Techie Opinion on Computer Specs--Please!?

[Selena_Kitt]

Dell Inspiron E1505
Intel® Core™ Duo Proc T2050 (1.60GHz/533MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache)
Operating System: Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
LCD: 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™
Memory: 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
Video Card: 128MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1300 HyperMemory™
Hard Drive: 120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Network Card & Modem: Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
CD/DVD: 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Sound Options: Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™ HD Software Edition
Wireless: Dell Draft N Internal Wireless and Bluetooth
Battery: 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Warranty: 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support
Processor: Intel Core Duo Processor

Is $1,031.00 reasonable for this? And can I get it cheaper at another company, do you think? (Gateway, etc.)

Also, how important is the processing speed? Is there a big difference between 1.60GHz/533MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache and 1.83GHz/667MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache? Is 120GB Hard drive big enough?

And most importantly could you play games like Silent Hill on this computer?

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

Dell Inspiron E1505
Intel® Core™ Duo Proc T2050 (1.60GHz/533MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache)
Operating System: Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
LCD: 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™
Memory: 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
Video Card: 128MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1300 HyperMemory™
Hard Drive: 120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Network Card & Modem: Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
CD/DVD: 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Sound Options: Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™ HD Software Edition
Wireless: Dell Draft N Internal Wireless and Bluetooth
Battery: 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Warranty: 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support
Processor: Intel Core Duo Processor

Is $1,031.00 reasonable for this? And can I get it cheaper at another company, do you think? (Gateway, etc.)

Also, how important is the processing speed? Is there a big difference between 1.60GHz/533MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache and 1.83GHz/667MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache? Is 120GB Hard drive big enough?

And most importantly could you play games like Silent Hill on this computer?

The media center edition of Windows might be a bit clunky for gaming but could be ok, otherwise you have plenty of juice to run any game you like. If you have some extra to spend, bump up the RAM to 2 gb because the video is leeching 128 off of the 1 gb that you have.


and the difference in the processors will be most noticeable in the games or in any huge dvd or video rendering applications.

 

[Liar]

Dell Inspiron E1505
Intel® Core™ Duo Proc T2050 (1.60GHz/533MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache)
Operating System: Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
LCD: 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™
Memory: 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
Video Card: 128MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1300 HyperMemory™
Hard Drive: 120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Network Card & Modem: Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
CD/DVD: 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Sound Options: Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™ HD Software Edition
Wireless: Dell Draft N Internal Wireless and Bluetooth
Battery: 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Warranty: 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support
Processor: Intel Core Duo Processor

Is $1,031.00 reasonable for this? And can I get it cheaper at another company, do you think? (Gateway, etc.)

Also, how important is the processing speed? Is there a big difference between 1.60GHz/533MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache and 1.83GHz/667MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache? Is 120GB Hard drive big enough?

And most importantly could you play games like Silent Hill on this computer?

Don't know about prices on the US market, but at approx a thousand dollars, it sounds like a decent price. How heavy is it? One of the things you pay extra for in laptops is portabiolity. One model with the same specs as another will be much more expensive if it's lighter to carry. So if you want a cheap machine with lots of performance, go for bulky. Preferrably a stationery PC.

Most important for games is the graphics processor. And a RADEON X1300 is good enuff for recent games out there.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Dell Inspiron E1505
Intel® Core™ Duo Proc T2050 (1.60GHz/533MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache)
Operating System: Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
LCD: 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™
Memory: 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
Video Card: 128MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1300 HyperMemory™
Hard Drive: 120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Network Card & Modem: Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
CD/DVD: 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Sound Options: Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™ HD Software Edition
Wireless: Dell Draft N Internal Wireless and Bluetooth
Battery: 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Warranty: 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support
Processor: Intel Core Duo Processor

Is $1,031.00 reasonable for this? And can I get it cheaper at another company, do you think? (Gateway, etc.)

Also, how important is the processing speed? Is there a big difference between 1.60GHz/533MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache and 1.83GHz/667MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache? Is 120GB Hard drive big enough?

