Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Computer Specs

These are for my friend Andrew and anyone else that is a techno junkie.

I've decided on the Dell Studio 15 laptop. I currently have an Inspiron and strongly considered it, but I went with the Studio to get a more updated processor. I also liked the look of the Studio vs. the Inspiron.
My current system is an Inspiron 6000 with a 1.7 GHz processor, 512 MB of Ram with only a 40 GB hard drive that I've filled up a few times already and have had to move stuff to an external drive or back up on CDs. This laptop is already 4 years old which means it is time to upgrade I think. I upgraded the standard memory from 2.13 to 2.26, went with a better wireless card, and the 9 cell battery. I don't really need the web cam but it is standard on the machine. The problem with going with Windows 7, 64 bit is that my adobe software can't be installed, but it is really software for the school so I'll just have them update my school Macbook with the newest software anyway. Eventually, I'll get my own copy of the Creative Suite. Here are the specs of the new system with comments italicized.

COLORSPlum Purple <---- my favorite color!

PROCESSORSNEW 2010 Intel® Core™ i3-350M 2.26GHz (3M cache)
OPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
MEMORY4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
HARD DRIVE500GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) <----- a nice upgrade from 40GB, but I'm sure I can fill it up!

MOBILE CONNECTIVITYInternal Mobile Broadband not included <--- Not needed at this point. Am considering it, but right now it's not an extra bill I want. Most of the time I'm out of town I stay at a hotel that has internet service.

WARRANTY AND SERVICE3 Year Basic Service Plan <---- a must, I've found Dell laptop screens typically go out after about 2 1/2 years and they have always replaced it with a home service call.


VIDEO CARDIntel® HD Graphics
HD DISPLAY15.6” High Definition (720p) LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera <--- 1080 display not necessary for me... I rarely watch movies on my laptop and I just need to view web pages and word documents mostly.

WIRELESS CARDSIntel© Centrino© Advanced-N 6200
KEYBOARDStandard Keyboard <---- they offer a backlit keyboard for an extra $25 but I didn't really see the point. I type by touch anyway so if it's dark, I don't need the keys lit up for me.

BATTERY OPTIONS85 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell) <---- Extra battery life is always good!

OPTICAL DRIVE8X Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
SOUND OPTIONSHigh Definition Audio 2.2 <---- Don't need anything fancy for sound... I sample music on my laptop when downloading to my player, but don't usually jam out to music on the laptop.


My only issue now is that I'm waiting to order it because the ship date is scheduled at the time I'll be gone for five days. I'm going to check to see if I can have it shipped to the school since I'm never home to sign for things anyway.

3 comments:

Andrew said...

Oh, I loved this post and reading the specs. You know I am a computer geek and love this kind of stuff. This seems like an awesome laptop and I know you can't wait to order it!

Anonymous said...

Ahm ... what?

Nice colour.
:)

Annabel said...

I just ordered it and it was awesome that I waited a day... when I checked my email, I found that I had a coupon code for 5% off which took my order under $1000. It is scheduled to be here by the 28th but I hope it comes sooner! I used the school address for shipping.