Dell 1420 questions

With the discounts going on, I can get a Dell 1420 pretty cheap. I have a few questions I was hoping people could answer:

1) If I get the Dell 1420 with the 2.2ghz processor and the 8400GS video card, will it pass the HDCP tests even if I don't get the blu-ray drive? In other words, can I get the computer without the blu-ray drive and hook up an external USB drive and get playback?

2) How is the VGA quality? I would be using an external monitor a lot with this machine - either a 20" Dell or a 24" Dell.

3) How is the 1440x900 screen? I hear some graininess stuff but that seems to be the lower resolution.

Anything else I should know? I was planning on going with a Sony Vaio FZ, but I can get the same specs $400 cheaper...

Thanks,
Chris

 

HDCP has nothing to do with the drive. If the laptop comes with a DVI or HDMI port, and it is HDCP compliant, then you will have no problems. I have a 1705 and have no problems porting HD video to my HDTV via the DVI port, and I certainly have no problems watching HD on the laptop.

VGA quality? VGA is VGA - it will work just like any other laptop or desktop computer.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I do understand HDCP is not on the VGA port. However, the video card has to be OK'd by PowerDVD in order to playback Blu-ray over VGA. Since the computer would have the components for the optional blu-ray drive, I was hoping it would pass the powerDVD check and work with an external drive.

In terms of the VGA, VGA is an analog connection and can certainly be hurt by poor implementation. Of course, I also wanted to make sure the port would drive 1920x1080.

Thanks,
Chris