I got to build a Dell comptuer. I have almsot no choice but for ram and processor.
Every model has only one choice for GPU. Why? It use to be you could build a computer you wanted. Now if you want dedicated GPU you have to go to a Studio and pay 200 bucks more? And if you want a non-suck GPU you have to go to a XPS and pay another 200 bucks.
What happened to modability.. what happened to choice and quality at Dell?
I got to HP and i can choose to get integrated graphics or upgrade to dedicated... why did Dell move away from this? And move into ... if you want this upgrade to a new model and pay 4 times more...
Does anyone know if the Dell XPS 16 will be getting its RGBLED screen back? I find it kind of strange that they took it out after they introduced the ATI 5730.
I cant find dv5t regular one on the hpshopping.com/ There is only sepcial edition and that too doesnt have options any dedecated video card. Is HP stopping sales of dv5t?
I'm upgrading my XPS m1530 CPU, i figured I'd post in this section.
Anyhow currently I'm running the t5750, 2000MHz dual core, with 2mb cache.
Ive got 2 choices for my upgrade (and I know they both will work for sure in the XPS m1530 as I've asked around) and here they are:
The T8300 with 2.4GHz dual core and 3mb cache and 800 bus speed, or The T9500 with 2.6GHz dual core and 6mb cache and 800 bus speed.
Since I'm in Canada, the only good prices i can find are on eBay (otherwise I'm buying via Canadian newegg and whatnot, and they charge A-LOT for Canadians because of import and CAD currency exchanges).
The T8300 is listed at 173.56 CAD with +25$ Australian for shipping, which ends up being around 24 ish CAD, which means I'm paying roughly 200$ CAD for it.
The t9500 is listed at 253.56 CAD with free shipping to Canada.
In the end, my question is this: is the +0.2GHz/core and the 3mb extra cache worth the 50$ (considering the t9500 can go upwards of 350 on newegg Canadian, or rather used to, its not even listed there anymore). Although it may not be worth the straight upgrade, it may be worth the time i'll put off upgrading or buying a new laptop. What are your opinions?
the t9500 expires in 9 hours, and although I've been tracking the user since September, hes always re-posted the listing, but I don't know if the price will change a lot (its gone up 10$ since the previous re-post) so speedy answers would be .
I'm trying to decide which processor and OS (Vista 32 or 64) to go with. The quad cores are 2.5Ghz I believe, and I just haven't seen anything showing an advantage for quad cores outside of 3D rendering applications. Anyone have some good hard information on this? For my personal situation, I plan to use the notebook for the following:
App Dev using Visual Studio 08, SQL 05 & 08, Expression Design/Illustration/Photo using CS3 tools, eventually CS4, Lightroom, rare 3D in Blender. Gaming to include Farcry, WoW, Neverwinternights, others?
Right now it seems that the quad core will draw more power for almost no performance increase, and in some cases it will perform *worse* than the core duo at a higher clock (say, T9600). I'm not sure how far into the future it will be before a 2.5ghz quad can outperform a 2.8ghz duo in most use cases? Anyone?
On the OS, how are people feeling about 64bit? For all my day to day involvement in the "latest and greatest" in software dev, I still haven't made the move to 64bit.
TIA, and would this question be better in a different forum?
My RAID failed yesterday and one of the new drives I bought is dead. I only had it for less than a day.
I don't know if it is was the drive or RAID but either way the drive does not work but the connector does so.
I'm most likely going to send a ram module I bought back as I’m unsure the voltages of that ram.
My keyboard also developed a problem. Not all the keys work. I looked at it and the connector is burnt the middle of it. The keyboard connector is what goes into the sound board. I'm not 100% certain how it happened may be it was either the ram or RAID that did that or some other unrelated fluke caused by something else. I kept on powering of and on without logging of in test mode and may be that did it. I'm not a smoker and I never physically did that.
The ram I originally had was 7-10-F1 the ram I bought was a 4GB 7-10-F2. I think what has confused me is that I googled and read that the ram I bought was CL8 when I had originally CL7 it makes no sense to me to me that ram could be CL8 when the first letter is C7?
I put my laptop on my desk like I normally do and it just turned off. I powered it on and it said no OS found. I opened it and the connector looked fine and the KB was ok at that point..................
