Got my inspiron 2200

Have been looking for cheap laptop for a while. Dell is not my first choice. Here is my story of getting a laptop.

First I got HP ZV6000 with the amd 3200 chip from Office Depot (built to order) for $600 after rebate at 10/05. (got all the rebate after 2 month). Really like the bright view screen, powerful chip. But, it is really heavy, and most important, it is noise plus short battery life( around 2.5 hr max with 12 cell). I sold it on the craigs list with a $100 profit.

Saw Staple has a compaq v2000z, sempron 3000+, bright view screen and only 5.5 lb. Went to staples and bought it for $599 + tax. No very cheap, but it look very nice. Oop, I saw a dead pixel. Went back to staples (a week later, too busy during the week) and exchange a new one. Went back home, turn on the laptop, wait, I think I saw a dead pixel again on the screen. Go back to staples right away, exchange another one. Put the laptop on on my desk, wait, how come the laptop wobbling a little. I can feel the build quality is as good as the previous two even though this one has no dead pixel. I finally give up on compaq, at lease for the v2000z series. Went to staples and got my refund.

On 11/23, I saw dell advertise the inspiron 2200 for $399 after $100 rebate. I search the net and found mixed user opinion regards the quality and reliablity. However, I tired of waiting for a "good deal", I decide to take my chance. On the laptop on 11/23, and received on 11/30. Below are my options:
40 gb 5400 rpm
dvd/cdrw
dell 1370 wireless
14.1 screen
8 cell nmh 43 whr (not the 8 cell li-on, 65 whr, it cost 69 more)
free dell printer
735 P-M 1.7 ghz ($100 more)
256 onborad mb

My price after tax, shipping and $100 rebate is around $650. I bought a 512 mb from circuitcity for around $50 plus tax. So, my new laptop cost me $700 net. It is not cheap as I original budgeted. Ooh Well.

I was a little suprise when open the inspiron. It makes me feel it has a better built quality compare to v2000z. Turn on the inspiron 2200, yeah, no dead pixel. Check the hard drive, I only have 25 gb left. What happen to my 4o gb? I want my space back. I reinstall the xp home and delete the dell's restore partitions. I download all the drivers from Dell's website and installed to the laptop. After all that is done, I check the device manager, everything is good. I got 35 gb free after clean install. I have the laptop for only 4 days, I have to say I pretty happy with.

Pros:
Light - only 6 lb with battery, optical drive.

Good battery life, got about 3 - 3.30 on the 43 whr 8 cell nmh battery. If I have the 8 cell li-on 65whr battery, I think it might last 4.5 - 5 hrs. Pentium - M rocks. ooh, When I browing the web, the fan never come on.

5400 rpm harddrive as 4200 rpm for most other laptop
Quiet

Cheap ? - consider it has P-M 735, 1.7 ghz.

Cons:
Screen is not as nice as brightview. (But it is OK with me since I use it mostly for internet browing)

The case is plain. All black

The touch pad is too small.

No firware (for some people)

No S - Video port.

The laptop so far has no problem(knock on wood). I have to say it is a pretty good budget laptop. I recommand it if your purpose is to browing web, email, running office application.

Question: Does the mb for inspiron 2200 support dual channel? If yes, it is better to have dual channel memory? My current config is 256mb plus 512 mb.

 

Nice job. Some people only need a basic machine.

 

nicefun888, u just too captious with your v2000, one dead pixel not killing u.
i also have v2000 and inspiron 2200.
definitely v2000 has better build quality, it does not mean 2200 is crap, actually i think 2200 is nice machine too, very high p/c ratio, i got it for $440 after rebate including tax+shipping. i ordered 14 inch LCD, but i got 2200 with 15 LCD luckly. it looks even like thinkpad, they are both black plastic. i do not recommand any update on 2200, except RAM. it is a basic notebook, any other update not make it better.

 

I have to agree that V2000 series is better design. I just have o luck with it. 1 dead pixel is not big deal, but if it is right on the center, and the idea of paying for somehing is not perfect while other people do just not right.

How do you get $440 net with 15' lcd? I guess I paid too much for mine then.

 

I ordered my Dell for $399 AR plus tax+shipping $75, then use $45 off $400 coupon (the date was around BlackFriday, I remember), so the final total is something about $440 plus one free Dell printer. The LCD configuration of my order is 14", however they sent me one with 15", I have to accept it (I think even you are intent to change LCD from 14 to 15 when you customize your order, it only costs about $25, I am not sure.)