Dell Inspiron 6000 FAQ  

DELL INSPIRON 6000 FAQ


Table of Contents

1. Things to note in reading FAQ (Glossary)

2. Pre-order Information
(i) What are the specifications and pros/ cons of this model?
(ii) WXGA, WSXGA or WUXGA?
(iii) I have heard game performance is better with WXGA... is this true?
(iv) What is the deal with the Video on this model?

3. Hardware upgrades 1
(i) Can I upgrade the Video card in my Laptop?
(ii) Can I upgrade the CPU in my Laptop?
(iii) Can I upgrade the Hard Drive? What can I upgrade it too?

4. Hardware upgrades 2
(i) Can I upgrade the Memory? What type of RAM does it take?
(ii) Upgrading/ installing a mini-PCI card
(iii) Can I install a Bluetooth card post-purchase?

5. Other Useful Information
(i) Will one of the quicksnap covers from the i600m/i8600/i9100/XPS/i9200 fit my laptop?

6. Contributors

1. Things to note in reading this FAQ (Glossary)


There are many abbreviations used in this FAQ because I stupidly assumed that because I know them that others will too. In an effort to right that wrong, and so that you can understand what in the world that I am talking about, I have included a Glossary of sorts right here that you can refer to if you become lost by some abbreviation. On to it then.

AA= Anti-Aliasing, a feature of Graphics cards that smooths "jaggy" edges.

AF= Anisotropic Filtering, similar to Anti-Aliasing but works on "far-away" or "distant" objects.

BIOS= Basic Input/Output System, this includes instructions on how to load basic computer hardware and the power-on self test.

CPU= Central Processing Unit, or the Processor as its commonly known. This means the Pentium 4 in the i9100/ XPS case.

DPI= Dots Per Inch, can be altered to change the size of items on the virtual desktop. Although there is debate whether this name is actually appropriate... but that is for another topic and another day

FPS= Frames per Second, this is generally referred to as a gaming term in the FAQ. A frame is a still picture, and many frames showing progressive movement create the movie affect you see on TV, films and games. The more frames per second the more smooth this movie appears, hence why important to gaming.

GB= Gigabyte, unit of storage measurement (1,024 megabytes).

GHz= Gigahertz, the unit used to measure the clock speed of the Processor.

GPU= Graphics Processing Unit, most widely known as the Graphics/ Video card.

HD= Hard Drive, where you store all your data with storage measured in Gigabytes.

i8600, i9100, etc= The i here stands for Inspiron, the line of notebooks. Just a common abbreiviation used throughout these boards that makes it easier on us.... seeing as it is mentioned so often.

IE= Internet Explorer, probably the most widely used internet browser i comes preinstalled on just about every Windows platform.

KB= Kilobyte, unit of storage measurement (1,024 bytes).

LCD= Liquid Crystal Display, being the screen on your laptop.

MB= Megabyte, unit of storage measurement (1,024 kilobytes).

MR9700= Mobility Radeon 9700, this is the graphics card in the XPS/ 9100, I'm lazy so I often refer to it in this abbreviated form. Also I have referred to MR9600 and MR9800 and in those cases it is the same thing, MR= Mobility Radeon.

ms= Milli-second, unit of time being 1/1000 second.

P4= Pentium 4, also referred to in conjunction HT; Hyperthreading, a feature of the Processor and EE; Extreme Edition, a version of the P4 with a 2MB cache.

RAM= Random Access Memory, or just Memory as it's often known.

SXGA+= Super eXtended Graphics Array, this is the display @ 1400 x 1050.

WSXGA= Wide-Aspect Super eXtended Graphics Array, this is the display @ 1680 x 1050.

WUXGA= Wide-Aspect Ultra eXtended Graphics Array, this is the display @ 1920 x 1200.

WXGA= Wide-Aspect eXtended Graphics Array, this is the display @ 1280 x 800.

XGA= eXtended Graphics Array, this is the display @ 1024 x 768.


Now I am sure I have missed a lot of abbreviations, so if there is something I have missed that is mentioned in the FAQ or that needs clarification please let me know and I will add it.


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2. Pre-order Information


2.(i) What are the specifications and pros/ cons of this model?

In this section I will go through the basic current configuration options and giving briefly the pros and cons of the Inspiron 6000. Please feel free to create topics on this model if need be and we will all be happy to help out. Note also that the i6000 will likely have different and varied hardware configuration options available in the future for configuration, I will endevour to keep the configurations up-to-date.

