Dell E6400 ATG For $599 Through Outlet - How Did I Do? Should I Upgrade Ram (1GB x 2) to 3GB or 4GB?

I purchased the following E6400 ATG system using the 20% off coupon that expired on March 4. I was not able to get an online order confirmation (tried 6 times) before the coupon expired. Called the Dell sales rep the next day, and explained the order system problem. The refurb system that I wanted was still in inventory. The Dell rep honored the expired 20% off coupon and then placed and confirmed the order. Hopefully I should receive my new toy in the next week.


System Price : $599.00 USD
Latitude E6400 ATG Laptop:
Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 (2.26GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows XP Pro with Vista Business License
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz (2 DIMMs)
80 GB Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD With PC-Card
Fingerprint Reader
Internal 6 Cell Primary Battery
125V Power Cord
90W AC Adapter
Back-lit Keyboard
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Intel WiFi Link 5300 802.11a/g/n Draft Mini Card
Integrated Webcam with digital microphone
14.1 inch Widescreen WXGA LED Display - Brush Metal Black

How Did I Do?

RAM UPGRADE​

I could not find a E6400 ATG refurb System with either 4GB total or a single 2GB PC2-6400.

(OPTION 1) Mix 1GB PC2-6400 (original) with a 2GB CRUCIAL PC2-6400 in the available slots , giving me a 3GB total? Should I have any significant performance issues with this mix?

(OPTION 2) Upgrade Ram to 4GB [CRUCIAL CT2KIT25664AC800 4GB PC2-6400 2GBx2 200-Pin CL6 1.8V Unbuffered NON-ECC DDR2-800 SODIMM Kit] ($44.99 from AMAZON --no shipping).

I am leaning toward OPTION 2, since there is very little difference in cost in the 3GB vs 4GB option. I think that i can only utilize 3.5 GB of the 4GB capacity with XP.

I would appreciate any thoughts you may have on RAM upgrade options.

Many thanks to everyone that posts on this site. Your comments helped greatly on deciding to purchase this particular system.

 

You did great. My system cost me 2.5 times that, for example.

I would go for option 2 as well, even if you do only get to use 3.5 GB.

 

I'd third option two. DDR2 memory is so cheap these days, you can't really go wrong with 4GB.

 

Thanks, I just ordered the 4GB Crucial kit.