1720 Drive offerings

Why has Dell chosen not to offer a 7200 RPM drive with the Inspiron 1720? I have an E1705 with a 7200 RPM drive. Now the 1720 is NOT a less expensive alternative to the M1730. (it was when they did offer it) I think Dell has decided that they don't want the 1720 to be used for games and is forcing us to pay about $1,000 more for an XPS. I use my E1705 for everything but MOSTLY games.

 

I always buy the cheapest drive they offer and upgrade. Usually ends up cheaper in the long run. Then just throw the Dell drive in an enclosure.

 

Dell has had 7200 rpm drives offered for the 1720 intermittently.
Around the time I bought mine last year, they only had the slower drives.
Then they added the 7200 rpm option, which is when I bought mine.
Seems like they're out of stock at the moment -- or maybe they're low on stock and want to give XPS buyers first pick.
They'll come back as a 1720 option eventually.
If you want one now, you can always get a 7200rpm drive at Newegg.

The 320GB 5400rpm drive is said to read about as fast as a 7200rpm drive because the data is denser on the platters. I don't know about its longevity though.

 

I bought my 1720 with 2 250GB 5400. I swapped out the boot drive for a 200GB 7200 drive I got off NewEgg.

 

I will prolly wait 'til they offer a 7200 RMP drive. This notebook will replace an aging but very reliable Inspiron 8600 and my E1705 will become my backup. I'm wondering if I should splurge on an XPS..