__________________________________________________________


>>Inspiron 6000/ 6000d<<

Note: 6000d specific options listed in red

Basic Specs:
CPU: Celeron M; 350 (@ 1.3GHz), 370 (@1.5GHz). Pentium M; 725 (@ 1.6GHz), 730 (@ 1.6GHz), 750 (1.86GHz), 760 (2.0GHz).
LCD: 15.4" WXGA (1280 x 800), 15.4" WSXGA (1680 x 1050) and 15.4" WUXGA (1920 x 1200).
Memory: Dual Channel 400MHz (533MHz) DDR2 SO DIMMs, 2 user accessible slots, 2GB (2 x 1GB) maximum.
Hard Drive: 30, 40, 60 or 80 GB @ 5400rpm. Standard laptop 2.5".
Media Device: 8x DVD-ROM, 24x/24x/24x CD-RW (8x DVD), 8x DVD+RW/+R,
Wireless Card: Intel PRO 2200 (802.11b/g), Intel PRO 2915 (802.11a/b/g), Dell 1350 (802.11b/g) or Dell 1450 (802.11a/b/g) internal (Intel card required for 'Centrino' branding).
Video/ Graphics Card: Integrated Intel Media Accelerator 900 Graphics. 64MB or 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon x300.
Dimensions:
Height: 38.7 mm (1.52")
Width: 356 mm (14.02")
Depth: 265.5 mm (10.45")
Weight: 3.01kg (6.61 lbs) with 6-cell battery.

Pros:
-> Powerful, the new Sonoma based Pentium-M (Centrino) range has more power than the previous offerings making it a step up from the i8600 in this regard, more so when there are more configuration options.
-> Beautiful Ultrasharp Widescreen display, this is what all laptops should have. These screens not only offer better resolutions and more working room, they have better specs (response time, viewing angles, contrast ratio) than most of the regular aspect screens Dell uses in other models.
-> Finally Dell get it right! 4x USB2.0 ports making linking up your favourite devices a breeze.
-> Sexy new chassis design pisses all over the previous i8600 and other such models. And to boot, having the same 15.4" widescreen as the i8600 Dell have still managed to pack it into a slightly smaller package, which is a good thing for space saving.

Cons:
-> Because of the widescreen and other features is a bit more bulky than the average laptop. Particularly wide (obviously), can make it a little more challenging find a laptop bag than normal.
-> This is a new release that has yet to find its feet, it has few processor options from the new Pentium-M range so far.... and the graphics options are not top-notch either. With a choice of the 'regular' i6000 with integrated solution for those on a budget, or the 'newer' i600d with x300 option there is nothing with significant power yet. Time will tell here.

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2.(ii) WXGA, WSXGA+ or WUXGA?

This has to be probably the most asked question on this forum, what LCD should you choose. It is answered time and time again so I have included this section in the FAQ, although I know it won't do much good to stem the tide.

So what is the difference then? Why is the WUXGA more expensive? The difference is that they each have a different native maximum resolution. This is where the choice comes in, no resolution is better than the other, it is all up to what you need and what your own personal preference is. The higher the resolution, the smaller that icons and text will appear on the display because there are more physical pixels covering the same physical space.

Small text and icons can be overcome on the WUXGA or WSXGA displays by increasing the DPI setting or text size, but this can often adversely affect some programs, cutting off windows or making them unusable. Hence this is why it is important to choose he screen that is right for you when you order. These remedies can also be found below.

NOTE: The following photos are of LCD screens on the Inspiron 8600. These LCD's are exactly the same as those used on the i6000/ 6000d in terms of specifications, size, etc. All that is different is the surrounding bezel, so these can be considered representational of the LCD in the 6000 series.

WXGA:

The WXGA option on the i6000/ 6000d is the basic configuration model. It is a good quality screens, but its specs are around the average as compared to the clearer WSXGA+ and WUXGA options. The specs follow, along with some more info.

Screen Size: 15.4 Inch Widescreen
Palette: 262'144 Colours
Response Time: 35ms typical
Contrast Ratio: 300:1
Brightness: 180 cd/m^2
Viewing Angles: 40 degrees left-right; 10 degrees up 30 degrees down

This display has a resolution of 1280 x 800; this is the closest equivalent to the 1024 x 768 common desktop resolution. If you are mainly using the laptop for office work and web browsing, then this is the way to go, because it has a nice readable text size. Games will play fine too, but it is not capable of the higher in-game resolutions (like 1280 x 1024).


