i6000 Notebook Newbie Review

[M_Stranger]

Before I begin my review of my new i6000, let me give you a little background on myself and previous machine so you'll know where I'm coming from in regards to the new notebook. I am by no means a computer savvy person. I know how to operate a computer, browse the internet, most of the MS Office programs and can even work a little Photoshop magic if the stars align properly. I have very little to no knowledge as to the inner workings of my computer and to be perfectly honest have no desire to learn. If it runs okay and I don't have any problems then I'm good. If it ain't broke I ain't gonna learn how to fix it.

Anyway, my previous computer is an old HP Pavilion desktop. And when I say old I'm talking turn of the century old. Got it in Feb of 2000, right after all the hubbub over Y2K had almost gone away. It has whatever standard Celeron processor they were putting in those things back then and what I thought was a decent amount of RAM (64mb). But as time went by and my computing needs got more advanced (more Photoshop and a desire to make music videos) I realized that the old desktop wasn't gonna cut it. It was slow and couldn't handle more than one or two applications at once. So it was time to upgrade.

I decided to get a notebook because I really hate being tied down to a desk to do the fun stuff. That and I've really wanted to have a notebook for the couple of trips I take a year. My friends I get together with all have their computers with them and I'm tired of feeling left out.

After a search online for a couple of weeks I finally saw a deal on Shop At Home and snagged my i6000. Here's what I got, in a nutshell:

System: Intel Pentium M Processor 715 (1.50 GHz/2MB Cache/400MHz FSB)
Screen: 15.4" WXGA LCD Panel
Video Memory: Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900
Memory: 512MB Shared DDR2 SDRAM (2 DIMMs)
HD: 80GB Hard Drive
Network Card: Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Optical Drive: 8x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer writing capability
Battery: 9 cell high capacity lithium ion primary battery (*80Whr)
Carry Case: Dell Nylon Carrying Case
O/S: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
S/W Bundle: Microsoft Works Suite 2004
ISP: 6 Months of AOL Membership included
Security Package: McAfee Security Center with VirusScan, Firewall, Spyware Removal, 15 months!
Service Plan: 3yr ltd warranty, 3yr at-home service, & 3yr technical support
Additional Software: Dell Super Software Suite 2.0 included (Pinnacle Studio 9 and a bunch of EA Sports games)
Wireless Card: Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 B/G, 54mbps)

All that for $1499.00 plus $.01 shipping. Not the best deal around but I'm a bit of an impulse shopper (see my drawer of $.99 horoscope scrolls and eyeglass repair kits LOL)

The big thing that attracted me to this package was the extended warranty, dedicated help line and the carry case. I thought I was getting MS Office too, but it turns out I only got MS Word 2003. Also got Pinnacle Studio 9 which is something I was going to pick up anyway.

After starting up and going through all the setup screens (how many exactly I lost count) which were pretty easy, XP loaded just fine. I played with the settings a little and after an embarrasing phone call to tech support to find out how to adjust the brightness (see my thread about overseas tech support for details) I was able to get started with some heavy duty computing.

First though I wanted to set up my wireless networking. I bought a Netgear WGR614 wireless router and once their tech support helped me get it all setup I was surfing the net faster than my desktop could load IE. The wireless interface is pretty easy to understand once you know what you're doing and the little icon in the task bar is pretty helpful too. So far the wireless card is top notch.

Now that I can get online I downloaded a couple of the updated drivers which was pretty easy to do at dell.com. Very user friendly especially for someone like me who doesn't know much about the "guts" of my 'puter.

Oh, and before I forget. I took off some of the excess Dell crap that was loaded on. The list of stuff I deleted/uninstalled is:

AOL
NetZero
H&R Block Offer
and some other crap program that I forget

Anyway, this stuff wasn't really hampering performance that I could tell but it's stuff I'm never going to use. I've got highspeed Road Runner internet so no need for NetZero or AOHell and my mom's an accountant so sorry H&R Block but I got that covered.

There's some other stuff that I'm evaluating whether or not to delete (Dell Media Experience, Dell Picture Studio, Record Now!) but it depends on whether or not I have something else to replace it. Record Now is probably the only thing I'll keep though.

I went ahead and kept the McAfee 15month free subscription. Yeah it's a power hog but I really don't trust anything else other than Norton and McAfee is free for now so once it runs out I'll switch back to Norton and go from there. The setup for McAfee took only a couple minutes and the virusscan and firewall seem to work pretty well. Haven't noticed any performance issues when they're up and running or updating either.

I installed Pinnacle Studio 9 and downloaded DVDShrink to start my music video projects and I gotta say that after a while, Studio 9 starts to lag a bit. Not sure if it's a memory issue or if I'm just pushing it too hard and expecting too much. But with that being the only major application running (other than McAfee) after a couple hours of editing the preview playback starts to get a little iffy. Video gets slow and doesn't stay matched up with the audio track, that sort of thing. But like I said, this is probably just a memory issue. In a couple months I'll attempt an upgrade to 2 gigs. Once the thirty day trial period is up anyway.

Websurfing with the router is superfast, applications run really well (with the exception of the above noted Studio 9 problem) and I gotta say I really like the performance of this little machine.

Now for the physical stuff.

The screen is really great. After the above noted dumbass moment with the brightness button I got it to look really good. I don't like the idea of having to turn the brightness up all the way to get a decent viewable screen but if that's the way it has to be then so be it. I imagine if I'd upgraded to one of the higher end screens I wouldn't have this problem but maybe next time. The 15.4" resolution while a little hard to get used to at first is now incredible. I can't believe how long I went without this. While some text is hard to read from a few feet, when it's on my lap I have no trouble. And the viewing angles are pretty decent too. Again, the higher end screens are probably better, but not knowing the difference for sure I'm impressed with what I have.

