I have a Dell Inspiron 5000e. Can I use the new quad processor from Intell to get faster?

Answer 1

Yes and No

Using todays software and technology. NO

Using software and technology developed over the next 3 years. YES

Unless your OS supports multiple CPUs and the software you are running can use those extra chips, then the only reason to buy a quad chip is for future upgrades.

Current OS's that support multiple chips
Unix
Linux
Mac OS X
Windows 2000 and 2003 SERVER editions ONLY

Soon to be released
Vista

consumer software that can use quad cores
more than 100,000 for unix/linux/mac
less than 100 (for Windows)
time for software makers to create multithread programs
(approx 3yrs)