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Please help me buy or not to buy this laptop!!!

post #1 of 16
1/5/04 at 11:30pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, I am ready to get my Dell 8600. I am thinking of getting the 1.7 P-M, 512, 128 video, DVD-R, etc. However, here is where I am getting messed up. Should I get the WUXGA or the WSXGA+ screen? Please tell me the difference with this screens. Will I ready notice anything? I am ready to order this tonight, but I need to find out what to get. Thanks guys!!!

PS-What do you think of my setup?
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post #2 of 16
1/5/04 at 11:35pm
Hey Yarzy:
I'll tell you what... I almost ordered a Dell 8600 5 times during the last two or three weeks, but the WUXGA is way too tiny and the WSXGA+ is using a substandard LCD (Hitachi brand, when they were using a Samsung) currently that everyone is complaining about. It's just not as good as the Samsung and doesn't meet the specs that Dell posts on their website. Consequently, I'm sitting on the fence till this thing resolves itself. There are supposed to be some Samsung LCD's available by the end of the month so I'm waiting to see if they really become available.

For now, the Dell 8600 just doesn't look like a good option to me.
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post #3 of 16
1/5/04 at 11:45pm
Thread Starter 
So if I get the WUXGA screen, I will get the Samsung? If worst comes to worst, I could rise the resolution, right?
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post #4 of 16
1/6/04 at 12:01am
Yarzy:
Here is what I have read. If you order the WUXGA screen (1920 X 1320?), and change the resolution to something you can see (say 1680 X 1200?), then you will end up with a black border around the outside of the screen. Not good! Of course, you can move the fonts up, but this may make them less clear. The WUXGA screen is Samsung and excellent quality, but can most don't like the tiny fonts.

If you go with the WSXGA+ right now, you will almost assuredly get a Hitachi LCD even if the salesman tells you he will guarantee you will get a Samsung. They've been known to lie. The Hitachi is substandard according to specs and lots and lots of people are sending their Dells back just because of this. Visit the Dell forum and read all about it under Inspiron / Video.
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post #5 of 16
1/6/04 at 12:11am
Thread Starter 
Is there any ETA on when the Samsungs will come back?
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post #6 of 16
1/6/04 at 12:22am
Thread Starter 
So wait, can't I just set it at 1024x768 with the good screen?
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post #7 of 16
1/6/04 at 12:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by yarzy
So wait, can't I just set it at 1024x768 with the good screen?
LCD'S are different unfortunately and they don't scale 'down' well. The WUXGA is undoubtedly beautiful - but from what I've heard - a fair number of folks that have chosen that resolution have regretted it as it makes text pretty small.

I'd say the SXGA+ screen would be the one to go for - but I'd wait until Dell comes clean with new LCD's that match what they're advertising.
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post #8 of 16
1/6/04 at 2:04am
Hi,

I got my I8600 a few days ago. It is a 1.7 GHz, etc. The screen is WUXGA. I can tell you that I like it very much!! I use it at the highest resolution, but if you want bigger characters you can either increase the font size of increase the dpi to 120. I tried both and they work ok. Again the screen is ok and I can say that after seeing a Sony xbrite 16.1" UXGA (which was very, very nice)!
Now for the problems:
a) customer support is not great but it is still ok;
b) I got bad sound/sound card/speakers or all of them so I have to send it back to be fixed! This is sad because this is a brand new computer...
c) It has ONLY 2 USB ports! I wish it had more...
d) I was able to connect the mouse ok to both USB ports BUT, when tried to connect an external hard drive (which works ok on other xp systems), it had problems. I hope they will fix this USB problem also.

If they fix both problems I have, I will keep it else I will send it back. I am a little bit on the edge because I already sent back a Sony so if I had to send this one back also, what do I get?!?

Ghe8895
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post #9 of 16
1/6/04 at 11:51am
Thread Starter 
When did you order this? I feel like I should order the best screen (WUXGA), but I am wondering if this will be too small? I think I am confused. If you have a better screen (UXGA), should you be able to see everything fine, kinda like 1024x768 but just a much crisper? Maybe I don't even want the UXGA?????
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post #10 of 16
1/6/04 at 3:14pm
I received my 8600 in mid November and was one of the fortunate few who got a Samsung WSXGA+ screen and it is beautiful ...From what I see on the dell forum most people are receiving the Hitachi screen at this time and are complaining
about the screen quality, also dell is disabling some features on the screen at the factory so that you will not notice the the difference in the two..
{cute huh!!!!}this is truely sad since the 8600 in a wonderful laptop and I have had no problem whatsoever ,If you don't mind spending an extra 150 bucks then get the WUXGA screen and you will get the Samsung other wise if you roll the dice and get the WSXGA+ you will more than likely get the Hitachi so its up to you.....
SPECS 8600 1.7
128NVIDIA 5650FX GO
WSXGA+ {Samsung}
768MB 333DDR
60GIG HD
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post #11 of 16
1/6/04 at 4:29pm
Thread Starter 
Well, I went ahead and got the 8600.

Here is what I got:

1.7 P-M, WUXGA Screen
512 RAM
128 ATI 9600 Pro
DVD+R burner
60 gig 7200rpm
a/b/g mini PCI
bluetooth

What do you think?
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post #12 of 16
1/6/04 at 4:57pm
Thread Starter 
Oh, does anyone know if the 8600 comes with a subwoofer? I am reading different things about it.
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post #13 of 16
1/6/04 at 6:23pm
No on the subwoofer, but as far as your specs you will be all right since the WUXGA screen is only made for dell from Samsung as far as other specs I have the same system but with the 5650 NVIDIA chip and the 9600 is showing about a 20% increase in performance over the 5650 so you will be fine.... she is a great system and you should have no problems at all ....
SPECS 86001.7
128NVIDIA 5650FX GO
768MB 333DDR
15.4 WSXGA+{Samsung}
60 GIG HD
4X DVD+RW
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post #14 of 16
1/6/04 at 6:40pm
Sounds sweet - hope you enjoy it.
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post #15 of 16
1/6/04 at 10:00pm
Thread Starter 
So do it!

I just need a bagpack that can fit it. Any ideas?
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post #16 of 16
1/9/04 at 9:26pm

About WUXGA

Dell also uses (or used) Sharp WUXGA screens on the 8600, I know because I had one. Mine had uneven brightness levels on it which I felt were unacceptable for an expensive laptop. The right side was noticably dimmer than the middle and left side. But this was a Sharp made screen. Hopefully Samsung is better, I have two of their desktop displays (191T and 213T) and they are fantastic.
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