Need help with monitor, Media center & video options

jasno999 · Rated NC-17 Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 122 Location: PA

I am looking at gettign a new Dell notebook:

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=E1705S2&s=dhs

However I am really not sure abotu the differences between monitors, Media center & video options.

1) What is the difference between a Remote Control for Windows XP Media Center Edition and a TV Tuner w/ Remote Control?

- What do you need for the TV tuner to work? How do you hook it up and how does it work? Can you use the remote that comes with the TV tuner to control DVD playback and music o nthe computer?

2) What is the real difference between a 17 inch Wide Screen XGA+ Display and a 17 inch UltraSharpâ„¢ Wide Screen UXGA Display with TrueLifeâ„¢?

3) And if I am not gaming what shoudl I get in terms of a video card:

- Integrated IntelÂ® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 [Included in Price]

- 256MB ATI MOBILITYâ„¢ RADEONÂ® X1400 HyperMemory [add $116 or $3/month2]

- 256MB NVIDAÂ® GeForceâ„¢ Go 7800 [add $155 or $4/month2]
Powerful graphics for games and other multimedia applications

- 256MB NVIDIAÂ® GeForceâ„¢ Go 7900 GS [add $272 or $8/month2]

4) Dell Wireless 350 Bluetooth Internal(2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate)
With Bluetooth you can link wirelessly to Bluetooth devices like headphones, mice and more.

- What the heck can I really do with bluetooth capability?

BeerCheeze

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Sun, 21 May 2006 22:33:50 Post Subject:

Some remotes are exclusively for the TV tuner built in. The multimedia remotes are really pretty cool... They will generally control the TV, but also will launch desktop applications and work like a mouse.

jasno999 · Rated NC-17 Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 122 Location: PA

What does blue tooth really do? I don't understand it al all so I need the 6 year old explanation.

If I get the TV tuner then I am stuck wit hthe TV remote and might not have the ability to access anyhting other than the TV functions. However if I get the media center package with remote then I will not have the TV tuner options right? So which one shoudl I get? Also would I need extra stuff to connect to the TV or does your TV cable jsut connect to a port on the computer?

stratus · Posted: Mon, 22 May 2006 12:14:23 Post Subject:

I'd definitely go with the 7900GS if you have the extra cash, especially if you play FEAR or Battlefield2. I'd also try and get at least 2GB of RAM because most games coming out are very memory dependent.

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

jasno999 · Rated NC-17 Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 122 Location: PA

Thanks.

I will not be using the notebook for gaming. I am not a gamer but I also don't want a crappy system. I want to be able to use the notebook for a few years and be able to do things with it that I might not see right now....

So it is best to get the media center remote and get the TV tuner down the raod if needed. That sounds good - then I don't buy somethign that I am nto nessassaraly goign to use. But if I want ti later I can add it on. I woudl get the TV tuner and reote if I knew it was goign to work with the media center in terms of remote control. But since there is unceartainity I will go safe

Thanks

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

I'm sure Dell will not sell you a TV Tuner/remote that does not work with media center. That would be stupid.

Since you don't play heavy games on the laptop, I'd go with the 7800 and save yourself some money.

jasno999 · Rated NC-17 Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 122 Location: PA

Yeah well dell is offerign a 22% disscoutn and I get a 16% on top of that because my company has a deal with Dell so I can get some of the better stuf and still get a good deal.

Thanks again

stratus · Posted: Mon, 22 May 2006 14:57:59 Post Subject:

I'd go with the better stuff so you can "future proof" the system a little more. Let us know what you actually end up buying. =)