Thanks Xing for the shot, its appreciated. Thanks still to Striker333 as well for the previous WXGA shot.

WSXGA+ & WUXGA Specs

The WSXGA+ and WUXGA options on the i6000/ 6000d are called Ultrasharp by Dell. Basically what this means in they have increased brightness and viewing angles over regular screens and the WXGA options. The specs for these follow, along with some more info.

Screen Size: 15.4 Inch Widescreen
Palette: 262'144 Colours
Response Time: 35ms typical
Contrast Ratio: 300:1
Brightness: 185 cd/m^2
Viewing Angles: 65 degrees left-right; 50 degrees up-down

WSXGA+:
This LCD is capable of a maximum native resolution of 1680 x 1050. This is, In my own humble opinion, the best of both worlds. The text and icons are smaller than that on the WXGA, but are still quite readable. The display is capable of good resolutions in game such as 1280 x 1024 which is a commonly used game setting.


Thank-you to WScottCross for this great picture.

Now, provided below are two pictures taken by mojoRT, which compare the WXGA screen (left) to the WSXGA+ (right). You can clearly see the difference in text/ menu/ icon size and the amount that can fit on the screen... so hopefully it helps in your choice.





WUXGA:
The WUXGA manages to display an impressive 1920 x 1200 pixels. This screen is fantastic if you love a lot of extra space, or do a lot of photo editing. However a drawback is that at the regular DPI setting the text and icons are ridiculously small, so you better have good eyesight. This is a love it or hate it display, and there are quite a few lovers out there... but I have had one and found it to be more trouble than its worth, which is my personal preference. Note the following picture is with large icons.


Thank-you and kudos to AbSoluTc for providing this picture.

Now lastly, below is a direct comparison of WSXGA+ and WUXGA provided kindly by Michael (hksscom).




Now if you do want to change the size to be more readable on any of these, then you have three options:


1. Reduce the resolution: kind of defeats the purpose, but whatever floats your boat. To do so->
(i) Right-click desktop and select Properties;
(ii) Go to the Settings tab;
(iii) Adjust the Screen Resolution slider to your preference and Apply it.
Note: If you are wondering why everything now is not as crisp and clear and looks fuzzy, this is explained later on in the FAQ... kind of an incentive for you to read on

2. Increase the DPI setting: This blows up everything to a larger size, but has its drawbacks in that windows can be cut-off, etc. Here you go->
(i) Right-click desktop and select Properties;
(ii) Go to the Settings tab, and click advanced;
(iii) Click the General tab, and from the drop down box labelled DPI Setting you can increase it.

3. Increase the Icon and text size only: This is the only one without potentially really irritating consequences, but does look weird. Have a try->
(i) Right-click desktop and select Properties;
(ii) Go to the Appearance tab;
(iii) To change text size, adjust it from the Font Size drop box seen in this tab. To make icons bigger Click the effects button and tick Use large icons.


2.(iii) I have heard game performance is better with WXGA... is this true?

Rubbish, complete and total rubbish, there is so much misinformation about this. The WXGA does not get better fps in games. Put simply, a WXGA and WSXGA+ running the same game at the same resolution (say 1024 x 768 for example), with all other specs being the same, will get essentially the exact same performance (plus or minus the usual variables).

However a game running at the WXGA native resolution compared to a game running at the WSXGA+ native resolution will get better framerates (obviously as there is less strain on the card, but on the positive side the WSXGA+ resolution will look a lot better).

The attraction of the WSXGA+ and WUXGA over the WXGA choice is the ability to use these higher resolutions in games, their extra desktop working space, and of course their better picture quality during some scaled applications due to a better pixel pitch. It comes at the cost (some would say), of these smaller text and icons, but not at the cost of performance using the same gaming resolution.


2.(iv)What is the deal with the video on this model?

OK, so a lot of people are really disappointed that the best graphics card this otherwise incredibly awesome machine is packing is a Mobility X300... well, what is in store for the future? At this point in time it is unknown what, if any, future graphical options will be presented in the form factor used by the i6000d. So some advice:

For those that want to order now... but are going to wait until a better option is presented and upgrade the graphics then, all I can say is DO NOT BUY AN I6000 to save money! Yes, it is cheaper because it offers the integrated solution, but it is not upgradeable due to motherboard and chipset constraints. If you want to cheap out now and upgrade later, opt for the i6000d model with the low-end 64MB option... as this at least has a PCI-Express slot so that it can be upgraded down the track.

Until further info is forthcoming there is not much more to say here.


