Inspiron 9300 First impressions

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Just got it this evening. So far, I like it a lot. These are just random
observations after a few hours. Mine was purchased through the Outlet.

- It came with an OS DVD. Media Center 2005 comes on DVD, not CD
- It came with reinstallation CDs for the key installed applications
- It did not come with a resource CD

- This think is huge. I'm coming from a 3 pound, 12 inch screen, IBM
Thinkpad X40. The 9300 would be a challenge to cart around the country, but
as a desktop replacement it is awesome.

- Videos on this thing are simply stunning.

- Keyboard is ok, but will take some getting used too, as the wrist rest is
pretty big. It is too loud (and the mouse buttons are way too loud). The X40
is silent.

- Too many installed applications. Just uninstalled them.

- Sound quality is better than expected.

1440x900 is a nice compromise.

That's all for now.

Toms\

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Cool! Mine should be arriving tomorrow or the next day, I just checked my
order status and the UPS shipping data. I used a special coupon to purchase
mine, all offered only online. I paid $942 for it, shipping free. I'm
looking forward to getting it and your remarks only serve to convince me
that I got a great deal on an awesome machine. I can't wait to go down to
my local Starbucks and watch the jaws drop on the huddled masses of yuppies
with their PDA's, bluetooth cell phones and tiny little HP or Gateway
laptops conspicuously displayed on the tables.

I gauge the possible number of yuppies in the store by the numbers of Subaru
Foresters, Saab sedans, BMW's and Ford Excursions parked in the lot. Saw no
less than 7 BMW's and 5 Excursions last Saturday. It was total yuppie mania
inside.

"Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:q0rre.131235$IO.87966@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
> Just got it this evening. So far, I like it a lot. These are just random
> observations after a few hours. Mine was purchased through the Outlet.
>
> - It came with an OS DVD. Media Center 2005 comes on DVD, not CD
> - It came with reinstallation CDs for the key installed applications
> - It did not come with a resource CD
>
> - This think is huge. I'm coming from a 3 pound, 12 inch screen, IBM
> Thinkpad X40. The 9300 would be a challenge to cart around the country,
but
> as a desktop replacement it is awesome.
>
> - Videos on this thing are simply stunning.
>
> - Keyboard is ok, but will take some getting used too, as the wrist rest
is
> pretty big. It is too loud (and the mouse buttons are way too loud). The
X40
> is silent.
>
> - Too many installed applications. Just uninstalled them.
>
> - Sound quality is better than expected.
>
> 1440x900 is a nice compromise.
>
> That's all for now.
>
> Toms\
>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I'll have to stop by Starbucks and bring both the 9300 and my tiny little
Thinkpad X40 (under 3 pounds). Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum.

Oh, wait. I drive a, cough, cough BMW. Well, maybe it's balanced out by my
also driving a Volvo station wagon.

Tom
"Kevin" <webman6@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:W4Mre.53$lQ1.1757@news.uswest.net...
> Cool! Mine should be arriving tomorrow or the next day, I just checked my
> order status and the UPS shipping data. I used a special coupon to
> purchase
> mine, all offered only online. I paid $942 for it, shipping free. I'm
> looking forward to getting it and your remarks only serve to convince me
> that I got a great deal on an awesome machine. I can't wait to go down to
> my local Starbucks and watch the jaws drop on the huddled masses of
> yuppies
> with their PDA's, bluetooth cell phones and tiny little HP or Gateway
> laptops conspicuously displayed on the tables.
>
> I gauge the possible number of yuppies in the store by the numbers of
> Subaru
> Foresters, Saab sedans, BMW's and Ford Excursions parked in the lot. Saw
> no
> less than 7 BMW's and 5 Excursions last Saturday. It was total yuppie
> mania
> inside.
>
> "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
> news:q0rre.131235$IO.87966@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
>> Just got it this evening. So far, I like it a lot. These are just
>> random
>> observations after a few hours. Mine was purchased through the Outlet.
>>
>> - It came with an OS DVD. Media Center 2005 comes on DVD, not CD
>> - It came with reinstallation CDs for the key installed applications
>> - It did not come with a resource CD
>>
>> - This think is huge. I'm coming from a 3 pound, 12 inch screen, IBM
>> Thinkpad X40. The 9300 would be a challenge to cart around the country,
> but
>> as a desktop replacement it is awesome.
>>
>> - Videos on this thing are simply stunning.
>>
>> - Keyboard is ok, but will take some getting used too, as the wrist rest
> is
>> pretty big. It is too loud (and the mouse buttons are way too loud). The
> X40
>> is silent.
>>
>> - Too many installed applications. Just uninstalled them.
>>
>> - Sound quality is better than expected.
>>
>> 1440x900 is a nice compromise.
>>
>> That's all for now.
>>
>> Toms\
>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Rob]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 02:47:47 GMT, "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net>
wrote:

