Dell Inspiron 8600 by Cyke

I got my Dell Inspiron today and here's my short take on this laptop:

Specs:
Ordered via Small Business (10% coupon; $169 mail-in rebate; free double memory; free 4X DVD+RW; free printer)
Inspiron 8600,Pentium M, 1.7GHz,15.4 in WUXGA
512MB,DDR,333MHz,2 Dimms, Inspiron 8600
128MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9600PRO Turbo Video Card, Inspiron 8600
J740 Inkjet Printer Driver
60GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive for Inspiron 8600 (7200 rpm)
90 Watt Power Adaptor,Inspiron8600
Microsoft Windows XP Professional,Inspiron
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem, Inspiron 8500
4X DVD+RW,INSP8600
Dell TrueMobile 1300 WLAN (802.11b/g) miniPCI Card
72Watt Primary Battery Inspiron 8500
Advanced Port Replicator for Inspiron 8500
Dell,True Mobile 300,Internal Personal Wireless Card, Inspiron
48Watt Additional Battery for Inspiron 8500

Turn-time: 4 business days (ordered 1/16 - Fri; arrived 1/21 - Wed) - Awesome!!! And that's with std 3-5 days delivery.

Monitor:
No complaints. I ran monitor calibration tool from monitorsdirect.com and no dead pixel. I'm very satisfied with the quality of the screen. I have a loaded zt3000 and they're the same quality.

Keyboard:
A little more clickety than zt3000 & my Thinkpad but it's OK with me. Keyboard flexing is hardly noticeable... I'm satisfied with the keyboard.

Pointing tools:
I love the trackpointer since I'm used to Thinkpads (I'm using now an old T20 at work, I've used 600E & 600X before). My zt3000 is just 2 months old and I'm still getting used to the touchpad. I hate the two blue buttons above the touchpad... too soft/mushy. This has been cited as a problem by others. I wonder why Dell made it like that... useless. The touchpad on my zt3000 is better than the rougher touchpad of 8600. I like the scrolling function on the zt3000 which the Dell did not have. Anyway, I'm using the trackpointer and the two buttons at the bottom.

Build Quality:
I'm not disappointed at all on the build quality. I think it's very good. It's thicker than my old T20 and zt3000 but not by much. Weight is same as zt3000 both at 7.5 lbs. with battery. I don't like the thick rubber pads at the bottom of the unit... too thick. But overall, I'm very happy with it.

Conclusion:
Well, it exceeded my initial expectations. I'm going to run some benchmarks & test out the gaming part & battery life next. I will add more to this thread as soon as I have more updates. I do have photos but don't know where to put them on the web.

>> Still a very happy camper as of 1/22. A keeper at this point.

=====================
More Review:

> The laptop is very silent. I have not heard the fans turn on yet. The only thing I can hear is the hard drive when searching for files. The fan on my zt3000 turns on every now and then and noise is noticeable.
> Battery life is exceptional... I can go on doing basic stuff for > 4 hrs.
> I like the port replicator. Connected now to my 19" LCD monitor and wireless input devices with no glitches. This is one reason I went for Dell. The Sagers does not have their own port replicators (other brand).
> Ran Aquamark and I got 13960 score (with maxed settings)... with default drivers (not yet updated).
> Just installed the 2-512MB Kingmax sticks with ease. However, I'm getting DIMM temps of 60C right now. The previous 2-256MG Infineon sticks were at 57C.
> Tried Gold support this morning. Answer is within 30 secs. The person was very knowledgeable and prompt in answering. I was basically informing them that I am upgrading my rams and checking if it will void the warranty. They told me it won't (of course).
> Also, I found out by checking on the premier support site that my display is a TOSHIBA! Is this the first? 4X DVD+RW is Hitachi LG.
> I have yet to try some games. More to come.

Link to Photos:

I just used the built-in digicam (1.55 MP and compressed) in my camcorder so photos may be grainy (from my 3 yr old Sony TRV30). Gotta have one of those 5 MP digicams.

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrow...elected=745845

Please let me know if above link works.

Bye for now - 1/22

More review as of 2/1:
3D Benchmark Scores with default settings & OEM ATI drivers:
AquaMark3 = 21618 (GFX = 2502, CPU = 7955)
3DMark 2001 SE = 9727
3DMark 03 = 2771

No I did not notice. On closer look, yes there is a little bit but not a problem.

Thanks for the tip. I'll tinker with that tonight.

Posted some more updates on my original post.

>> Dell's service review update as of 1/23:

> So I'm trying to test their so called Gold Tech Service. I told them I had some screen problems... noticeable white illumination at the bottom of the ssreen when in black background. After waiting on the line for 5 mins, here's what they're going to do:
- they are giving me the benefit of the doubt since they can't see the actual monitor and already went ahead and shipped a new WUXGA monitor with the inverter; it will arrive at the technician's place on Monday
- a technician will go to my house on Monday and install it for me; unfortunately, I'm on a business trip; so they're going to schedule me for Tuesday

Now that's getting what you pay for. I'll posts the review on the actual techician visit next.

I scheduled the tech service tomorrow since we were playing phone tag yesterday... I was out of town. The part # for the replacement LCD screen starts with H. The part # for the current screen is 8T749. So my best guess is that it's Hitachi. I'll have him check if it's normal. I also see a little bit in my zt3000 but not as pronounced on the 8600.

Well jswriter... the technician was here at my house and installed a new Samsung LCD screen. Definitely much better!!! No more white illumination on the bottom and on the sides. It took him 2 mins to disassemble and put it back together. Pop-out the cover above the keyboard, remove the connectors, and unscrew the lcd screen support from the bottom of the case. It was that easy. So far I'm very happy with the at-home service warranty I bought together with this system. I'm getting excellent support so far... must be the $$$ I paid to get that. Well, it justifies the expense.

This is a KEEPER!!! We'll see what 8790 has when it comes out.

Added 3d benchmark scores on my original post.