About ready to pull the trigger on a Vostro 1400. Few Q's

So I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a Vostro 1400. Couple of questions.

1. Is it worth upgrading to the T7100 from the T5470 for $115?

2. Both DIMMs are accessible under the computer correct?

3. Will the 8400Mgs be ok for games from a few years ago at good settings? (ex. bf1942)

4. Is upgrading to wireless N worth it now if I don't have a N router now and am probably planning on only keeping the computer 2-3 years?

5. I built one to these specs:
PROCESSOR: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5470 (1.6GHz, 2MB L2 Cache,800MHz FSB
OPERATING SYSTEM: Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic
LCD PANEL: 14.1 inch Wide Screen XGA+ LCD Display with TrueLife™
MEMORY: 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM
HARD DRIVE: 120G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 8X CD/DVD Burner w/ double-layer DVD+R write capability
VIDEO CARD128MB: NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8400M GS
WI-FI WIRELESS CARD: Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Wi-Fi Mini Card
BLUETOOTH WIRELESS: Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal
WEBCAM No Camera
SOUND OPTION: Integrated High Definition Audio

Total with tax and shipping comes to $777.10. Sound like a fair price?

6. Lastly. I've tried, but I assume that there is no way to get an Inspiron 1420 with the same specs for the same price?

Thanks for all your help!

 

1. Depends on the tasks you will be performing.
2. Yes
3. Med settings on BF2142, its a more lower/mainstream video card, but it shouldn't dissapoint you in low/med settings.
4. If you have the money, Wireless N provides a lot more over G.
5. For what you are getting, its a great deal.
6. Try using the Dell Coupons to get a better deal on an inspiron.

 

oops, you're talking 1400, not 1500... sorry

 

1. Not really.

2. Read above.

3. Yes easily, my old X800xl did 19xx on 3dmark2006, 8400gs does 14xx, it will play old games easily.

4. Depends on your network needs, do you use it a lot? do you steam lots of HD stuff over it? do you travel a lot? if the answer is no, then stick with a/b/g.

5. I'd get 2 gigs, personally, but since as I see you're aiming at a budget laptop I guess it's ok, but vista will lag a bit with 1gig

6. no idea, but why would you want an Inspiron? Vostro is absolutely the same as far as I know down to the circuits, and it has a sturdier magnesium alloy case.

 

Where does everyone get the idea that the Vostros have this great case, but the Inspirons don't? The magnesium-alloy casing is advertised more for the Vostro, but it's also listed for the Inspirons. There's no difference between the machines other than the name, color, and software (at least as far as I know).

 

I'm only getting Basic, might get Premium at a later date. I'm planning to upgrade memory via somewhere like newegg, because I'm not paying dell that much for memory.

 

I think one of the DIMMs is actually under the keyboard... but check the service manual on dell.com's support page to be sure.

Don't spend money on N wireless; you'll never notice. Unless you need improved range and are willing to buy an N router too.

 

From what I've heard, thats only on the 1500, 1700. On the 1400 they are both accessible underneath.

 

Whaaat?? That's really bizarre. I wouldn't go on hearsay; check the service manual if it's important to you.

 

* Extra-durable magnesium-alloy exterior adds strength without extra weight
* StrikeZoneTM shock absorber technology helps protect critical data in your hard drive

I think there IS a difference.

Not sure about any other differences, but tbh, I'd love to see two similarly configured inspirons and vostros benched, I wonder if the circuitry inside the of the same quality and of Vostro's GFX card is DDR3 like Inspiron's?

 

http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/inspnnb?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

In the big Inspiron thing on the top, under the "Express Yourself" tab, click on "Premium Finish." You'll find this:

"Add the optional Microsatin finish to the system's lightweight, durable magnesium-alloy casing for a satin-smooth feel and a sleek look that helps hide fingerprints and dirt."

Maybe the shock absorbers are different, but I'm guessing the magnesium-alloy on the Vostros is the same as on the Inspirons.

 

Well, I went ahead and ordered it, I'm happy, with my decision. I should fit my needs nicely. Thanks for all the help, now I start the waiting game!

 

Well I hope you're right.

 

Looks like all questions have been answered but I wouldn't pay $770 for the basic configuration. I went with the smart deals one that had the basic processor, 1 gig (upped to 2 myself), 120 gig and blue tooth for $660 shipped.