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3. Hardware upgrades 1


3.(i) Can I upgrade the Video card in my Laptop?

This depends upon which Inspiron 6000 model that you purchase. With the 'original' (and still offered!) i6000 model, it uses the Intel 915GM chipset with Integrated Intel Media Accelerator 900 Graphics. This shares system memory and unfortunately cannot be upgraded. The motherboard and chipset with this choice does not have a PCI-Express slot for a removeable graphics solution, so end-of-line.

However, with the 'updated i6000d model, it is offered with the 915PM chipset which has a PCI-Express graphics slot, providing an upgrade path in that form factor. Currently the only card on offering is the Mobility Radeon X300 in 64MB and 128MB flavours. It is unknown what, if any, other graphics card options will be offered down the track for the i6000d.

However should there be an available upgrade, or if you want to go from the 64MB to 128MB card down the track for instance, the upgrade itself is ridiculously simple. However, it does require quite a few parts of the laptop to be removed so care is required, instructions are linked below. Remember to disconnect all power (including the battery) before working in your system.



http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1006368


3.(ii) Can I upgrade the CPU in my Laptop?

Yes you can upgrade the CPU. This model can use a selection of CPU's from the Celeron M and Pentium M range, but for upgrade purposes I recommend the Pentium M path, so will focus on those.

-> Compatible with Pentium M CPU's running at a 400MHz FSB. They are compatible with both the old 'Banias' based chip (1MB L2 cache, up to a maximum 1.7GHz) as well as the 'Dothan' based chip (2MB L2 cache, up to a maximum 2.1GHz). The only advantage of the Banias based chips compared to Dothan are lower power consumption at the low speedstep setting, coming at the cost of some performance, as well as price difference.

-> Compatible with Pentium M CPU's running at a 533MHz FSB (the new Sonoma). These range in speed up to a current max of 2.13GHz. Most new orders ship with the newer and superior Sonoma based chips now, unless configured otherwise, and I suggest you stick to that path when upgrading... Since these are intended to be portable semi-desktop replacements the more powerful CPU's are preferred.



Don't forget some Thermal paste when installing a new CPU in any of these or you may encounter some heat issues which can cause serious damage. I highly recommend Arctic Silver 5 as the best thermal paste on the market at this time.

For installation of a new CPU, the following instructions apply to the i6000:

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1000550


3.(iii) Can I upgrade the Hard Drive? What can I upgrade it too?

Yes, absolutely you can. All Dell laptops can be upgraded with any standard 2.5" notebook Hard drive. They can take the greatest capacity (100GB) and greatest speed (7200rpm) Hard drives currently available for laptops with no problems, anything that is in that 2.5" format pretty much.

But how to do it? Well it is very simple. But first, keep in mind to transfer the pin adapter from the old hard drive to the new one or it will not connect properly, below is a picture of what is meant by the pin adapter, it fits right onto the pins at the end of the HD.



I personally recommend the Hitachi 7k60 hard drive as the best laptop drive on the market at the moment. It has a decent 60GB capacity and is powered along with a 7200rpm rotational speed and 8MB cache making it super quick. To top this off, it runs cooler than most 4200rpm and 5400rpm laptop HDs and is also quiet, using about the same amount of power as those slower drives so you are not sacrificing battery life. Have a look at the Pricegrabber results for it here, with a listing of vendors and current prices you can find the best deal.

Now the instructions:

The HD caddy can be found next to the PCMCIA slot on the side of the system in this model, look here:



All that needs to be done is to disconnect all power (including the battery), unscrew the two screws holding the bay in place, pull it out, undo the four screws in the sides holding the HD in the caddy, and take off the pin adapter. Then reverse those steps to install the new one. Following are the appropriate instructions so get going!:

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1130375


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4. Hardware upgrades 2


4.(i) Can I upgrade the Memory? What type of RAM does it take?

Absolutely, upgrading the RAM is very simple and considered a "User upgradeable" component by Dell. The 6000 series has two user-accessible slots that are easily found via a hatch on the bottom of the laptop. The i6000 uses PC3200 (400MHz) DDR2 memory, and the i6000d uses PC4200 (533MHz) DDR2 memory. Both run it in a Dual channel configuration, and have a 2GB (2 x 1024MB) maximum.

