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My Dell I8600 - Disappointed

post #1 of 17
7/20/04 at 7:34pm
Thread Starter 
Took the delivery of my new I8600. This is the original configuration

Pentium M 1.6GHz
15.4" WUXGA Toshiba
128MB ATi 9600 Pro
60GB Hard Drive, 7200 RPM
512MB RAM
24x CDRW/DVD-ROM
XP Home

Before I comment on I8600, I tend to compare every notebook with my old Inspiron 8100

The first impression is : It is a CHEAP Build. I was expecting a better build (physical) than my 8100 but it is not. Keyboard has lot of flex. My 8100 doesn't have this problem and it is really robust. One more complaint is it heats up very fast. You just can't keep it on y'r lap. I8100 has pads at the hand rest and I8600 doesn't and you feel the heat. There is noise coming from the notebook, not sure whether it is coming from the fan or the disk drive. Battery lasts around two and half hours.

On the positive side, there are no dead pixels or light leakage from the screen. Display is really good. Unbeatable performance.

I was really annoyed by the heat and the noise from the drive/fan and not so much with the keyboard.

I need somekind of justification to keep this notebook.

What you guys say ?

Appreciate y'r comments.

TIA

-Yezdi
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post #2 of 17
7/20/04 at 7:50pm
you can fix the keyboard, tutorials are in the sticky at the top. if i were as disappointed as you, i'd just return it.
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post #3 of 17
7/20/04 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, That's the plan.

-Yezdi
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post #4 of 17
7/20/04 at 8:35pm
I would keep it unless you can't use the machine. First of all, keyboard flex can be fixed. Yes, Dell quality isn't what it used to be, but that shouldn't keep you entirely from liking a machine. My keyboard has flex in one spot -- the flat area next to the right arrow key. Even that isn't noticeable when typing. If you're still upset that there's a little flex and want to return it, okay, then that's a path, too.

I don't know where the noise you mentioned is coming from. I definitely don't get any from mine; most people here report that the fans are silent.

Heat -- download Dieter's Ik8GUI program to see just how hot you're running. If your CPU is idling above 50, you may want to have that looked at.

I'm sorry your Dell didn't turn out the way you wanted it to. Only you can decide what is acceptable for your needs and what is not... mine were just thoughts.
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post #5 of 17
7/20/04 at 8:56pm
Thread Starter 
Can U provide me the link to "Dieter's IK8GUI" ? Can't find it.

Thanx for the advice.

-Yezdi
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post #6 of 17
7/20/04 at 9:05pm
Try this from the Software, Drivers, Utilities thread.
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post #7 of 17
7/20/04 at 9:23pm
There is nothing better than knowing your machine inside and out. Do the heat mods and the keyboard mod and you'll be happy. Those things are being put together by very cheap labor and a few guys found part number stickers left on the heat sinks that really cut cooling when between the sink and chip so do both the CPU and GPU and your heat problem will go down. But remember, you bought a fast machine and it's going to make heat but the mobile chip is a lot cooler than the the big chip so don't expct it to go away. Once you've done the mods, you'll know your machine and find happiness with it. I don't know about you but every laptop I've had got hot on my lap. As for the feel of the plastic, tell yourself it cut the weight which makes it nicer to carry.
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post #8 of 17
7/20/04 at 9:36pm
Sorry to hear about your 8600. Mine is virtually silent. I agree that the build quality is not up to par, but It is not as bad as I first thought. Mine gets a little warm when it is in my lap also, but so does my Compaq and my Sony. My keyboard has no flex. So far I really like mine.

But if I disliked mine as much as you say you dislike yours it would go back.

John
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post #9 of 17
7/20/04 at 10:13pm
Also, you should be getting about 4-4.5 hours + on battery (so long as not on full speed). To realise this full battery potential I recommend SpeedswitchXP.
Cheers,
stu
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post #10 of 17
7/20/04 at 10:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by yezdi
I was really annoyed by the heat and the noise from the drive/fan and not so much with the keyboard.


-Yezdi
Will you be wanting some cheese with your whine?
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post #11 of 17
7/20/04 at 11:19pm
whoa why bring me into this.
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post #12 of 17
7/20/04 at 11:21pm
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post #13 of 17
7/20/04 at 11:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Evo
Will you be wanting some cheese with your whine?
Did U say Wine ? . Yeah sure why not.

-Yezdi
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post #14 of 17
7/21/04 at 12:40am
I was also very disappointed with my I8600C. I sent it back and got a full refund from dell.

After about a week I decided to try a different model - the D800. I must say I am very pleased with this model. The build quality is far superior to the 8600 I returned. With the Dell promotions that were running at the time I bought the D800, it was actually less than what I paid for the 8600.

If you are still within the 21 (or is it 30) day Dell Total Satisfaction policy, I would recommend you return it and try a D800. You can always return the D800 if you're not happy with it, either. But at least you will have given yourself the opportunity to compare the two.

IMO, it's too much money to spend on something and not be satisfied with the product.

Good luck...
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post #15 of 17
7/21/04 at 12:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheese260
whoa why bring me into this.

Gotta love it.
stu
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post #16 of 17
7/21/04 at 3:47am
I notice that many of you have experience returning laptops to Dell. It also sounds like that returning isn't that big of a deal - should I be led to believe that it doesn't cost anything to return it (eg shipping)?

Not that I'm planning on returning mine when I get it. Just curious...
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post #17 of 17
7/21/04 at 11:19am
No, you do pay shipping. I asked customer service rep about it and she didn't seem very happy about a customer asking about returns (I didn't anyways... stupid presumptuous witch with a b). But she did say I would need to pay shipping.
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