-DDR3 edit
SOUND Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio edit
KEYBOARD & MOUSE Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse edit
FLOPPY & MEDIA READER No Floppy Drive Included edit
MODEM & WIRELESS Internal PCI 802.11g Wireless Network Card edit
My Software & Accessories
SPEAKERS No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system) edit
ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 36-months edit
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 edit
BURN & DIGITAL EDITING SOFTWARE Yahoo! Music Jukebox - Music Player edit
My Service
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 1 Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day edit
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Free 3GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1 Year edit
DIAL-UP INTERNET ACCESS No ISP requested edit
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
Mouse Mouse included in Dell Wireless Package
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0
Network Interface Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Labels Windows Vistaâ„¢ Premium
Miscellaneous Award Winning Service and Support
PHOTO AND MUSIC SOFTWARE No Entertainment software pre-installed
Overall cost - $1227 plus tax and shipping.
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07/26/2007 11:29:07 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by Man_Called_Horse:
So, I made up my mind and finally purchased this machine, for Word, Excel, Photoshop, and Vector Works.
What do you guys think?
Alienware Area-51® m5550
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB NVidia® GeForceâ„¢ Go 7600
Display: 15.4" WideXGA 1280 x 800 LCD - Saucer Silver
Processor: Intel® Coreâ„¢ 2 Duo Processor T5500 1.66GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Windows Vistaâ„¢ Home Basic
Tuners and Remotes: Media Center upgrade options are not available with Windows Vista Home Basic.
System Drive: 80GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 5,400 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 24x DVD-ROM/CD-RW Burner
Sound Car: Intel® 7.1 High-Definition Audio
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® Wireless 4965 a/b/g/Draft-N Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ On site Service
Games: Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
Security and Utility Software: Nortonâ„¢ AntiVirusâ„¢ 2007
Microsoft Office Suites: Microsoft® Office 2007 Basic - Factory Installed!
Includes Word, Excel and Outlook!
Mouse: Razer Copperheadâ„¢ High Precision Gaming Mouse - Tempest Blue
Bluetooth: Bluetoothâ„¢ USB Adapter
Wireless Routers: RangeMax NEXT Wireless-N Router Gigabit Edition
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mousepad
Alienware Extras: AlienInspection - Exclusive Integration and Inspection - $100 Value - FREE!
Free Alienware® T-Shirt: Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black |
It's ::cough:: still a dell...... Heh if it wasnt bad enough alienware's customer support already sucked 24/hour sucko support Dell bought them out.
The machines are good assuming you dont get a dud. WOuldnt mind dumping 7 to 10,000 on one. |
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