Dell Inspiron 1420 - 2GHz vs 1.66Ghz Core Duo

Hi there, I am looking into buying a Inspiron 1420 notebook and would like to know which configuration would be best. First off, these are the specs I am currently looking at:

-Intel Core 2 Duo (1.66GHz)
-Vista Home Premium
-Midnight Blue
-1440 x 900 display
-2.0MP Integrated Webcam
-2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 Dimm
-160G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
-128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
-8X CD/DVD Burner
-Bluetooth
-9 Cell Battery

I would like to know whether or not, in your opinion, I should upgrade to 2.0GHz or if the 1.66GHz processor will suffice.

I will mostly be watching movies, surfing the internet, some light gaming and possibly some photo editing.

 

Looks pretty good for your purposes. If you can afford to get the 2.0ghz processor then I would go for that but if not, no worries as you'll still be good. You will see a small performance boost. The 2.0 jumps up to 800mhz freq from 667 on the 1.6.

 

no need the 1.66ghz pro. is good enough

 

This is more than sufficient for your needs. I'd pickup some good accessories like Dell's bluetooth travel mouse. Also add in the cost software. Anti virus (Kaspersky is a good one) and firewall (Again Kaspersky. Also consider Comodo) and MSOffice.

 

Yeah, pretty sure ill be going with the 1.66.

How about screen resolution? Is the $50 upgrade from a 1280x800 to the 1440x900 screen worth it?

sorry for the double post, wasnt sure where to put this.

 

the difference in speed is noticeable but with what you are doing you probably don;t need it. Though it would be handy.

 

The laptop looks good. I would suggest going for the 2 ghz

 

While the T7250 processor (2.0ghz) runs at 800mhz FSB, it only has 2mb of on-die cache. I am kicking myself that I didn't get the 2.2ghz model which has 4mb of on-die cache .

 

I'd opt for the 2 GHz.

 

i think 1.6ghz is fine. but if you want to be "safe" for the future stuffs,you can get the 2.0ghz.

 

I have the 1.66Ghz in mine, and it has never slowed anything down. I honestly find no problems with it. As for the screen, I have the 1280x800 and it seems that anything more is unnecessary. Coming from a desktop at 1024x768 it seems like a huge upgrade. Also, the 1280x800 screen is available with a matter finish (ie. not glossy), which I greatly prefer.

 

People have been programing for years on a 1280 x 1024 on a 19." I've always wondered why people feel jamming more pixels on the same size screen = more real estate.

 

I agree 1440 x 900 is my fave. I'm gonna miss it when I get my xps.

 

1280x800 I think is very adequate in whatever I need to do.

Is there a need to make everything smaller?

I'm coming from an 800x600 monitor, and I think 1280x800 is the best compromise between low and high resolution.

 

Well considering that im coming from a 1280 x 1024 i think that the 1440 x 900 will be a better fit for me. Also, where do you suggest i buy my Dell? (I live in Canada)

 

dell.ca works