NEED ADVICE ON DELL 8600

I am considering ordering the Dell 8600 and wanted opinions on this model.

For those who own this model are you pleased with your choice? If you had the choice again, would you purchase another brand computer or the same? Any opinions about the quality build differences on Compaq/HP or Toshiba? (I love the X/Brite; Tru/Brite Screens on those laptops, too bad Dell doesn't offer them.)

I own a 5000e Inspiron. I had the following hardware failures within the 3 year warranty: Defective keyboard and Cracked LCD plastic bezel close to the hinge area. The cracked case was from simple wear and tear. I consider this a 'STRESS FRACTURE". Under warranty Dell did send an on site repair person for the Bezel replacement and the Keyboard replacement.

The plastic has a new crack again in the same area.The replacement plastic case lasted about 18 months.

Out of warranty failures I had to pay for in the last 12 months:
HD crashed, floppy Drive, CPU cooling fan and power supply.
NOW my LCD screen is rainbowing (My system is 4 yrs old.)
Amazing how eveything seemed to fail between months 36 and 48.

I consider it unwise to spend more on replacing the LCD screen.

I have the UXGA and was never happy with it's brightness. My old Toshiba Tecra had a much brighter screen.

I am conflicted about another Dell BUT it allows me the configurations I prefer and I must have the 4 year warranty on site which is one of the reasons I am still considering Dell. Their Tech support was much better 4 years ago before they moved it to India.

System I am considering.

ATI 128mb Pro Radeon ( I prefer this for picture editing)
Screen: SXGA
OS: XP Pro (I need this for work)
HD: 60 gig 7200 RPM
DV: 8xDVD +RW
Processor 1.6
I will Ram to 1 GIG by myself.


My one real downside is that I wish Dell offered and Aluminum Hood for the LCD on the 8600. I travel for work and I need something sturdy. I am not sure if the Latitude 800 series offers that.

Other questions:
Do any of the Dell offered programs (or Upgrades) offers Video editing?
IS the standard DVD software writing program that comes with Dell sufficient or should I try one of their available upgrades?
Anti Virus, would you go with Macafee or Norton?
Any thoughts about the SXGA screen?
Is it worth getting the Bluetooth? I don't have any devices yet.

COUPONS: I have none and wonder how and where to get it? The system they quoted me as you see it with 512mb on one dimm with Mcafee Anti virus is: 2162 (2262- 100 rebate)


NEW MODELS: Any idea when they are coming out?

I would look forward and appreciate comments and opinions.

 

Hi EdwardH,
Checkout the IBM T42 Thinkpads, you might pay a little more up front but it will pay off in the end with less downtime and repairs. Dell's quality at this time is just terrible, I can't believe you would go back for more after the experiences you have had in the past with Dell. This is one of the reasons their quality and reliability has slipped so much, they cut all these corners to increase the profit on their notebooks and causing the build quality to go in the pooper, yet all those people who they sold that low quality crap too come back to them for more of it. If everyone dump them when their quality faulters, it would be no time at all before they got their quality back up to where it should be.

Jack

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" (Ben Franklin)
http://pbase.com/joneill

 

The T42 recommendation is a good one. However, a suitably equipped T42 was going to cost me $2300, after taxes. As such, I decided to go with Dell (I got in on a great coupon/rebate deal which gave me a 725 processor, WUXGA, Bluetooth, WiFi and 4 years on-site/accidental protection for $1400 after taxes). Even if anything on the Dell breaks, it’s covered by the warranty, so I don’t have to worry. I recommend the Dell w/ a top-of-the-line warranty. Don’t worry about it lasting forever – 4 years is a long LONG time to keep a PC (I can’t imagine using 4-year old mobile-PC technology (p-III? GeForce2 graphics?). As for the coupons…do a google search for dell coupons. You may not have the patience to wait for a great deal…but try not to buy if you’re not getting at least 20% off of the “regular” price.

 

Hi Tecnerd,
Thanks for your reply. Seems I need a coupon BADLY. I am paying 2,350 for my configuration. Did you get 60 gig 7200 rpm? 512k on one dimm, ATI Pro turbo 128mb, xp pro, dvd/rw?. I am curious and pissed if I am overpaying.

How long have you had your system? Any regrets?

