[GLLUG] new laptop
Richard Houser
rick at divinesymphony.net
Mon May 14 23:57:22 EDT 2007
Julie,
There is nothing wrong with the AMD processors. On a typical Linux
machine, you would be running 64-bit. The AMD processors were designed
with this in mind, whereas Intel had to be drug kicking and screaming
into the x86_64 (the 64-bit instruction set most new computers use)
world. In general, current AMD processors show advantages over Intel
chips in 64-bit performance, memory access speeds, and multi-core
applications. I think the current Intel Core2 processors show some
advantages when running in the older 32-bit mode, however. Considering
what you were looking at previously, I wouldn't rule anything out based
on an AMD vs Intel processor as aren't going to know enough about to a
typical workload to know which would be more beneficial to you. An AMD
Turion X2 would be very nice in just about any current laptop. If I was
buying a new laptop today, I'd probably get an AMD Turion X2 if I could
find all the other stuff I needed in the same laptop. Keep in mind that
any existing Windows benchmarks will be biased towards the Intel chips
as Windows still has poor support for 64-bit (which plays to Intel's
strengths).
Definitely avoid ATI graphics chips. ATI has relatively poor drivers
for Windows (at least on mobile chips a couple years ago) and abysmal
support for other platforms. Your two best bets would be either NVidia
or Intel graphics. Intel has better drivers and they are open source.
NVidia cards are much faster. NVidia cards also pull a LOT more power
than the Intel cards and result in shorter battery life. If you are
looking at just business, multimedia, and simple games for your
computer, the Intel is the better graphics option. I think any current
Intel offering could run any of the games I had running at Penguicon
just fine. If you need the higher end 3D capabilities, you are stuck
with NVidia and the closed source drivers (which is what I have, due to
my 3D requirements at the time).
Regarding the choice for the NVidia 7300, the 256MB Video seems like
overkill on an entry level 7000 series graphics card. I think the 6600
is faster than the 7300 (not certain -- the 7300 is a low end current
generation -- vs. the 6600, which was a midrange card of the previous
generation). My laptop's 6600 has 128MB or RAM and is way faster than I
need now even with all the gaming. You are welcome to give my machine a
try to get a feel for the 3D performance. I think that if you have an
option, you might want to look at saving some bucks with a lower end
NVidia card (if you have the option) or switch to Intel depending on
your decision above. I don't think Dell gives the option of another
NVidia card on this model, but other systems might.
I would recommend you look into upgrading your memory to 1GB in a 1 Dimm
configuration if it is available (doesn't seem to be on this model). It
would be the same memory total in your machine, but would leave you a
slot free to add another 1GB at a later time. Due to the slower hard
disks and power constraints, laptops benefit more from increased RAM
than desktops do. If you don't take a 1 Dimm option and want to upgrade
later, you would have to buy two 1GB sticks instead of just one (and
just not use the 512MB sticks). Linux makes better use of large memory
quantities compared to Windows as well, so again, looking at a Windows
RAM comparison won't do much good. My guess is that such an upgrade
would be something like $10-15 if offered. Also, unless there was a
change in the Core2 line I'm not familiar with, 667Mhz memory will
perform the same as the 533Mhz option if you have a 533Mhz processor.
Try to match the speed of the memory with the speed of the processor to
save money without a performance hit.
I noticed you specified a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive. I would strongly
recommend you consider a DVD+-RW drive instead. The cost difference to
make the better drive is minimal, but the cost to replace such a drive
after-market can be very cost prohibitive (and interfere with warranty
support). You might be looking at $250-400 to get a DVD-RW drive from
Dell after the initial order (vs. about $40 now). I think this could be
worthwhile to you for as little as burning copies of new Linux
distributions (most the ones targeted for modern hardware come on DVD
now, although they still offer CD-versions in most cases).
Plan on the modem not working unless you find information otherwise. I
didn't look it up, but many (most?) new laptops have Winmodems without
any major hope of Linux support.
