Just ordered Precision M90!!!

I’ve been looking around dell outlet for awhile and I just couldn’t pass on this scratch & dent deal. The RAM will be upgraded to 2 GB, and HD will be upgrade to something with 7200RPM later on. There are couple of things missing as you can see, a internal wireless modem and bluetooth, but I think you can’t find this kind of machine for the price. I hope the scratch & dent isn’t bad as I read here.

Check out my new system!

Precision Mobile Workstation M90 Notebook: Intel Core Duo processor T2300 (1.67GHz/667MHz) Genuine Windows XP Pro 1 $999.00
ISP Software
9 Cell Primary Battery
Hinge Cover
Base Assembly
Roxio Creator Delux
Software CD
Operating System Software CD
Processor Label
AOL ISP Software
Scratch & Dent
No Wireless Option
Labeling
No Resource CD
Keyboard On Notebook
17 inch Wide Screen XGA+ Notebook Screen
60 GB EIDE Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
Genuine Windows XP Pro
512 MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz (2 DIMMs)
130W AC Adapter
Shipping Material
256MB NVIDIA Quadro FX 1500M, (dedicated), OpenGL
Shipping Material
Documentation
Software CD
8x DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Power DVD Software

Precision M90 STD: 3Yr Parts + Onsite Labor (Next Business Day) $0.00 1 $0.00
Subtotal: $999.00
Shipping and Handling: $49.00
Shipping Discount: -$25.00
Tax Total: $59.92
Total: $1,082.92

 

Why no wireless option.

You need the resource CD.

 

My stupid question 1.
What is included in resource CD?

Stupid Question 2.
Can't I just add wireless modem later on?

 

1 The Drivers for you notebook, in case it crashes

2 PCMCIA cards can be added later (if you're waiting on the next generation wireless card). My experience has been that the PCMCIA cards do not have as much range as built in ones. If this is not entirely correct, someone please clarify.

"No such thing as stupid questions, just stupid answers"

 

Great deal! That's about a 1.5k cheaper than i've seen it. Yes, try to get wireless built in, you can go USB, works great but hangs off notebook. You don't have pcmcia just the mini slots? The restore disk is $10 but you can always make a second image your drive which is, imho, the way to go.

 

I thought resource disk was something else.
I am not worried, dell support site has all the necessary drivers, in the event the computer crashes. And like hydra(thanks) advised I'll be ghosting the disk once it get here. But my major concern is "No Wireless Option", I hope "No Wireless Option" means no mini-card modem, and still have antennas.

Can anyone confirm it will still have antennas along with working mini-card slot?

 

The Modem would have its own antenna. The antenna would not be included if you don't have the wireless card.

 

Call Dell, If ya got the antennas already installed by default then your cool!

 

You can usually add a mini-card yourself if you can get one. I don't know about the antennas, but otherwise, you just open it up and put it in as you would a barebones. *I think* Congrats on the computer by the way. It's a fantastic machine.

 

titaniummd: So do you think buying internal wireless modem will have antenna? Really curious about this...

hydra: I've just emailed dell support, and I hope by tomorrow, I'll have a good news. I had few beers over dinner so I really don't want to deal with customer support right now .

notebook_ftw: Thanks a lot! Your reviews was final push, going from E1705 to M90. I know it's from dell outlet, but your picture "black and blushed metal look" just helped me buy a refurbished computer for the first time(I have 700m "white border"). I know I'll be opening it up once merom releases (if M90 supports it). But if it has to be done sooner, I'll be glad to disassemble it and think of it as practace.

 

If you're going to upgrade to Merom, make sure to NOT UPDATE THE BIOS. This is very important. So far, it appears that the A01 BIOS does not support Merom, but A00 BIOS does. I foolishly upgraded, and now I may have to reflash back to A00. Just a heads up. Dell may release a BIOS update when Merom comes out to allow it (maybe they just don't want people messing around with dev chips), but right now, A01 does NOT support Merom as far as anyone can tell.

 

Thanks for the heads up! When Merom comes out, I was hoping to buy a 12"-14" portable barebone system and build a portable system with better battery life for the plane rides. I guess my plan might not be as good as I thought. I hope your are right on dell not wanting us to mess around with dev chips. Because this is the one of the reason, I decided to buy core duo system now.

 

Yeah, that's the reason I decided to buy now too. I have A00 downloaded ready to flash back if I have to. But I'm crossing my fingers they'll release A02 when Merom comes out so I don't have to void my warranty.

 

My system was already shipped, I guess by end of next week I'll have it in person and see if it has all the necessary parts. Eventhough, I have no response from support, some how I have full confidence, it will have all the necessary parts in there for wireless, bluetooth, and RAM upgrade, which I am planing to do right after I get it. I installed bluetooth 350 modules for my brother's E1505 purchased from Ebay and all the necessary components were there for easy upgrade. I mean, Dell wouldn't go that far to screw select few that doesn't choose wireless option, or will they?

notebook_ftw save that file for me will ya? I don't know what they are going to ship my system with. It looks like many people are going with upgrade to merom with their existing system. Let's all have our finger crossed for bios upgrade.