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Took the plunge on Dell Inspiron 8600

post #1 of 7
12/9/03 at 8:35am
Thread Starter 
Here's what I ordered:

Dell Inspiron 8600
15.4 IN WUXGA,PM,1.7GHZ
128MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600 PRO
512MB,DDR,333MHZ,2 DIMMS
60GB ULTRA ATA HARD DRIVE (7200 RPM)
SPECIAL OFFER - $150 OFF
72WATT PRIMARY BATTERY I8500
TRUEMOBILE 1300 802.11B/G MPCI CRD
24X COMBO - DVD/CD-RW,8600
INTEGRATED NIC AND MODEM
WINXP HOME
90 WATT POWER ADAPTER

The price, with free shipping, topped out at $2294...about the same as a fully-decked out Sager 5680 or 4780. The ATI 9600 chip, along with Dell's 30-day return period + NO restocking fee, made it easier to take a chance. Plus, I can always cancel it if something more appealing pops up during the holiday sales season. It should arrive between 12/26 - 12/30 and I'll post a review once I get it.
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post #2 of 7
12/9/03 at 12:29pm
Sorry to spread the bad news but the 8500's horrible horrible keyboard wasn't replaced in the 8600 series so that will definately be a downfall...you can read all about that in the Dell forums...
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post #3 of 7
12/9/03 at 12:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Element
Sorry to spread the bad news but the 8500's horrible horrible keyboard wasn't replaced in the 8600 series so that will definately be a downfall...you can read all about that in the Dell forums...
Are you talking about the keyboard flex issue? I thought it had been resolved. Or is there something else?
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post #4 of 7
12/9/03 at 12:52pm
Well kind of the flex but not really..all the stories in the forums discuss the keyboards getting worn and even keys breaking extremely quickly...did you go to a Dell kiosk or have any actual touch and feel with the 8600? Cause the one I saw in a mall had the same exact keyboard issues..
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post #5 of 7
12/9/03 at 12:58pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Element
Well kind of the flex but not really..all the stories in the forums discuss the keyboards getting worn and even keys breaking extremely quickly...did you go to a Dell kiosk or have any actual touch and feel with the 8600? Cause the one I saw in a mall had the same exact keyboard issues..
As far as I know, there aren't Dell kiosks in my area. I wonder if anyone on these boards has had that problem.
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post #6 of 7
12/9/03 at 2:21pm
I've heard about the keyboard problem also. However, given the 30 day free trial period, I am inclined to try the 8600 to see if I like it (no kiosks near me in California according to Dell). The 5680 is my other choice. However, while I know that it is faster, it is also heavier with very short battery life. I am also very concerned about getting dead pixels. I am part of the school that refuses to live with a dead pixel. While Dell may come with one, I can return it. If the keyboard sucks, I can return it. If I wind up with he Hitachi WSXGA+ 15.4", I'll return it.

Every laptop has their issues. The ability to return something I can't even look at (e.g., Sager, Dell) means a lot to me. Anyway, we'll see.
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post #7 of 7
12/9/03 at 2:31pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimatvs
I've heard about the keyboard problem also. However, given the 30 day free trial period, I am inclined to try the 8600 to see if I like it (no kiosks near me in California according to Dell). The 5680 is my other choice. However, while I know that it is faster, it is also heavier with very short battery life. I am also very concerned about getting dead pixels. I am part of the school that refuses to live with a dead pixel. While Dell may come with one, I can return it. If the keyboard sucks, I can return it. If I wind up with he Hitachi WSXGA+ 15.4", I'll return it.

Every laptop has their issues. The ability to return something I can't even look at (e.g., Sager, Dell) means a lot to me. Anyway, we'll see.
I'm with you on the dead pixel issue. For several thousand dollars, the very least we can demand is a clean screen. My last Dell was a 5000. It developed a blue dot square in the center after a few days. Dell sent a tech to my home to replace the LCD a total of four times over a six-week period before I finally got a good screen.

I asked some M60 owners about the keyboard and have recived nothing but good feedback. The only way to know for certain is to try it once you get it. If the 8600 fails to please me, I'll probably give my notebook search a rest until January/February when several new notebooks are to be released.
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