Dell 5150 Questions

Please take the time to read this and help me. Thanks.

(1) When I go to customize the Dell 5150, and select 60 gig HDD, how do I know what the RPM speed is. If I click on "Help Me Choose" it says that speeds of 7200 and 4200 are available. I assume that if it does not specify, then it is 4200.

(2) Also, for the screen, I am thinking of going with XGA. I would probably be using a resolution of 1024 x 768. Would this work for that?

(3) Also, if I order it with 256mb ram, and order a stick of 512mb from Crucial.com, will I be able to put the new ram in the user accessable slot, or will that slot be filled with the 256. I know that one slot is not very user accessable, so I wondered which one is filled by Dell if only the 256mb option is selected during customization.

(4)My Final Question:
I am going off to college next year, and want to get the Dell 5150:

Mobile Pentium 4 w/ HT @ 3.06Ghz w/ XGA
768MB DDR Ram (After Crucial.com upgrade)
60 Gig HDD
DVD Burner
Wireless Internet
64MB DDR NVIDIA® GeForce™ FX Go5200 AGP 4x Graphics

With 10% off and the $150 mail in rebate, it will cost around $1470.

My question is should I buy it now, or wait until summer and see if better options or deals (coupons) arise?

Thanks for the help!

P.S. Any comments on the Dell 5150? Thanks.

 

1) Unless specified elsewise it's 4200
2) Yup, that'll work
3) Usually you get 2 memory slots for an Inspiron, you could buy another 256MB module to get you up to 512MB or just one 512MB module.
4) If you can use it some before then, go for it now, but you'll probably see new Inspiron notebooks by the fall of this year and deals to match what's out there now...the current deal is very good though.

 

Thank you for the quick response.

I just wanted to clarify a few things.

(1) Is there a significant performance difference between the 4200rpm and 5400rpm drives. If so, when doing what.

(2) About the ram upgrade. I wondered if the user accessable slot would be empty, or if Dell would fill it, and leave the "non very accessable" slot open?

(3) Also, does 768mb ram boost performance significantly over 512mb?

(4) Even with the new models coming out, wouldn't this Notebook "do me well" for years to come? What I am saying is: Can I go wrong with this notebook and its configuration (weight is not important)?

(5) I would like to get the notebook now, but I am very conservative with my money. I am afraid that if I get it now, that I will regret it later on (like this summer) if I find something else. I guess that is the risk that I take. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

1) No, there's not.
2) The extra slot is easy to access by removing one screw.
3) 728 is not a huge improvement over 512. 256 to 512 is a more obvious improvement.
4) At this price point, I think it's a sound call. This is the part where I tell you not to buy Dell due to quality concerns.
5) Yep, the product lines turn over every 6 months or so, so yes, you will want something else in the near future. That's the price you pay when working with technology!

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Thanks again for the very quick response.
I have considered Dell's "not so good" quality reputation.
I would be very careful with it though (thats what everyone says [ ])

(1) I have also looked at the Compaq R3000z (64 bit)and the HP zx5000?
I could configure them with about the same specs for about the same price. Any thoughts on these machines?

(2) I have heard that their battery life is not as good.
Although I will not be traveling much with it, I would still like around three hours. So, how is it?

(3) Would anyone seriously recommend staying FAR away from the Dell brand.

P.S. I have an HP desktop now, it is has worked out great.

Thanks!

 

With all the fur flying around Dell, it's been rough deciding what's serious concern and what's emotional rhetoric, but at this point I think the consensus among thoughtful, reasonable folk is that there are indeed quality concerns with Dell, but not enough to keep anyone far away. If you do buy Dell, you must, must, must purchase the extended waranty and be prepared to deal with a checklist guy in India if you have problems down the line.

 

I pretty much echo the last statement. You'll need to start a new thread on the proper forum to discuss the HP line.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com