And most importantly could you play games like Silent Hill on this computer?

First, the XP Media Edition I just love. I use it and think it's great.
second, if you are going to play games, the Duo Core processor is the way to go. It's 40% faster than the standard processor.
Third, You won't see much difference by going to a 1.83GHz/... The machine will, but you won't.
Fourth, I would be interested in the sound card if you are going to play games. I would have a G-Force 1300X or something similar. I can't respond about the SoundBlaser card in this machine.
Fifth, the Radion X1300 is what I have and it's great for both RPG and Action games.
Sixth, you mean there was life before burners?
Seventh, The CDRW/DVD two drive set up is the same one I have and they work great.
Eighth, I wonder if that computer has ports for memory sticks.

The Price is a little high, but that's because of the Duo Core Processor. All in all not too bad, Kitten, from my view.

 

[CopyCarver]

My limited experience with E1505s is that the CPU is fast and efficient, and that screen quality is about B+ to A-

On the down side they're a bit flimsy compared to something like a ThinkPad
and they run hot enough to be uncomfortable if you interpret laptop literally--not hot enough to burn themselves out, however.

 

[Liar]

Fourth, I would be interested in the sound card if you are going to play games. I would have a G-Force 1300X or something similar. I can't respond about the SoundBlaser card in this machine.

SB Audigy is good enough for gaming and music unless you're a nit-picking audiophile.

 

[R. Richard]

In general the specs are OK. I would investigate eBay auctions. I would not look for used equipment, but a seller with a good rating who is offering a machine very similar to the Dell. Do not take anything that does not have a dual layer burner, files continue to get larger and larger.

The local guys here do not like Dell. I have never really gotten a solid explanation of why, but they do not like Dell.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

In general the specs are OK. I would investigate eBay auctions. I would not look for used equipment, but a seller with a good rating who is offering a machine very similar to the Dell. Do not take anything that does not have a dual layer burner, files continue to get larger and larger.

The local guys here do not like Dell. I have never really gotten a solid explanation of why, but they do not like Dell.

we have Dells now... the AC connection fritzed out on BOTH of them within days... they're in getting fixed... but we got our tax return back and are considering new ones... he wants to be able to play games on them (something that was irrelevant on our last machines).

Is EBAY really a good place to buy such a high ticket item??

 

[R. Richard]

we have Dells now... the AC connection fritzed out on BOTH of them within days... they're in getting fixed... but we got our tax return back and are considering new ones... he wants to be able to play games on them (something that was irrelevant on our last machines).

Is EBAY really a good place to buy such a high ticket item??

I have bought a couple of high end items on eBay and found them as advertised. The guys who put together computers on eBay seem to maintain good quality control, if for no other reason than to keep their eBay rating up. Best of all, they have to use generic parts, not some special Dell only or whatever parts. If something does go, the local computer shop can fix what's wrong. you don't have to send it off to Dell.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES BUY HP! [Just MNTHO here.]

Since I don't really have a lot of eBay experience, you might want to troll for more eBay references.

 

[Guest]

one word of advice:


if you buy a new computer, pay the extra to have the insallation disk's. They don't come automatically and if you dont get them, down the road you'll be wishing you had.

the computer sounds fine...though i dont know what all you intend to do with it.
dell is excellent. only one draw back is that when you call for help, you will get india. if you can understand the accent then no biggie deal.

 

[CharleyH]

one word of advice:


if you buy a new computer, pay the extra to have the insallation disk's. They don't come automatically and if you dont get them, down the road you'll be wishing you had.

the computer sounds fine...though i dont know what all you intend to do with it.
dell is excellent. only one draw back is that when you call for help, you will get india. if you can understand the accent then no biggie deal.

LOL

 

[kendo1]

Dellhi.

 

[Oblimo]

If you are very price conscious, lurk on websites like slickdeals.org and dealnews.com for coupon codes and stuff. You always want to shop for Dells, the best times are Fridays, the end of the month, or (the absolute best) the end of the fiscal quarter, when sales needs to make its quota.