Taking the plunge

**Contemplating** · July 24th, 2003, 02:38 PM

I'm in the process of ordering a new Dell 8500.

2.4GHz P4-m
512MB DDR
40GB
GF 4200 64mb
15" WUXGA
24xCDRW

I noticed in the tech specs section that the 8500 had a SPDIF connector, one quick call to their marketing techs confirmed it outputted 5.1 audio..sweet!

The ram upgrades right now are free, otherwise I'd be ordering from crucial.com

Any final words of advice before I confirm the order?

Thanks

**GroundZero3** · July 24th, 2003, 02:39 PM

the video card is not an mx card correct?

have fast is the hard drive? 5400? 7200? cache size? 2mb or 8mb?

what kind of warranty are you getting with it?

**Contemplating** · July 24th, 2003, 03:07 PM

Supposeldy there's a global shortage on the 5400rpm drive so it's 4200rpm for now, I'm going to bug them to grab a 5400 off their D800 line.

I'm getting the 3 year on-site + complete care package

The video card is the geforce4 4200 go 64mb DDR, scores 9376 on 3Dmark2001 according to cnet.com....my desktop only pushes 7000 with a geforce4 4200 ti 128mb ddr.

**GroundZero3** · July 24th, 2003, 03:14 PM

sorry had a stupid moment there as i was looking up the computer and figured out it was a laptop.

the complete care package is where you can basically drop it and they will replace it right?

either way looks like a nice laptop and you get 300 bucks off and free shipping. looks nice. how much does it weigh?

**SeanC** · July 24th, 2003, 03:19 PM

That's a good config.

I was looking at the Dell site the other night. They had free upgrade for a lot of things...

Makes me wish I had the money...

Sean

**poopeyhed2** · July 24th, 2003, 03:23 PM

Don't order just yet! Save a couple of bucks and look for coupons! There's a whole bunch on laptops at techbargains.com

**Contemplating** · July 24th, 2003, 04:52 PM

I just read on tomshardware.com that the new nvidia card is out on the toshiba, and ati will follow soon.

Dell marketing doesnt seem to know when they'll be offering either of them. I can get a deal at dell (through a family friend), so basically I have to decide if it's worth waiting for the new vid cards (has always been the thing holding me up when purchasing a laptop)