>I'll have to stop by Starbucks and bring both the 9300 and my tiny little
>Thinkpad X40 (under 3 pounds). Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum.
>
>Oh, wait. I drive a, cough, cough BMW. Well, maybe it's balanced out by my
>also driving a Volvo station wagon.
>
>Tom


Personally, I'd rather have the desktop and a lighter laptop. But if
I didn't have the money for both, than I'd go for the 9300 as the
alternative.

OT a bit, I laugh at people who judge one by their dress or car.

Anyway, thanks for the first impression and enjoy your 9300.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Tom Scales wrote:

> Just got it this evening. So far, I like it a lot. These are just random
> observations after a few hours. Mine was purchased through the Outlet.
>
> - It came with an OS DVD. Media Center 2005 comes on DVD, not CD
> - It came with reinstallation CDs for the key installed applications
> - It did not come with a resource CD
>
> - This think is huge. I'm coming from a 3 pound, 12 inch screen, IBM
> Thinkpad X40. The 9300 would be a challenge to cart around the country, but
> as a desktop replacement it is awesome.
>
> - Videos on this thing are simply stunning.
>
> - Keyboard is ok, but will take some getting used too, as the wrist rest is
> pretty big. It is too loud (and the mouse buttons are way too loud). The X40
> is silent.
>
> - Too many installed applications. Just uninstalled them.
>
> - Sound quality is better than expected.
>
> 1440x900 is a nice compromise.
>
> That's all for now.
>
> Toms\
>
>
First off, I must say the IBM X series is great (as well as the T
series), but I'm curious what drove you to go with the 9300? My
roommate has the previous generation, and I don't beleive I've ever seen
it leave the house which makes me wonder why he bothered with a
"laptop". On a related note, how hot does it get? My roommate's is a
P4-M, and I'm pretty sure it would cause sterility if left on a lap for
over a couple minutes (I'm sure your P-M is much cooler, but still...).
I don't mean to come across as disrespectful in this post, but I'm
genuinely curious why people go for such large machines when you can get
a faster desktop with a nice, higher resolution monitor for much less.

 

[Rob]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 01:47:39 -0500, Rob wrote:

>On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 02:47:47 GMT, "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net>
>wrote:
>
>>I'll have to stop by Starbucks and bring both the 9300 and my tiny little
>>Thinkpad X40 (under 3 pounds). Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum.
>>
>>Oh, wait. I drive a, cough, cough BMW. Well, maybe it's balanced out by my
>>also driving a Volvo station wagon.
>>
>>Tom
>
>
>Personally, I'd rather have the desktop and a lighter laptop. But if
>I didn't have the money for both, than I'd go for the 9300 as the
>alternative.
>
>OT a bit, I laugh at people who judge one by their dress or car.
>
>Anyway, thanks for the first impression and enjoy your 9300.


I might add that if I had the desktop / laptop combo, I'd have to have
a wireless network to be satisfied.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Nicholas Andrade" <SDNick484@nospam.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:IyPre.28667$J12.5448@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com...

> First off, I must say the IBM X series is great (as well as the T series),
> but I'm curious what drove you to go with the 9300? My roommate has the
> previous generation, and I don't beleive I've ever seen it leave the house
> which makes me wonder why he bothered with a "laptop". On a related note,
> how hot does it get? My roommate's is a P4-M, and I'm pretty sure it
> would cause sterility if left on a lap for over a couple minutes (I'm sure
> your P-M is much cooler, but still...). I don't mean to come across as
> disrespectful in this post, but I'm genuinely curious why people go for
> such large machines when you can get a faster desktop with a nice, higher
> resolution monitor for much less.

Because my desktop isn't in the family room in front of the TV.

Seriously.