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache)
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT 320GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Yesterday I ordered this Computer. I have been reading a few posts about the 7200RPM Hard drive and decided to look at my order to see if this was an option. It seems today the computer is 100.00 cheaper and there are more options. [I ordered through a Dell partner purchase program so the options were a bit different then the regular site]
I would like to know which is better : Full Hi Definition, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1920x1200) & 2.0 M
I have a 160GB 7200RPM with Free Fall Sensor harddrive and the unstoppable clicking of my Seagate hard drive is driving me nuts. so I have three choices:
I have my 160GB Hitachi 7200 RPM Hardderive from my old system that i can strip off before is end back to dell. This hd does not have free fall sensor.
They are sending me a Fujitsu 160GB 7200 RPM one that has FFS.
I'm very close to buying a Latitude E6400 or E6500, but I have a few questions before I pull the trigger. I'm hoping that a few E6400 and E6500 users can help me out...
1- Displays- are they all matte finish or ??? If I go with the E6500, I definitely want the WXGA+ (1440x900) LED-backlit option, but I'm thinking WXGA or WXGA+ (LED-backlit) will do on the smaller E6400.
2- Color choices- I know that Regal Red and Regatta Blue are offered in addition the standard Brushed Metal Black finish. Other than the tiny photos shown on the Product Details page as representations of each color, I can't seem to find any larger photos of the Red or Blue models! Is it a glossy or more of a matte/flat finish.....or should I just stick with the Brushed Metal Black?
3- Which size- 14.1" (E6400) or 15.4" (E6500)? The lighter weight and smaller dimensions of the E6400 are very appealing. I'm just wondering if there are any significant benefits that the E6500 would provide over the E6400 (other than the availability of a WUXGA display)?
4- Thermal Management- The reviews I've seen were models with the P8400 processor and integrated graphics. Heat management was very good on those configurations. Does that hold true for models wity T9400/T9600 processsor and the nVIDIA graphics card? Is fan noise ever a problem?
I have decided on the HP DV3. I have 3 battery choices, 6 cell, high capacity 6 cell and 9 cell.
I know the 9 cell sticks out - it's also supposed to last 7 hours. What about the 6 cells? How long does each last because I am not sure if I want the 9, high capacity 6 or the option of getting both...
I recently got a dv7 (17.3") and I've been looking around for a good notebook cooler. The current cooler is not for this size and was wondering for any options available out there.
I've heard of the the Zalman-NC2000 but I'd have to "reposition" it to use it's capabilities. My next option would be the "NZXT Cryo LX". I am considering getting this one but would like to have other alternatives before I commit to it.
I use this laptop for gaming and photo/video editing so portability would be a plus.
Also, any good messenger bags for my lappy? I'll need space for my cooler and wacom tablet. I've been looking around for a long time as this and some were just a tad "tight" fitting in.
Is it normal that dell.ca would have fewer choices of screens than dell.com? I'm looking at the studio 15, and dell.com lists Hi Resolution/Bright,
glossy widescreen 15.4 WLED display (1440x900) as a choice, which is what I want, but dell.ca doesn't. When I view the system specs though, that choice is listed as on option.
I'm planning on buying a gaming laptop sometime at the beginning of the year and I was wondering if I could get some insight as to the quality and performance of the XPS M1730. And also as to Dell's customer service.
So im about to buy a dell studio 15 next month and im still a little concerned with the quality of the battery. My current dell inspiron 9200 battery lost its charge a year and half in. Same thing w/ my brothers Dell. Do Dell laptops still lose their ability to hold a charge that rapidly or Has Dell improved the battery?
I have just bought a Latitude E6400 with base spec LCD screen and base spec graphics card. The screen is very bad for eyestrain with harsh whites at all levels of brightness and contrast, except those at which it is too dark to read. I wondered if anyone else had this same machine and could comment? I called Dell and they said it is just because I bought the base spec, and to improve the problem I would have to return the machine and buy a better one.
I have turned off all the animation effects on vista and am just using it for text with no 3D stuff at all. This does not help with the screen quality.
I am upgrading from an Inspriron 630m with the same resolution LCD screen, which was never any problem despite long hours of use daily for over 2 years.
If this is the normal level of quality with this screen, has anyone tried buying an aftermarket screen of better quality and upgrading? I am considering doing this.
The reason I have quality quoted is because I received my new studio xps 1640 and there are definitely some issues with the stuff that gets by. First of all, we'll start with the most annoying issue.
The "hinge cover", as the repair technician called it, the one where the heat vents are, the plastic grills were damaged. My laptop was obviously dropped in the production line and the scared employee quickly threw it in a box before getting in trouble.
Anyway, I instantly noticed this and dell was quick to send a new part along with a technician. There was only one problem, they send the wrong part. They sent the entire computer frame. How do you mix those two parts up? Anyway, they're coming back in two days with the "right" part and are going to fix it. The repair man was NOT careful with my laptop.
