Yep.....
I have had my refurbished 8600 for just over a week now and I thought I would jot down a few observations by breaking it down into different areas with grades and an overall grade at the end.
Delivery = A+
Delievered as scheduled with no delays.
Look & Feel = B+
Although I was expecting worse, my first impressions were that the 8600 is pretty solid with a little creeking here and there, but nothing serious. Overall I would say that the build quality is good.
Input Devices and keyboard = B-
The keyboard feels just a little cheap and flexes a little, but nothing that will bother me too much. Not a big fan of the stick device, never used one, won't use this one, so I won't comment on it. Now the touchpad, and the buttons on that could be a little better. The worst problem is the right mouse button which is not as responsive as I would like, but it gets the job done (after I have to push it twice sometimes). The touchpad could be more sensitive, thats for sure... another double click issue here too, sometimes I have to tap the pad twice to get it to do anything... can be annoying.
WXGA Screen = A
No dead pixels and it has excellent resolution, nice and bright and good colors. No problems here.
Graphics = A
I don't care what anyone says, the 5200 gets the job done. So what that it does not blow the doors off the gaming world. It does what it needs to do, and thats good enough. I have not thrown any heavy duty games at it, but if it has problems, just lower the settings... problem fixed
Actual Work = A
It works well with all the apps I have used so far. Nothing more to say really.
Battery life = A
What can I say? The Centrino does it and does it well. No complaints here.
Noise Factor = A
Q U I E T... VERY quiet. Sometimes I forget it is even on. Even when the fan kicks in it isn't that loud.
Software = C
If I could get a machine without any software, I would. I really wish consumers had the option to do this instead of being forced to take it. Most of this stuff I will never use, except for some of the MS stuff (Picture It etc.) I reformatted and reinstalled all my own stuff anyway.
WiFi = A+
Excellent reception and no dropped signals. The 1300 is working better than I expected.
Customer Care = C
I think everyone has heard enough about this and knows the deal. No need to repeat it.
Overall = A-
I have to admit, I was a little nervous buying this machine, being a refurb and all. But it has been much better than I thought. Speedy, nice screen, decent graphics, good sound and stable. For the price I payed, I would say it was a good deal.
I have had my refurbished 8600 for just over a week now and I thought I would jot down a few observations by breaking it down into different areas with grades and an overall grade at the end.
Delivery = A+
Delievered as scheduled with no delays.
Look & Feel = B+
Although I was expecting worse, my first impressions were that the 8600 is pretty solid with a little creeking here and there, but nothing serious. Overall I would say that the build quality is good.
Input Devices and keyboard = B-
The keyboard feels just a little cheap and flexes a little, but nothing that will bother me too much. Not a big fan of the stick device, never used one, won't use this one, so I won't comment on it. Now the touchpad, and the buttons on that could be a little better. The worst problem is the right mouse button which is not as responsive as I would like, but it gets the job done (after I have to push it twice sometimes). The touchpad could be more sensitive, thats for sure... another double click issue here too, sometimes I have to tap the pad twice to get it to do anything... can be annoying.
WXGA Screen = A
No dead pixels and it has excellent resolution, nice and bright and good colors. No problems here.
Graphics = A
I don't care what anyone says, the 5200 gets the job done. So what that it does not blow the doors off the gaming world. It does what it needs to do, and thats good enough. I have not thrown any heavy duty games at it, but if it has problems, just lower the settings... problem fixed
Actual Work = A
It works well with all the apps I have used so far. Nothing more to say really.
Battery life = A
What can I say? The Centrino does it and does it well. No complaints here.
Noise Factor = A
Q U I E T... VERY quiet. Sometimes I forget it is even on. Even when the fan kicks in it isn't that loud.
Software = C
If I could get a machine without any software, I would. I really wish consumers had the option to do this instead of being forced to take it. Most of this stuff I will never use, except for some of the MS stuff (Picture It etc.) I reformatted and reinstalled all my own stuff anyway.
WiFi = A+
Excellent reception and no dropped signals. The 1300 is working better than I expected.
Customer Care = C
I think everyone has heard enough about this and knows the deal. No need to repeat it.
Overall = A-
I have to admit, I was a little nervous buying this machine, being a refurb and all. But it has been much better than I thought. Speedy, nice screen, decent graphics, good sound and stable. For the price I payed, I would say it was a good deal.
