SYSTEM SPECS:
Windows Media Center
1.73 Pentium M
60 GIG
6800 Go
2200 Wireless
WXGA
512 MB of RAM
BUILD QUALITY:
I am VERY impressed with the build quality of this machine. Every other laptop I have ever used has been flimsy and not very sturdy. That isnt the case at all with this laptop. Very sturdy. Also I really like the finish and the appearance is really nice too. Looks very professional.
PROCESSOR:
Got the 1.73... didnt feel the upgrade was necessary and I intend to pin mod a 1.8 to a 2.4 sometime down the road. But this processor still handles whatever I throw at it. No problems.
KEYBOARD:
So the keyboard is full sized and has a nice very resposnive feel to it. The best laptop keyboard I have ever used. I use a HP that comes furnished in my classes on campus and the keyboards on those are nothing compared to this. The only thing missing is obviously the number pad which I am getting used to not having.
Touchpad:
Now touchpads are something I have never been a huge fan of. I'll compare this one to the HP I mentioned before. I like this one better, the overall feel to it is better. The only thing I would add to this is a button right above the touchpad to easily turn the touchpad on and off.
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
Well quite naturally being a 17 inch laptop the size of the laptop is going to be big compared to other laptops. However, the size to weight ratio is very good. It is no where near as heavy as it looks like it should be. Im not a big person by any means and have no trouble carrying this thing wherever I want to take it.
THE SCREEN:
I got the WXGA screen with the 1440x900 resolution. The size is perfect. The resolution is great, any smaller I think would be too small but this is just right. I very carefully checked for dead pixels and am happy to report there are ZERO. The only bad thing about the laptop is the dreaded light leakage that I think everyone gets with these laptops. It isnt horrible and is only very noticeable in dark rooms.
WIRELESS:
Well I got the lowest option wireless card. The 2200 B/G. Cant complain one bit about it. No drops, good speed, found my wireless network right when I figured up the computer.
VIDEO CARD:
Quite naturally with the 9300 I ordered the 6800go. I really do like this card. I know its not quite as good as the ultra or the new 7800 but it plays everything I throw at it perfect for my needs with only 512 MB of RAM. Benchmarks further down.
REFORMAT:
After calling dell and getting the OS cd's I did a format after I had the machine for 3 days I think. It runs much better after a format and fresh install of windows. This was my first time ever doing a reformat and fresh install of windows with the drivers. Happy to say I did it with no help and everything works perfect. Proud of myself LOL
So here are some benchmarks after a fresh install and reformat
3dmark05 (all with laptopvideo2go drivers 82.12)
- no OC - stock frequency (290/590) - 3408 3dmarks
- detect optimal frequency (360/731) - 4183 3dmarks
- manual OC 360/775 - 4259 3dmarks
... I'm still gonna mess with it a little more... i wanna try to get 4400-4500 without having to apply as5 or anything... whenever i test the memory at 780 it fails... but ive yet to mess with the core anymore
Windows Media Center
1.73 Pentium M
60 GIG
6800 Go
2200 Wireless
WXGA
512 MB of RAM
BUILD QUALITY:
I am VERY impressed with the build quality of this machine. Every other laptop I have ever used has been flimsy and not very sturdy. That isnt the case at all with this laptop. Very sturdy. Also I really like the finish and the appearance is really nice too. Looks very professional.
PROCESSOR:
Got the 1.73... didnt feel the upgrade was necessary and I intend to pin mod a 1.8 to a 2.4 sometime down the road. But this processor still handles whatever I throw at it. No problems.
KEYBOARD:
So the keyboard is full sized and has a nice very resposnive feel to it. The best laptop keyboard I have ever used. I use a HP that comes furnished in my classes on campus and the keyboards on those are nothing compared to this. The only thing missing is obviously the number pad which I am getting used to not having.
Touchpad:
Now touchpads are something I have never been a huge fan of. I'll compare this one to the HP I mentioned before. I like this one better, the overall feel to it is better. The only thing I would add to this is a button right above the touchpad to easily turn the touchpad on and off.
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
Well quite naturally being a 17 inch laptop the size of the laptop is going to be big compared to other laptops. However, the size to weight ratio is very good. It is no where near as heavy as it looks like it should be. Im not a big person by any means and have no trouble carrying this thing wherever I want to take it.
THE SCREEN:
I got the WXGA screen with the 1440x900 resolution. The size is perfect. The resolution is great, any smaller I think would be too small but this is just right. I very carefully checked for dead pixels and am happy to report there are ZERO. The only bad thing about the laptop is the dreaded light leakage that I think everyone gets with these laptops. It isnt horrible and is only very noticeable in dark rooms.
WIRELESS:
Well I got the lowest option wireless card. The 2200 B/G. Cant complain one bit about it. No drops, good speed, found my wireless network right when I figured up the computer.
VIDEO CARD:
Quite naturally with the 9300 I ordered the 6800go. I really do like this card. I know its not quite as good as the ultra or the new 7800 but it plays everything I throw at it perfect for my needs with only 512 MB of RAM. Benchmarks further down.
REFORMAT:
After calling dell and getting the OS cd's I did a format after I had the machine for 3 days I think. It runs much better after a format and fresh install of windows. This was my first time ever doing a reformat and fresh install of windows with the drivers. Happy to say I did it with no help and everything works perfect. Proud of myself LOL
So here are some benchmarks after a fresh install and reformat
3dmark05 (all with laptopvideo2go drivers 82.12)
- no OC - stock frequency (290/590) - 3408 3dmarks
- detect optimal frequency (360/731) - 4183 3dmarks
- manual OC 360/775 - 4259 3dmarks
... I'm still gonna mess with it a little more... i wanna try to get 4400-4500 without having to apply as5 or anything... whenever i test the memory at 780 it fails... but ive yet to mess with the core anymore
