Ordering E6400 Dell w/o OS

1. I plan to use Linux and would like to know if it's possible to order E6400 without any OS and save some $$.

2. Will I see "significant" performance gain by upgrading CPU from P8400 (2.2Ghz 3MB) to T9400 (2.5Ghz 6MB)?

3. Is it possible to install 2nd hard disk? I checked from Dell Asia, and they offer second hard disk.

4. How do I connect E6400 to my HDTV HDMI port? Is Display Port compatible with HDMI?

 

Don't think so, you could try to phone a sales rep and see if they will sell it with FreeDOS, but I don't think it'll even be on their (more flexible) configurator. Even when Dell do sell machines with Linux the price difference isn't usually that large.

Depends if you're doing CPU intensive work, the 6MB cache will help and the extra MHz too, but your battery life will suffer.

Not internally, only as external USB/eSATA

Dell sell a DisplayPort->HDMI cable, and also a DisplayPort->DVI cable,

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Cables/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=330-1271
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Cables/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=330-1269

 

I can confirm that it is possible to boot from a HDD connected to the eSATA port since I've done it. It should also be possible to put a second HDD into the media bay once Dell offer an adaptor. I'm sure it is mentioned in the E6400 brochure.

John

 

You can buy a secondary 120GB HD or 64GB SSD now. They are under "Modular Secondary Storage" in the configuration screen. The "E-Module" design fits either in the media bay, or an external bay adapter.

Granted they are overpriced, it would be nice to get the casing separate.

 

I don't think the new latitudes are available without an OS yet. I don't think the 300mhz gain & the 3MB of cache will be significant; what you will notice is the decreased runtime due to the higher wattage processor. HDD, I'm not sure about, and you can get a display port to HDMI adapter