He messed up some of the screws and as dumb as some may say this sounds, it bothers the out of me. Last but certainly not least, dell put two stickers on my laptop. One that says Windows Vista, the other that says Inte Centrino 2. There is nothing wrong with the vista sticker, however, the intel sticker is NOTICEABLY crooked.
I see it every time I open my laptop and those are supposed to be badges saying "I'm proud to have this inside" but I'm embarrassed for people to see my $2,300 crooked sticker and half stripped screws. They really need to check their laptops before they go out, there is no way in hell that they missed these, they just made a conscious decision not to fix it.
Does anyone have experience with using the DVI connector on the Dell E-Port or E-Port Plus? I got an E-Port Plus from eBay listed as "new" and have it hooked up using the DVI connection with my new E6410 driving it (with NVidia 3100M graphics).
Black text on white background has a bit of a red glow to it that didn't happen with my older laptop/dock combo. I'm trying to figure out if it is a bad E-Port or if this is just the way the E-Port/E6410/3100M will be
Recieved my Studio XPS 16 with WLED screen today...and I want to assure those that are worried...it's still beautiful.
No, I haven't seen the RGB LED screen...but I put the same Windows screen (with a large range of colors displayed) of my 1720 next to the screen on my 16...and the 16 blows it away.
I apparently had no idea what "white" really was on a laptop screen...it looks so crisp and nice. And at maximum brightness, my 1720 can't compare to the maximum brightness of the 16.
So don't be crushed if you couldn't afford or couldn't see your way into paying the extra for the RGB LED Screen..it's still a sweet looking screen.
I'm sure the RGB LED screen is probably nicer (for 250 bucks, it had well better be), but I'm FAR from unimpressed with the WLED.
BUILD QUALITY How's the build quality on E6410 compared to Thinkpad T410? Creaks, flexing, etc? I'm almost sure this month my next purchase won't be a Thinkpad and Latitude seems to be a good choice. Our office use them.
I currently have a 6-year old T41 and 2-year old T61. I'll miss the keyboard and trackpoint but i can live with that.
OPTICAL DRIVE BAY I have an utrabay HDD adaptor on my T42 does E6410 have the same? I can only see a travel lite module.
Im thinking seriously about buying a M6400 How is the build quality?
Are there many problems, because im not sure if i will be in a region where dell has decent represantatives, i need it to be stable and reliable, no repairs needed.
quality of the E6400 touchpoint for me? I never thought I'd like touchpoints, however after having used on on a Lenovo the other day I found that I much prefer them to touchpads.
I'm in the process of returning my system (not due to this paint issue) but due to the screen issues/dell's inability to give me a replacement [full story: The continued adventures about a boy and his laptop....
Back to this thread's topic, I have babied this thing and have never dinged this portion of the laptop on anything but the paint still seems to chip away.. does anyone else have anything like this picture?
I've been considering both of these systems, but I was wondering if anyone had a bit of personal experience with the screen quality.
There are the obvious differences of size, resolution, and matte vs glossy, and the general strengths and weaknesses of both of those, but I would like to hear some impressions from someone that has had first hand experience with each.
I am going to be using the system for graphic design (student) work, some of which will go to print as well as digital photography editing. I know about color calibration and how important it is.
I've been a diehard thinkpad fan for years and I'm looking to upgrade from my T60p. I love the build quality, but I've been reading too many issues with the FireGL V5700 in the new W500 series. Moreover, I've read good things about overclocking the Quadro M770 to get closer to the M1700 speeds. So I'm now looking at the Dell M4400, normally I abhor the chassis construction of Dells, but the all magnesium casing of the 4400 series looks very good.
First, coming from a thinkpad, will I be satisfied with the build quality of the Dell?
Second, I'll be primarily using autocad, rhino and 3ds Max and have a question about the effect of screen resolution on the acceleration of the viewport displays in the various programs. Normally, I'd get the highest resolution screen possible, but will there be significant performance degradation from sxga+ (1440x900) to the wuxga (1920x1280) display when using these viewport accelerated programs due to the more demanding resolution?
Third, considering that the system uses DD2 memory, will I be able to upgrade the cpu to other Core2 ES chips that you can find on ebay? It looks like these chips use pins, I haven't been keeping up to date with the new mobile intel chips, are they all pga rather than bga format now?
And finally, when can i except some sort of deal on these systems on either the Canadian or American sites? I've been seeing a lot of 30% deals on inspirons and xps systems, but not on the precisions.
