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Dell 9100.. All These Returns, is it worth buying?

post #1 of 24
5/15/04 at 1:08am
Thread Starter 
I am some what interested in picking one of these up, few questions for you Dell people.

1) I've seen things that say the 9100 has upgradeable graphics, then I hear it doesn't... Anybody care to clarify?

2) Screens.. I've heard about 2 of every 3 owners complain about the screen, what should I avoid? (Hitachi? but more details?)

I am looking for just a general idea of if this laptop is for me or not.. Needing a Desktop repalcement, but in the $1500 range....

Thanks.
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post #2 of 24
5/15/04 at 1:35am
I love mine, it is a very nice laptop. Have had the Hitachi fight going on for a bit now. I'm confident that this thing will work out. Kinda humerous, I haven't used my desktop pc for about a week now (relegated to a folding@home pc). Been using the laptop for everything without a hitch. If the next replacement screen is a Hitachi, I will just have the tech leave the samsung xga that was installed the last time as it is an excellent screen. Not what I ordered, but a very nice screen. The latest screen has been on backorder for 3 days now so I'm hoping its going to be a samsung sxga+ screen.

The games that I play are primarily flight simulations IL2 Sturmovik, Lomac and a golf game tigerwoods 2004, which all play very nice on this machine.

Hope this helps. I'm not getting rid of this machine as it works out great for my job and for personal computing at home.
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post #3 of 24
5/15/04 at 1:43am
Thread Starter 
I was one, and am not soo picky, but curious of View Angles, and such..

I am debating that or a Centrino System... The only downside is, due to my monetary limitations, it's hard to find a good system...

My Main issue as odd as this is is Star Wars Galaxies.... I need a system that will play SWG pretty well.. and I'm a heavy Photoshop user...

I will need to take it with me every so often, but the chances of it moving much are slim :P

The other thought I have is to start building another desktop, could build a pretty decent system for $1500 :P But I really want the portability option!

So any and all info, comments and advise on these interesting looking systems is appreciated...
Also can anybod yclarify if the 9100 graphics can be upgraded?

If so that will help a lot because it will make buying a 64MB 9700 a much easier decision!
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post #4 of 24
5/15/04 at 1:51am
with that kind of a budget have you considered emachines? there premo gaming laptop the 68xx is an awesome system for th emoney they want you should consider it in your purchasing decision
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post #5 of 24
5/15/04 at 1:53am
Thread Starter 
Considering all options.. of course am trying for a M11 :P
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post #6 of 24
5/15/04 at 2:04am
I woudnt recommend any dell computer to even my worst enemy. In one sentence here is my experience with dell, "YOu can take your crappy computers and worthless customer service and shove it up ur ***"
Just to do my return i talked to 9 different frikkin CS reps not to mentiont the shipping fee .
My 2 cents.
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post #7 of 24
5/15/04 at 2:19am
Thread Starter 
That bad huh? Arg! ok, $1500ish for a computer... need to find something... want to have a decision made by Monday... so that I can get it ordered quick :P

Was hoping the Dell 9100 would work out, but you're not the only one with such a "descriptive" review :P
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post #8 of 24
5/15/04 at 2:39am
Yes! its taht bad.. but you dont have to take my word for it .. try it yourself i was just trying to save you from all the stress/holdtime/shiipingfee i went thru.
If u ask me i would have to agree with the posts above .. emachines m6805 would be good least you wont have to worry about gettin a crappy screen. Toshiba is nice too , HP is good too. ( i had HP for 3 years CS experience was wonderfull )
AMD and p4 are bout the same. sure u can do the benchmark but when it comes down to average computer or even high end gaming user u cant tell the difference.
9100 video card upgrade :3 things to look at
1. How to get the card.
2. if u install it will void the warranty (dell wont provide an installation for 9100)
3.cost of the card?
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post #9 of 24
5/15/04 at 2:48am
Thread Starter 
Soooo the 9100 video can be upgraded? (wow I'm one track minded)

I am just curious, is it just the WXGA Screen that sucks?
Or is it all of thier screens?
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post #10 of 24
5/15/04 at 2:55am
So far the negative comments have ONLY been on the Hitachi screen for WSXGA. Just remember that no matter who you buy from someone on these forums will have a negative experience. As far as the graphics go, they should in theory but upgradeable. The XPS and the 9100 are same motherboard except for the modem and the build-in nic. So whatever works on the XPS should work on the 9100. The only caveat is the Dell will not support any video upgrades on the 9100. So if you have any problems your SOL...
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post #11 of 24
5/15/04 at 4:15am
I like my 9100 with a Toshiba WUXGA screen ( far better than the old Hitachi WSXGA piece of **** I had in the last one)

if you do decide to go with WSXGA, keep in mind that uh. it's pain in the ass if you get a hitachi screen. Dealing with Dell in any way is really unpleasurable.


