Computer question...

[Krissypooh]

I am looking into getting a Dell Notebook 600m. I am figuring on a 80GB hard drive and 1GB RAM. Also a 100GB external hard drive. What else should I be looking for? I am trying to keep the cost low and all but also dont want to skimp on necessities.
I want it to use for accessing the interent and for editing photos with Photoshop Elements.
Thanks all.

[d'homme]

cd / dvd burner?

[lordjim]

DVD burner and also you may want to look at how much you can expand your Ram to. Expandable to 2GB should be a minimum even if you do not upgrade to 2GB yet.

[KevC]

I have a 600m and I use it for post processing :) I have a gig, and that's enough. However, unless you're getting a good deal, "upgrading" the notebook from Dell is very expensive. I got my gig for free on sale.

I'd recommend you getting the least amount of RAM and space then heading over to your local computer shop and picking up a stick of 1024MB SO-DIMM and a 7200RPM 2.5" notebook harddrive. They could probably install it for you. That'll be cheaper and faster than getting it from Dell, unless it's on sale!

The 7200RPM HDD will be way faster than the 4200RPM that's bundled in.

[JSolie]

The 7200RPM HDD will be way faster than the 4200RPM that's bundled in.

I second the 7200 RPM hard drive. If you're going to do any photo editing, or processing RAW images, you'll appreciate the faster disk access.

-- John

[Tadhg]

make sure it has whatever connection your camera uses (if not USB)

[Andrew Pratt]

The 7200 RPM hard drives were available for the i6000 models and 2 gigs is the max ram in these (DDR2). the 6000 has many features that are lacking in the 600M that you might want to consider sich as the faster FSB, RAM and newer chipsets...they are larger though if you want a truly portable laptop...if not the larger screen is worth it IMO.

I really like my 6000 as its a big step up from the older Dell it replaced (now my wifes). I'd also highly recomend the DVD burner as an upgrade and don't worry about the upgraded video card if you aren't into games. The RAM recomendation is solid as well. Mine came with two 256 meg sticks. I promptly sold one on eBay and bought two 1 gig sticks. I kept one stick in case I ever need warrenty work as they're anal about 3rd party hardware.

[tim]

Remember 7200 rpm drives use more power and get hotter than the standard hard drives. You might consider using the standard hard drive, and getting a big (200-400 gig), fast, external USB hard drive. Keep your images on the large fast drive and if you need them on the small drive when you're out and about just copy them.

[Andrew Pratt]

The power differences aren't that great and given how long the battery now lasts with the new chipset its not that big a hit.

[Krissypooh]

Thanks guys I wound up ordering the 600M from Dell the other day. It has a gig of RAM and 80G Hard Drive.