Question:
Dell 6400 2.33 Ghz or 9400 2 Ghz with Nvidia
Bought a Dell Inspiron 6400/e1505 model on 27th Nov. 2006 , received on 14th Dec. 2006
There was a stuck pixel and a major light leakage problem. Called up Dell and told them the problem. They told me that as a goodwill gesture they are providing something. They given me 3 options 1) Memory Key - 512 MB 2) Color Kit 3) Battery 9 Cell.
I asked for other things and they said no other things available. So i asked to upgrade the processor to 2.33 Ghz and they agreed.
By the way here is the configuration which i ordered.
Dell Inspiron 6400/e1505
Core2Duo Processor T7200 2.0 Ghz
2GB Ram 667 Mhz
60 GB 7200 RPM
ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 256 MB
Previously i was considering a Dell 9400 model but because it was a little costly i didnt considered it. But because they are providing a upgrade to 2.33 Ghz on a 6400 , i thot i can get a 9400 with 2.0 Ghz. So i called up Dell and asked whether its possible to get it and they said its possible.
So heres my question
Should i get Dell 6400 with 2.33 Ghz Processor or
Should i get Dell 9400 with 2.0 Ghz and NVIDIA GeForce 7900
Don't ask me about the pricing asking what price i got the 6400 as because i live in India, here most notebooks are costly, and because Dell is the only company here provides customisation, its the lowest price notebook available here. I got Dell 6400 at around 2350 USD and Dell 9400 is available at 2950 USD.
One thing i want to tell u that i am not going to play much games, i wanted a future proof notebook. I am not having problems with either 15.4 inch screen or a 17 inch screen. Only thing i am concerned is the weight, you have to tell me comparing the weight of 6400 with 9400 , how do u feel. Is 9400 very heavy. I won't be carrying it with me other places, but i will be taking it to some shopping malls weekly and use the Wi-fi over there.
I wont be using Windows XP Home edition which was compulsory given by Dell. Is it possible to give the XP back and get the corresponding amount refund.
Thanx in advance.
After the above questions there are some other small questions, which came after using 6400.
1) I connect my notebook internet via bluetooth, using my cell phone as a modem, i am using this on my desktop from the last 3 years and its working smoothly. But in this notebook bluetooth stops working after usage of 1 hour or so. I can't communicate with any bluetooth devices. I have to shut the bluetooth off or shut down the notebook for another half to get the notebook working.
2) Which carrying case is suitable, i got a nylon carrying case. But i find it very heavy. Is backpack heavy too.
3) Should i get a Bluetooth Keyboard mouse from Dell. Will it work smoothly even if having above bluetooth problem.
I am a Web Designer and Software Developer. I have been doing my work on my Desktop. Is this notebook good enough to work for this kind of work. Because most websites are made in 800 * 600 resolution and if i select that resolution it gets stretched.
Please help
Answer:
Re: Dell 6400 2.33 Ghz or 9400 2 Ghz with Nvidia
Not a gaming/graphics software developer right? If so you should just go with the 6400 with the free 2.33ghz upgrade from 2.0ghz , thats a pretty sweet deal.
Answer:
Re: Dell 6400 2.33 Ghz or 9400 2 Ghz with Nvidia
Thanx. I would be playing games but as i said i won't be playing much games.
Please answer my whole post.
Answer:
Re: Dell 6400 2.33 Ghz or 9400 2 Ghz with Nvidia
I know the NVIDIA drivers have an option in them for fixed-aspect scaling, so I'm assuming the ATI drivers do as well...that would eliminate the stretching issue.
If you're not playing any heavy duty games, the X1400 is fine. So I'd stick with the same 6400 and get the 2.33 GHz upgrade...it will help you more in what you do (not terribly noticeably, mind you). Of course, if you like having a large, 17 inch screen, that's a different story. ;) But the 9400 is going to be significantly heavier, and won't be as future-proof (the 2.33 GHz helps a bit more with future proofing).
Answer:
Re: Dell 6400 2.33 Ghz or 9400 2 Ghz with Nvidia
I know the NVIDIA drivers have an option in them for fixed-aspect scaling, so I'm assuming the ATI drivers do as well...that would eliminate the stretching issue.
Answer:
Re: Dell 6400 2.33 Ghz or 9400 2 Ghz with Nvidia
I think the ATI drivers might not allow for fixed-aspect-ratio scaling. I can't find the option on my desktop, anyways.
