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xps 420
planning on ordering my new system in few days and was wondering on a few of the options. Been reading here about some of the problems but wpould like to here boths sides if possible.
1. Was is the double layer write capable and is it worth it with dvd and blue ray?
2.Is getting the blue tooth key board and mouse and reader worth getting or should I go for wired?
3.What is big difference in memory with 667 mhz and 800mhz either 3-4 gigs?
4.Should I get the integrated sound card or xtreme music I heard that xtreme is a bad card?
5.Difference between ati theater or ati tv wonder card and xcelators?
6.Wireless card 802.11g any good?
7.I also believe someone said that trend micro is the best for security over mcafee and norton?
I know this is a lot but my old dell crashed 3-4 months ago and have to use one at work or lib. to do everything. My old (3-4 yrs old) crashed when I was deleting files after virus checks. Now it won't boot at all not even in safe mode. If anyone has info with that I would sure appreciate it. I have Xp and not sure what else as I am not at home at this time. Thanks in advance for all the help.
Robert Moyer
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Posted January 22nd, 2008 17:00
I agree except on the bluetooth keyboard and mouse I think they are great you also have the option when you shut down the computer you have a switch on the mouse and keyboard to shut them down also ,I never turn off the keyboard,but the mouse I do it saves the battery. It also has volume control on the keyboard and a few other goodies and it comes in silver and black(outlined in silver very attractive)Bob Moyer
@Robert Moyer wrote:
I agree except on the bluetooth keyboard and mouse I think they are great you also have the option when you shut down the computer you have a switch on the mouse and keyboard to shut them down also ,I never turn off the keyboard,but the mouse I do it saves the battery. It also has volume control on the keyboard and a few other goodies and it comes in silver and black(outlined in silver very attractive)Bob Moyer
Lord, I hate that bluetooth mouse! I'm going to try and return the keyboard and mouse. The keyboard is the regular Dell multi-media kbd but without caps lock and num lock lights. I really hate that they both go to sleep and the first movement or keystroke is to wake them up. I also hate the motion of the mouse; even at the slowest speed it almost impossible to control in small increments.billyd1000
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Posted January 22nd, 2008 23:00
As mentioned by another poster a lot of this stuff is just personal preference. I will just say I do not have the blue tooth reader and keyboard mouse package, however I do use wireless. I just used the keyboard and mouse off of my HP Notebook expansion base. I will say wireless is 100% better than wired. The type of wireless is an opinion. Also the Trend Micro security suite, while not perfect is light years ahead of Mcaffee. Good luck on your upcoming purchase. -BillpackerFan07
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Posted January 22nd, 2008 23:00
I should note that I have a mouse from an older microsoft bluetooth keyboard and mouse set. The mouse worked by simply discovering it with the 13 in 1 bluetooth. I do occasionly use it, but it chews through batteries and is definetly heavier and less responsive than the wired. The keyboard quit working ages ago and was very unresponsive when it did 'work'. Once again, these weren't Dell but Microsoft from 2-3 years ago...I do prefer wireless mouse, but didn't have a spare one laying around. I do prefer wired keyboard.....- 1. Was is the double layer write capable and is it worth it with dvd and blue ray?Agree with others...start w/ standard DVD, add blue ray later if needed.2.Is getting the blue tooth key board and mouse and reader worth getting or should I go for wired?This is my first bluetooth keyboard/mouse...keyboard is not bad, mouse seems a bit less repsonsive than wired mouse...have spare MS mouse I can use if frustration peaks. The card reader is a must if you have a digital camera...Soooo much faster/better than plugging in camera, plus friend/family can see/print digital picutres when the party is at your house.3.What is big difference in memory with 667 mhz and 800mhz either 3-4 gigs?I went w/ 800 Mhz, 4 gig4.Should I get the integrated sound card or xtreme music I heard that xtreme is a bad card?Integrated sound (software HD) is plenty good, I got the Dell 5.1 speaker set up and its nice.5.Difference between ati theater or ati tv wonder card and xcelators?I think the ATI theater/tv wonder are different ways of doing the same thing. One had analog and digital tuners, other may use the new "cable cards" offers by CATV providers. The Dell xcelerator: you'll want to read up on this...seems no one is really sure what it does. It bought it for the nice front end way to plug in my camcorder and it works great for that. I was under the impression that it would take over the rendering part of making DVDs, but I'm not sure if it really does anything in that area.6.Wireless card 802.11g any good?I've always had best luck w/ these buying same brand as wireless access point (router); recommend doing that, but all the pc installed cards seem fine.7.I also believe someone said that trend micro is the best for security over mcafee and norton?After being a LONG time (back to MS DOS v.2.01) user of Norton products, I fired them for good after Symantic/Norton became a super resourse hog under Win XP. Norton also didn't uninstall easily and I just got fed up w/ them. Mcafee is not bad (daughter's PC has it free from our ISP) but I opted for Trend in my XPS and it is fine. Had it on my previous Dell also and was satisfied.Good luck with your new purchase.
Message Edited by Ted_C on 01-23-2008 04:25 AM fishywishy
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Posted January 23rd, 2008 12:00
1. Was is the double layer write capable and is it worth it with dvd and blue ray?bluray isnt mainstream yet so id wait2.Is getting the blue tooth key board and mouse and reader worth getting or should I go for wired?i game so i dont want to take any chance of it being unresponsive3.What is big difference in memory with 667 mhz and 800mhz either 3-4 gigs?i got 3gb of 800mhz. vista can only use 3.25 gb and the 800mhz is definately recommended for anything demanding4.Should I get the integrated sound card or xtreme music I heard that xtreme is a bad card?ive heard people having problems with the x-fi so i went onbaord and will upgrade later if i want. i only have 2 speakers and a sub so i dont care that much about sound5.Difference between ati theater or ati tv wonder card and xcelators?the ati cards will be used for tv viewing. as i understand it, the xcelorator is for encoding only6.Wireless card 802.11g any good?i have the 802.11n card on my laptop and have been happy with it. dont think this one would be any different7.I also believe someone said that trend micro is the best for security over mcafee and norton?neither. download avg virusscan for free
packerFan07
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Posted January 22nd, 2008 16:00