Laptop Advice

Jasonmrc · **Posted:** December 2nd, 2008, 7:20 pm

I'm planning on getting a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop early next year. Here's the specs and a link to the base system on dell(it's the one on the left):

Link: Link

Here's the specs of the system I want:

SYSTEM COLOR Ruby Red
PROCESSOR Intel® Pentium® Dual Core T3200 (2.0GHz/667Mhz FSB/1MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic Edition SP1
OFFICE SOFTWARE No Productivity software pre-installed
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty and Mail In Service
HD DISPLAY Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
MEMORY 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 (2 Dimms)
HARD DRIVE Size: 120GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
VIDEO CARD Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE CD / DVD Writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
WIRELESS NETWORK CARDS Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini-Card
INTEGRATED WEBCAM Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
BATTERY OPTIONS 6 cell battery
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0

Accessories
ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE No Security
ENTERTAINMENT AND EDITING SOFTWARE WildTangent Games

Service
REMOTE ACCESS Receive an E-mail for your Dell Remote Access
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
DIAL-UP INTERNET ACCESS No ISP requested

ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
Network Integrated 10/100 Network Card
Modem Integrated Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0
Labels Windows Vista™ Basic
Processor Branding Intel#174; CELERON#174; Processor

I copied this from the review window of the customize screen.

If you're wondering about the low amount of RAM, here's why:

4gb(2 sticks) of compatible RAM from Crucial.com costs $55.99

Upgrading to 4gb from Dell would cost $150.

I'm planning on installing Ubuntu and using it as my main OS, though I'll use GRUB to dual boot. The computer will mainly be for graphics, writing, some music editing, and moderate gaming(RS, AOE III, and some others).

I have a budget of about $750 for the whole system, the current system (inlcuding Tax and S&H from both Dell and Crucial) costs $706.19.

I'm pricing this off of the base system. When I order the laptop and additional RAM I hope to find some sort of special offer.

I'd like your opinions on the system and if you think I should upgrade anything.

I do already have security options picked out, though you can suggest some free ones if you want(No Norton please).

Adbot · **Posted:** December 2nd, 2008, 7:20 pm

Pfkninenines · Global Moderator 12/4/08

Do they still offer to get any system with Ubuntu instead of another Windows OS? Might as well save some cash, save it for Windows 7 when that gets released next year. Maybe reuse a copy of XP for a few months.

Laptop looks alright, though if possible I'd say to upgrade the video card. If you're not going to be doing much graphically with it, it should be fine. But usually there's always a want for a better graphics card..

Shane · **Posted:** December 3rd, 2008, 6:25 pm

Pfkninenines wrote:

Laptop looks alright, though if possible I'd say to upgrade the video card. If you're not going to be doing much graphically with it, it should be fine. But usually there's always a want for a better graphics card..

Agreed. Always get the best graphics card you can with any portable computer you can't upgrade. Otherwise it's good.

Rad · **Posted:** December 3rd, 2008, 6:28 pm

Yes, that sounds pretty good. I don't prefer to use laptops too much because of the problem I have with wireless connections. I know I can hook up an ethernet cord to use local connection but too much hassle? Lol.

Jasonmrc · **Posted:** December 3rd, 2008, 8:13 pm

Pfkninenines wrote:

Do they still offer to get any system with Ubuntu instead of another Windows OS? Might as well save some cash, save it for Windows 7 when that gets released next year. Maybe reuse a copy of XP for a few months.

Laptop looks alright, though if possible I'd say to upgrade the video card. If you're not going to be doing much graphically with it, it should be fine. But usually there's always a want for a better graphics card..

Not with this system, :/. Knowing Dell they wouldn't reduce the price even if I could choose ubuntu(when I remove their trial internet and trial anti-V the price doesn't change).

If Windows 7 is out by the time I order this then I may look into it, it can't be any worse than Vista.

I will be doing some graphical work. Aside from doing graphical art I'll be playing Age of Empires III and Diablo III(when it comes out). Unfortunately, however, this system doesn't come with the option to upgrade the graphics card. Do either of you know of anywhere which I might be able to get a better one which is compatible?

The reason I chose a laptop over just upgrading my desktop is because my schedule is annoyingly changeable. I could plan to be home tomorrow and then in the morning it turns out I have to go somewhere (this is because my parents don't usually tell me what's going on until the day it happens). That's why I like the mobility, because with it I can still get something done.

When I upgrade my desktop I'll be upgrading (actually it'll be a whole new system) to a gaming computer with a four digit budget.

Thanks for the advice.