Dell I9300 Screen Resolution & Coupon

Hello.

I tend to like larger text on computer screens and was wondering if the basic XGA screen looked any good on the i9300? I do plan to use the computer for some occassional gaming, mostly though, for tracking stocks, and surfing the web, and of course, itunes!

However, if the XGA screen doesn't look good for text than I have no problem upgrading to the UXGA screen. I am most concerned by having the screen resolution that gives me the clearest text on the screen, since this is easiest on my eyes. I don't care for fuzzy text, which it seems a lot of laptops have if you don't match the best screen resolution with the 17" screen.

I have a couple of other additional questions:

1) With DDR2 Ram, do you have to utilize identical size Ram chips in each slot, or can you uses say a 256 MB in one slot and a 1 GB slot in the other?

2) Does the 7200 RPM hard drive make that much difference over the 5400 RPM one? Would you rather have a 60 GB 7200 RPM drive or a 5400 100 GB drive?

3) What is the best anti-virus software to use? Can I just buy the McAfee combination firewall, anti-virus and spyware for $39 after rebate? Or should I buy the antivirus from Dell?

4) I found a $750 off coupon over $1999 but some people are getting an additional $100 off coupon. How do I get that? Do you have a coupon number for that or a link?

I am a newbe. Thanks for answering all my questions, and happy holidays, and for those of you who celebrate Christmas... Merry Christmas.

 

If you really have no problems upgrading to the UXGA screen, you might as well do it anyways. HOWEVER UXGA is a higher resolution screen therefore it will make text smaller.

1. No you dont have to use the same ram size in all the slots, however it is custom by computer technicians/enthusiast to keep same ram size such as 2 512MB sticks instead of 1 512MB stick and 1 256MB stick It won't cause any problems really though.

2. 7200 RPM is faster at finding files and loading stuff, some people can notice differences some can't, however the biggest difference between them is how long your battery will last, as 7200 RPM uses more battery power. It's really up to you on your question for which drive to have, personally if the 7200 used up equal battery power the 100GB 5400 did, I'd go for the 7200 RPM drive. I dont have much need for that much drive space.

3. I find AVG Free Edition to be the best Anti-Virus, as it's the least bloated and runs nicely, its free and it features Heuristics which means that it scans for viruses not yet discovered by searching for malicious codes. It's also very good on updates, pretty much updates are one a week sometimes more.

4. Some people are playing the Dell Holiday game which is at www.dell.com/holiday and getting coupons. I dont have that exact coupons, but someone else on the forum might.

 

it sounds like the UXGA would be too high resolution. the WXGA gives you quite a bit of screen space and normal looking text if your used to desktops. this is not to say that UXGA doesn't put out good text, but if your not used to high resolution you will not like UXGA. the UXGA resolution is also more problematic with dell default settings. either a reformat is needed or some work changing settings to make the screen the clearest. what resolution do you use on a desktop at what screen size? if you like lower than 1280x1024 on a 17" desktop than dont think about getting UXGA.

 

1280x1024 is my favorite setting on my desktop! haha.

I dunno how im gonna like my 1280x800 on my laptop when it comes. :/ I'm sure the widescreen will make up for it!

Oh yeah, what Xeslanda said is good advice.