*ATTENTION* Style of review taken from PeteBoyd's review of the I8600
Allright guys, no-one else seems to be stepping up to taking the task of reviewing this new laptop, so I guess I'll be the first.
First off, sorry for any spelling mistakes or bad refferences to computer jarble, as I'm not really a techno-wizard.
allright:
Delivery = A-
Well, having delayed the actual build time on the laptop about 5 days, I was kinda PO'ed, but that's ok as they delivered about a week before the new estimated date of arrival
Arrived undamaged and not even a scratch on the box, thank you purolator! (Canada's UPS)
Look & Feel = A
This computer is a MONSTER. The general feel is very nice, even if it is a very large computer. People always complain about the lack of the Numpad, but maybe it's just me that noticed this...but if you hold the function key, the 7,8,9,0,u,i,o,p,j,k,l,;,m,. and / keys become the numpad. Oh well. But I also hear people talking about how they think that the computer is surrounded in cheap plastic. Well this computer isn't, it has a metal casing and seems like you could throw it on the ground and the only thing it'd get would be a scratch if you threw it against sandpaper.
Sound = A+
Well, being a musician the first thing I checked out was the speakers and how they sounded. I plopped in "Rush in Rio" for checking out both the screen & speakers, and was pleasently suprised.
I've heard about this aparant 'built in subwoofer', but I dont think I really hear it, but it does have a good bass/treble/mid contrast. At half volume, this thing roars, i could hear it from the other end of the house with some tv's at a fairly loud volume. Very very very impressive.I know i'll be using this laptop for some major recording.
EDIT: Found sub. and it works GREAT, one noisy bastard.
XGA+(i think thats the one i have) Screen = A
Very nice, even though it's cheaper then the other option, it's still very bright & clear. As I said before, I tested the dvd with Rush in Rio, and it was crystal clear. Watching it in widescreen was a treat and I know i'll be watching all my movies on this monster from now on. Also, no light leakage and every inch of it is filled up with the massive screen (sorry if that didn't make sense)
Keyboard = A-
For notebook keyboards, this thing is fairly good. I have a slight problem where my finger will catch on the key above the one i just pushed, but thats nothing major, i just need to clip my nails
Graphics & Video Games = A++
Allright, to clear everything up for you guys, this is an amazing computer for games, so you can stop all this bickering. The 9700 delivers amazingly well, I tested it with MOH:PA, and set to 1440X900 with high settings it worked smoothly and very beautifully. As I dont have HL2 yet, I haven't tested that yet, so don't ask. :P
Battery life = N/A
I only got the 6-cell battery, and I'm using the AC for the most part, but originally I was using it just with the battery, and it held up fairly good. If I had to predict a timeframe, I'd say 4-4.5 hours battery life.
Noise Factor = A+
The fans are very quiet, and it's only loud if you're installing something and the drive's going fairly fast. But if we're talking about speakers...as I said, it's loud as hell.
Software = B
Well, it came with AOL so naturally i got rid of that. But it also came with some productivity programs, including powerpoint,word, and all the others that come along with that. So this is both a good multimedia computer and a good productivity unit.
Overall = A + +
I'd say Dells best model (Next to the XPS of course). The wide screen is very nice, but yes, it is bulky and just slightly on the heavy side, so if you're looking at small storage spaces, 2 options: Make space, or Kick yourself for not making space.
Speakers = top notch
Graphics Card = top notch
Feel, screen and everything else = top notch
I wouldn't be suprised if Dell keeps this model going on for a long time like the 8600, as it's got a lasting appeal to it. It looks classy, and feels classy, but it's a monster under all that class.
Allright guys, no-one else seems to be stepping up to taking the task of reviewing this new laptop, so I guess I'll be the first.
First off, sorry for any spelling mistakes or bad refferences to computer jarble, as I'm not really a techno-wizard.
allright:
Delivery = A-
Well, having delayed the actual build time on the laptop about 5 days, I was kinda PO'ed, but that's ok as they delivered about a week before the new estimated date of arrival
Arrived undamaged and not even a scratch on the box, thank you purolator! (Canada's UPS)Look & Feel = A
This computer is a MONSTER. The general feel is very nice, even if it is a very large computer. People always complain about the lack of the Numpad, but maybe it's just me that noticed this...but if you hold the function key, the 7,8,9,0,u,i,o,p,j,k,l,;,m,. and / keys become the numpad. Oh well. But I also hear people talking about how they think that the computer is surrounded in cheap plastic. Well this computer isn't, it has a metal casing and seems like you could throw it on the ground and the only thing it'd get would be a scratch if you threw it against sandpaper.
Sound = A+
Well, being a musician the first thing I checked out was the speakers and how they sounded. I plopped in "Rush in Rio" for checking out both the screen & speakers, and was pleasently suprised.
I've heard about this aparant 'built in subwoofer', but I dont think I really hear it, but it does have a good bass/treble/mid contrast. At half volume, this thing roars, i could hear it from the other end of the house with some tv's at a fairly loud volume. Very very very impressive.I know i'll be using this laptop for some major recording.
EDIT: Found sub. and it works GREAT, one noisy bastard.
XGA+(i think thats the one i have) Screen = A
Very nice, even though it's cheaper then the other option, it's still very bright & clear. As I said before, I tested the dvd with Rush in Rio, and it was crystal clear. Watching it in widescreen was a treat and I know i'll be watching all my movies on this monster from now on. Also, no light leakage and every inch of it is filled up with the massive screen (sorry if that didn't make sense)
Keyboard = A-
For notebook keyboards, this thing is fairly good. I have a slight problem where my finger will catch on the key above the one i just pushed, but thats nothing major, i just need to clip my nails
Graphics & Video Games = A++
Allright, to clear everything up for you guys, this is an amazing computer for games, so you can stop all this bickering. The 9700 delivers amazingly well, I tested it with MOH:PA, and set to 1440X900 with high settings it worked smoothly and very beautifully. As I dont have HL2 yet, I haven't tested that yet, so don't ask. :P
Battery life = N/A
I only got the 6-cell battery, and I'm using the AC for the most part, but originally I was using it just with the battery, and it held up fairly good. If I had to predict a timeframe, I'd say 4-4.5 hours battery life.
Noise Factor = A+
The fans are very quiet, and it's only loud if you're installing something and the drive's going fairly fast. But if we're talking about speakers...as I said, it's loud as hell.
Software = B
Well, it came with AOL so naturally i got rid of that. But it also came with some productivity programs, including powerpoint,word, and all the others that come along with that. So this is both a good multimedia computer and a good productivity unit.
Overall = A + +
I'd say Dells best model (Next to the XPS of course). The wide screen is very nice, but yes, it is bulky and just slightly on the heavy side, so if you're looking at small storage spaces, 2 options: Make space, or Kick yourself for not making space.
Speakers = top notch
Graphics Card = top notch
Feel, screen and everything else = top notch
I wouldn't be suprised if Dell keeps this model going on for a long time like the 8600, as it's got a lasting appeal to it. It looks classy, and feels classy, but it's a monster under all that class.
(Look at the picture of his desktop)
