Well, I have had the notebook for a couple days now and I'm impressed enough to submit a review. First let me provide my specifications:
Intel Pentium M (533Mhz Bus/2MB cache) 1.86 Ghz
XP Home SP2
15.4" WUXGA (Made by Sharp)
512MB 1 DIMM (yes im going to upgrade)
Radeon X300 128MB
DVD/24x CD burner combo
Centrino A/B/G wireless
9 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Now for some benchmark results:
PCMark 2004 - 3787
3DMark 2005 - 1374 (Overclocked to 340Mhz Core/250 Mhz Memory w/ omega drivers)
And finally my review:
I must admit, the search for a good notebook is a tedious one. Personally, I wanted a decent video card and 7200 RPM hard drive. That is why I chose the Inspiron 6000 from Dell. I was originally going to go with the 9300 but I realized that 17 inches was a bit too big and with all the screen complaints I was turned away. In this section I will describe some of the components and give my personal opinions.
LCD - After hearing a lot of bad things about the 9300 lcd screens I was kinda worried when I ordered my 6000 (with the $750 coupon
). Well when I powered up I noticed quite a bit of light leakage on the bottom and top of my screen. However, within a day this was all gone and my screen is clear! I checked my dell configuration which states that I have the wuxga made by sharp. But, my friend who just ordered his does not specify the screen as a sharp. Unfortunately for him, everytime his screen vibrates at all, a patch in the left top corner of the lcd pulsates. The only way I can descibe it is that it looks like a bubble; you can see the liquid moving and distorting. He is currently trying to get Dell to send a replacement...Ill update with how that goes. Oh and WUXGA resolution rocks...no buts about it. Its crystal clear and makes my CRT look like crap.
Graphics - Nice for a notebook but I wish I had that geforce 6800 go. I played Counterstrike: Source and Doom3 currently with the card and had no problems, however, it is slightly overclocked and the fan speed is set to high. The screen blurs slightly when making fast movements in game which can be a little distracting. Im not sure if thats the card itself or the LCD. Regardless, I can play games so I am happy.
Hard Drive - I am very pleased with the 7200 hitachi hard drive. It is only 60 GB but thats OK because it is virtually silent and as fast as my desktop when transfering data. Definite must have, don't order one without!
Sound - Decent sound for a notebook but just as good as my desktop when using headphones. Media buttons are very convenient and rock when used with the winamp plugin. If you need this plugin here is a link - click here
Touchpad/Keyboard - I'm not really a fan of touchpads but it works when you dont have a mouse handy. I bought a little mouse and use it instead most of the top but the touchpad is like any other, no problems. Keybard is really nice, not flexible and easy to type on after years of a microsoft keyboard.
DVD Rom/CD Burner - First off, I didnt need the DVD-RW because I have a brand new one on my desktop. I played a couple movies so far with the DVD Rom drive so far and I was very impressed. Very smooth crisp video on the highest resolution. Cyberlink version is kindof weird and maybe too basic.
Battery Life - Without any power management and just dimming the screen a couple notches windows estimates about 5 hours of battery life. This was estimated while watching a DVD and surfing the web occasionally in between. I don't know how much battery gaming will suck but when I get some more time I will check it out and post it. If you are ordering this notebook definitely go with the 9 cell!
Centrino Wireless - Excellent connection all through my house with a D-Link DI-524 Air Plus G router. Driving down my street I pick up wifi in all direcetions...but mine is the only encripted
This laptop is very very quiet. When the fan is on slow you can hardly hear it. Big difference from my desktop with 6 case fans. The design is also really nice - looks cool with the white ipod type plastic. Media buttons have a nice blue backlight when pressed which looks really cool in the dark.
Overall nice notebook indeed...for me being used to high powered desktops, I am very impressed with this (especially being that its a dell). Just make sure if and when you get yours CLEAR THE PARTITIONS AND FORMAT THE DRIVE (if you want performance and no dell junkware that is)! Make sure you have a windows CD that corresponds to the version you ordered however because they dont supply the CD. They did however send one when I requested it. The serial is located on the bottom. Not a bad deal at all at $1400. Thank you dell for those awesome coupons.
