Buying Inspiron E1705 tomorrow

Hi all... I just started coming to these forums a day or 2 ago and after lots of research I think I'm going to be buying the Dell Inspiron E1705. Below are the specs I think I'll be going with. Please comment on them as I may still do some refinements based on your suggestions.

Inspiron E1705
Date & Time: February 17,2006 2:49 AM CST

SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Inspiron E1705 Qty 1
Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2400 (1.83GHz/667MHz FSB), Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 Unit Price $2,132.00
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- $650.00

Catalog Number: 29
Module Description Show Details
Inspiron E1705 Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2400 (1.83GHz/667MHz FSB)
Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
LCD Panel 17 inch Wide Screen XGA+ Display
Memory FREE!1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
Video Card 256MB NVIDA® GeForce™ Go 7800
Hard Drive 80GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
Combo/DVD+RW Drives 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card (54Mbps)
Office Software (not included in Windows XP) No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor only
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) No Security Subscription
Primary Battery 80 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Hardware Warranty 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Operating System Backup & Recovery PC Restore recovery system by Symantec
Dell Digital Entertainment Starter Entertainment Pack - Basic digital Music, Photo and Game experience

TOTAL: $1,482.00


Also, just wondering if I'm the only one that dislikes the glossy screen. I think they look very nice but I can't stand the glare. But, the fact that everybody loves them compels me reconsider. Would I eventually get used to it?

Another question I have is (and this might be a stupid question) is the LCD Panel 17 inch Wide Screen XGA+ Display the same as WXGA+? I'm just afraid that Wide Screen XGA will turn out to be different than WXGA in some sort of Dell scam! I know the question sounds stupid, but better safe than sorry.

Thanks guys!

 

If you don't like the glare screens you shouldn't get one. The XGA on the Dell is widescreen and one of the few matte 17" screens.

 

I wouldn't recommend XGA resolution for a 17" screen. And the higher resolution screen looks much better then the WXGA. WUXGA looks so much better on a 17" screen in my opinion. WXGA the pixels are very big and it doesn't look too good. The only thing is that that with the WUXGA truelife automatically comes with it. The Reflection can be a little anoying at times, but you get use to it. The better contrast ration makes up for the reflection you get.

 

Also check out www.fatwallet.com and get the 3% discount off your comp. It is stackable so you will get like an extra $35 off your purchase.

 

According to the Dell website the 1705 comes with 17 inch WXGA+ or 17 inch Ultra SharpTM WUXGA with TrueLifeTM.
These screen are 1440 x 900 and 1920 by 1200 respectively. They are both listed as 300:1 C/R. Pixel structure for either of these resolutions for a 17" screen should be a non issue unless you have microvision. Viewing angle and brightness are a bit better on the higher resolution screen.

I haven't seen either of these so I agree that one may look better than the other. I know screens generally look better at native resolution and if you are going to display at NR the 1920 x 1200 will show very small text and icons. It will also play games much slower if you like to play with your settings maxxed as much as possible.