Help with Inspiron 9300

[icetonez]

I often see posts with the user hooking up external monitors to their 9300. I want to make sure I can use just the laptop's screen to 4 table without overlap. Is this possible and if so, are there any customizations I must make to have this?

For example the default display is:

17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen XGA+ Display.

Do I need to upgrade to this:

17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen UXGA Display with TrueLife™ [add $125 or $4/month1]

Also could someone suggest other upgrades that would be worthwhile. Such as going from 256 ram to 512, or 40gb hard drive to 60+. And primary battery 6 cell v. 9 cell ect. Oh and video card, that looks important too. As you can tell I don't know much about computers. Any help would be great.

[krazyace5]

Upgrade to the WUXGA screen

get the 1 gig of memory upgrade

60 gig 7200 rpm hard drive

I think you still will have a little overlap with the laptops screen.

[mmbt0ne]

WUXGA is what you want on the 9300 because that will do something around 1900x1200 and you can 4-table fine and dandy.

You do want more RAM, but DON'T upgrade your RAM through Dell unless there's a special where it's free. Just get the minimum stock, go to www.crucial.com (http://www.crucial.com), and buy new RAM there (512MB min, 1GB if you can swing it). It'll be a lot cheaper and it's really easy to do yourself.

40GB v 60GB by itself won't make a difference as far as applications go. If you want better performance, make sure you get a hard drive with a higher RPM (which in this case is only on the 60GB).

If you're not going to be doing any computer gaming on the laptop other than poker, the base one will work just fine.

Batteries, meh, longer life, but it's just a matter of how much you want to keep it plugged in.

Did I get all that right Buster?

[krazyace5]

The problem with installing your own ram is that it will void the warranty... won't it?

[Lost Wages]

I think you still will have a little overlap with the laptops screen.

No overlap with WUXGA.

Lost Wages

[mmbt0ne]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">En réponse à:</font><hr />
The problem with installing your own ram is that it will void the warranty... won't it?

[/ QUOTE ]

If it does, why not just put the old RAM back in instead before you send it back to them?

[krazyace5]

Here is the coupons incase you don't have them.

http://www.gottadeal.com/dell.php

[icetonez]

Thanks very much guys.

[icetonez]

Wow, great deal. KA - the coupon worked great, I didn't know about it, so thanks a lot! $1250 with the wuxga, 1gb memory, and 60gb 7200 rpm hard drive. Free shipping and I don't have to pay until Jan 06 interest free.

[BusterStacks]

mine should be here on or before the 12th...

[theTourne]

I'm buying one of these tonight too. I'm trying to decide what video card to get. It looks like you need to upgrade to the 256MB NVIDA® GeForce™ Go 6800 to get 1920x1200. Under "help me choose" the 64MB and 128MB Mobile Radeons both say "max resolution = 1600x1200." I didn't realize this an hour ago, so I want to let you know. I guess the $130 extra is worth it for me.

[icetonez]

Thanks for the headsup. I think 1600 x 1200 is all I need for 4 tabling with no overlap. I don't think I would need the extra space..

[Lost Wages]

All 3 cards do 1920x1200 (I'm using the 128 right now). 1600x1200 is the external monitor resolution.

Lost Wages

[theTourne]

son of a bitch

thanks lost. maybe i can call and change?

[BusterStacks]

if you plan on reselling it, i would just keep the expensive card. That's what I did. Especially with the coupon.

[theTourne]

i don't plan on selling the computer... but i may keep it anyway (if i even have a choice). you're right, with the coupon it's not that much more, and i guess it'll be nice to have the high end card.

just wish it was either more clear on the page, or my reading skills weren't so bad.

[IlliniRyRy]

I just tried ordering this same Dell Inspiron, and they've delayed it on my 6 times in a row now, I've been waiting over a month. I finally just cancelled it yesterday, their customer service is absolutely horrendous. Anyone have advice on any other laptops with 1600X1200 resolution? I'm hoping there is something out there for less than $1300. thanks.