Intel Pentium M (533Mhz Bus/2MB cache) 1.86 Ghz
XP Home SP2
15.4" WUXGA (Made by Sharp)
512MB 1 DIMM (yes im going to upgrade)
Radeon X300 128MB
DVD/24x CD burner combo
Centrino A/B/G wireless
9 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Now for some benchmark results:
PCMark 2004 - 3787
3DMark 2005 - 1374 (Overclocked to 340Mhz Core/250 Mhz Memory w/ omega drivers)
And finally my review:
I must admit, the search for a good notebook is a tedious one. Personally, I wanted a decent video card and 7200 RPM hard drive. That is why I chose the Inspiron 6000 from Dell. I was originally going to go with the 9300 but I realized that 17 inches was a bit too big and with all the screen complaints I was turned away. In this section I will describe some of the components and give my personal opinions.
LCD - After hearing a lot of bad things about the 9300 lcd screens I was kinda worried when I ordered my 6000 (with the $750 coupon
). Well when I powered up I noticed quite a bit of light leakage on the bottom and top of my screen. However, within a day this was all gone and my screen is clear! I checked my dell configuration which states that I have the wuxga made by sharp. But, my friend who just ordered his does not specify the screen as a sharp. Unfortunately for him, everytime his screen vibrates at all, a patch in the left top corner of the lcd pulsates. The only way I can descibe it is that it looks like a bubble; you can see the liquid moving and distorting. He is currently trying to get Dell to send a replacement...Ill update with how that goes. Oh and WUXGA resolution rocks...no buts about it. Its crystal clear and makes my CRT look like crap.Graphics - Nice for a notebook but I wish I had that geforce 6800 go. I played Counterstrike: Source and Doom3 currently with the card and had no problems, however, it is slightly overclocked and the fan speed is set to high. The screen blurs slightly when making fast movements in game which can be a little distracting. Im not sure if thats the card itself or the LCD. Regardless, I can play games so I am happy.
Hard Drive - I am very pleased with the 7200 hitachi hard drive. It is only 60 GB but thats OK because it is virtually silent and as fast as my desktop when transfering data. Definite must have, don't order one without!
Sound - Decent sound for a notebook but just as good as my desktop when using headphones. Media buttons are very convenient and rock when used with the winamp plugin. If you need this plugin here is a link - click here
Touchpad/Keyboard - I'm not really a fan of touchpads but it works when you dont have a mouse handy. I bought a little mouse and use it instead most of the top but the touchpad is like any other, no problems. Keybard is really nice, not flexible and easy to type on after years of a microsoft keyboard.
DVD Rom/CD Burner - First off, I didnt need the DVD-RW because I have a brand new one on my desktop. I played a couple movies so far with the DVD Rom drive so far and I was very impressed. Very smooth crisp video on the highest resolution. Cyberlink version is kindof weird and maybe too basic.
Battery Life - Without any power management and just dimming the screen a couple notches windows estimates about 5 hours of battery life. This was estimated while watching a DVD and surfing the web occasionally in between. I don't know how much battery gaming will suck but when I get some more time I will check it out and post it. If you are ordering this notebook definitely go with the 9 cell!
Centrino Wireless - Excellent connection all through my house with a D-Link DI-524 Air Plus G router. Driving down my street I pick up wifi in all direcetions...but mine is the only encripted
This laptop is very very quiet. When the fan is on slow you can hardly hear it. Big difference from my desktop with 6 case fans. The design is also really nice - looks cool with the white ipod type plastic. Media buttons have a nice blue backlight when pressed which looks really cool in the dark.
Overall nice notebook indeed...for me being used to high powered desktops, I am very impressed with this (especially being that its a dell). Just make sure if and when you get yours CLEAR THE PARTITIONS AND FORMAT THE DRIVE (if you want performance and no dell junkware that is)! Make sure you have a windows CD that corresponds to the version you ordered however because they dont supply the CD. They did however send one when I requested it. The serial is located on the bottom. Not a bad deal at all at $1400. Thank you dell for those awesome coupons
.
