e1705 or e1505

If you plan to play a lot of games on your laptop get the e1705. If you aren't really into games and or will be travelling a lot, get the e1505.

I should mention also that you can play games on the e1505, just not as well as the e1705 w/a good video card and you can travel with the e1705, it's just a lot heavier and bulkier than the e1505.

Message Edited by acruxksa on 05-05-200602:41 AM

If I was replacing a desktop or had just one computer I would go with the 1705.  If I wanted portability I would go 1505. 

 

If you watch for coupons you may be able to get the 1705 for the price of a 1505.  In my case I could have bought either one for about the same price and even upgraded the 1705 more.  I am referring to the $250, 450 and $750 coupons that show up on the site about every other month.   

Message Edited by Mcoffman on 05-05-200611:48 AM

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@keoki323 wrote:
Hi All,

Propective buyer here, wanting to know your preferences for either the e1705 or e1505.

While the e1505 is more affordable, I can't help but feel I'd miss out on something by not choosing the e1705. Based on simliar configurations, I've about a 400.00 between the models I'm considering.

Help me make up my mind either way by sharing your feelings on why you choose the way you did.

Thanks for your feedback!

Keoki

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e1705 from 3.49kg / e1505 from 2.8kg. e1705 is not light weight. If you prefer lighter then you'll probably go to e1505.

e1705 has 2 Monitor Out Port while e1505 has 1. If you plan to connect to more external monitor - more then e1705 is the way to go but if you don't use it or 1 is enough then e1505 is best to go.

e1705 has 6 USB 2.0 Ports while e1505 has 4. Notebook don't need much USB port but it's good to have them around if in case you need more. 4 USB ports of e1505 should be more than enough.

Gaming: e1505 can handle games but e1705 is designed for gaming. Gaming actually depend more on graphics card.

Sound: e1505 has Integrated stereo sound while e1705 has Audio Controller. High Definition Audio (HDA) bus with Internal Speaker Amplifier. Stereo 2-W main speakers and 5-W subwoofer with bass reflex port.

Like you, I have to choose between e1505 and e1705. I end up selecting e1705 because I don't mind heavy notebook. 3.xxKG is not a pain for me to carry. I used to carry 2 notebooks each day (work and personal notebook).
I like a graphics card that is dedicated. NVIDIA in e1705 is dedicated one. I plan to install Windows Vista in the notebook and as we know, Windows Vista requires great graphics card like NVIDIA. ATI Radeon should work but ATI Radeo is not a dedicated one so it might give me some trouble later on. e1505 is Vista capable too.

Good luck in deciding. Don't forget to take advantage of coupon code when you buy.

Just wanted to point out that the e1505 has pretty good audio as well, not sure what the sigmatel chip brings to the table, but other than the subwoofer, I don't think there is a difference between the audio on the e1705 and the e1505. They use the same audio driver and my e1505 has HD audio. That being said, if I only had one computer I would choose the e1705, if I had a good desktop system (which I do) and didn't play current games on the road, I'd go with the e1505.

It's not an easy choice and only you can really make it because you are the only one who knows what you want. I would say that it's better to buy something you don't need than to need something you didn't buy. If you aren't sure, the e1705 is most likely the best choice, but if you know for sure you don't need the extra graphics power and screen size, the e1505 is a great choice. I know I really like mine.

Hi All,

Thanks for your feedback. In the end I realized I wanted to replace my aging desktop and have the convenience of taking it on the road. I decided to go with the e1705.

Here's the config I went with:

T2500 (2GHz/667MHz FSB)
WUXGA
1GB, DDR2, 533MHz 2 Dimm
256MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7800
120GB 5400RPM
8X DVD+/-RW Drive
SoundBlaster Advanced Audio
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g
80 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Battery
Dell Wireless 350 Bluetooth

Keoki

Congrats on your purchase! That's a nice configuration. You are lucky that you can opt for "SoundBlaster Advanced Audio". In my location, the said audio isn't available. All I will get is the integrated one only.

Just wanted to make it clear, both the e1505 and e1705 use the sigmatel STAC 92xx chip for audio. The Soundblaster Audigy Advanced HD is a software option that enables Audigy like options (EAX) via software. If you own a recent laptop with sigmatel 9200 onboard audio you more than likely have the same option to add Sound Blaster Audigy HD to your laptop. I did it simply by installing the sigmatel dirvers and both soundblaster files from the driver download page for the M1710 and it works fine, you just need to pay Soundblaster $19.99 to register the software instead of paying dell to do it for you.

Message Edited by acruxksa on 05-08-200607:32 PM

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@acruxksa wrote:
Just wanted to make it clear, both the e1505 and e1705 use the sigmatel STAC 92xx chip for audio. The Soundblaster Audigy Advanced HD is a software option that enables Audigy like options (EAX) via software. If you own a recent laptop with sigmatel 9200 onboard audio you more than likely have the same option to add Sound Blaster Audigy HD to your laptop. I did it simply by installing the sigmatel dirvers and both soundblaster files from the driver download page for the M1710 and it works fine, you just need to pay Soundblaster $19.99 to register the software instead of paying dell to do it for you.

Message Edited by acruxksa on 05-08-200607:32 PM

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Thanks for the info. That's great to know :-)
I thought I will have a lousy sound card.
I should be receiving my Inspiron 9400 today as per the courier. I'm not sure whether I'll have such software as pre-installed. If none, it is because they didn't offer me the option to choose it when I placed my order. They didn't even offer it to me when I speak to Dell salesperson.
$19.99 is not a problem if it's good to have.

Again, thanks for the info.

I did order my original system with sba and i didnt recieve it. I called tech support and they said that it isnt an option on that model. I did pay for it . since I used a coupon at checkout the system read all zeros where they showed what was charged for what.. Any how the system was sent back and the new one did have the audigy installed with a disc for reinstallation.. Same setup as my parents had gotten with there e1705. Great Laptop!!!