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View Full Version : Two questions on a Dell refurb


DMax82
3rd of March 2008 (Mon), 06:57
Hello all,

This is my first of hopefully many posts. Right now I am looking at buying a refurbished Dell Vostro 1400. The basic specs look something like this:

XP
2.0ghz processor
2gb ram
128mb video card
dvd/rw

So on to the questons:

1. Looking at hard drives, I know that 7200 is better than 5400, but sometimes the option for a 160gb 7200 free fall hd pops up. I did a google search, and I think I have a basic understanding of what that means, but is it worth holding out for?

2. There is also an option for a truelife screen. I think this is better, and if I was buying new I would get it no problem, because it doesn't cost any extra. However, on the refurb site not all of the machines have it. Again, is it worth holding out for? Eventually I will get a big monitor to attach to it for real editing work, so this question applies to general use as much as anything.

Basically I think I would like these two options, but the real issue is how great they really are, because each option narrows down the pool of available machines. On the plus side, I have about a three week window to purchase in, so I can afford to be a little choosy. This is also a lot of money for me, so I want a good machine that will get the job done.

Thanks for your help!

bsmotril
3rd of March 2008 (Mon), 16:19
Free fall sensors on a laptop HD are well worth the investment. G-sensors in the drive retract the drive heads to a section of the disk with no data (a landing zone so to speak) so that you run a lot less risk of corrupting the data on the drive if the machine is dropped or hit hard.

True life is a glossy screen without the anti-glare coating. It is strictly a personal preference. With it you'll have deeper blacks and more vivid color, but you'll also have to content with screen glare from reflections. That may not be an issue if you don't travel much and don't use the system in airports, outdoors, or lobbies with lots of ambient light.

DMax82
3rd of March 2008 (Mon), 16:34
Thank you very much!

I will get the freefall and pass on the truelife since this will be a road warrior.