Precision M4600 Owners Lounge

You can configure the M4600 with 2GB RAM. I wouldn't even bother with 4.

 

Not so in the U.S.A. if you want an Intel i7 Processor.

Only i5 Processors are configerable with 2GB RAM as far as I can see.

Please quantity.

 

I only get these options in the online store (haven't tried 2GB with a sales rep):

1600Mhz Extreme Performance Memory

16.0GB, DDR3-1600MHz SDRAM, 4 DIMMS [add $795.00]
8.0GB, DDR3-1600MHz SDRAM, 4 DIMMS [add $275.00]
4.0GB, DDR3-1600MHz SDRAM, 2 DIMMS [add $70.00]

1333Mhz Advanced Performance Memory

32.0GB, DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM, 4 DIMMS [add $8,475.00]
16.0GB, DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM, 4 DIMMS [add $715.00]
8.0GB, DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM, 2 DIMMS [add $245.00]
8.0GB, DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM, 4 DIMMS [add $195.00]
4.0GB, DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM, 2 DIMMS [Included in Price]

I think, as Anile8 said, it's because I selected an i7 processor.

Has anyone ordered the 32.0 GB option?

 

Did you get the "Recovery Media for Genuine Windows 7 Ultimate, SP1, 64bit, Multiple Language" (a $3.00 option)?

I wasn't sure if that would work for installing Windows on a new, freshly formatted drive. If not, it looks like I can get a full copy of Win 7 Ultimate for about $100 on eBay, but that cuts into the $870 I'm trying to save with all this.

 

Funny, I get the 2GB option, even with an i7. You have to configure up from the base model I think. Try this link? The Dell Online Store: Build Your System

You should be able to reinstall the OS from the recovery disc... isn't that what it's for?

 

That would be the logical option wouldn't it?

However....

The 'Recovery' DELL media DVD you are referring to is the exact same DVD which you can burn yourself with the included DELL system restore software to make a System Restore disk.

I know, I have tried it.

It is critical people understand this is definitely not the same as and should in no way be confused with a genuine copy of M/S Windows when it comes to the business of reformatting a new drive.

 

Jeez, thanks, I just assumed all the options would be available customizing any starting system. You're right, starting from the most basic config lets me build up an even more basic core system. With 2GB RAM and a 250GB HDD, I can save another $140. All told, if I can add a third-party 128GB mSATA mini-SSD (still not sure if I can do this, or even find one?), 16GB SDRAM and a 750GB HDD, it looks like I can save $1,000 over buying that same config from Dell (even if I just throw out the 2GB SDRAM and 250GB HDD)!

Not sure, that's why I asked. I've seen all kinds of weirdness. If I added my own mini-SSD and HDD, freshly formatted, would the recovery media be able to do a full fresh install, or does it need to see an existing install?

Thanks much for pointing out starting with the basic system!

 

Thanks for pointing out there's no need to spend the $3 to buy the recovery media.

So, if I understand you, the recovery disc needs to start from an existing install that it sees on a drive, right? It wouldn't work if I replaced all the drives and tried a fresh install on blank drives?

Thanks!

 

Correct.

I would suggest DELL and most other system manufacturers have negotiated a deal with Microsoft where by both parties have agreed not to provide a stand alone version of Windows with their OEM systems.

Naturally the computer manufacturers would benefit from this agreement from lower licensing costs from Microsoft and thus most consumers at the end of the day would not greatly care either way as they are mainly penny savoy and pound foolish.

Most notebook buyers are too focused on price and price only and any corner the manufacturers can cut to extract an advantage over their competition they will throughly investigated I would suggest.

I can remember about 5 years ago new notebooks came with genuine Microsoft O/S disks. Sadly that is a thing of the past, now you all know why.

 

Would have to say though that having a recovery disk from the manufacturer is useful...especially because 1. I do not like burning my own discs and 2. If the hard drive decides to crap out before you are even able to make the disks...you are SOL...$3 is actually pretty cheap...HP charges $20 for those disks...And if dell also sells recovery software for PowerDVD...then I would think Dell would be selling the Windows retail DVD for recovery...