I don't want to hide in my home office all the time. I can have everything
on my lap!

and it really doesn't get that hot. Surprisingly cool.

Tom

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

<Rob> wrote in message news:hl40b1hae9v7gfpkmnb1gb87m05uhl6iha@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 01:47:39 -0500, Rob wrote:
>
>>On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 02:47:47 GMT, "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>I'll have to stop by Starbucks and bring both the 9300 and my tiny little
>>>Thinkpad X40 (under 3 pounds). Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum.
>>>
>>>Oh, wait. I drive a, cough, cough BMW. Well, maybe it's balanced out by
>>>my
>>>also driving a Volvo station wagon.
>>>
>>>Tom
>>
>>
>>Personally, I'd rather have the desktop and a lighter laptop. But if
>>I didn't have the money for both, than I'd go for the 9300 as the
>>alternative.
>>
>>OT a bit, I laugh at people who judge one by their dress or car.
>>
>>Anyway, thanks for the first impression and enjoy your 9300.
>
>
> I might add that if I had the desktop / laptop combo, I'd have to have
> a wireless network to be satisfied.

Well, of course! I have both wireless in my house and the new Verizon
wireless broadband that is incredibly cool. DSL speeds anywhere in most
major cities.

Tom

 

[Rob]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 17:32:38 GMT, "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net>
wrote:

>
><Rob> wrote in message news:hl40b1hae9v7gfpkmnb1gb87m05uhl6iha@4ax.com...
>> On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 01:47:39 -0500, Rob wrote:
>>
>>>On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 02:47:47 GMT, "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>>I'll have to stop by Starbucks and bring both the 9300 and my tiny little
>>>>Thinkpad X40 (under 3 pounds). Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum.
>>>>
>>>>Oh, wait. I drive a, cough, cough BMW. Well, maybe it's balanced out by
>>>>my
>>>>also driving a Volvo station wagon.
>>>>
>>>>Tom
>>>
>>>
>>>Personally, I'd rather have the desktop and a lighter laptop. But if
>>>I didn't have the money for both, than I'd go for the 9300 as the
>>>alternative.
>>>
>>>OT a bit, I laugh at people who judge one by their dress or car.
>>>
>>>Anyway, thanks for the first impression and enjoy your 9300.
>>
>>
>> I might add that if I had the desktop / laptop combo, I'd have to have
>> a wireless network to be satisfied.
>
>Well, of course! I have both wireless in my house and the new Verizon
>wireless broadband that is incredibly cool. DSL speeds anywhere in most
>major cities.
>
>Tom
>


sounds good. I have 2 laptops and 4 desktops on a wireless peer to
peer network w/ a wireless router to a cable modem. It works for me /
family nicely at home. Eventually I'd like to go down to 1 or 2
desktops and perhaps increase the number of laptops (light weight) but
we'll see as our needs change. Funny the last laptop I got, wife
didn't really want me to buy it but after I did, she found it very
useful especially during tax season so she seems happy now.

Enjoy your 9300. Sounds like its built like a tank.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 06:05:28 GMT, Nicholas Andrade
<SDNick484@nospam.yahoo.com> wrote:

>First off, I must say the IBM X series is great (as well as the T
>series), but I'm curious what drove you to go with the 9300? My
>roommate has the previous generation, and I don't beleive I've ever seen
>it leave the house which makes me wonder why he bothered with a
>"laptop". On a related note, how hot does it get? My roommate's is a
>P4-M, and I'm pretty sure it would cause sterility if left on a lap for
>over a couple minutes (I'm sure your P-M is much cooler, but still...).
> I don't mean to come across as disrespectful in this post, but I'm
>genuinely curious why people go for such large machines when you can get
>a faster desktop with a nice, higher resolution monitor for much less.

that's pretty easy to answer. while the 9300 certainly is nowhere as
mobile as smaller notebooks, it's still way more mobile than a
desktop. I can move it around the house, sitting on the balcony while
typing, etc. Furthermore, my old desktop is loud, while the 9300 is
almost silent.

About the heat, it doesn't really get hot, but I guess the weight
would be too much anyway if you wanted to leave it on your lap for a
longer time

Greets

Markus

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I have seen acouple of these at a customers, after the size, the thing that
struck me was the high gloss finish LCD, I`ve never seen that on a laptop
before. The display was pin sharp and very bright, but I wonder if
reflections are a pain?

