Inspiron 6000D Build

I just recently ordered a 6000D, and was wondering if people could tell me if I got a good deal for the money I paid.

Intel® Pentium® M Processor 715 (1.50 GHz/2MB Cache/400MHz FSB)
512MB DDR2 SDRAM 2 Dimms
128MB DDR ATI's MOBILITY™ RADEON X300 PCI Express x16 Graphics
40GB Hard Drive
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 b/g, 54Mbps)

Those are the only add-ons I made to a pretty basic model.
The price I paid: $1,098.00.

This is my first laptop, and I am new to the fold. I'm not sure of the speed of the processor, but I hope someone can comment on that as well. Mostly, I'll use the machine for internet access / DVD viewing / word processing. However, I am a casual gamer, hoping this system can run some games that I play (World of Warcraft / Call of Duty) at a playable frame rate. Most specifically Warcraft..

Any comments on my purchase would be most welcome..

 

Great deal for the money, absolutley, except one thing. You should've gotten at least the 1.6 with the processor number ending in 0, because thats the new Sonoma (with 533Mhz FSB and processor # ending in 0). You are getting the old processor chip with your order (with 400Mhz FSB and a processor # ending in 5).

Also, I would've gone for 1 Dimm for RAM or gone 256MB and bought more RAM on my own, just because with 2 Dimms you're gonna have to take one out to upgrade the RAM. So say you buy a 512MB stick of RAM later down the road, you will end up with 256MB + 512MB = 768MB total RAM, as your laptop only has 2 RAM slots.


Other than those twot hings, for the budget its a really good config!

 

Thanks for responding. The thing is, I was on an extremely limited budget and I tried to put as much power into it as funds allowed. As for upgrading, that won't come for a while, but thanks.

 

You won't need the extra 100mhz from processor speed or the extra 133mhz from the faster bus. You got a good price. I am surprised you didn't opt for the bigger battery, the 9 cell battery life is awesome and I would upgrade that, unless money is tight.

I had to set a budget since I can easily justify each little option which is hard to stick to so don't feel bad. I set the ceiling at $1200 so I paid $1192 for mine.

Dell Inspiron 6000
1.6 GHZ Centrino (Sonoma)
WUXGA 15.4" WS
512 MB RAM
60 GB HD
Wireless B/G
DVD/CD-RW
9 Cell Battery x 2
Mozilla Firefox Browser
---
Palmone Tungsten C/WIFI

 

True you may not need the 100Mhz faster processor nor the extra FSB but it'd still be nice to have newer technlogy (Sonoma) and yes, it will still make a speed difference.

Also as mentioned, the better battery is totally worth the investment. 6 hours of life is hard to beat!

 

If the newer processor is really worth it, I think I can find some room for upgrade. As for the battery, the majority of the time I'll have a power outlet handy. Relying on the battery won't be that much of a problem.

 

I guess if you don't need a better battery it is okay, and the default battery should give you about 3 hours anyway.

As far as the processor goes, its a $50 upgrade to 1.6Ghz Pentium M 730.

I think its worth the extra $50, first of all you are getting a faster chip clock speed wise, though not by much. But the new Pentium M's are also more efficient with power and processing so you get better performance. Not to mention you get a 533Mhz FSB which also helps speed a little.

And lastly, you have the latest technlogy, Sonoma, as opposed to last years technology.

I would think its worth the $50, especially since unlike something like RAM or battery it will be very hard to swap out the processor later on.

 

With the new deals, I can get an even better 6000D for cheaper. Should I cancel my order and reorder it?

 

First configure a system up and see...if it's cheaper, go for it before the build gets any further!!!!!


anyone using the 6000 with the default WXGA screen? I'm contemplating whether I should upgrade to the WSXGA or not....

 

Basically, I can get a build with 1GB of ram and a 60GB HD for about $5 more. Funny how that worked out.

But I'm really worried about gaming. How good can the X300 hold up?

 

that's hillarious man.....I would say go for the new configuration...that would be a screaming machine!!!!

I read somewhere that although the x300 is considered the "base" graphics model....it performs extremely well.....even the integrated graphics of the i6000 work quite well with games like BF1942 and others........so it depends on the type of gaming you are looking to do.

I'm wondering about the screen now though...I got the WXGA and am wondering how bad/good that is as compared to the WSXGA one......hmmmmm...decisions, decisions!!!!

 

I'd recommend the WXSGA+ 1680x1050. Its a very good resolution that lets you see more and 2nd that screen is an Ultrabright where the standard is not.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Conscript

 

Yeah, 1680x1050 seems a little too small at first. My cyberpower laptop that I just returned in anticipation for my 6000d had it, and it only took about 2 hours or so for me to get used to it.

I think I do need better glasses though and I do have some vision problems, but I mean, it was generally acceptable even at my eye sight. 1920x1200 would definitley be too small IMO for a 15.4" screen. 1680x1050 is probably the bare minimum.

I think 1440x900 with Ultrabright would've been a much better compromise for a higer resolution and readability. Yet the only options are 1280x800 non-Ultrabright or 1680x1050 with it, or of course the insane 1900x1200.

If only Dell had 1440x900 with Ultrabright in between the two, I would've taken that for sure.

The weird thing about my Cyberpower (S4-3000 w/256MB ATI Radeon 9700 PRO)I returned was that 1680x1050 was the only widescreen resolution I could set my monitor to, all the other resolutions available were non-widescreen.

I really hope the Dell 6000d lets me pick 1440x900 or 1280x800 just in case, and I hope it looks decent enough to use.

 

I also configured a 6000D and ready to buy but wanted to know if I got a good deal as well.

Dell Inspiron 6000
1.86 GHZ Centrino (Sonoma)
WSXGA 15.4" WS
1GB RAM
60 GB HD 72rpm
2200 intel Wireless B/G
8X DVD RW w/DL support/CD-RW
9 Cell Battery

I can get this for $1518.00 including 2 day shipping and of course no tax Is this worth it and also is it worth to save the $70 and go with a 1.6 processor?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by guitar_guy