Dell: The nVidia 6800 will probably not come back

While on the phone yesterday with a very helpful and friendly Dell sales rep., I asked him to find out when the nVidia geoforce 6800 video card for the Inspiron 9300 might become available, after checking with whoever, he returned to the phone and told me, “If you want to have a high-end graphics card, I would recommend you buy the E1705, It’s unlikely that the 6800 will return”

I guess that with the XPS lineup, the introduction of the E1705, and the eventual phasing out of the 9300 line as reported in the forums, that the 9300 era is basically over?

 

I think dell realized that the 9300 was just about as good as the XPS M170, and people were buying the 9300 instead of the XPS. Dell just wants you to spend more money, and purchase a higher end system.

 

Bummer, the 9300 was a very good budget gaming system.

 

Yes, I agree. It was like the cheapest 17" gamming laptop. Thats too bad it went. But hopefuly the E1705 will come down in price, and replace the 9300.

EDIT: Also, does anyone know if its easy or even possible to buy the 9300 with the Intel 900 GMA, then open it up and put in a 6800? If so where can you get it?

 

Isn't the x300 the base card on the 9300. The card is upgradeable. I believe some have put the 6800 or 7800 in there. Dell used to sell the parts on their site.

 

lol, your right I don't know why I said the Intel 900 GMA. Its the X300 64MB then for $49 extra you can get the 128 X300. Nothing close to the 6800.

 

The i9300 uses the 915pm intel chipset on the mobo. If users want to get the 6800, they must have to get a i9300 with the ati card and purchase the 6800 from Dell's Parts Department or ebay. I think that is all they have to do.

 

That is correct. The only one you need extra parts is to upgrade to the 7800.

 

I think Dell is killing themselves with this move. Instead, they should simply either eliminate the XPS line or upgrade it like crazy so as to justify the price differince. The i9300 was a very good computer and I wouldn't be surprised it most sales came from it being a cheap desktop replacement notebook while having a powerful graphics card. I believe that many to-be customers will be turned away by this move instead of buying XPS notebooks. Dell can however turn this around if they add AMD Turion processors along with P Ms as well as returning the GeForce Go 6800 to the i9300.

 

I understand why dell is doing this, but I don't think it is right.

Personally, I like the new dual core technology, but I don't plan on buying it anytime soon. I don't have a need for it and all of the new systems are a bit over priced right now. Dell also stopped offering the UXGA screen. This is really sad considering the 9300 isn't even a year old yet.

Dell spare parts should have the 6800 if anyone wants to upgrade it. The upgrade won't void your warranty, but the new card won't be cover under your warranty either. The UXGA screen is also available in spare parts, and cost was around $500 range when I checked a couple of months ago.

SG

 

I'm trying to get an official comment on what's going on, will update you if I find aything out.

 

Wow, a very bold move from them if true....let's wait for Brian to confirm it.

 

I wanted to get the i9300 with the GeForce too. I entered the market about a month late it seems. I don't know if I can afford the E1750 or XPS right now and I need a new computer by the first week of March. I can't use my Powerbook in class.

 

This makes me happier about my decision to go to eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6841857724&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

Yesterday I bought this 9300 with WUXGA and the 6800 for $1500... so it came to about the same as when I configured it a few weeks ago during the last $750/$1999 coupon (really wish I would have pulled the trigger then, but hey). So as long as I get what's described, I'm very happy.

There was another one with an identical description that probably ends tomorrow or Thursday for $1399/$1499 buy-it-now if someone wants to go check it out.

Looks like eBay is our only recourse for 6800 and/or WUXGA-equipped 9300s now. And only til the stock of those runs out.

 

Wow! There really are some nice deals on ebay. Let's see if I can talk myself into that though. Ebay worries me a little.

 

Eh, just check the seller's feedback. I sold a few XPS laptops on there a few months ago, when military personel were getting a crazy discount. I think alot of people that work for Dell sell them too. I know I sold mine for a great price, I'm sure there are many other good deals n there too!!

 

Brian, anything offical yet?