Keep It Or Sell - Dell 1720 2.2GHz

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I have a Dell Inspiron 1720 2.2 for 3 years + , and never had a days trouble with it.

Still had 1 years warranty from Dell left

I am not sure if to keep it or sell on now. Or upgrade with windows 7 or upgrade the hard drive to 7200 RPM

I use my laptop to store music & photographs,now getting into Photography , so i want to run software programmes like photoshop 8 or CS4

Your comments , would be very greatful

Spec below

Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 4 MB L2-cache)
4096MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
17.0" UltraSharp™ Wide Screen WUXGA (1920x1200)
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including
nVidia® GeForce™ Go 8600M GT with 256MB DDR2
Dell Wireless 350 Bluetooth + Dell Bluetooth 2.0 Stereo Headset - EUR
LCD Back Cover - Mediterranean Blue
 
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just on my phone but my sis has this exact machine. it's still really decent IMO, specially seeing as you have four gig of ram and a good CPU.
I installed a 7,200rpm Hd and windows 7 for her and now it's a competent slick machine. I'd try that if I were you like you say. 64bit windows ofc:)
 
@TheHitMan-1973- My old sony vaio runs photoshop cs4 quite easily (see below) so with your spec I don't see you having much trouble with it. I would definately upgrade to win7 and get that new hdd rather then lose money trying to sell it.

Spec: Sony VAIO VGN-AR11M - Core Duo T2400 / 1.83 GHz - Centrino Duo - RAM 2 GB - HDD 160 GB - DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - GF Go 7600 128MB - WLAN : 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR - Win XP MCE 2005 - 17" Widescreen TFT 1440 x 900 ( WXGA+ ) - camera
 
Run the programs first, then decide if an upgrade is worth it. PhotoShop will enjoy a decent machine if you have one, but you only really start to see the effect on manipulating large images and running heavy filters.
 
I've a Dell 9400 the earlier model to the 1720. Still works fine for me. Not much it can't do, 1920x1200, decent graphics, GFX 7900GS, I maxed out the RAM 4GB, (sees 3.5) added a bigger drive. Though to be honest I don't keep much stuff on it, I use encrypted external drives. Now running Windows 7 64bit. 6 USB slots, (and on the back panel handy for drives) a lot of laptops put the USB ports on the front right, which is right in the way of a mouse. Much better on the back. Especially if you use a lot of drives which I do.

That 1720 is better in two ways. It can take two hard disks and you can run them in RAID0. Or just have two big drives. If thats of interest. It also has a separate number pad which personally I prefer. The only problem with it is the nvidia gfx can over heat. So just watch that. Windows 7 can make that work apparently. So keep an eye on that.

What I have done is add another machine server, which I remote desktop into, instead of using my laptop for heavy processing stuff.
 
It is still a capable laptop so I presume that would help you get a decent price now wheras if you wait a year or two.... So if you would benefit from and can afford a higher spec I would say go for it.
Personally I have a Vostro 1720, very similar spec to you but T9300 and would love to have another of the same.
 
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