Danngit i've "almost" gone done dunnit! my M4400 specs...

well, almost gone done dunnit...

just wanna run by with you good folks and git my blessings... if any...

• 223-9146 1 Precision M4400, Intel Core 2 Duo T9400, 2.53GHz, 1066MHz
• 311-8806 1 2.0GB, DDR2-800 SDRAM, 2 DIMM for Dell Mobile Precision
• 330-0825 1 Internal Backlit English Keyboard for Mobile
• 330-1652 1 Documentation (English) Latitude E-Family/Mobile Precision
• 320-6719 1 512MB NVIDIA Quadro FX 770M Precision M4400
• 341-6948 1 160GB Hard Drive 9.5MM 7200RPM FFS for Mobile Precision MX400
• 311-8817 1 UPEK Swipe Fingerprint Reader for Mobile Precision M4400
• 320-6997 1 Black Wide Screen WUXGA LCD for Latitude M4400
• 467-5785 1 WINDOWS XP PRO SP2 with Windows Vista Business LicenseDell Mobile Precision,English,Factory Install
• 330-0834 1 130W 3-Pin, AC Adapter for Mobile Precision
• 330-0883 1 US - 6-FT, 3-Pin, Flat Power Cord for Latitude E-Family
• 313-6461 1 8X DVD+/-RW for Mobile Precision
• 420-8667 1 Cyberlink Power DVD 8.0 Playback Software WITH Media Dell Latitude/Mobile Precision
• 420-8010 1 Roxio Creator Dell Edidion,9.0Dell Latitude/Mobile Precision
• 313-6830 1 Integrated webcam with microphone for Mobile Precision 4400
• 430-3086 1 Dell WLAN 1510 (802.11a/b/g/n 2X3) 1/2 MiniCard for LatitudeE/Mobile Precision
• 330-0884 1 No Intel vPro Technologys advanced management features for Latitude, Mobile Precision
• 330-0832 1 Resource DVD with Diagnostics and Drivers for Vista Precision M4400 Notebook
• 312-0729 1 6-Cell/54-WHr Battery for Latitude E/Mobile Precision
• 991-3247 1 Dell Hardware Limited Warranty Plus Onsite Service Initial Year
• 989-2632 1 Basic Support: Next Business Day Parts and Labor Onsite Response 2 Year Extended
• 989-5340 1 Basic Support: Next Business Day Parts and Labor Onsite Response Initial Year
• 991-3248 1 Dell Hardware Limited Warranty Plus Onsite Service Extended Year(s)
• 900-9987 1 Standard On-Site Installation Declined
• 313-6719 1 Dell Webcam Central Software for Dell Latitude
• 313-6795 1 Integrated 0.3MP VGA web cam w/ microphone for WUXGA LCD Mobile Precision M4400
• 320-7020 1 15.4 inch Wide Screen WUXGA LCD for Mobile Precision M4400
• 310-8319 1 Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
• 310-9160 1 Vista Premium Downgrade Relationship Notebook

now, the questions...:

1)RAM: should i go 1GB now and upgrade to 4GB from aftermarket? but i will have to use this system AS-IS for 3 weeks tho...

2)HDD: should i go with the cheapest HDD and upgrade to aftermarket? what is a good aftermarket HDD that will NOT break my wallet?

3)CPU: P8400 vs P8600 vs T9400 vs T9600? i went with the T9400... decent choice? thoughts?

4) Wireless Optoins: asides from brand, what is the main diff between Dell vs Intel?

well, first time buying a worstation lappy... your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

thanks!

 

get 1gb,and upgrade latter(4bg fro about 50$)

not sure about hdd

i think that p8600 is the best option-less heat,~same performance

if the price difference is small,then get intel card

hope this helped

 

3)CPU: P8400 vs P8600 vs T9400 vs T9600? i went with the T9400... decent choice? thoughts?

Was the P9500 not a choice?
The 3 to consider IMHO are P8400 if you want to save on cash, battery life and heat. T9600 if cash, battery life and heat dont matter so much. Or P9500 for a general compromise of cost and power while keeping it cool and having a longer battery life. The T9400 is redundant imo seeing as the P9500 has the same clock but lower tdp, for only a small price increase.

 

tyvm for replies...

the guy gave me some discounts and so happens that 2GB ram and 160GB HDD came out bout $10 cheaper... well, of course i could have asked him to apply same type of discount on the stripped down version but i did not want to bother...

i just hope i get my laptop before i leave the country again...

i asked for a rush... hopefully he can pull it through...

as for the P8600, yea i guess... but battery life is not an issue with me because i almost always use it plugged in... so i went with the T9400...

thanks again... now the waiting begins...

i guess if i can live with a 15.4 WUXGA 1920x1200... i'll spare the pain on my shoulder of having to lug a 17" lappy thru aiports...

 

1. if you are for sure getting the laptop, order the memory now.

2. same with HD, the most cost efficient solution is the 320GB 5400RPM
drives but for performance, the 320GB 7200RPM will give you a bit of a boost. SSDs are the way to go but SLC (the good ones) are $$$.

3. P8400 is the way to go unless you are doing extremely CPU intensive tasks (and if you have the money), go straight up to T9600; however, it isn't worth the price for me, even with the slight performance boost.

4. in the past, Intel seems to have better wireless than Dell (from the previous generation), not sure if it's the same now.

 

Dell uses and has always used Broadcom chipsets on their own wireless cards, which are worse than Intel's counterparts. However, I'd like to know how big the difference between Intel 5100 and Intel 5300 chipset is, as this upgrade is quite expensive, but there haven't been any tests yet

 

Wireless
The Intel 5300 has 3 antennas and the 5100 and dell's only have one. The 5300 has the best range because of this. Both Intels should be upgradeable later to Wimax as well.
Memory
Newegg has great prices on DDR2 800 laptop memory. Much cheaper than from dell and most likely with better timings. If I remember right I think it was around $80 for 4 gig.

 

No, the 5100 and 5300 are both "Shirley Peak" cards which support WiFi only, the 5150 and 5350 cards will be "Echo Peak" and support combined WiFi/WiMax, but they are not available yet.

You're right about the 5300 having the three MIMO antennas though, this should give improved throughput when talking to an "n" Access Point, not sure if it will improve range or not.

 

$65.

From G.Skill anyway...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231156

Got that kit myself.

 

1) RAM... Why do you have to wait 3 weeks? I would just order your RAM from Newegg (I prefer this one) or buy it in the store while your M4400 is being built. That way you'll have RAM in hand to install once you get your Laptop.

2) HDD... Dell's prices are pretty comparable. I like the Western Digital Scorpio Black Drives. Go with the 7200RPM models (link)

3) I went with the P8400. IMO, the others just weren't worth the EXTRA money.

4) Intel is supposedly better. I went with the Intel 5100. I have a N Router at home and thus needed an N Card. The specs show you get better range and speed with higher quality cards.

I'll announce my specs and price next week when my M4400 is supposed to arrive. I got a MONSTER of a deal Don't want Dell to back out due to price.