Need some recommendations...

[Patrick Y.]

Hi everyone,

Is this a good deal?
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11097443&cm_mmc=BCEmail_124-_-Dell_966055-_-50-_-Computers_BCEmail_124

I know they discontinued this model on Dell's website, which is why they're reducing price at costco. Though, the specification of this laptop looks pretty impressive for its price. However, I don't get why dell classify 2200 as basic/entry level. Is there any major difference between this one and 9300/6000 series? In my opinion, this one, with the configuration at costco, has the same specification as mid-range Dell entertainment laptops. Anyway, if anyone know a better deal, let me know. Also, is "Integrated Intel® Media Accelerator 900 Graphics" good (sorry, but I don't really understand these stuff. Maybe someone can help me?) ?


Thanks!!

[Janak Parekh]

However, I don't get why dell classify 2200 as basic/entry level. Is there any major difference between this one and 9300/6000 series?
The most immediate difference I see is screen resolution - the 2200 has 1024x768, while even the 6000 ranges from 1280x600 to 1920x1200. Also, the 2200 has a 15" square display, whereas the 6000 has a 15" widescreen -- that is to say, the 6000 is less "tall", which makes it a bit more compact and useable in cramped environments. (The 9300, which uses a 17" widescreen, is on another level entirely.) The 6000 also has the option of better graphics chipsets. I don't know the Intel 900 series very well, but I'm guessing it's mediocre for gaming at best.

Also, the processor is a bit older in the 2200, which uses a 400MHz FSB, as opposed to the 6000's 533MHz FSB.

It ultimately depends on what you're using it for. If screen resolution/dimensions nor the somewhat slower performance is an issue, then the 2200 may be a good deal for you. If you plan to game or do intensive applications, the 2200 may be lacking.

--janak

[Darius Wey]

I don't know the Intel 900 series very well, but I'm guessing it's mediocre for gaming at best.

Yup, it sucks like a vortex.

Is this a good deal?

As Janak has mentioned, it depends on what you're using it for. Considering all that has been mentioned so far, Dell has dropped the prices of the laptops dramatically over the past few months. I'm sure you could find a better deal on the Dell web site for a couple hundred dollars extra (if budget permits).

[Patrick Y.]

How about this? $600 savings. The final price is $913.



Inspiron 9300
Date & Time: December 03,2005 9:56 PM CST

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Inspiron 9300 Qty 1
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 740 (1.73 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB), Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 Unit Price $1,513.00
Select Inspiron affiliate offer save $500 off $1499+ (Affiliate only)
LIMITED TIME OFFER! Remove Coupon
- $500.00
Catalog Number: 29
Module Description Show Details
Inspiron 9300 Intel® Pentium® M Processor 740 (1.73 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
Display 17 inch Wide Screen XGA+ Display
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm
Video Card ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X300 64MB HyperMemory™
Hard Drive 60GB 5400rpmHard Drive
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
CD/DVD Drives 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Wireless Networking Card Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 b/g, 54Mbps)
Office Software (not included in Windows XP) No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor only
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) No Security Subscription
Primary Battery 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (53 WHr)
Hardware Warranty 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Miscellaneous Award Winning Service & Support
Financial Software No QuickBooks package selected - includes limited use trial
Operating System Backup & Recovery PC Restore recovery system by Symantec
Dell Digital Entertainment Starter Entertainment Pack - Basic digital Music, Photo and Game experience

Dell All In One Inkjet 924 Qty 1
Dell Photo All-In-One Printer 924 Unit Price $30.00
SPECIAL OFFER!!! FOR ONLY $30 MORE get an All-In-One Photo Printer 924
Limited Time Offer!

Catalog Number: 29
Module Description Show Details
Dell All In One Inkjet 924 Dell Photo All-In-One Printer 924
Hardware Support Services 1Yr Ltd. Warranty, 1 yr HW Warranty Support, 1 yr Advance Exchange
TOTAL:$1,043.00

[Darius Wey]

Looks like a great deal. The resolution might be a bit low, especially for a 17" display, but overall, this looks like a better deal than the one you initially linked to.

[Janak Parekh]

Looks like a great deal. The resolution might be a bit low, especially for a 17" display, but overall, this looks like a better deal than the one you initially linked to.
... as long as you're willing to deal with a physically larger laptop. :)

--janak

[Patrick Y.]

Thanks guys. Though, there is only one big problem. For some reason, my dad thinks that the large 17" screen on 9300 will break easily. While I don't think it's true (after reading about the reviews/user experience of 9300), I just can't get 9300 without convincing my dad that this isn't true. His reasoning? Well, he said that 17" screen are not so widely used on laptop so they are not as well-built and designed (in early development stage). Can you guys help me to come up with some strong reason and proofs to persuade my dad? He's quite stubborn sometimes.

[Janak Parekh]

8O

17" laptops aren't new. Apple's been selling one for two years (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powerbook). Besides, I haven't heard of any screen breaking complaints.

