Need help configuring E6500

I haven't config'd a notebook in a while and need some help with an E6500 setup.

1. Which CPU ?
P series or T series ? I'm stumped here.
P8400/8600 or T9400/9500/9600 ?


2. Which screen type?
- My current Dell has a WSXGA 1680x1050 screen but that doesn't seem to be an option on the E6500's.

-Is the 15.4" WXGA+ an LED backlight and 1440 x 900 res ?

-Or would you chose the WUXGA 1920 x 1200 screen ?

3. Onboard Intel GMA X4500 or Nvdia

-It's a shame Dell doesn't offer switchable graphics on AC/Batt like the Lenovos.

-I don't play 3D games on this laptop, but I do want the ability to handle Vista Aero smoothly. Can the Intel X4500 do this properly or do I need the nVidia discreet card?

-obviously the Intel onboard = longer battery life so that's a plus.

-can I later add the nvidia card if I go with onboard graphics now ?


4. Hard Drive
Which hard drive option am I better off with ?

- take the standard 80GB 5400 and clone another drive in there myself ?

- order it with the largest 7200rpm drive they offer.

5. RAM
- Will run Vista Ult-x64 so I'd like 4GB total.

- Just order with 4GB installed or 1GB or 2GB (1 DIMM) and add another of the same type to total 4GB ?

6. Port Rep

Can't live without live uncdocking. Have had this on all my present and previous Dells. Easy eject and no cables to mess with.

- What the difference between the EPort Simple and Eport Advanced Port Replicators ?


7. WiFi
- should I just get eitherthe Intel 5100 or 5300 ?

Thanks a lot for the help guys.
I change in 3 year cycles so it's important I get this right the first time otherwise I'm stuck with it for a while.

 

Processor
This depends on how intense the applications you intend to run are. If you are gaming or running gigantic mathmatical formulas, then the 9400/9500/9600 are better fits. Generally the processing speed between any of those is negligible, unless you absolutely need to crunch out numbers as fast as possible.

RAM
Don't buy additional memory from Dell. I just priced an extra 1 GB stick from www.NewEgg.com for the low price of $23 (USD). A pair of 2 GB sticks would probably run you about $80 (USD), which is far cheaper than the $350 Dell lists on their site.

Graphics Card
Since you say you don't plan to game on the laptop, stick with the Intel 4500. It will run the Vista Aero glass effects very nicely without any problem.

Hard-Drive
This depends on how much content you plan to store on it. If you only write word documents, and your music library isn't that big, then the 80 GB drive would work fine. I believe I saw the 7200 RPM 80 GB drive option on Dell's site, which would work just fine at the price they list it for.

WIFI
I looked at a comparison chart on Dell's site between the Intel 5100 and Intel 5300. The 5300 is a better choice since it has MIMO support. Plus, at the time of this writing the price is exactly the same between the two at $59 (USD). (See here: http://www.dell.com/content/learnmo...eries_wlan&~lt=popup&~series=latit&~tab=other)

Hope that helps

 

Thanks for the pointers and advice.

About the difference between the P & T series CPU's;

For example what would difference be between these 2 CPU.

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9400 (2.53GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB) [add $130]

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P9500 (2.53GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB) [add $190


GPU X4500 onboard or discreet nVidia ?
So the only reason to get the nVidia is for gamming ? otherwise the X4500 can handle Aero as well as the nVidia ?

Sorry I also should have mentioned in the previous post that I'll be connecting/docked to a 24" 1920 x 1200 Dell monitor running Vista Aero. Am I still ok with the X4500 ?

 

The T9400 has 35w TDP, the P9500 has 25w.... essentially, this just means P9500 uses less power = longer battery life. The performance is basically the same.

The 4500 should be able to handle Vista aero perfectly. With regard to the output to monitor at 1920 x 1200, it should handle this fine from what I have been told (Intel say it is capable of full HD output), although I have not seen it in action myself. The nVidia would be a good choice for a bit of a buffer but is probably not necessary if you are not gaming.

Stu

 

Thanks Stu.

Would you know if you order it with the Intel 4500 IGP, can you later add the nVidia card if you need to ?

 

No, that isn't possible. The graphics chip is soldered onto the mainboard, the cooling system is also different.

 

If you have a WUXGA external screen, its quite nice to have a WUXGA internal screen. You can move things back and forth, and don't have to worry about resizing/maximizing.

Having said that, WUXGA on a 15.4" laptop is a personal choice and not for everyone. Also, it sucks away battery life. But apparently the WUXGA screen on the new E6500 is somewhat better than the one fitted to the older laptops, so I am told...

 

I've had a WSXGA+ (1680x1050) screen on my 15.4" Dell for the last 3yrs so I'm not so keen on dropping res to 1440x900. The only redeeming element is it's LED screen, so brighter and longer batt life. I'm stumped as to why Dell isn't offering WSXGA on the current E series.

So naturally I'm thinking WUXGA(1900x1200) might be an option and will as an added bonus match my 24" monitor res as well. Just wondering if WUXGA will be too small on a 15.4" screen.

On the flip side I can always order a Lenovo T500 which does offer the WSXGA.

choices ...choices..