The procedure for memory upgrade is easy, simply disconnect all power (including battery), unscrew the memory hatch on the bottom, remove existing RAM if applicable (spread apart the clips on each end of the memory until it pops up and remove), and install the new modules by pushing in at an angle and then push down into place until you hear it click. Replace cover.



http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...des.htm#999869


4.(ii) Upgrading/ installing a mini-PCI card

If you did not order a wireless card upon purchase but want one now, or simpy want to upgrade your existing wireless card to a newer or more expansive one (in terms of standards covered), then it is entirely possible. All you need do is order one of the wireless mini-PCI cards from Dell or another vendor, and then follow the simple installation instructions.

The mini-PCI slot in the i6000 is located quite differently that that on other models, but regardless is still very easy to find and replace. It is located right under the keyboard, meaning the hinge cover and keyboard must be removed for access. Have a look at the instructions following.



http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1009645


4.(iii) Can I install a Bluetooth card post-purchase?

Yes you can. The procedure is quite simple, firstly contact Dell Spare parts/ peripherals and place the order for a Bluetooth card. Once that is done it is a simple procedure to install it.

The slot is located inside the battery housing, so the battery must be taken out and the bluetooth card door pryed open. From here you slot the bluetooth card into place and connect the cable appropriately. Instructions following.



http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1000550


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5. Other useful information


5.(i) Will one of the quicksnap covers from the i600m/i8600/i9100/XPS/i9200 fit my laptop?

Well first thing is first, What is a quicksnap cover? A quicksnap cover such as on the aforementioned models is a plastic sheet that snaps over the top of the LCD back cover. It gives the Inspiron's a unique and personal look without costing too much nor voiding any warranty, so they are a great choice for those wanting a bit of individuality. I myself have the "Graphite Swirl" Quicksnap colour cover for my i8600 and it looks fantastic.

So, can you use one of these quicksnap covers? Yes, the i6000 can use them, however all the quicksnaps available for the 600m, i8500, i8600, i9100, i9200 and XPS are not compatible. So the choices are limited to what is on offer at configuration for the i6000.

Following are pictures for each of the four designs (a full and closeup), they are available upon ordering your new i6000, or if you phone up Dell and place an order separately.

Charcoal Leather


Cherrywood


Carbon Fiber


Mediterranean Blue



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6. Contributors

I would like to give a big thank-you and express my gratitude to several people whom have made some Contribution to this FAQ whether it be a picture or some useful information. So in alphabetical order (by username):

AbSoluTc-> Fantastic shot of a WUXGA display, kudos to you.

Bay Wolf-> I have referred to his site www.bay-wolf.com several times and it is a very useful source of Dell information, so have a visit!

camaroguy-> Linked to the useful fangui wish list thread.

DELL-Machina-> Provider of several fantastic threads linked in this FAQ, and an all around Guru on the board. Cheers.

gmnstrunr37-> Contributed the WXGA shot, and Xing is one of the legends around the Dell section, good onya!

gobadgrs-> Writer of the fantastic Unofficial guide for getting a killer laptop cheap. Visit this thread it's a great resource for soon-to-be purchasers.

hksscom-> Good side-by-side WSXGA/ WUXGA comparison, appreciated mate.

KCK-> Helped in correcting a few fundamental errors. A lifesaver is this guy.

Madpig-> Thanks for the 14.1" pic man, you have no idea how much of a struggle it is to get these, it's appreciated.

mojoRT-> Provided the two fantastic WSXGA vs WXGA comparison pics, cheers.

odonnelr-> Custom sticker on 600m pic, example of one modification.

shiftaltnumlock-> Provided important ammendment to Dell's i9200 CPU replacement instructions. Props to you.

SilkDawg-> A fellow Aussie was kind enough to offer a picture of how unacceptable LCD light leakage appears. He went through a lot of pain to get that picture to us

Somms-> A few nice additions thanks to somms, you all know him, a legend around these boards.

Spiike-> For a couple of fantastic thread I have linked/ referred to, particularly the amazing Modding thread.

Striker333-> Thanks for the WXGA shot, I was starting to think we'd never get one!

SuperFobSonny-> Contributed some nice shots of Light leakage. Thanks bro.

UnMaTcHeD-> I had forgotton about i9100 owners perhaps eyeing the XPS bag. This bloke hadn't and provided a nice link to where you can get it separately. Good onya!

V.B.-> What can I say, this guy has embraced the whole idea. He has sent me suggestions, written sections and generally been a fantastic help. Pretty much a partner in crime and the FAQ would not be what it is without his numerous contributions. Hands together everyone.

vizionblind-> Helped correct a couple minor issues/ links.

WScottCross-> A great shot of the WSXGA, cheers.

And hopefully I have not missed anyone at this stage, sorry if I have.


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