This(Dell 9400/E1705) laptop is a great computer for 'most' power users.
Pro's
Processor.
Firstly the dual core processor is very fast, in my case which can be upgraded to a Core 2 Duo. I currently get around 27 seconds for 1M super pi which is darn quick. You can upgrade to a 2.33 C2D CPU if you have the extra $$$ for around $1000AU. This would the give you possibly the fastest laptop currently on the market.
Video Card.
There is only one work to describe Nvidia's 7900 series - and that is...............wow. This card is designed for gamers, and it really shows 3D mark scores (3d mark05) of around 5500 at std clock settings. But this card is really at it's best when O/Ced. This process takes u up to another level. The highest score I have achieved so far is 3D Mark 05 of 9199. This will play all the current games at either high or at extreme settings. The best bit is that the chassis can be modified to support the monster 512meg 7900 GTX.
Con's
The biggest issue that most users and myself included is light leakage. In my case it is rather minor some users however have had major issues on this. But for me and this laptop the screen is a beauty, while I have some minor light leakage it is a very minor issue.
Design would have to be the second issue, lets face it when it comes to looks this laptop missed out!!!! - To me this can be fixed but I wanted a performance laptop not at beauty contest.
What I really love about this laptop is the ability for the user with some simple skills to modify it as time permits. A bit like a desktop, it's easy to add extra ram, I'm now running 2x1gig 667 DDR2 ram. The ability to swap out CPU's and upgrade to the latest C2D if needed for future proofing. Also the ease at swapping out video cards, when I purchased mune I had the 256 meg geforce 7800 go - now this card is still pretty fast, but I easily upgraded this to the 7900 go. It's this ability to add extra features that really causes me to think this is one of the very best bang for buck laptops on the market.
The bottom line is thus..........................Can you name many performance 17inch laptops which can score over 9000 in the 3D mark05 test, for under $3000AU.................I think not!!!
And that is the bottom line, for the price paid you are getting the latest and fastest components out there, with the ability to upgrade components as you can afford them. Not a bad package is it!!!
edit - updated 3D score, now running a core of 550 and memory of 700 (1400), gives 3D Mark 05 score of 8300 Tested with ATI tools for 30 min no scan issues and heat of around 75 deg C - have oc'ed up to 610/850 for a 9199 3D mark 05 score
edit 2 - Well now it's 2009 and 2.5 years has passed since I brought this laptop - I still believe this unit was one of the best decisions as far as computing was concerned. This unit still performs, still has the original T2600 and was never upgraded. The reason is simple........................why????? This motherboard will not support more than 4 gig of ram and by default has a limited future as 64 bit computing rolls out. But for normal 32 bit OS its still a performer, will play most games and now with the 7950GTX card will do this with little complaint.
The key to the longevity for this unit while others have had failures with the graphic cards was to ensure IK8fanGUI was running all the time keeping the card and other critical components cool. I still have the origional 7900 go graphis card and this ran OC'ed at 550/700 for quite some time but the key was ensuring temps did not exceed 60 deg. Now understand this laptop was used every workday as my work unit - yes on for at least 50 hours per week and was gamed on in BF2142, FEAR, Command and Conquer. In all this time I have not had any failure on the graphics card so really the key is - keep it cool.
Overall - I still rate the Dell 9400 has a good option, now affordable still a reasonable performer and still UGLY!!!!
Pro's
Processor.
Firstly the dual core processor is very fast, in my case which can be upgraded to a Core 2 Duo. I currently get around 27 seconds for 1M super pi which is darn quick. You can upgrade to a 2.33 C2D CPU if you have the extra $$$ for around $1000AU. This would the give you possibly the fastest laptop currently on the market.
Video Card.
There is only one work to describe Nvidia's 7900 series - and that is...............wow. This card is designed for gamers, and it really shows 3D mark scores (3d mark05) of around 5500 at std clock settings. But this card is really at it's best when O/Ced. This process takes u up to another level. The highest score I have achieved so far is 3D Mark 05 of 9199. This will play all the current games at either high or at extreme settings. The best bit is that the chassis can be modified to support the monster 512meg 7900 GTX.
Con's
The biggest issue that most users and myself included is light leakage. In my case it is rather minor some users however have had major issues on this. But for me and this laptop the screen is a beauty, while I have some minor light leakage it is a very minor issue.
Design would have to be the second issue, lets face it when it comes to looks this laptop missed out!!!! - To me this can be fixed but I wanted a performance laptop not at beauty contest.
What I really love about this laptop is the ability for the user with some simple skills to modify it as time permits. A bit like a desktop, it's easy to add extra ram, I'm now running 2x1gig 667 DDR2 ram. The ability to swap out CPU's and upgrade to the latest C2D if needed for future proofing. Also the ease at swapping out video cards, when I purchased mune I had the 256 meg geforce 7800 go - now this card is still pretty fast, but I easily upgraded this to the 7900 go. It's this ability to add extra features that really causes me to think this is one of the very best bang for buck laptops on the market.
The bottom line is thus..........................Can you name many performance 17inch laptops which can score over 9000 in the 3D mark05 test, for under $3000AU.................I think not!!!
And that is the bottom line, for the price paid you are getting the latest and fastest components out there, with the ability to upgrade components as you can afford them. Not a bad package is it!!!
edit - updated 3D score, now running a core of 550 and memory of 700 (1400), gives 3D Mark 05 score of 8300 Tested with ATI tools for 30 min no scan issues and heat of around 75 deg C - have oc'ed up to 610/850 for a 9199 3D mark 05 score
edit 2 - Well now it's 2009 and 2.5 years has passed since I brought this laptop - I still believe this unit was one of the best decisions as far as computing was concerned. This unit still performs, still has the original T2600 and was never upgraded. The reason is simple........................why????? This motherboard will not support more than 4 gig of ram and by default has a limited future as 64 bit computing rolls out. But for normal 32 bit OS its still a performer, will play most games and now with the 7950GTX card will do this with little complaint.
The key to the longevity for this unit while others have had failures with the graphic cards was to ensure IK8fanGUI was running all the time keeping the card and other critical components cool. I still have the origional 7900 go graphis card and this ran OC'ed at 550/700 for quite some time but the key was ensuring temps did not exceed 60 deg. Now understand this laptop was used every workday as my work unit - yes on for at least 50 hours per week and was gamed on in BF2142, FEAR, Command and Conquer. In all this time I have not had any failure on the graphics card so really the key is - keep it cool.
Overall - I still rate the Dell 9400 has a good option, now affordable still a reasonable performer and still UGLY!!!!
