Dell XPS 1210

[kav]

So in my earlier post I was asking advice on buying an ultra portable laptop - we were looking at the Gateway MX1023 which weighs an amazing 3.2lbs. It was suggested that I look at dell instead, although their laptops are heavier and a lot more expensive.

We have narrowed it down to the DELL XPS 1210. It is "lighter" (under 5lbs with the 9 cell batter) and has a lot more features - again our primiary goal was light and small for travel.

My question.. What features would be considered "MUST" upgrades? Please keep in mind we are trying to keep the cost down as much as possible.
(Canadian link: http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=ca&CS=CADHS1&l=en&oc=OCINSP1210_RBP_M1210 )

CANDIAN PRICES: (* INDICATES WHAT WE HAVE SELECTED)
*Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7200 (2GHz/667MHz/4MB) [Included in Price]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7400 (2.16GHz/667MHz/4MB) [add $170 or $4/month1]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7600 (2.33GHz/667MHz/4MB) [add $450 or $11/month1]

OS
*Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 [Included in Price]
Genuine Windows® XP Professional [add $60 or $1/month1]

*12 inch WXGA [subtract $100]
12 inch WXGA Wide Screen with TrueLife™ and A/V Communications Pack (Intg. web cam, earbuds) [Included in Price]

1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) add $0
*1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2 Dimms) [Included in Price]
1.5GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (1GB x 512MB) [add $200 or $5/month1]
2GB Dual Shared Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) [add $250 or $6/month1]
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2 Dimms) [add $2,100 or $53/month1]
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) [add $2,300 or $58/month1]
3GB, DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (1GB x 2GB) [add $1,200 or $31/month1]

*80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive [Included in Price]
120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive [add $40 or $1/month1]
80GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive [add $90 or $2/month1]
100GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive [add $210 or $5/month1]

*Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 Mini Card (802.11 a/g, 54Mbps) [Included in Price]
Intel® PRO 3945 and Dell 350 Bluetooth Internal Wireless Cards [add $50 or $1/month1]
Dell Wireless 1500 Draft 802.11n Dual-band Internal Wireless [add $40 or $1/month1]
Dell Wireless 1500 Draft 802.11n Dual-band Internal Wireless, Bluetooth [add $90]

*85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery [Included in Price]
53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery [subtract $40]
6-cell Primary Battery and 9-cell additional Lithium Ion Battery [add $89 or $2/month1]
9-cell Primary Battery and 9-cell additional Lithium Ion Battery [add $129 or $3/month1]

Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 add $0
*Upgrade to 256MB NVIDA® GeForce™ Go 7400 TurboCache™ Graphics [Included in Price]

*Integrated Audio [Included in Price]
Integrated Audio with Sound Blaster® Audigy® ADVANCED HD Audio [add $30]

 

[kav]

Anybody please? We would like to buy it soon and would really apperciate your advice.

 

[stealthfighter]

well I know that don't get the sound blaster audigy... I got it and it's great exceopt one thing. I canmt play games and music at the same time otherwise crackling noises.

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

It's for laptop, so you can't assume the same thing is going to happen.

 

[i_am_mustang_man]

he might be talking about a laptop.... he didn't specify

 

[stealthfighter]

It was for my desktop pc. I assume they make them the same way just smaller/less potent for laptop

 

[kav]

Please keep the comments coming.. We would like to order tonight if possible.

Specifically, I need feedback on which of the following to go with:

1) Main processor - is it worth upgrading to the T7400 or even the T7600?

2) Stay with the Windows Media center or pay the extra for the XP?

3) Which RAM is preferrable for the same price - 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) or the 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2 Dimms)

4) Is the upgrade from 80GB 5400RPM to 7200RPM worth the money?

5) Which of the wireless cards is preferrable? I know the bluetooth is nice but what about the other options?

Thanks again.

 

[killatia]

Please keep the comments coming.. We would like to order tonight if possible.

Specifically, I need feedback on which of the following to go with:

1) Main processor - is it worth upgrading to the T7400 or even the T7600?

2) Stay with the Windows Media center or pay the extra for the XP?

3) Which RAM is preferrable for the same price - 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) or the 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2 Dimms)

4) Is the upgrade from 80GB 5400RPM to 7200RPM worth the money?

5) Which of the wireless cards is preferrable? I know the bluetooth is nice but what about the other options?

Thanks again.

1) the stock cpu is fine but if you want just go ahead with t7400
2) they're bot h the same os, just they're aimed for different market. stick with xp media center.
3.) go with ddr2 sdram at 667, the faster the better.
4.) yes going from a 5400 rpm hd to a 7200 rpm is worth the money, though at the cost of battery power.
5.) the stock wirless card wil suit you just fine.

also you shold get a geforce 7400 as well, they'll preform better than the intel graphic soultion.

 

[Thermopylae_480]

1) I'd stay with the t7400 unless you just want to spend the money. It is a laptop afterall and the t7400 is still a pretty mean CPU

2) I'd go with XP

3) Stick with the DDR2 533, I don't like shared memory.

4) If you're going to be gaming on the laptop, 7200RPM will decrease install times, load screens, and file movement. It wouldn't help ingame though. It would still be a toss up for me between 120GB 5400 RPM for cheaper and an 80GB 7200 RPM.

5) Would you actually use bluetooth for anything? Is so get it, if not 802.11g is fine.

 

[stealthfighter]

If you want battery life stick w/ stock everything IMO.. but you might want a GeForce GO gfx solution... and more rpm = drawing more power so thumbs down to the 7200 RPM IMO

 

[kav]

1) I'd stay with the t7400 unless you just want to spend the money. It is a laptop afterall and the t7400 is still a pretty mean CPU

3) Stick with the DDR2 533, I don't like shared memory.

Is the T7200 not worth getting in itself?

What do you mean by the DDR2 533 be better because it isn't sharred? Even if the graphics card has a dedicated 256MB?

 

[kav]

Bump. Anyone with any thoughts on the above question.

 

[stealthfighter]

Sorry, I don't know what shared memory is ATM
*hint hint*