New owner of Inspiron 630m

edit: I am aware this is in the completely wrong category. It was moved here from Dell General by a moderator for no evident reason.

New user, first post...hello all!

After doing some thinking I decided I needed a laptop for college next year. I was aiming for 'functional', nothing special (for example, Pentium 3-900 range), but then found the (in my opinion) deal of the century on eBay.

Inspiron 630m
Pentium M 1.73GHz
Chipset and video: Intel 915 or something in that series
512mb RAM
80GB Hitachi HDD
DVD-R/RW drive
4x USB 2.0
1x Firewire
Wifi, card reader, wired LAN and dial up modem...no bluetooth but connector to install it is present.

Came with larger battery and original Dell charger. Tested and I get 5 hours of use under varying levels of load.

Price? 275 USD plus 60 USD shipping to Canada.
I found the auction 15 mins to the end and there was only one bid, so I bid 280 and got it!

Unit has XP Home on it and I've now loaded it down with all my software and music, couldn't be happier. The only issue I had was a screen hinge I feared was broken but removing the cover revealed the screws were just loose by about 2 turns each. It is, as far as I can tell, in NEW, as-sold condition, save for a scratch on the lid.

Now, being that I had less than 15 mins to do initial research, what are some concerns about this model I should keep in mind? I am already aware of the bad fan vent placement...anything else?

Also I was wondering if someone can explain what the alternate function of the F10 key is (ie you press Fn to access this, what is it?)...I believe the keyboard was a new replacement prior to me receiving it so it might not even be a feature that exists on this model, it looks kind of like the ThinkPad keyboard illumination emblem or a CD ejecting from a drive, not sure.

Also, has anyone experienced issues with the built-in fan controller? I want to know if I should use a 3rd party program to control them/it or if the BIOS will take care of it on its own.

Thanks!
Kevin

WHY was this moved here...it is now in the TOTALLY WRONG section. Grr. It belonged in Dell General because it is targeted at anyone who has ever owned this model or any model with a P-M because of the heating architecture.

gerryjoson, I took my keyboard out to do some checking and indeed it is from a different model entirely. The mount points do not match up but it still stays securely in place and works GREAT so I am not concerned. The important buttons like Stand By, Wifi, external monitor and brightness work, and that's all I need.

As for graphics, I don't need this for gaming...I need it for running Word, Visio, PowerPoint and occasionally Excel, as well as chatting on a Messenger program. Maybe the occasional DVD in Nero ShowTime, but nothing too demanding. So far it has proven to far exceed my actual needs.

I intend to move up to 1GB of RAM. My current configuration is 2x 256MB PC2-4300. I would be replacing one 256 module with a 1GB, meaning I would still have over 1GB total available RAM after the graphics memory was subtracted.

I mentioned the fan controller because I read and found the Pentium M maxes at 95 degrees celcius! The factory fan comes on around 45 it seems, but because of the bad vent placement I just wanted to double check it was not a concern.

I am very happy with my little laptop...and looking through other discount ways of getting the same and not-as-good models, I see I did get a fantastic deal.

Installed Dell QuickSet and found the Fn+F10 key does do something...optical drive eject. However, this keyboard is still from a different model...but oh well, it types great and looks great. Nice firm clicky feel to it.

I'm glad to have reassurance I got a good deal

My comment about the fan placement is that either the inlet or outlet (not sure which, feels like outlet) is on the bottom...this is my first RECENT laptop (last one was a 386SX, not as a serious computer but more as an educational toy), but I find the idea of a "laptop" computer having a vent where your knee would obstruct it very odd.

I gave it a run with it on my lap, vent blocked, and still the highest I hit was about 48 so I guess it isn't an issue (mind you, I am not gaming with it, so perhaps it could become an issue if I did).

News on battery life:

It lasted from 4PM until 9:15PM, with CPU moving between 800mhz and full 1.7ghz speed.

Tasks done include taking webcam photos of a leaking valve under the sink, driving to hardware store with laptop on, showing images on full brightness to hardware store employee, returning home with laptop on, using internet over wifi to view a basic guide on replacing the valve while doing it, chatting on Windows Live Messenger, checking up on the car club site I co-admin, shopping for cheap items with free shipping on eBay, bidding on cheap items with free shipping on eBay, playing music, and we can't forget checking the battery meter (note wifi radio has been turned on for whole time on battery)

Perhaps the little story was unnecessary, but hopefully someone will find it humourous.

Long story short: consistently getting 5 hours battery life. WOOHOO!

Thanks for the clarification...I guess I just got worked up because every *other* tech-related forum on the internet seems to be run by, for lack of a better word, ignorant fools and I didn't wait long enough to see if that were the case here...most places no mod would bother explaining/reasoning.

Haha, yay, I didn't get ripped off! I do keep up with technology prices and had an idea that I was getting a great deal but it warms my heart a little bit more each time someone agrees.

The keyboard fits; it is the same layout, only the tabs at the top (the ones that the hinge cover screws are supposed to go through) do not line up with the screws themselves at all indicating it is from or for a different model...possibly from a larger (wider) model as the hinge cover screws would be spaced differently.

I have the 9 cell battery, so perhaps I could get better life with a new/rebuilt 9 cell, but I'm thrilled with it as it is. I know someone with a newer C2D Dell with the 9 cell and dedicated graphics, he gets between 1 and 2 hours max gaming, so I feel quite happy.

I have another thread asking about a problem or two I'm having...come to think of it I should have added it onto this one but I didn't.