8600: 725 to 745 worth the price

I am about to buy my dell 8600, and I was wondering if it was really worth it to upgrade from the 1.6ghz 725 to the 1.8ghz 745 processor? I will use the computer for everything including light to medium gaming, and small 3d programs.

 

Was it really 9lbs? That is suprising considering the Pentium M. What processor do you have? As for the 7200rpm drive, i plan on geting one alittle down the road when prices go down a bit, leaving my older drive for use with a Case from New Egg...I dont know it just seems like I have been researching this for awhile, and the more I research, the more confused I am..Thanks for the reply

 

Your certainly asking all the right questions. Buying a new notebook can quickly go from a fun experience to a daunting task. I know, and most of us here have been there. But its also a significant investment, and one can never ask too many questions. What is the right components? Should I include (insert variable here)? What about X model verses Y model?

To answer your processer question, I think most would probably agree not to upgrade for light to medium gaming. However, it might help to inherit a pessamistical attitude when considering things like this and look at "worse case scenarios". What if you ever did require more processer power? It would cost alot more to replace your current processer with a bigger one later on if you so chose to verses the little extra right now. This same principle also applies to the hard drive speed. Almost all Dells ship with a 4200 RPM hard drive,,,this is one hell of a major bottleneck and alot of people are buying 7200 RPM drives later on to improve performance (and it indeed helps greatly). It may be worth the investemnt now to go ahead and upgrade to the faster one instead of having your spare later holding down papers on your desk.

What about weight? This may not seem like something much of concern right now, the difference between 5-8 pounds but I can attest for me I was severly disappointed when I actually help my 9 pound Dell on my lap, and tried to move around the house some. It made me wish badly that I had chosen a lighter model. And also the screen. What do you like? I had an SXGA that I almost didnt order, and I simply cannot use anything less now that I experienced it at 1400X1050. I try looking at my wifes XGA 1024X768 notebook and its horrid to look at compared to my Dell.

And for warrenty,,, you may be technically savvy (so am I), but just for giggles go price some major 8600 components. You will never find a motherboard on Ebay like you would for a desktop for no $69. As I mentioned in the other thread, my 5150 board costed $550! This in itself would more than pay for the extra 3 year mail in extended warrenty.

I do hope this little bit of information might help you get some ideas (or anyone else browsing this forum looking to buy a notebook). In summary when I do it all over again I would be concerned with the following.

1. History. Is the model your interested in been reliable for others? Try asking the paticular model owners what they like/dislike about theirs.

2. Weight. Just how much portability do you require? Many (myself included) were sorely disappointed when we held ours for the first time.

3. Components. What do you think you will use the notebook for? Even next year? Games? (remember games are getting more graphic intensive every day). What may be good right now may be outdated this time next year.

4. Warrenty. Do you like driving your car without insurance?


Illegal[ )]

 

I was just speaking in general, my 5150 was I think 8 something pounds. This doesnt sound like much i know, but after holding a cheaper notebook that was only 6 pounds, it made me envy a lighter notebook. And I see tons of others who say the same thing in other forums.


Just a consideration.