How do you get on with yours?

For the record the owner of the one I saw loved the screen once he got used
to it.


Basill


"Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:q0rre.131235$IO.87966@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
> Just got it this evening. So far, I like it a lot. These are just random
> observations after a few hours. Mine was purchased through the Outlet.
>
> - It came with an OS DVD. Media Center 2005 comes on DVD, not CD
> - It came with reinstallation CDs for the key installed applications
> - It did not come with a resource CD
>
> - This think is huge. I'm coming from a 3 pound, 12 inch screen, IBM
> Thinkpad X40. The 9300 would be a challenge to cart around the country,
> but as a desktop replacement it is awesome.
>
> - Videos on this thing are simply stunning.
>
> - Keyboard is ok, but will take some getting used too, as the wrist rest
> is pretty big. It is too loud (and the mouse buttons are way too loud).
> The X40 is silent.
>
> - Too many installed applications. Just uninstalled them.
>
> - Sound quality is better than expected.
>
> 1440x900 is a nice compromise.
>
> That's all for now.
>
> Toms\
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I'm not seeing what you saw, but I have the 1440x800. His might have been
the 1920 version.

It's a beautiful display.

Tom
"Basill" <gospam1@dsl.pipex.com> wrote in message
news:42b30b9f$0$299$cc9e4d1f@news.dial.pipex.com...
>I have seen acouple of these at a customers, after the size, the thing that
>struck me was the high gloss finish LCD, I`ve never seen that on a laptop
>before. The display was pin sharp and very bright, but I wonder if
>reflections are a pain?
>
> How do you get on with yours?
>
> For the record the owner of the one I saw loved the screen once he got
> used to it.
>
>
> Basill
>
>
> "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
> news:q0rre.131235$IO.87966@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
>> Just got it this evening. So far, I like it a lot. These are just
>> random observations after a few hours. Mine was purchased through the
>> Outlet.
>>
>> - It came with an OS DVD. Media Center 2005 comes on DVD, not CD
>> - It came with reinstallation CDs for the key installed applications
>> - It did not come with a resource CD
>>
>> - This think is huge. I'm coming from a 3 pound, 12 inch screen, IBM
>> Thinkpad X40. The 9300 would be a challenge to cart around the country,
>> but as a desktop replacement it is awesome.
>>
>> - Videos on this thing are simply stunning.
>>
>> - Keyboard is ok, but will take some getting used too, as the wrist rest
>> is pretty big. It is too loud (and the mouse buttons are way too loud).
>> The X40 is silent.
>>
>> - Too many installed applications. Just uninstalled them.
>>
>> - Sound quality is better than expected.
>>
>> 1440x900 is a nice compromise.
>>
>> That's all for now.
>>
>> Toms\
>>
>
>

 

[Dan]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

On Tue, 14 Jun 2005 02:10:30 GMT, "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net>
wrote:

>- This think is huge. I'm coming from a 3 pound, 12 inch screen, IBM
>Thinkpad X40. The 9300 would be a challenge to cart around the country, but
>as a desktop replacement it is awesome.

You should try replacing the motherboard on one. First time took me 2
1/2 hours, but now I'm down to 45 minutes on a good day. I need a
mini-version of those Nascar things that take out and put back the lug
nuts...43 screws on most Inspirons, I think over 60 on the 9xxx
series. I could do a job in 20 minutes flat with one of those

>- Keyboard is ok, but will take some getting used too, as the wrist rest is
>pretty big. It is too loud (and the mouse buttons are way too loud). The X40
>is silent.

I got a super-easy call for a 9300 a couple weeks ago. Dell sends me
the motherboard, says theres a "ticking sound" coming from the
keyboard, and to replace the motherboard (Dell's only solution for
laptops always seems to be either a heat sink or motherboard
replacement).

Anyway, the previous tech forgot to take the mobo out of
"Manufacturing mode". This mode is used to test the equipment without
actually plugging it into a system, monitor, etc. Dell in their
infinite wisdom warns about Manuf. mode for about 2 seconds on
start-up, then makes the keyboard click very loudly if Manufacturing
Mode is not disabled (very annoying). A quick press of Function-X and
an easy service call finished.

Dan