Besides, if this was the case, why wouldn't larger desktop screens break too?

The one argument that has merit is that the device is larger and heavier, and therefore more prone to being dropped or damaged somehow.

--janak

[Sven Johannsen]

My feeling on large laptops is if this is going to sit on your desktop, and now and again you will carry it to your car and take it to your college dorm, and set it on your desktop, and bring it home on a weekend, etc., they are ideal. A whole lot better than uncabling a regular PC, monitor, keyboard, mouse, power strip, etc to move back and forth.

If my kids were still at home, I would probably lean towards a large format laptop, as opposed to a tower PC, a TV, a dvd player and a stereo. A Media Center laptop, or a regular one with the addition of a USB TV tuner will serve all those uses in a lot less space. And it's easier for them to take when we get rid...ah, when they chose to leave. ;)

If you are going to take one to classes though, I hope you are on the wrestling or weight lifting team.

As far as fragility, pish tosh, 17" laptops have been a round quite a while, and 17"LCDs way longer. It's just recently that the manufacturers have realized the market for large format and power laptops. Wasn't that they couldn't build them IMHO.

[Patrick Y.]

Thanks. However, I think my dad just doesn't like 9300 for some reason. After reasoning with him about the screen, he complained about the weight instead. So, we got 6000 instead with a great deal. :wink:

I only have one question, is Media Center edition a lot different from XP Home or Professional? What's the exact difference? Also, will softwares designed for XP work with media center edition?

[Darius Wey]

I only have one question, is Media Center edition a lot different from XP Home or Professional? What's the exact difference?

It is what it sounds like - Media Center is a version of Windows XP that contains greater media functionality and connectivity. It includes a full-screen GUI for navigating through your media - perfect if you connect your laptop up to a big screen TV.

There is a demo here (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/default.mspx) if you're interested.

Also, will softwares designed for XP work with media center edition?

For the most part, yes. However, some of your hardware might require specific Media Center drivers.

[Patrick Y.]

Ok, thanks. BTW, here is the deal I got for 6000. :wink: What do you think? $600 savings total. Also, if you don't mind, can you tell me which is better for multitasking/general system performance? More RAM or CPU power?

1 Inspiron 6000, Intel Pentium MProcessor 740 (1.73GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB) $893.43
1 15.4 inch WSXGA+ LCD Panel forInspiron 6000 $0.00
1 1GB, Shared DDR2,533MHZ 2 DimmInspiron 6000 $0.00
1 ATI Mobility Radeon X300 64MB HyperMemory Video Card, for Inspiron 6000 $0.00
1 Dell 924 Printer Driver $0.00
1 80GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive for Inspiron 6000 $0.00
1 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, English without Media, for Inspiron $0.00
1 DELL SUPPORT 3.0 $0.00
1 Image Restore $0.00
1 Windows Media Player 10 $0.00
1 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access $0.00
1 Complimentary courses: Look for EU icon $0.00
1 Dell Direct Download $0.00
1 Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for Inspiron $0.00
1 Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0, for Inspiron $0.00
1 8X DVD+/-RW Drive for Inspiron6000 $0.00
1 CyberLink PowerDVD v5.5 Decoding Sofware for DVD Drives $0.00
1 Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11b/g,54Mbps) for Inspiron 6000 $0.00
1 Trend Micro PC-cillin InternetSecurity, English, 90-day Trial $0.00
1 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery for Inspiron 6000 $0.00
1 Dell/My Way Home Page $0.00
1 NETZERO ISP $0.00
1 Broadband Icon for Inspiron $0.00
1 AOL for Broadband $0.00
1 Netscape ISP $0.00
1 Corel WordPerfect 12 plus Trial of Quartro Pro and Presentations $0.00
1 1 Year Limited Warranty $0.00
1 No Warranty, Year 2 and 3 $0.00
1 Warranty Support,Initial Year $0.00
1 Type 12- Mail-In Service, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year $0.00
1 Thank You for buying Dell $0.00
1 Thank you for choosing Dell $0.00
1 Quickbooks 2005 Special SimpleStart Edition $0.00
1 PC Restore Recovery System by Symantec $0.00
1 Remote Control for Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition,English,for Inspiron $10.48
1 Basic digital Music,Photo and Game experience $0.00

Sub-Total $903.91
Shipping $24.00
Environment Fee $8.00
Tax $81.20
Total Price $1,017.11

[Janak Parekh]

For the most part, yes. However, some of your hardware might require specific Media Center drivers.
I think he was talking about application software. In which case, all regular software that runs with XP should run fine on Media Center, which is essentially XP plus some drivers and specialized media software.

--janak

[Darius Wey]

More RAM or CPU power?

It's apples vs. oranges, but if you were to choose between say a 1.6GHz and 1GB RAM, or 1.8GHz CPU and 512MB RAM, go with the former. Apply that principle to your Pocket PC - you know what happens when you don't have enough memory. ;)