About to buy and got a couple of questions

First off, this is an awesome awesome site. I woke up this morning planning on researching laptops before I bought my first one, and after spending like 4 hours here, I think I know enough to actually talk about em now

Anyways, I've settled on a Dell Inspiron E1505, jacked up all the way. There's just two things I was wondering.

1) Everyone here recommends buying my own RAM for cheaper. I'd was wondering if doing that would void the warranty or not. I usually don't ever need tech support, but what if my system has some physical problem and I need to send it in or get it replaced. Would they still do that if I had opened it up and added my own RAM?

2) I few posters have said that you could upgrade a Dell's GFX card if it's one from the same family of notebooks. Mine will come with a X1400 256mg, while the E1700 series comes with an Nvidia Go7600. In the future, would I be able to maybe buy that 7600 for an E17xx series and put into my book?

Thanks in advance.

 

1. You absolutely will not void your warranty by adding RAM. I think you're even able to swap out the GPU without voiding the warranty.

2. I don't think so.

 

huskyfan23 is correct. Hope your purchase goes well!

 

1. Adding ram won't void your warrenty. I recommend post from newegg.com and zipzoomfly.com.

2. I don't think your going to be able to swap GPUs do to heat requirements, size, abd I'm sure other variables.

Good luck with your new laptop and enjoy!

 

Research this site about the beeping problem E1505/E1705/9400 owners are having. Not saying Dell isn't good, just beware. My e1705 has problems.

 

If you are buying it fully loaded and getting the 35% off deal, it should be just about as cheap to get the Dell upgrade to 2GB as getting it from 3rd parties.
That would ease your mind over warranty concerns.

 

3rd party upgrade is always cheaper

 

cut-n-pasted from a 35% off deal on a 1505:
=================================================
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm [Included in Price]
Dell Recommended

2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 DIMM [add $130 or $4/month2]
=================================================

That's cheaper than I found it when I was looking last week.

 

You can only upgrade to video cards that are offered by Dell for your specific system. Basically you can upgrade to any card that is offered now or in the future for the E1505, but you can't upgrade to one that is offered for the E1405 or E1705, etc.

You won't void your warranty doing this, but you do assume responsibility if dell determines that your upgraded card causes problems with the laptop.

 

I've never seen it that cheap myself, but if it is..it is...but most people around here have just bought 3rd party....including myself.