Be careful about the glossy displays. Some people find them hard to
read after a while (the glare bothers me a little, for example). I'd
recommend you wander around Best Buy and compare the glossy to matte
screens a bit in general (or even just look at some of the newer ones
people have at the meetings). It looks like Dell offers both glossy and
matte screens for the same or similar price.
If you plan to use your laptop much when you aren't plugged in, get the
bigger battery. Otherwise, you have to tether yourself to the wall
after a little while.
If you don't need 802.11a support, you might be able to save about $30
by dropping down to the b/g only card. You'd have to check it for
compatibility to be sure, but I would suspect it's the same driver. I
have an a/b/g card and I don't think I've connected to an "a" network in
two years. I personally got the card I have for the ability to sniff
out all three types of networks when troubleshooting problems.
This model offers integrated Bluetooth capabilities. I strongly
recommend you get that. In many previous machines, not ordering such an
option resulted in a different display used that was not capable of
having the option added later. You can do some really cool stuff with
Bluetooth like connect to the Internet directly through many cell
phones, listen to music wirelessly, use a wireless mouse without a
dongle, etc. It's a feature worth having it built into a machine when
it's available (~$20).
Obviously, if you would want to do a final, very detailed check of each
system component (wireless card, bluetooth module, sound, modem, etc.
for Linux support once you think you have decided, but before you
actually make your purchase. I wouldn't mind helping if you'd like the
assistance, but you would need some more information (the key bits to
look for are "lspci -v" output from another user with this model laptop
-- suspend/BIOS support -- and some user reports on Linux hardware
compatibility).
If I was to spec one of this particular Dell model for you, I'd probably
end up with something like this (ignore things like the OS, that's just
a result of where I entered the site):
Inspiron E1505:
Intel® Core™ DUO T2350 (1.86GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
KDY18HN [222-7663] 1
Operating System (Office software not included):
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic VHB3E
[313-4910][420-5769][420-5924][420-6436][420-6481][420-6553][463-2282] 11
LCD Panel:
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™(glossy) 15XGAS
[320-4651] 2
Memory:
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm 1G2D [311-5776] 3
Hard Drive:
80GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive 80GB [341-3108] 8
Combo or DVD+RW Drive:
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write
capability 8XDVDRW [313-3959][420-6464] 16
Video Card:
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 7300 TurboCache* 256NV73 [320-4810] 6
Sound Options:
Integrated Audio IS [313-4217] 17
Network Card and Modem:
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem INTNIC [430-0493] 13
Adobe Software:
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0 ADOBER [412-0917] 15
Miscellaneous:
E1505 Dual Core 1505D71 [466-1962] 82
Processor Branding:
Intel Core Duo Processor IDCNB [310-8315] 749
Labels:
Windows Vista™ Basic VBN [310-8627] 750
Primary Battery:
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery 9BAT [312-0403] 27
Wireless Networking Cards:
Dell Wireless 1390b/g (54Mbps) TM1390 [430-1913] 19
Bluetooth Options:
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate)
TM355I [430-2245] 121
Office Software:
No Productivity software pre-installed MSONO [412-1397] 22
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed):
No Security Subscription (Norton 30-day) VNSNT [412-0940] 25
Dell Digital Entertainment:
No Entertainment software pre-installed NODE [466-3921] 399
Warranty and Service:
3Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Day* SQ3OS
[412-0359][950-3339][950-5442][960-2780][960-5952][980-2890][985-3598][985-3609]
29
Dell On Call:
No Dell On Call NODOC [986-9327] 30
Internet Access Service:
No ISP requested NISPFSS [461-3063] 37
Please note that Dell prices vary wildly based on where you enter the
website. Much of this is due to support terms that differ between big
business, small business, home office, individuals, etc. Also, Dell
offers discounts based on entering from some websites. I think
Kettering University used to have such a link, but I'm sure they are all
over. Again, sometimes the discounts result in higher prices. You
might want to spend a while playing the price game.
