Okay, I picked up my i6000 today from UPS on the way to work and couldn't resist opening it up and checking everything out. I'll try to post a more comprehensive review (from a notebook newbie's point of view) later this week, but I had to post something right now, I'm so excited!
Anyway, the box was big cuz I got a case too. After a couple days of UPS treatment the box was in incredible shape. I expected a ding or two but UPS surprised me and I appreciate that. So, I slit the tape across the top and the first thing I see is the nylon case in a plastic bag. I opened it up and did a quick check of the pockets and stuff. Really nice case with a lot of pockets and places to store my stuff (George Carlin would love it!) I put that aside and dug into the good stuff next.
Under the case was a tray box that had the software discs (no XP OS disc but a nice cardstock sheet replica in its place
), the manual, AC adapter/power cord (which was flat to my surprise) and a "Dell Wireless Networking for Dummies" pamphlet (cute and I may need it) Okay, looks like everything's there so I move to the really good stuff.
Now, at first after I pulled the case out of the box I noticed a gap between the side of the big box and the computer boxes. I hadn't noticed any sliding or shifting when I carried it around but I was a bit concerned. My worries were for naught when I got to the lappy box. They had packed in a nice neat tight spacer that held the lappy box in place. *whew!* So I pulled the box out and unwrapped it. Well packed and no signs of damage. I immediately powered it on and was a little surprised the battery was charged even though I've read about that from others here. After the initial Dell screens (2 of them) Windows XP started its setup. It took a few minutes to go through all the screens but eventually I got it done (btw, what's up with that background music? what is this a movie of the week? and I couldn't mute it). I didn't register right away as I didn't want to connect to the company's network and other people were coming into the office, had to hurry and get to working.
After a slow-ish startup (which I assume will get better once I take off all the extra crap) McAfee wanted me to set it up. Did that real quick because I'm not sure if I want that or Norton yet and there wasn't any way I could see to shut it down. While I was signing away my life
Windows picked up the company WiFi network (secured) and a second WiFi network (unsecured) I didn't recognize. Not sure who it could belong to as we're the only ones in the building and I'm in the farthest office from the neighboring companies. Oh well, at least I know the wireless card is working YAY!
First impressions of the system overall. The notebook itself seems well constructed, although the white trim feels a little on the cheap side. Touchpad worked well and I can't wait to try out the sliders. The WXGA screen seemed a little on the dark side but I didn't play with any of the settings yet so I'm hoping that can be adjusted a little. So far so good though and I can't WAIT to get this thing home and really give it a shakedown.
Like I said, I'll be back with a full "newbies" review later this week after I play with it a bit!
Specs:
Dell Inspiron 6000
Intel Pentium M Processor 715 (1.50 GHz/2MB Cache/400MHz FSB)
Windows XP Home Edition
15.4" WXGA LCD
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900
512MB Shared DDR2 SDRAM (2 DIMMs)
80GB Hard Drive
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 B/G, 54mbps)
8x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer writing capability
9 cell lithium ion battery (*80Whr)
Dell Nylon Carrying Case
Anyway, the box was big cuz I got a case too. After a couple days of UPS treatment the box was in incredible shape. I expected a ding or two but UPS surprised me and I appreciate that. So, I slit the tape across the top and the first thing I see is the nylon case in a plastic bag. I opened it up and did a quick check of the pockets and stuff. Really nice case with a lot of pockets and places to store my stuff (George Carlin would love it!) I put that aside and dug into the good stuff next.
Under the case was a tray box that had the software discs (no XP OS disc but a nice cardstock sheet replica in its place
), the manual, AC adapter/power cord (which was flat to my surprise) and a "Dell Wireless Networking for Dummies" pamphlet (cute and I may need it) Okay, looks like everything's there so I move to the really good stuff.Now, at first after I pulled the case out of the box I noticed a gap between the side of the big box and the computer boxes. I hadn't noticed any sliding or shifting when I carried it around but I was a bit concerned. My worries were for naught when I got to the lappy box. They had packed in a nice neat tight spacer that held the lappy box in place. *whew!* So I pulled the box out and unwrapped it. Well packed and no signs of damage. I immediately powered it on and was a little surprised the battery was charged even though I've read about that from others here. After the initial Dell screens (2 of them) Windows XP started its setup. It took a few minutes to go through all the screens but eventually I got it done (btw, what's up with that background music? what is this a movie of the week? and I couldn't mute it). I didn't register right away as I didn't want to connect to the company's network and other people were coming into the office, had to hurry and get to working.
After a slow-ish startup (which I assume will get better once I take off all the extra crap) McAfee wanted me to set it up. Did that real quick because I'm not sure if I want that or Norton yet and there wasn't any way I could see to shut it down. While I was signing away my life
Windows picked up the company WiFi network (secured) and a second WiFi network (unsecured) I didn't recognize. Not sure who it could belong to as we're the only ones in the building and I'm in the farthest office from the neighboring companies. Oh well, at least I know the wireless card is working YAY!First impressions of the system overall. The notebook itself seems well constructed, although the white trim feels a little on the cheap side. Touchpad worked well and I can't wait to try out the sliders. The WXGA screen seemed a little on the dark side but I didn't play with any of the settings yet so I'm hoping that can be adjusted a little. So far so good though and I can't WAIT to get this thing home and really give it a shakedown.
Like I said, I'll be back with a full "newbies" review later this week after I play with it a bit!
Specs:
Dell Inspiron 6000
Intel Pentium M Processor 715 (1.50 GHz/2MB Cache/400MHz FSB)
Windows XP Home Edition
15.4" WXGA LCD
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900
512MB Shared DDR2 SDRAM (2 DIMMs)
80GB Hard Drive
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 B/G, 54mbps)
8x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer writing capability
9 cell lithium ion battery (*80Whr)
Dell Nylon Carrying Case
