[Darius Wey]

Well, the time has come for me to get a new laptop. Here are the specs:

Dell Inspiron 8600

Intel Dothan 1.60GHz - 2MB Cache and 400MHz FSB

15.4" Widescreen WUXGA 1920 x 1200 Resolution

Microsoft Windows XP Professional

768MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM

60GB UATA 7200RPM HDD

8x DVD+RW/+R with CD-RW Combo Drive

Dell Wireless 1450 (802.11a/b/g) MiniPCI Card

128MB DDR ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo


Well those are the main specs. If you think I shouldn't be ordering this, please come up with some good reasons and let me know.

I've searched high and low, and I figured that this would be the best one for my needs. And if you think that resolution is psychotic...it's because I'm that kind of person. I need a high resolution! That was actually one of the main reasons why I went ahead with this model.

On a side note, Microsoft Works is bundled with this by default. I was looking to order this by phone. Do you think if I asked the sales consultant on the other end of the line to get rid of this (because I really don't need it as I have Office for it already), they would drop the price of the package?

I look forward to gung-ho responses from those who choose to mock my purchasing decision. :devilboy:

[Darius Wey]

Well, the time has come for me to get a new laptop. Here are the specs:

Dell Inspiron 8600

Intel Dothan 1.60GHz - 2MB Cache and 400MHz FSB

15.4" Widescreen WUXGA 1920 x 1200 Resolution

Microsoft Windows XP Professional

768MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM

60GB UATA 7200RPM HDD

8x DVD+RW/+R with CD-RW Combo Drive

Dell Wireless 1450 (802.11a/b/g) MiniPCI Card

128MB DDR ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo


Well those are the main specs. If you think I shouldn't be ordering this, please come up with some good reasons and let me know.

I've searched high and low, and I figured that this would be the best one for my needs. And if you think that resolution is psychotic...it's because I'm that kind of person. I need a high resolution! That was actually one of the main reasons why I went ahead with this model.

On a side note, Microsoft Works is bundled with this by default. I was looking to order this by phone. Do you think if I asked the sales consultant on the other end of the line to get rid of this (because I really don't need it as I have Office for it already), they would drop the price of the package?

I look forward to gung-ho responses from those who choose to mock my purchasing decision. :devilboy:

[PetiteFlower]

It's possible but I don't know. They do build the PCs to order so you never know. Works doesn't add a whole lot to the cost though. Maybe you could work out a "trade" for another software package or hardware upgrade or something.

[Darius Wey]

Originally Posted by PetiteFlower

It's possible but I don't know. They do build the PCs to order so you never know. Works doesn't add a whole lot to the cost though. Maybe you could work out a "trade" for another software package or hardware upgrade or something.

I was hoping for something like that. Perhaps I'll get them to upgrade my hard disk from its original 5400RPM to what I've listed there - 7200RPM, although I am asking for a blessing. :roll:

[ironguy]

Get the faster hard drive and dump Works. Does your DVD player at home read these types of DVD that you'll burn? It's something to consider when getting a burner or you'll be stuck watching them on your laptop.

Do you have discount codes? Check www.techbargains.com. It might be prudent to wait until the school rush is over. Also, subscribe to the Dell email newsletter. I get some deal or another every week. Also check the differences between buying it through Small Business and Home/Home Business. I found that my last PC cost a little more through Small Bus, but there was no shipping so the overall price was less.

[Darius Wey]

Originally Posted by Ironguy

Get the faster hard drive and dump Works. Does your DVD player at home read these types of DVD that you'll burn? It's something to consider when getting a burner or you'll be stuck watching them on your laptop.

Yep. I was planning to dump Works, if possible. I'll find out tomorrow when I call Dell. Thankfully, my DVD player at home reads all types of DVDs, so there's no problem with that one.

Originally Posted by Ironguy

Do you have discount codes? Check www.techbargains.com. It might be prudent to wait until the school rush is over. Also, subscribe to the Dell email newsletter. I get some deal or another every week. Also check the differences between buying it through Small Business and Home/Home Business. I found that my last PC cost a little more through Small Bus, but there was no shipping so the overall price was less.

Yeah, I've subscribed to the Dell newsletter for a while now. I just thought I'd finally go with it, seeing as though for this week, the video card and memory is upgraded for free. But I'll check out Techbargains. Thanks for the link.

Haha, as I speak, I'm doing an online quote of the same system through the Small Business section to see if I can save a few quick bucks. 8)

[draiken]

I have the same an Inspiron 8600, since it's about a year old it only has the b-wifi card...

The only suggestion I have for you is to get the 80GB HD and check how small the fonts are goint to be in the screen, maybe you can downgrade to the 1600x1050 and save a few bucks as well as your eyesight

[maximus]

Originally Posted by DJ Apod

Well those are the main specs. If you think I shouldn't be ordering this, please come up with some good reasons and let me know.

Two things : Price, and Mobility Radeon 9700.

http://www.ecsusa.com/products/g556.html



The Dothan 1.8G, 512K PC333, DVD+/-RW, 60G HDD, and Mobility Radeon 9700 retails for USD1600 in Taiwan. Dell makes good laptops ... but they are generally too expensive.

Once you played with Mobility Radeon 9700 .. there is no turning back. :mrgreen:

[Darius Wey]

Originally Posted by Draiken

The only suggestion I have for you is to get the 80GB HD and check how small the fonts are goint to be in the screen, maybe you can downgrade to the 1600x1050 and save a few bucks as well as your eyesight

Well that was the thing. The 80GB doesn't come in the 7200RPM variant, and I'm willing to give up 20GB for the extra speed. With faster load up times and generally faster access speeds, I'd prefer the 60GB 7200RPM.

Besides, 60GB should be fine for me at the moment, as I have a USB2.0 40GB HDD for it as well, plus I won't be storing all of my files on there. I've got >500GB on my desktop which will be used for storage of most of my files.

I'd consider downgrading the resolution but I usually prefer the high resolutions as I do a lot of graphic editing and video editing, as well as a lot of DJ work in my spare time and would appreciate the extra screen space. I operate at a very high resolution on my desktop so I'm kind of used to the high resolution already.

Originally Posted by Maximus

Two things : Price, and Mobility Radeon 9700.

http://www.ecsusa.com/products/g556.html



The Dothan 1.8G, 512K PC333, DVD+/-RW, 60G HDD, and Mobility Radeon 9700 retails for USD1600 in Taiwan. Dell makes good laptops ... but they are generally too expensive.

Once you played with Mobility Radeon 9700 .. there is no turning back.

Thanks Maximus. Appreciate the link. The thing is I'd prefer a local solution so that if anything drastic were to happen, I could get it fixed on the spot.

The Radeon 9700 is certainly nice but for most of my gaming, I'd probably end up doing it on my desktop anyway. On a side note, did you know that there's a Mobility X600 out already? 0X

Thanks though. Your comments were appreciated.

[Fishie]

Dont do it man.
Think of the children, please I beg you think of the children.

[CTSLICK]

My only advice would be to lurk in the refurb Dell website for a week to see if one happens to pop up and hit your specs. This is how my friend at work scored his 8600 and saved a couple of bucks in the process. He's been very happy.

Other than that...I say go for it.