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The best way to configure an 8600?

post #1 of 16
2/4/04 at 6:25pm
Thread Starter 
Should I get the SXGA+? This is the screen I want, but I'd like to get one of the good ones?
How much Ram should I get from DELL? I'd like to have 1gig. What's the best setup on their site as far as adding my own RAM? 1 256 stick, pull it and add 2 512's? Seems like a waste? Just go w/ 512? how does it run w/ 512?

1.6 vs. 1.7 worth the extra hundred bucks?
I'm Going w/ the 60 gig 7200rpm hard drive.
Also going w/ ATI 9600 128.
How's the DVD Burner? Worth the money?

How about the AC Adapter? There are 2 diff one's. 65 and 90?
Also, is it worth getting the second battery? what's the avg batt. life for one or two?

How does the 1300 G card work? Any specifics? Intel/atheros, etc??

Warranty? WHat's the best way to go? Say i get one of the bad lcd's(Sharp, Hitachi) Why do they even still use these??

Does the standard warranty cover a swapout for the Samsung or Sharp?

WHat's been the typical recent turnaround time from order to recieving? Ship date says 02/12/04.. SHould it come b4 then?
Anything else?
Thanks!
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post #2 of 16
2/4/04 at 10:02pm
I have the WSXGA+(Samsung) and it is great,From what I see on the posts dell is now shipping the samsung or sharp Lcds,So stay with either WSXGA or WUXGA. are you a big gamer?if so go for the 1.7 if not then 1.6 is fine because with the 9600 you can handle anything....my 4xDVDR+RW is great I have yet to burn a bad DVD OR CD,RAM depends on what you do, generally 512 should be the minimum in any system today and Dell usually has the setup at 512 but if not then just get the 256 and buy off line or at your local computer store or circuit city you can get a stick of 512 for around $100 and it works great, if you do video editing then go for about a GIG of RAM.Battery life is a little over 4 hours,Warranty wise you can go either at home service or mail in service packages are usually 3yr plans ,your sytem comes standard with a one year warranty and it is wise to buy more because most problems are going to happen about one year after purchase so its a good investment to make,you can also purchase the complete coverage package which will replace your system should you drop it ,spill coffee,soda or any beverage in your laptop, some one knocks your system off the table and on and on , there are limitations so check out dells warranty packages,Remember you have 30 days to return your laptop for any reason so if you get the wrong LCD or any thing on the laptop you dont like call dell and return it chances are they will work with you to keep the sale and will try to fix any problem you might have ......as far as the 1300 wireless ,I had the 2100 b wireless in my 8600 and upgraded to the 1300b/g and saw a Big improvement in performance , i have excellent signal anywhere in the house upstairs or down even outside or the basement I still maintain excellent signal and I still have the Netgear b router. web pages load superfast no lag at all I love it and set up is a breeze,Adapter wise I have the 90 Watt and battery recharge is about an hour but I don't think there is much of a difference .. Don't pay attention to the expected shipping date they are always wrong you will get your sytem a lot sooner than they say I got mine in about 8 days from order to delivery so don't worry,and you can track the progress of your Laptop on line from build to testing to boxing to shipment......
Specs 8600 1.7
128Nvidia 5650FxGo
768MB 333DDR
60Gig Hd
15.4 WSXGA+(Samsung)
4XDVDR+RW
1300 Wireless B/G
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post #3 of 16
2/4/04 at 10:29pm
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post #4 of 16
2/4/04 at 11:22pm
Thread Starter 
Ram is my biggest question...
i would ultimately like to have 1 gig..
What's the best way to go about that? i guess i could deal w/ 768.. get the 1/ 256 stick from dell and get a 512 on my own? whaddya think?
thanks much!!
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post #5 of 16
2/4/04 at 11:35pm
yeah if money is an issue 768 is good anything above is really just a want not a need
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post #6 of 16
2/4/04 at 11:39pm
Thread Starter 
where is the best place for the ram upgrade? Which 512 stick and where? don't want to have compatibilty issues..
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post #7 of 16
2/5/04 at 12:22am
IT takes PC2700 333DDR You can buy online at www.crucial.com.
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post #8 of 16
2/5/04 at 12:24am
The best way to configure it, go to the PCTorque web site, select the SAGER of you choice and buy that.
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post #9 of 16
2/5/04 at 1:16am
Thread Starter 
Haha... i currently have an ABS Mayhem G1, but the short battery life is a killer. 60 minutes just don't cut it.. so i'm gona try the dell..
the crucial memory is expensive, 125 for 256mg stick.. any other places?
What RAM is compatible? Dell Machina? Kingston?

How's THIS:
http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage....155-109-01.JPG

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...=BROWSE&depa=3

HELP!! Give me links or specs?
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post #10 of 16
2/5/04 at 1:47am
Thread Starter 
Oh Heck I just ordered the 8600! haha...
We'll see what happens!!
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post #11 of 16
2/5/04 at 2:02am
Give us the specs. Congrats.
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post #12 of 16
2/5/04 at 2:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kindser
Haha... i currently have an ABS Mayhem G1, but the short battery life is a killer. 60 minutes just don't cut it.. so i'm gona try the dell..
the crucial memory is expensive, 125 for 256mg stick.. any other places?
What RAM is compatible? Dell Machina? Kingston?

How's THIS:
http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage....155-109-01.JPG

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...=BROWSE&depa=3

HELP!! Give me links or specs?
I bought the 512 stick from newegg.com (the kingmax one) and its so far been doing great!
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post #13 of 16
2/5/04 at 2:35am

ordered my 8600

Ordered Yesterday....Look forward to getting it, moving into laptops from desktops....
Old Config... P4 2.26, Ti4600 128MB, 512DDR, 60GB.

Ran absolutley fine as a gaming machine....Can't wait to see how this goes.

PM 1.6, ATI 9600 128MB, 512MB DDR, 60GB 7200.
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post #14 of 16
2/5/04 at 2:39am
...ohh forgot, got the wsxga+ (hopefully samsung)....
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post #15 of 16
2/5/04 at 3:14am
Thread Starter 
Yeah I'm Pysched!
PM 1.7 WXSGA+(hpflly smsg too), 512, ATI 9600 128, 60gb7200, 1300 802.11B/G , XP PRO...
Should be interesting comparing the ABS G1 and the i8600.. Thinking if all goes well i'll be sending back the ABS G1..
Thanks for all the help guys! And keep your fingers crossed for dEll aMia and me on that Samsung LCD!
I'll keep ya posted!
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post #16 of 16
2/5/04 at 3:13pm
2 sticks of Kingmax for me too. Great so far.
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