Hows this notebook?

[CagedApe]

I setup this notebook from Dell. Any suggestions or input?

http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/chassis/inspn_9300_cfg.jpg Inspiron 9300

Processor: Intel® Pentium® M Processor 760 (2 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)

OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

Display: 17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen XGA+ Display

Memory: 256MB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 1 Dimm(I'm buying a 512 stick from Newegg)

Video Card: 64MB ATIs™ Mobility Radeon™ X300(yuck, but I'll probably upgrade later)

HD: 80GB Hard Drive

Drives: 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive

Unit Price: $1,907.00
Actual Cost: $1157.00

[kirupa]

eurosickwithit and blindlizard both bought that laptop, so hopefully they'll see this thread and give you some extra pointers.

The RAM is really low, but you can buy it from a 3rd party and install it yourself. You definitely want to get something besides the XGA screen. At the least, get a WSXGA or UXGA if you are willing to spend extra for them both.

Also, is it possible to upgrade graphics cards for laptops?

:nat:

[CagedApe]

eurosickwithit and blindlizard both bought that laptop, so hopefully they'll see this thread and give you some extra pointers.

The RAM is really low, but you can buy it from a 3rd party and install it yourself. You definitely want to get something besides the XGA screen. At the least, get a WSXGA or UXGA if you are willing to spend extra for them both.

Also, is it possible to upgrade graphics cards for laptops?

:nat:

If I get this then I will order a 512 stick. Dell wanted another $75 for another 256MB stick. Could you explain a little on these screen types? I'm new to notebooks. And I'm hoping its possible, but if not I've always got my desktop to game on ;)

[electrikmonk]

seems like the biggest problem is that it runs windows.. .
:smirk:

aside from that it has pretty weak specs for the price. and dude, it's a dell — you should know better. at least look at toshiba (who makes some of the best, although bulkier, x86 laptops).

[kirupa]

The difference is in the resolution. WXGA is around 1440 by 900 max, while WUXGA is 1920x1200. I have a UXGA screen on my 15.4" Dell, and using the computer at 1600x1200 (max for non wide-screen) is really nice!

The price is also really good btw. I doubt you'll find a cheaper 17" laptop with the PM 2.0GHz and a 80GB HD ;)

[CagedApe]

To add a UXGA screen is $125 more. $125 I don't have ;). Is it possible to buy a screen later and put it on without too much difficulty or no?

@electrikmonk -- I thought the specs looked prettygood for a notebook. Also, you do know that If I wanted a different OS I could just install it, right?

[kirupa]

To add a UXGA screen is $125 more. $125 I don't have ;). Is it possible to buy a screen later and put it on without too much difficulty or no?
No idea :q:

[hl]

I setup this notebook from Dell. Any suggestions or input?

http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/chassis/inspn_9300_cfg.jpg Inspiron 9300

Processor: Intel® Pentium® M Processor 760 (2 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)

OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

Display: 17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen XGA+ Display

Memory: 256MB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 1 Dimm(I'm buying a 512 stick from Newegg)

Video Card: 64MB ATIs™ Mobility Radeon™ X300(yuck, but I'll probably upgrade later)

HD: 80GB Hard Drive

Drives: 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive

Unit Price: $1,907.00
Actual Cost: $1157.00

where'd you get that nice price :) i was just building a 9300 yesterday, not able to get that for 1157.

[kirupa]

where'd you get that nice price :) i was just building a 9300 yesterday, not able to get that for 1157.
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/value_inspn?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

C:-)

[CagedApe]

where'd you get that nice price :) i was just building a 9300 yesterday, not able to get that for 1157.

I customized one of their models so it was $1899 or more and used a $750 coupon code. The code I used is: VN0WCCCKM?NVCD. I'll get you the package I customized in a minute, right now the Dell site is down.

[hl]

I customized one of their models so it was $1899 or more and used a $750 coupon code. The code I used is: VN0WCCCKM?NVCD. I'll get you the package I customized in a minute, right now the Dell site is down.
there's a ? mark in it?

[CagedApe]

there's a ? mark in it?

Ye?p.

\\Edit

I took the Entry Level 9300 and upgraded to 2GHz, 80GB HD, and 1 Year LTD warranty to get to $1907 and then added the $750 coupon.

[Tocksiq]

here is a notebook im getting from HP:

-Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional
-Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 630 w/HT Technology, 3.0GHz w/2 MB of cache
-17.0" WXGA+ Wide Viewing (1440x900
-1.0GB DDR2 SDRAM, 533MHz (2x512MB)
-60 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
-DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
-128MB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) X600
-54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)
-12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
-Microsoft(R) Office 2003 Basic
$1,477.99


I thought it was a decent price with all the specs :)

[CagedApe]

here is a notebook im getting from HP:

-Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional
-Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 630 w/HT Technology, 3.0GHz w/2 MB of cache
-17.0" WXGA+ Wide Viewing (1440x900
-1.0GB DDR2 SDRAM, 533MHz (2x512MB)
-60 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
-DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
-128MB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) X600
-54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)
-12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
-Microsoft(R) Office 2003 Basic
$1,477.99


I thought it was a decent price with all the specs :)

GAH! Thanks for making me want to shop around even more ;). Is there a link you could post to that?

