One last question about the M4400...

Is the hard drive interface SATA or SATA II?

 

It'll be SATA II.

 

Ok, I lied... more questions about the M4400

What's the difference (in appearance, at least) between the FIPS fingerprint reader and the internal fingerprint reader? I understand it's not worth paying more for the FIPS unless it's needed for work-related purposes, and I don't really want one, really, but it looks like my choice is between the internal and the FIPS-certified.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

I'd get the 'internal' FP reader...it's located just below the right speaker grid....I'm just used to logging in that way, can't go back It's not like it's a ton of money for it either.

 

I'm buying refurb, so it's pretty much what I can find... I'm flip-flopping between three systems right now. All have T9600/4GB/WUXGA/backlit KB/Vista Ultimate (my hard requirements). The differences are:

System 1: 1700M/320GB/9cell/internal FP/DVD-RW/normal warranty, ~$1440 shipped
System 2: 770M/160GB/9cell/FIPS FP/DVD-RW/CompleteCare warranty, $1340 shipped
System 3: 770M/250GB/6cell/no FP/DVD-ROM/CompleteCare warranty, $1278 shipped

I can upgrade system 2's 160GB to 320GB aftermarket within budget and end up with a spare HD, but to be honest I don't really like the 9 cell battery, and I don't want the fingerprint reader... Or I could buy a separate DVD-RW for System 3, but its warranty would only be 90 days...

I hate being so indecisive :/

 

Ok, I think I'm gonna suck it up about the FIPS FP reader and the 9 cell battery, System 2 has a lot more upgrades that are nice (320GB HD, spare 160GB HD, bluetooth, intel 5300) for the extra $30 or so I'll be spending compared to system 3, while having significantly better warranty coverage for less $$ than system 1. That 1700M isn't worth it anyway, I hear.

 

yea system 2 is the best bet. the fx1700 dosent give you much of a performance boost but kills your battery life

 

System 2 has been ordered, the upgraded HD has been ordered from newegg, I should be good to go

 

hope it dosent have a noisy seagate hard drive. when i got my first m4400 with the samsung drive i was a bit disappointed, because i wasnt too confident with the quality of samsung drives.....but after i got my replacement with its horribly noisy seagate (even with latest firmware) im sold on samsung lol...

they're sending me another hard drive tomorrow. if its a seagate and less noisy than the first seagate i'll post back.....i hope it is a faulty drive because if all the seagates are that noisy compared to the samsung, the samsung is definitely the one to get