 

I've had my 8600 for only a week now, but I got the same configuration as you did except I opted for 1Gb of RAM from Dell and didn't get the DVD writer (got a CDRW/DVD). So far everything seems great. There is a tiny bit of flex in the keyboard, but not noticable to me, no dead pixels, no cracks (yet!).

I like the WSXGA+ resolution - 1680x1050 native resolution is perfect for me. Dell ships with windows/IE showing larger fonts, but I removed all those settings.

I, too, wish it had an aluminum case. I opted for the blue snap-on cover for the top (I think it was $30), which I'm hoping will add a little more protection to the back of the screen.

Definietly look for a deal - they come around all the time. I paid $1850 (after state tax of 8.6%) for this system:

Inspiron 8600<o></o>	Intel® Pentium®M Processor 725(1.60A GHz/400MHz FSB) 15.4 WSXGA+<o></o>
Memory<o></o>	1GB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms<o></o>
Video Card<o></o>	128MB DDR ATI's MOBILITY® RADEON™ 9600 PROTURBO<o></o>
Hard Drive<o></o>	60GB Hard Drive at 7200RPM<o></o>
Power Adapter<o></o>	AC adapter -90w, 19.5v<o></o>
Operating System<o></o>	Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition<o></o>
Network Card<o></o>	Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem<o></o>
Document Management<o></o>	Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0<o></o>
CD ROM/DVD ROM<o></o>	FREE <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">24X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive</st1:address></st1:Street> with Sonic RecordNow Upgrade!<o></o>
Wireless Networking Cards<o></o>	Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 b/g, 54Mbps)<o></o>
Productivity Software<o></o>	Productivity Pack including WordPerfect®<o></o>
Security Software<o></o>	<st1lace w:st="on"><st1laceName w:st="on">McAfee</st1laceName><st1laceName w:st="on">Security</st1laceName><st1laceType w:st="on">Center</st1laceType></st1lace> w/ VirusScan, Firewall and Privacy, 90-day trial<o></o>
Digital Music<o></o>	Dell Jukebox - easy-to-use music player and CD burning software<o></o>
Primary <st1lace w:st="on">Battery</st1lace><o></o>	72 WHr Primary <st1lace w:st="on">Battery</st1lace><o></o>
Limited Warranty, Services and Support<o></o>	3Yr Ltd Warr,At-Home Service,and Tech Support plus Nights and Weekends<o></o>
Internet Access Options<o></o>	6 Months EarthLink Internet Access Included<o></o>
Digital Imaging or Digital Photography<o></o>	Paint Shop™ Pro® Trial plus Photo Album™ Starter Edition<o></o>
Color Choice<o></o>	<st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Venice</st1lace></st1:City> Blue QuickSnap™ Cover<o></o>
Personal Finance Software<o></o>	Microsoft® Money 2004 Standard<o></o>
Dell Media Experience<o></o>	Dell Media Experience™<o></o>

 

EdwardH don't do a big blunder by buying a Dell I-8600 they're telling me they are doing away with paper manuals and this is the reason I wasn't sent one. I will not download a manual then have to print average 180+ sheets for my paper manual. BTW my CPU was $2150 I had been sent the DVD+R/RW and CDR/RW can't be fully enjoyed because DELL isn't including paper manuals anymore. BTW I got a 80GB hard drive and WUGA 1920 X 1220 screen with their 64MB nvidea. I have the 2.0 GHz with the Intel M processor and single dimm 512MB SDRAM. I have to buy a manual for this sucker off the web, it was easier buying my 2005 Subaru Legacy 4 door sedan for I was handed a new *paper* manual that had its own niche in the glove box.


Edit: For the first time I got a call back saying all was okay that my 'contract' had posted and I would be sent a paper manual, I'll believe it when I see that one. Dell is putting out contracts on people hmmm if you hear of my death Dell computers, had someone do it, I live in Easton, PA in Palmer Township within 7 miles of Philipsburg, NJ.


BTW Rufus it was $35 for a snap on color other than their generic silver(aluminum), If you seen the movie "Hackers" Dade Murphy(Jonny Lee Miller) used a can of spray paint to customize his keyboard, or if you want you can paste a big yellow smile with the tongue hanging out on the blue case to customize it yourself. [ ]





























/Chaz