Battery life is really good. I'm glad I didn't go with a P4 processor. I can't imagine having to plug this thing in after a couple hours. As it stands, with basic websurfing and my video editing I'm averaging about 4 1/2 - 5 hours on the 9 cell battery. And what's great is there is a little warning that comes up and let's you know when the battery is almost dead (like 12% remaining or something like that) giving you time to unravel the power cord and plug it in. And it doesn't get really hot like I thought it would. Probably the hottest part on the whole system is the harddrive and that's not really warm either.

The fan noice is almost unnoticable. It sort of slips into the background and unless you're in a sealed soundproof room I don't think this will be a problem for anyone.

The optical drive on the other hand can be really noisy when gearing up. no more so than in a desktop but without all that extra case space like on a desktop to muffle some of the sound it can be a little loud. But idling isn't too bad and really I don't expect whisper quiet from a CD running. Haven't played a DVD movie yet to know if the noise is distracting there or not but I can't imagine it would be. Especially with the speakers.

The speakers are in what I would consider a bad spot. This is probably standard on notebooks to put them at the front edge farthest from the screen but from someone who is used to a flatscreen (at work) with built in speakers and having speakers right next to the monitor on my desktop, it's a little disconcerting at first. But the sound quality is really great. Couldn't ask for more from a notebook computer. If I want really kickass sound I'll turn on the 5.1 surround sound system on my entertainment center. For the uses I have for the notebook the speakers are perfect (placement issue aside)

The keyboard and touchpad I think are pretty good. Still getting used to the positioning of the number keys though and the flat nature of the keyboard itself. The touchpad, after some minor adjustements in the setting screen works great. I really like the built in scroll feature which makes websurfing all the easier. I bought a Logitech wirelss optical notebook mouse for use with my video editing and stuff, but for basic operation the touchpad will do just fine.

The 4 USB ports are probably more than I'll ever need but their placement is great. Two over/under on the right side just in front of the screen hinge and single Firewire port and the two in the back are positioned the same way. The serial port in the back is probably something I'll never use, but it's nice to have in case I want to hook up a different monitor or something. Ethernet and modem ports are good to go and the only thing I've had a problem with is the AC port. I wish it was on one corner or the other and not right smack dab in the center of the back. But that's a personal thing and doesn't really affect the performance. The SD reader is something I haven't tried out yet but will come in handy on trips when my cameras memory card gets full and I have to dump it or for sharing my friends pictures as well. The media buttons on the front are a really novel idea. The placement is great and I like this better than having them at the back of the keyboard near the screen. Convenient doesn't even begin to describe them.

Let's see, what else can I tell you. I think I've covered everything. If anybody has any questions let me know. I probably missed something important for reviews and just don't know it yet

Thanks for reading this and thanks for all the tips and advice I got from these forums!

[Gravalic]

Nice review Stranger and nice system too. As one who is at about the same level of computer knowledge, I appreciate a nice simple review. I orderd a similar system last week and I am now like a kid at Christmas waiting for Santa to come with my great new gift!

I read all the reviews I can on the I6000d. Many of them on this site are very technical in nature...talking about overclocking and the like. Way over my head.

So thanks again for the review. Have a great time with your new laptop!!!

[dssxxxx]

I have found the Dell Media Experience to be very good for watching DVD's.

[Egon Pax]

Though you claim to have little computer knowledge, your review is informative and simple. Sometimes simple and straightforward is better than a review with a lot of jargon and technical information. I personally know a bit about computer stuff (great vocabulary - I know) but still found your review very readable. Good job. I'm thinking about picking up an i6000d soon for my mother so this review was helpful.

[Egon Pax]

Originally Posted by dssxxxx

I have found the Dell Media Experience to be very good for watching DVD's.

I think that the DME software is a great program for some people. My older brother (not computer knowledgable at all) recently bought an i9300 and uses DME all the time to watch DVDs. I think the simple interface helps him out a lot!

[DMB14]

Could you please run 3DMark03? I have the I6000 with Cele-M laptop and Intel graphics. I want to see how much of a difference the CPU makes for gaming.

[dididj]

how many fan ther's in dell 6000?

[ShadowSonic]

how do you adjust the brightness on this thing?

[boppo]

Originally Posted by ShadowSonic

how do you adjust the brightness on this thing?

you didn't read the manual. fn button plus up or down arrow

[dididj]

*boppo

i tried to turn off the two fan of dell 6000, but with i8kfun 2.2 i have success only for the left fan not fo the right fan(900rpm always), any suggestion?

[Picard]

Originally Posted by dididj

*boppo

i tried to turn off the two fan of dell 6000, but with i8kfun 2.2 i have success only for the left fan not fo the right fan(900rpm always), any suggestion?

Dude, the 6000 doesn't have any "fan 2". The 6000's GPU gets it's heat management from the one and only system fan on the left side. When controling your fan through fangui, always monitor your DIMM temp as turning the fan off for long periods may overheat the DIMM.

[dididj]

i assure that my dell 6000d have a second fan on the right that is always on but at very slow rpm

[ShadowSonic]

Originally Posted by boppo

you didn't read the manual. fn button plus up or down arrow

What Manual mine only came with some silly * network for dummies book * and some other white book explaning care for the laptop

[Picard]

Originally Posted by dididj

i assure that my dell 6000d have a second fan on the right that is always on but at very slow rpm

The 6000 Service Manual doesn't state any second fan. The 6000 does not have any second fan.

[dididj]

also my friend have a 6000d with 2 fan..
if i turn of the cpu/gpu fan with i8kfan i can heard (very well)another fan near the hd and pcmcia...if it is not a fan wath is it?