Suggested upgrades for D630 for business use

I am fairly computer illiterate and purchasing a laptop for for business, although on business trips I might watch a DVD on it. On the recommendation of a consultant to the legal industry, I am planning to get a D630. He recommends upgrading to the 128 NVIDIA Quadro graphics, and the guy at my local computer repair shop also recommends that you always get non-integrated graphics. However, both the Dell sales rep and my law partner (and computer geek) says I am fine with integrated graphics for business. It's 2 for and 2 against. Other than not hogging system memory, will I see a difference with the NVIDIA graphics?

Also, the consultant recommends a WXGA+ upgrade, but my aging eyes have a problem with small text and icons. Should I stick with WXGA.

Finally, should I upgrade the memory to 4 GB, or will 2 GB be sufficient? I am getting Windows XP, with optional Vista Business upgrade, but do not anticipate that I will upgrade to Vista.

Thanks for the input,
Corgicat

 

Why D630 and not E6400?
If you aren't performing any graphic intense task stick with the integrated graphics - less heat, more battery life.
Resolution is a matter of personal taste, so you'll have to decide for yourself (although in the newer model the WXGA+ screen are of batter quality then the regular one).
2GB should be sufficient, and you can always upgrade later for probably less then Dell will charge you.

 

Good advice from Lack. I would also look only at the E6400 unless you are getting the D630 for like $600 well configured with a 3 year NBD warranty. Stick with the integrated graphics and 2GB of RAM (one stick only) and buy the other 2GB stick from newegg and make your Law Partner install it

The D630 is a fine machine though, I had one until it was stolen by some b@stard here in the Middle East (may he get crotch critters in the dark of night).

 

I wondered about the E6400, but the early user reviews on CNET don't seem too favorable. Why do you recommend it over the D630? I have read that it has a brighter display, that would be nice. It does not seem to come with an integrated graphics option, am I understanding that correctly? It priced out about $400 more than D630, although the separate graphics card and the fact that I opted for the LED display accounts for some of that. However, I did get a mailing from Dell that offers me a free port replicator with the E6400 (expires 10/8).

Corgicat

 

intergrated for longer battery life, nvidia video for watching dvd movie or youtube videos.
to increase font size, u can turn on accessibilities in internet option like i do.

 

The E6400 offers integrated graphics, and the integrated graphics in the E6400 use less power than in the D630 and are about twice as powerful.

The E6400 get's much better battery life than the D630 as well.

And don't trust the CNET review, look at the in depth one that John Ratsey wrote on these forums.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4586

Greg

 

Yes, I read John Ratsey's review and it sounded good. And the CNET reviews that I was referring to were the CNET reviews from early users, not the CNET review itself.

But I am going to get the E6400 - checked with the legal IT consultant and he also says that he recommends that over his previous recommendation of D630.