New M6500 Discussion Thread

You should be able to do it all in one shot. HOWEVER, Windows 7 and Vista sometimes tend to put the bootloader on random partitions and drives. This isn't a problem, but if you were to some day take out the 2nd hard drive and the system stops booting. This is why. If you want to be extra sure, leave it out until Windows is installed, then re-install the 2nd drive. Windows likes to install on blank drives without any partitions created. It may make a small 100MB "System Reserved" partition for the bootloader, but this is fine.

This route will also ensure you don't accidentally overwrite any data you're trying to keep on the HDD.

Should be an easy process for you. Make sure you discharge static before touching anything, especially the SSD as they are extra sensitive.

See here for Newegg's selection of OCZ Vertex 2 drives.

 

Just saw this bit... I'm not sure about how well it performs, but I'm afraid you've over spent by getting a SATA III drive. The M6500 controller isn't SATA III, so that is unnecessary.

It will work though.

 

do you still have the coupon?

 

ok just changed my order to this one
Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

i'll keep you updated.

 

Good choice. I just put that one in my M6500. Mine actually came with the latest production firmware, so you won't have to worry about any firmware updates for a while.

The mail-in rebate I had for that drive ended 1/26/11. They have rebates now on different models. One of which is the 120GB Agility 2. It performs nearly the same as the Vertex 2, currently for $20 less. I'd stick with the Vertex 2 though. Most of the top performing drives right now are using the SandForce-1200 controller.

See this nice comparison.

As a new SSD owner, I'd recommend this read. Lots of good stuff.

 

thanks. i will check it out.

 

Hey, if you still can, might want to cancel and re-order... again. Deal just posted today for that same drive for $170 after rebate.

Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

 

i wish i waited! i already got the tracking number for the order today. ;(

 

Crap. I don't remember what Newegg's policy is on returns for refund. Then again you could be playing the best price game in this industry all year round.

 

I finally got a hold of the order number for my system exchange due to persistent video issues.
Apparently I will be getting an unexpected upgrade to an i7-740QM (instead of the i7-620m), and 1333 mhz ram which is great. I just hope it's the 4 dimm slot motherboard they are using because that would totally make my day, which I think it is because the 2 dimm motherboard should be a 1066 mhz ram, instead of 1333 mhz.
Here is the specifications.

1 224-7095 Mobile Precision M6500, Carbide Silver
1 310-0173 Airborne Documentation, System Exchanges,Factory Install
1 312-0222 9-Cell/85-WHr Battery for Mobile Precision M6500
1 313-3673 No Resource DVD for Dell Optiplex, Latitude, Precision
1 313-6453 No Modem for Mobile PrecisionMX400
1 313-7041 8X DVD for Mobile Precision
1 313-8680 No Fingerprint Reader for M6500
1 313-8684 17 inch Wide Screen LCD Silver Cover for M6500
1 313-8937 Palmrest without contact-less smart card reader for M6500
1 313-9605 Integrated megapixel VGA 3.2 webcam with single digital microphone, M6500
1 317-2589 4.0GB, DDR3-1333 SDRAM, 2 DIMM for Dell Mobile Precision
1 317-4994 Intel Core i7-740QM Quad Core 1.73GHz 6MB for M6500
1 320-1126 nVidia Quadro FX 2800M, 1.0GB DDR3 Discrete for M6500
1 320-1127 17" UltraSharp WUXGA (1920x1200) LED Display for M6500
1 330-1652 Documentation (English) Latitude E-Family/Mobile Precision
1 330-1838 US - 6-FT, 3-Pin Flat Power Cord for Mobile Precision
1 330-4127 210W/240W switchable Slim 3-Pin, AC Adapter Dell Precision M6400
1 330-5876 Internal Backlit English Keyboard, Dell Mobile Precision
1 330-6043 Dell Back-up and Recovery Manager for Win7, MUI, Latitude, Precision, OptiPlex, Vostro
1 330-6322 Genuine Windows 7 Label, Latitude, Vostro and Mobile Precision Notebooks
1 330-9154 Intel Core i7 Processor
1 341-7878 All Hard Drives RAID 1 for 2 Hard Drives, Dell Mobile Precision M6400
1 341-9814 250GB Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 7200RPM, for M6500
1 341-9831 250GB secondary Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 7200RPM, for M6500
1 421-0537 Cyberlink Power DVD 8.3, No Media, Dell Relationship LOB
1 421-1201 Dell Webcam Central Software Dell Latitude/Mobile Precision
1 421-1609 Genuine Windows 7 Professional32-bit, no media, Mobile Precision, English
1 421-1795 No Precison ON, Precision Mobile
1 421-2262 Windows 7 XP Mode,Opti/PWS/Lat/Vost
1 421-3872 No Productivity Software,Dell OptiPlex,Precision and Latitude
1 430-0732 Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth 2.1 for Mobile Precision 6500
1 430-9977 Dell Wireless 1520 802.11a/b/g/n Half Mini Card for M6500
1 464-7384 Exchange