Edit: Only Hitachi WSXGA displays have the problem; apparently theres a once in a blue moon chance you can get a Hitachi WXGA screen, but I dont think anyones actually had one or complained about it here. So basically, if you get a WXGA or WUXGA screen, you're fine
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post #12 of 24
5/15/04 at 6:12am
I think the 9100 is a great notebook. I would also argue that these forums can get people a bit excited with particular issues regarding ANY computer manufacture.
I am a really picky consumer and have actually enjoyed the Dell buying experience. I have had to deal with the Customer Service (Malaysia) and they have been VERY helpful to date. They have even extended my Total Satisfaction Warranty period so I can test the machine further.
Needless to say, everyone has their own opinion and experiences with Dell. I for one think they are doing a fine job.

I would go for the 9100... it is truly a fantastic notebook. If you are worried about the display issue... order the WUXGA. I have the WSXGA+ (Samsung) and it is very crisp and bright.

Good Luck.
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post #13 of 24
5/15/04 at 10:32am
The i9100 Video card is upgradeable, to any card released for the XPS or i9100 in the future as it uses the same form factor. HOWEVER, this is an unsupported upgrade. Whereas with the XPS you can easily buy an upgrade and get it installed by a dell tech, with the i9100 you have to go throught the same grief the rest of us Inspiron users do

That difficulty is actually getting an order placed with Spare parts. After that is done it is a relatively simple process to actually upgrade the card yourself. This upgrade will not void your warrenty! The warrenty will only be voided if you damage something whilst installing it, once its in and its fine, any damage that occurs under warrenty for any other reason is still covered.

stu
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post #14 of 24
5/15/04 at 11:14am
Thread Starter 
Decision Made.. Getting a Dell i9100!

Thanks Guys For All Your Help!
Worst Case Scenario, if I get a bad system, well, I'm a some what patient guy.... I'll just deal with it till they get it right!
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post #15 of 24
5/15/04 at 1:11pm
Cool. Here's hoping you get a Samsung screen
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post #16 of 24
5/15/04 at 8:23pm
You won't be sorry. Being a patient person will help with purchases over the net/phone.

What screen res are you going to order?

Good luck!
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post #17 of 24
5/15/04 at 8:54pm
I got my i9100 on Thursday this week (3 days ago) and am stoked. It is an awesome machine.
My specs are: 3.2 P4-HT, WUXGA Toshiba (no dead pixels), 256MB RAM ( I seriously need to upgrade here when I get some more cash...), and ...
After reading these forums I was a bit nervous when I got my machine... I checked the screen straight away and then skipped the graphic editing test and went straight onto gaming...
Having used a Mac iBook previously I must say that the dell is a cool machine. Have not had to contact Dell support so pretty happy there.

All in all, I love my dell. I guess I got a good machine,
[ca]ra
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post #18 of 24
5/15/04 at 8:57pm
I purchased two 9100's ... both with WUXGA screen. The video is great. I'm not into games but I do occasionally play movies and it is the best I've ever seen on a notebook.

The Outlet store web site has a $375 discount on the upper models. You should be able to find a good configuration in your price range.
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post #19 of 24
5/16/04 at 12:41am
GOod luck with your new 9100 mate. Hope you get Samsung
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post #20 of 24
5/16/04 at 12:52pm
Good move Captain Al, I love my 9100, it has been flawless since the day it arrived! Perfect samsung screen also. Send Dell an email stating you insist on the samsung screen or you will return the laptop and they will oblige, they were very friendly to me when I did that and reassured me that I would get the samsung.

My experience with Dell is nothing less than 110% satisfaction.
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