New Vostro Lineup (3350, 3450..)

I can't seem to locate a manual for the 3550, and I'd like to add another RAM module into the laptop. Does anyone have a document (or a link to one) that will show me how to get at the RAM?

 

Ok - tech came today. After talking with the tech through online chat yesterday, he went through a few questions, then decided we should just replace the system fan (only one) and the hard drive. So the tech today did just that. Dell decided in the process to upgrade my HDD to a 500 GB unit from the 320 GB I originally had.

So I made an image using win 7 of my system, then restored it after the tech left.

It appears the constant high-pitched noise is gone. I think. There are some other odd noises I am noticing now, but that might be mostly because I am so tuned into noises. I'll evaluate this for a couple of days, but looks like it might have been the HDD after all.

Nice. So far, very impressed with Dell - at home warranty service in less than 24 hrs, an upgraded HD volume (still 7200 rpm), a very nice looking notebook that gets a lot of compliments, and a great price to begin with. Performance-wise - fantastic.

I am a quite happy dell customer.

 

Hi, I was wondering if anyone in this thread with a 6630M-powered 3450 or 3550 would be willing to provide me some data. I am doing this in the hopes that you can help others and myself understand how AMD's new dynamic switching technology (BACON, the Optimus clone) work.

The situation on Windows for HP is pretty bad since switching doesn't seem to work and apparently OpenGL applications like Photoshop and games won't run on the GPU, ever. We'd also like to assess Linux support for switching.

Can you help?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...erstand-fix-dynamic-graphics-61xx-series.html

 

Hi, I'm about to order a Vostro 3450 but I have two issues I couldn't find an answer for yet.

The first one is that I would like to use use a bluray writer inside his device which is not an option here in Germany. Does anyone know whether it is possible to exchange the optical drive? Can I use the cover of the old device to keep the look?

The second question is about the resolution when using an external screen on the HDMI connector. I read that some older devices had resolution limitations (max 1920*1080) due to hdmi restrictions. I want to connect to a 24" screen at 1920*1200 using HDMI to DVI. Is this possible?

Can anyone help?

 

I don't know about the HDMI limitation to resolution, but if this is the case, your external monitor will be able to display the resolution regardless.

Dell does not offer a blu-ray writing option AFAIK - just use an external if this is necessary.

 

I'd like to add that after a few days, I can definitely say the noise is gone - however, I am now hearing other noises that noise masked!!! They are quieter though. They sound like high-pitched electronic squawking, and seem related to HD activity and other activity. I suspect it has something to do with magnetic shielding/grounding issues that from what I've read seem to plague a lot of dells. I'll keep monitoring this, but suspect I won't act on it.

I should also mention - I didn't notice at first. But the tech who replaced my fan and HDD scratched the bezel and surface of my laptop in a couple of places. It's not bad, but frsutrating that a laptop, not even 30 days old, is already scratched - I'm not super picky, but I take care of my things, and want them in good shape.

 

Thanks for your answers.

I know that the monitor will be able to display a lowered resolution - but since both laptop and monitor are still on my wishlist it would be nice if the natural resolution can be displayed Isn't there anyone who connects his Vostro to a large monitor at home?

An external drive is no real option for me - in this case I would rather stay readonly. Since many people have already changed the internal HDD I would expect the optical drive to be user-exchangeable as well. I just don't want to use the look (is the cover of the original drive removeable?) and I am not sure if the drive is somehow bound the the laptop.

 

Not sure if the optical drive is proprietary or not, but suspect it can be replaced. The outer lip might not be transferable The HD is a real pain to replace, as it is between the keyboard and motherboard. Took an experienced tech 20+ minutes to replace mine. And he scratched my laptop up in the process. Doing it yourself will void the warranty, so order the largest drive you could want if using external storage is out for you.

 

The blu ray writer was not an option also in the configurator in the italian site but I did call a sales advisor who gave me an offer wich provided the reader (for about 100€ more). They can configure the laptop as you want, also with options not present in the site. (for example my 3450 has the backlit keyboard while it is a cheaper version that don't include this option in the site)

 

Hey, I'm new here... I'm considering getting a 3350 for my girlfriend, according to all the information I gathered it seems pretty good, but there's one thing I'm not so sure about - the speakers (or should I say, the speaker). Thing is, her current laptop (also a Dell) is quite okay except for the speakers - they're very quiet, and in a bad location (on the bottom of the laptop). So obviously we wouldn't want to make the same mistake again. So I was wondering could someone confirm that the 3350's speaker is loud enough (perhaps post a video of it playing some music or something). Thank you all in advance.