Dell 6000D

ok I've read tons of topics about this computer but I really don't understand what peoples problems are with it.

People say the video card really isn't that great but I mean seriously if you wanted a better video card you should of gotten a desktop or a XPS. The video card works decently from what I can tell on my computer and I haven't even reformatted or reloaded any drivers. In Sacred I barely drop below 40 fps. yah yah I'm using a not so graphical game such as doom3. I plan in the near future to really find out if this computer can run it.

It doesn't do that bad of a job playing DVDs (which I suspect most people will be using it for). And it does a pretty good job outputting to a 65 inch TV via Svideo output. It's not progressive quality by any means but it works for the normal joe blow like me.

Onto the memory issue being 400 mhz instead of 533 mhz. It would have been nice to get the faster memory but how big of a difference does it really mean? I dont know about many but I bought a laptop for battery life with relatively decent performance. The 533 mhz I think would have dropped the life of the battery by a decent chunk of time to warrant still using the 400 mhz.

On another note I have not been able to find 1024 (2 x 512 mb ) dual channel ddr2 ram kits for a significant cost less then what I purchased from dell ($150 for the increase from the basic to 1024). I would think $75 for 512 mb ram is pretty much on par with the rest of the market.

Anyways so far I am really happy with my dell 6000d. But that's because I am an average joe blow college student planning to use it mainly for watching dvds, taking to class for notes, using as a dvd player and entertainment system while at home (ie hooking up to big screen tv and output sound via an external sound card that I had lying around) using s-video and optical out cord for sound, and doing minor internet tasks.

1.86 ghz
80 gig hd
1 gig ram 400mhz
Dvd Burner
2915 wireless card Intel Pro
Wxga <-- whatever the regular screen is
9 cell spare battery + 6 cell primary
ati x300 128 mb
$1466

 

Some people are pickier than others, I think you offer a mainstream point of view on this notebook though as you say you're an average joe (although I'm sure you're outstanding in some ways!), and if it fits your needs and does everything you want -- they you're right, what's to complain?

For me the 6000 was too heavy as I need a thin and light. I wasn't as impressed with the screen as other 15.4" models I've seen either. Battery life was great and good price to performance ratio as always with Dell.

DigitalCameraReview.com | BargainPDA.com | TabletPCReviewSpot.com