Help me make a Inspiron 8600 - Page 2

Uh, yeah.....things that 95% of people would never notice unless it's pointed out to them. I expected so many problems from some of the overhyped hysteria I've read on this board. The "keyboard flex" issue makes me laugh every time I see it mentioned.

acually the flex isn't all that bad as it's fixable

That looks to be a pretty good system, but I am not sure about the price, as I am in Australia.

I have the same specs bar the Processor and I have 512MB Dell ram, and mine is really fast and I love the Widescreen. Your have made a good choice with the WSXGA. I think it is fantastic, and is great for watching DVDs.

Ohh Good!!!

That Corsair Ram from what I hear is incredible! I'm going to get it for my notebook when that rolls around.

The BT500 is fantastic. It is rerally easy to setup the first time, and afterwards connects straight u without an user intervention. Just turn the mouse on, and bluetooth in the laptop on, and in about three seconds they are ready for use! Its great.

I also sync my Pocket PC (iPAQ 2210) and Phone (NGage) with my laptop, and have no problems syncing either of them when the mouse is connected. Overall, a very good setup.

I have a new 8600 with specs very close to yours. I got the 512 bm and specified 1 stick that way if I do want more ram sometimes in the future there is no waste. I really like mine sofar and have had no problems.....don't realy understand the flex problems. Mine has zero flex.

I was thinking of going with only one stick of 512MB RAM, but it was a considerable amount extra. It is weird, but here the cost of the 1 512MB stick is more expensive than a 512MB+256MB=768MB! Still was to much for my though. If I want to upgrade, I can just sell the remaining stick (either one or both) on eBay.

Bugger! I know the feeling. I missed the free upgrade to DVD burner when I purchased mine. Didn't want to wait around for another one. But US$400 is a lot. It might take a while for that to come again.

nice i'm about to do the same thing

I'm considering purchasing a 8600 or 600m really want a workstation m60
Should I upgrade to 2.0Ghz
Dell 1350 or Intel 2200
60gb (7200) or 30gb (upgrade later when i need it)

For grad school and work usage plus watch dvd on business trips
No games unless madden
playing around trying to edit digital images and videos
Heat and battery life are my biggest issues
Like the weight of 600m
Like the wide screen of the 8600
any suggestions maybe lower the price?


8600 setup
Inspiron 8600Intel® Pentium® M Processor 745(1.80GHz/400MHz FSB) 15.4 WUXGA
Operating SystemMicrosoft® Windows® XP ProfessionalWPXP
Memory512MB DDR SDRAM 1 Dimm
Video Card128MB DDR ATI's MOBILITY® RADEON™ 9600 PROTURBOATI128M
Hard Drive60GB Hard Drive at 7200RPM60G7200
Power AdapterAC adapter - 65w, 19.5v65W
CD ROM/DVD ROMFREE 24X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive with Sonic RecordNow Upgrade!24COMBP
Wireless Networking CardsDell® Wireless 1350 Internal Wireless (802.11b/g, 54Mbps)
Wireless Personal Networking CardDell™ TrueMobile™ 300 Bluetooth Internal CardTM300I
Productivity SoftwareProductivity Pack including WordPerfect®ICORELM


Limited Warranty, Services and Support3Yr Ltd Warranty, 3Yr Mail-In Service, and 3Yr Technical Support
CompleteCare Accidental Damage ServiceAdd CompleteCare Accidental Damage Service to 3Yr Lim Warranty


Docking SolutionsHome Bundle A: Advanced Port Replicator,D/View Stand,Mouse and KeyboardDHOME

$2037

600m Setup
Inspiron 600mPentium® M Processor 745(1.80GHz/400MHz FSB) 14.1-in SXGA+, 64MB Video
Operating SystemMicrosoft® Windows® XP ProfessionalWPXP
Memory1GB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms1024M2D
Hard Drive60GB Hard Drive60GB
Integrated Modem and NICInternal 56K Modem and Integrated Network Card56MPC
OpticalFREE 24XCD-RW/DVD Combo Upgrade (from DVD)
Wireless Networking CardsDell® Wireless 1350 Internal Wireless (802.11b/g, 54Mbps)TM1350I
Wireless Personal Networking CardDell™ TrueMobile™ 300 Bluetooth Internal CardTM300I
Primary Battery6-Cell Lithium Ion Battery (53Whr)53WHR

Limited Warranty, Services and Support3Yr Ltd Warranty, 3Yr Mail-In Service, and 3Yr Technical Support
CompleteCare Accidental Damage ServiceAdd CompleteCare Accidental Damage Service to 3Yr Lim Warranty

Docking SolutionsHome Bundle A: Advanced Port Replicator,D/View Stand,Mouse and Keyboard

No need to get a 2.0 if the 1.8 is available. No serious improvement in performance.

Dell 1350 is probably is just as good as the Intel 2200. With the 2200 you will get a "Centrino" sticker which will increase your performance by 0.25% if you choose the... nothing. There is absolutely no advantage to having a "Cetrino" sticker except that it is more recognized.

Get the 7k60 (7200 RPM, 60 GB) drive now.

How often will you be transporting the notebook? That will be a large factor in 600m vs. 8600. The 8600 feels warm but gets no warmer than any other notebook out there... you just feel the heat bc the HD is right under your left palm.

Yes, lower the price.

I though I read somewhere else that if you buy the replicator port, it has a DVI port. You may want to check that out.

I think that instead of getting he little snap on color cover you could follow the painting mods in this website.