[Tocksiq]

just go to hp.com (http://www.hp.com)and look under notbooks

[Maxtr0sity]

As far as I know, most GPU's are hardwired into laptops and are not replaceable without advanced EE knowledge. Probably a little better with screens but then it's highly unlikely you can/should replace your screen.

[Patriotxcountry]

Hmm, well anyone whos looking to buy a dell...maybe this will help:


Starts July 14, 2005 5pm CST (3pm PST)! Enter coupon code TZT85TH32SMG0B during checkout for $750 off $1499+ select Inspiron Notebooks. Offer is available on these E-value codes or order codes containing the following sequences: i6000a5, i6000a6, 6000a7, i700ma2, i600MA, i9300A2. Expires 7/18 5:59am CST or after 10,000 uses, whichever comes first. Free shipping.

[CagedApe]

Hmm, well anyone whos looking to buy a dell...maybe this will help:

Did you read through the thread? That offer has been mentioned.

[Maxtr0sity]

This is a great website for Dell related stuff plus tons of coupon codes, read what they have to say, it's not BS.
http://www.notebookforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72

[CagedApe]

This is a great website for Dell related stuff plus tons of coupon codes, read what they have to say, it's not BS.
http://www.notebookforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72

Thats where I got my $750 Coupon ;)

[Maxtr0sity]

I just used Dell's EPP program and saved 33%.

[CagedApe]

Viewing a picture of the Nvidia 6800 Go, the item I was considering swapping for a lower-end CPU, It looks as though its removable as a desktop video card would be. Does anyone know if this is in fact true or am I blind?

http://www.hardocp.com/images/articles/1099684933M3ZruXxdx8_1_1.jpg

[Patriotxcountry]

Did you read through the thread? That offer has been mentioned.

Lol, I did read the whole thing. DIdn't notice that tho. My mistake, at least there's more info for those interested.

PXC

[Tocksiq]

i looks as if you can insert it into a slot (ex...PCI) or something...i know its not integrated...

[CagedApe]

Alright I've changed it around a bit and got this. The changes are in blue. I'll buy a 1GB stick of ram from NewEgg. And the best part about it? I got the price to drop by $1! Go me!


http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/chassis/inspn_9300_cfg.jpg Inspiron 9300

Processor: Intel® Pentium® M Processor 760 (1.73 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)

OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

Warranty: 2 year Ltd.

Display: 17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen XGA+ Display

Memory: 256MB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 1 Dimm(I'm buying a 1GB stick from Newegg)

Video Card: 256MB NVIDA® GeForce™ Go 6800
HD: 80GB Hard Drive

Drives: 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive

Unit Price: $1,906.00
Actual Cost: $1156.00

[Maxtr0sity]

Amazing deal, but keep in mind that a 9300 is huge, not very portable. Sweet vid card though.

[kirupa]

I bought a Dell yesterday also: Inspiron 6000d (what you have, right max?)

http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/chassis/inspn_6000_cfg.jpg

It's a PM 1.86Ghz, 2x512MB of Ram (from Newegg) to replace the 256MB they provided, and a 15.4" WUXGA screen. The gfx card is an average X300, but I'm going to be buying a desktop shortly for any gaming, etc. I ended up paying only about $800 with the $750 coupon :)

[Disco-Stu]

I want one of these two:



http://www.computers.us.fujitsu.com/images/series_main/n6110.jpg
LifeBook N6110 Notebook
FPCM60501

• Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB)
• Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
with Microsoft® Works
• 17" Crystal View WXGA+ TFT display
• 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM memory, 533 MHz (512 MB x 2)
• 100 GB hard drive¹
• Dual-Layer Multi-Format DVD Writer
• Integrated Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection (Tri-mode 802.11a/b/g), multinational² 56K³ V.90 modem and 10/100 Base-Tx Ethernet
• 4 USB 2.0, IEEE 1394, Memory Stick®/SD/xD slot, PC Card slot, ExpressCard™ slot
• One-year International Limited Warranty
• M-Code FPCM60501

$1,899




http://www.computers.us.fujitsu.com/images/series_main/n6210.jpg

LifeBook N6210 Notebook
FPCM60401

• Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB)
• Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
with Microsoft® Works
• 17" Crystal View WXGA+ TFT display
• 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM memory, 533 MHz (512 MB x 2)
• 200 GB (100 GB x 2) hard drive¹
• Dual-Layer Multi-Format DVD Writer
• Integrated Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection (Tri-mode 802.11a/b/g), multinational² 56K³ V.90 modem and 10/100/1000 Base-Tx Gigabit Ethernet
• 4 USB 2.0, IEEE 1394, Memory Stick®/SD/xD Picture Card slot, PC Card slot, ExpressCard™ slot
• TV Tuner with Instant MyMedia
• One-year International Limited Warranty
• M-Code FPCM60401

$2,549


That fujitsu crystal view stuff OWNZ. My boss and his boss have them. OOoooOO the second one has full video in/out support and 200GB. Laptop PVR anyone?