Answer:
Re: Dell 6400 2.33 Ghz or 9400 2 Ghz with Nvidia
Thanx Chaz, paladin and l33t_c0w for your replies.
npaladin2000
I am able to set the aspect ratio to normal 800*600 with the ATI drivers. The page opens normally but the font is very big. Even if i change the DPI settings to normal, the fonts are still big.
Chaz
I know that i can connect to an external monitor but than i find what is the use of the screen, as for 6400 i am taking an 1680 * 1050 resolution screen and if i go for 9400 i am taking an 1920 * 1200 resolution screen. I have payed for the screen and if i am not using it than it makes no sense.
I am still confused which notebook to go for, 6400 or 9400.
Answer:
Re: Dell 6400 2.33 Ghz or 9400 2 Ghz with Nvidia
The Inspiron 6400 is what I recommended that you stick with. It has a faster processor and is more portable, and you don't need the gaming power of the 9400. The Radeon X1400 in the 6400 is more than enough to handle the occasional game.
I know that i can connect to an external monitor but than i find what is the use of the screen, as for 6400 i am taking an 1680 * 1050 resolution screen and if i go for 9400 i am taking an 1920 * 1200 resolution screen. I have payed for the screen and if i am not using it than it makes no sense.
You said you are a web developer - you also said you will be using an 800x600 resolution to design web pages. If you use a non-native resolution on an LCD screen, it gets stretched, blurred and possibly distorted. That's why I suggested the external CRT. They don't have the problems that LCDs do when not displaying a native resolution, so you will be able to use 800x600 without worries.
And, you can always use the laptop's monitor as secondary if you do a dual monitor setup.
Back to the laptops - Dell really does not put a lot into their 17" machines. There's no numpad with the keyboard (which is expected on a 17"), and there are no compelling extra features to take it over the 15.4" Inspiron. The only real reason to get a 17" Dell is for the ultra-powerful Nvidia Go7900GS video card, and if you are not gaming, then getting that card would be a complete waste. So, go for the 6400 - more power in a more compact space, and if you ever decide to take this notebook anywhere, you'll be glad you went for the 15.4". ;)
Answer:
Re: Dell 6400 2.33 Ghz or 9400 2 Ghz with Nvidia
npaladin2000
I am able to set the aspect ratio to normal 800*600 with the ATI drivers. The page opens normally but the font is very big. Even if i change the DPI settings to normal, the fonts are still big.
I don't mean changing the resolution. You would hit the "advanced settings" button and look for something that says "fixed aspect-ratio scaling" or something to that effect...that will allow you to set the machine at 800x600, it will still fill the screen vertically, but it won't stretch it to fit horizontally. I don't know if the ATI drivers have this feature....but if they don't then they should.
It also might say something like "disable horizontal stretching" or something...not too sure. I don't have a machine with an ATI card handy, so I can't check. Maybe you could ask in the Dell forums? I think they use a semi-customized version of the ATI drivers rather than the standard ATI ones anyway...
Answer:
Re: Dell 6400 2.33 Ghz or 9400 2 Ghz with Nvidia
Chaz
Thanx for the reply dude. I already told in the post that i am able to set the aspect ratio to normal. When i change resolution to 1680 * 1050 its the normal resolution and when i select 800 * 600 it doesn't gets stretched, its looks like a normal 800 * 600 resolution screen having a black strip on the left and right. What i said above is that the page which i try to open is having a bigger font. If i see the same page on the desktop it looks normal and when i check the same thing on notebook it has a bigger font and bigger image. I have even changed the DPI settings to normal but still its bigger.
npaladin2000
Thanx for the reply. As i said above i am able to make the resolution to unstretched normal 800 * 600. But the fonts and images shown in the webpage looks bigger.
Again i am saying the same thing to you.
I am mostly interested in future proofing the notebook. As this is a one time investment (investment means i will buy a notebook and keep it for 3 to 5 years). And after paying such an amount i want something which is working even after 2 or 3 years. If after 2 years there is something new released is not working i would be disappointed. I know that within a year data will be the most important thing in computers. After release of Blu-ray disc and HD-DVD disc, i think there will be more qualitative videos and those videos should show the exact effect on the screen as it is made. I mean the shadowing, i dont know how to explain this but only thing i wanna say is that i want a future proof notebook:D
I have to tell the dell executive about my decision tommorrow.