Calling Inspiron 1501/E1505 owners...thinking of buying, have questions

I have a few questions and figured this was the best place to get answers.

I have decided to get either a 1501 or a E1505 (either scratch/dent or refurb). The only thing keeping me from making a final decision is this:

I have a 22 in. widescreen monitor that has a native resolution of 1680x1050. My plan for the notebook is to connect the external monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse, and basically use it as a desktop a lot of the time, and then just pull the cords out and take it on the go whenever I need to. So, to do this, I need a graphics card that will support the 1680x1050 resolution of the monitor.

If I go with a 1501, I would get an ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 (integrated).

With the E1505 I would get an ATI Radeon X1400. I could also get a Geforce 7300, but from everything I've read, the X1400 is a much better choice, and there are more notebooks available with the ATI anyway.

I know both the 1150 and X1400 are certainly capable of 1680x1050, but I was told it is a matter of whether or not Dell configured the cards to have that resolution as an option (for the external monitor, of course). I called Dell twice, and the first time they said the 1150 could do it no problem. Second time they said the 1150 couldn't, and the E1505 with the X1400 was the way to go, but I suspected that he was trying to talk me into the pricier model...and I don't feel like calling back a third time. I wanted to get some feedback from real experts/owners.

So, finally, to the big question. Do both of these notebooks come from Dell with 1680x1050 as an option? Or is it only the E1505?

Also, I was curious about dual screen capability. It would be really nice to connect the 22 in. widescreen and use it as a second monitor. Intsead of just connecting it and closing the notebook and just have it sitting there. If this is possible, could I run the native res. on both the notebook (1280x800), and my monitor?

This will be my first notebook. Ive been doing a lot of research, but this is the only question I can't seem to get a definitive answer to. And since I'm basically deciding on which notebook based on this question, I wanted to be sure and get all the facts.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

You can use that resolution on external monitors using the X1400 for sure, but I'm not personally sure on the 1150. And yes, you can dual screen it as well...that's all done by the OS/Software. All I know is you better hurry up, because they don't sell either anymore and the supply will be depleting soon...

 

the resolution i have no idea, but i know that you can extend the desktop onto a extra screen for sure. it will work if ur utilizing your notebook and the external monitor. however i dont know about 2 external monitors...but i think ur just asking about using the notebook along with the 22'' screen right?

 

Thanks for the responses. Yes, I am only talking about using the notebook with the 22 in. connected to the VGA in the back of it. So I could use the notebook like normal, but then have the 22 in. beside it for more screen area (multiple documents, movie, whatever)

I know they are discontinued, thats why I wanted to get a definitive answer about the resolution.