Julie Code wrote:
> Hi guys. Unfortunately my old laptop I got from Jeremy...the harddrive
> went out. So funny to say I am left with a bunch of non-working
> computers. I am trying to get a dell laptop that would be suitable for
> linux. Here is one that i came up with so far. I was told by Caleb that
> AMD won't work too good or neither would ATI graphics card? I think that
> is what he said. so I came up with this.... Whatya guys think?
>
> Julie
>
> 22-7663 1 Inspiron E1505, Intel Core Duoprocessor
> T2350 (2MB/1.86GHz/ 533MHz)
> 320-4651 1 15.4 Inch TrueLife Wide-screenWXGA, for Inspiron
> 6400/E1505
> 311-5781 1 1GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm for Inspiron 6400/E1505
> 320-4810 1 256MB Ge Force 7300 Graphics card for Inspiron
> 6400/E1505
> 341-3108 1 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive for Inspiron 6400/E1505
> 412-0689 1 Image Restore
> 420-4766 1 Microsoft Windows XP Home Service Pack 2,
> English, for Inspiron
> 463-2282 1 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click
> on icon after system set-up to access
> 420-4928 1 Windows Media Player 10
> 412-0911 1 Dell Support
> 420-5924 1 Icon Consolidation Application
> 420-5769 1 Internet Search and Portal
> 310-6841 1 Backup media for XP Home
> 310-8617 1 Thank you for choosing Dell
> 430-0493 1 Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for
> Inspiron
> 412-0917 1 Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0, for Inspiron
> 313-3958 1 24X Combo CD-RW/DVD for Inspiron 6400/E1505
> 420-5900 1 Sonic Digital Media, v7.0, forInspiron
> 313-4217 1 Integrated High Definition Audio, Inspiron
> 430-1918 1 Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g Mini Card
> (54Mbps) for Inspiron 6400/E1505
> 462-3905 1 I chose the promotional security package with
> service
> 312-0404 1 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for
> Inspiron 6400/E1505
> 461-3063 1 No ISP Requested
> 412-0915 1 MS WORKS 8.5
> 950-7447 1 4 Year Limited Warranty
> 985-3609 1 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service,
> Extended Year
> 902-5443 1 Type 15- Third Party At Home Service with Nights
> and Week ends, 24x7 Technical Support, 3 Year Extended
> 985-3598 1 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service,
> Initial Year
> 980-2890 1 Type 15- Third Party At HomeService with Nights
> and Weekends, 24x7 Technical Support,Initial Year
> 412-0359 1 Soft Contracts - Qualxserve
> 900-9753 1 Warranty Support,3 Year Extended
> 960-2780 1 Warranty Support,Initial Year
> 960-9189 1 CompleteCare Accidental DamageProtection,
> Inspiron, 4 Year
> 412-0358 1 Soft Contracts - Consumer Complete Care
> 985-9209 1 Dell Education Services - Readdy to Learn
> Complete Pack withLive Expert and Reference Lib rary - 14 Month Access
> 984-1649 1 Dell On Call, 13 months Extended, 5 Incidents
> 986-2667 1 Dell On Call, 30 Days, Getting Started
> Assistance, Unlimited Incidents
> 420-6592 1 Network Associates McAfee 8.0 English, 3-Year
> Subscription
> 986-4359 1 Bundle LoJack Theft Recovery Service - 4Year
> 986-9327 1 Inspiron, No Dell On Call
> 466-1962 1 Thank you for choosing Dell
> 310-8314 1 Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor
> 310-8624 1 You have chosen a Windows XP System
> 466-3921 1 No Preinstalled Software
> 466-5018 1 $100 Dell Dollars Code. Dell Dollars will be sent
> automatically 4-6 weeks after your order ships
>
>
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