[Maxtr0sity]

Second one definitely rocks.

K-man, no, I have the 600m. It's an older model but it's one of the smaller ones comapred to the 6000.

[kirupa]

Oh ok. If the 600m was of the newer design with a widescreen, I would have bought that instead. 14" is just the right size between the 6000 and the 700m, but it's rumored that Dell will be introducing a new 600m this month or the next :nat:

[Maxtr0sity]

Yeah, I heard that the day I got the laptop, however, I'm liking this baby a lot, I couldn't wait for another month or two. GTA was more important.

[hl]

I bought a Dell yesterday also: Inspiron 6000d (what you have, right max?)

http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/chassis/inspn_6000_cfg.jpg

It's a PM 1.86Ghz, 2x512MB of Ram (from Newegg) to replace the 256MB they provided, and a 15.4" WUXGA screen. The gfx card is an average X300, but I'm going to be buying a desktop shortly for any gaming, etc. I ended up paying only about $800 with the $750 coupon :)
6000d? is that the same as the 6000?

[kirupa]

6000d? is that the same as the 6000?
Yeah - the 6000d features a dedicated graphics card (the X300) that does not use system ram for its graphic needs ;)

[hybrid101]

is it just me or are notebooks getting faster and faster every second?

[hl]

2ghz? i've seen them at 3ghz+, that is without centrino of course.

[Maxtr0sity]

Only if desktops can use Centrinos, passive cooling all the way.

[kirupa]

A 2GHz Centrino is about as fast as a 3.2-3.4GHz P4 chip. I posted a few links in another thread with benchmarks.

[Disco-Stu]

Centrinos have a 2MB cache, so they can handle a LOT of data at one time.

[B3NKobe]

I setup this notebook from Dell. Any suggestions or input?

http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/chassis/inspn_9300_cfg.jpg Inspiron 9300

Processor: Intel® Pentium® M Processor 760 (2 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)

OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

Display: 17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen XGA+ Display

Memory: 256MB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 1 Dimm(I'm buying a 512 stick from Newegg)

Video Card: 64MB ATIs™ Mobility Radeon™ X300(yuck, but I'll probably upgrade later)

HD: 80GB Hard Drive

Drives: 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive

Unit Price: $1,907.00
Actual Cost: $1157.00
Iv been looking at this same laptop from Dell, in Aust dollars its around $2200 thats with $500 taken off already for a discount, they also have free double upgrade memory to 1024mb.

Im still thinking about it, but am getting close to getting it

[mdipi]

CagedApe: You CANNOT replace your video card by yourself, you'd have to open up the case, therefore voiding your warrenty. If youre prepared to do that, you'd have to make sure you buy a GFX card for laptops and then go poking around inside yours. Notebooks are very compact, i just wouldnt recomend it.

Ram is easy, a simple slot on the bottom of your computer generally does the trick, you just pop the baby in and poof.

[Maxtr0sity]

In most cases, you can't even change your GFX card at all. They are sodered onto your mobo. However, in some cases, you may able to upgrade but it has to be model specific. Ex. If you have a 600m, the GFX has be specially designed for the 600m or else it won't fit. Real pain.

[hl]

my compaq laptop never opened for me. i'd have a laptop if i could replace some hardware in it that became faulty and made the computer die completley.

[CagedApe]

I just ordered my laptop! I knocked the HD space down to 60GB,the CPU down to 1.73 GHz, and put in the Nvidia GeForce Go 6800. I also added on a 2 year warranty that covers spills, drops, etc. Did I do alright?

[Tocksiq]

from what vendor??

[mdipi]

I just ordered my laptop! I knocked the HD space down to 60GB,the CPU down to 1.73 GHz, and put in the Nvidia GeForce Go 6800. I also added on a 2 year warranty that covers spills, drops, etc. Did I do alright?

If youre like me, my 60 was filled within like 2 weeks, i just cant get enough space anymore :(

I was able to fix that with a 250GB LaCie external drive, I love it, i keep anything that I need all the time on the internal drive (which i dual boot to linux :D) and all my media, movies, music, etc is on the external.

I think you made out pretty well, good price, nice big screen, and good warrenty, i use SafeWare because Apple doesnt offer that, but its probably a lot mroe expensive than what you got lol.

Enjoy man!

[Jeff Wheeler]

You have a pretty decent machine there, but definitely get the better screen, like Kirupa said.

I assume you're not even slightly interested to know that Apple might soon be dropping prices greatly to closeout old machines as they slowly move to Intel chips.

[kirupa]

My Inspiron 6000 came in today, and WOW!, it is nice. It is lightweight, quiet, and the screen is really nice. Not bad for $800 :P