Precision M6400 Owner's Lounge

Nobody has the "Extreme" version (X25-E) yet, from what I've read. Not to worry, it will be so expensive when it comes out ($1200+) that it won't matter anyway.
You can get the normal X25-M today from BUY.COM for $632, and they are pretty good performers.

 

I just started using the 1-800 phone number for Dell to check status, and it says that my unit's status is "In Production", and in the "Build Stage".
Has anyone anyone ever heard the voice status actually state a stage like "Kitting" or "Awaiting Parts" before? If so, that would give me some confidence that they are actually building my machine right now, and it's not just sitting around waiting for the QX9300 CPU.

 

Well - just got another call from Dell -- Now they have the FX3700 and Quad Core QX9300 processors -- but now they are out of 9 cell batteries --

This is so hard to believe -- I wonder if they are jerking my chain - hoping I'll cancel -- since I used a 30% off coupon and saved 2 grand on the order. Hate to break the news to them -- NOT going to cancel - even though each time they call they ask if I want to cancel the order.

 

Tell them to ship it to you without the battery (call their bluff), and you'll just plug it into the wall with the brick for a while until they get them in.

 

I just got an email today saying some of my order's components are back ordered. Supposedly an expedite request has been submitted on my behalf, what does that mean? Will I get my Covet sooner now?

 

The same thing happened to me a number of years ago and they refused to ship without the battery. I hope I'm wrong in this case.

 

Can't get it any sooner than when they get the parts and build it. They can expedite -- which means you may move to the top of a list (who knows which list that is) -- but until the parts arrive -- you still have to wait.

 

To do this I am thinking of ordering from Dell dual 250GB and specifying the following:

Vista Ultimate 64bit
RAID 1
2 x 250GB
Custom Factory Partition, 80% Primary / 20% Secondary.
Dell Configuration, Format 2nd partition to NTFS.

OS will be on primary.
I assume they will make all 500GB RAID 1.
I assume the 20% of each HD will be available for me to configure as RAID 0, a total of 100GB. Since the secondary will have nothing on it I should(?) be able to configure both secondary partitions as RAID 0.
Will this work as smoothly as I hope?

RAID 1 will be OS, apps, data (200GB).
RAID 0 will be for hibernation, virtual memory, temp files, etc., (100GB).

I will request that the 250GB Hard Drive, 7200RPM with Free Fall Sensor be WD or Seagate. Will they accommodate?

Dual 250GB from Dell is ~$300 (vs ~$170 if I do it myself). So cost and time effective to use Dell 2 x 250GB and not 2 x 320GB through Dell which is ~$800 (vs ~$200 if I do it myself). And no problems with warranty.

PS. I install Vista Ultimate 64bit on my wife's new D630 and they wanted nothing to do with the machine when there were problems. Insisted that original OS be installed to solve problem.

 

Sorry but you can not mix RAID configurations on drives.

 

NO -- Purely luck of the draw -- you get whatever they have in stock when they build your baby.