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Subject:Re: Laptop Question (off topic? I don't know) From:Mike Starr <mikestarr-techwr-l -at- writestarr -dot- com> To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Date:Tue, 13 May 2008 08:27:25 -0500
I have a Latitude D820 with 2GB of RAM, XP Professional and a port replicator that I bought about 18 months ago and I'm very pleased with it. I bought it through the Dell clearance site... it had been ordered and manufactured then the order was canceled. Because of that, I got a substantial discount from the list price.
I don't know the difference between a Latitude and a Vostro but Latitude has always been the commercial line so I think they tend to be more serious machines.
As far as the video card and the hard drive, it depends on what you're doing. For most of the business applications you've listed, they should be just fine. However, if you're getting into something that requires complex rendering (3D CAD or intensive gaming applications) you'd probably want to upgrade the video card.
I'd also recommend XP Professional instead of XP Home. Port replicators for many in the Dell line are available much cheaper on eBay... I just bought two more in the last two weeks (one to take with me to the office and one as a spare).
Best regards,
Mike
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Mike Starr WriteStarr Information Services
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Hemstreet, Deborah wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I have a question about laptops and was wanting some advice.
>
> I do work from home, requiring MS Office applications, Adobe Acrobat,
> and graphics, sometimes HTML as well.
>
> My current laptop is slowing going the way of old laptops.
>
> I do not WANT Vista... And know I want a DELL.
>
> Questions:
>
> Does anyone know the difference between a Vostro and Latitude?
>
> Would you think that the default graphics card provided with Dell
> laptops is good enough for my needs, or do I need an upgrade?
>
> Does a 720 rpm hard drive make that much of a difference.
>
> Maybe this is offtopic, but maybe not, since we all of us who work from
> home need to buy our own supplies.
>
> I have until June 16 to be able to buy a Dell with Windows XP (Home
> Edition) (a system admin said not much diff between XP home vs XP
> Office)...
>
> Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice
>
> Deborah
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