Dell 600m ... quick review

Just received my Dell 600m. This is how I feel about it after a few hours using:
Config : Pentium M 2.0G, 1Gb Ram, 64M ATI 9000, 80G HDD, 12 cells battery.
I ordered it on April 10, and receive it today, April 19th. The battery was already fully charged. Setting up is really fast. After a couple of minutes, the system is ready to use.
My first impression is that it's really light ( yes ... I can hold it in 1 hand ... ), and the screen is very good. It has no dead pixel, and bright too, even though it's not the 'crystal clear' type. I test it with a DVD. It's far too good compared to my HP LCD ( maybe because the resolution 1400x1050 ). It has 8 levels of brightness. I'm running on battery while writing this review, and I set up the brightness at level 8. Overall, I'm satisfied with this screen.
This machine runs very fast. The Pentium 2G + 1Gb ram beat my AMD desktop ( which has a AMD 2800+ and 1G ram ). I haven'n tried any game to test the graphic card yet, but I'll try it tommorow morning and let u guys know the result. ( hah ... it's 11pm now ... just got home ... ).
The wireless overall is fine. I got full bar of signal through several walls. It automatically detects my wireless at home.
I got the 12 cell battery. It was fully charged. After one hour using it ( w/ brightness to max, wifi on, and several apps running ), it has 48% left. So I guess I can have 3 hours at most when I lower the brightness and change some settings.
The speakers works fine. It's pretty loud. I just set it at level 2 or 3, but it's loud enough for me to enjoy my DVD movie.

The ONLY CONCERN so far ( after about 2 hours using it ) is the HEAT. The heat in the left hand side ( where the HDD locates ) is NOTICABLE. If you think of using it in your lap for more than 1 hour, you have to reconsider about it. I CAN'T even put it my lap anymore. The area in the bottom (where it touch your lab) is even hotter. My hands are sweating when I'm typing this ... This would definitely turn me to the Fujitsu S6xxx as I heard that that machine is pretty cool. ( isn't it, admin ? )
Oh ... and another concern is the CASE. As many of you already know ... it's made from plastic. It makes me feel like I'm holding a ... toy ... I have tried an IBM (T42) and HP (zt???), and compared to those 2, this one is not as solid and firm. To me, I really don't like this case.

So far I have been able to use it for 2 hours on battery, and it says that I still have 1h more ... pretty good ... as I'm setting the brightness to highest ...
Tommorow I'll test the graphic card ... gotta spleep now ... hope this will be helpful to you .... ( actually I've learnt alot from u guys ... )
Manh Nguyen,

... Forever is never ...

 

thanks for this take on the 600m. I used this laptp too and the heat was also an issue for me, so you're not alone there. Overall I thought it was an okay notebook for the price, but since you pay less the quality of the build certainly is inferior. Just don't drop it ya' know!

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Last night I forgot to mention about the keyboard. I like this keyboard. It's firm and very responsive. This one is better than the HP ZTxxx I had used.
I just installed 2 3D games: counter-strike 1.6 and Fifa 2005. Even though I run them in abttery mode, if you set up the approriate configuration ( low resolution, ... ), you'll be able to run them smoothly. When I plug the AC in, I'm be able to boost the config to max. So I can say that I'm far more than just satisfied with gaming on this machine. My desktop has only 64M Ge4 MX440, so when I played 3D games ( for ex, fifa 2005), I have to lower the config a little bit ( resolution 800x600, details Medium ), but w/this one, I can play in 1024x768 w/ high- details mode.
The screen works very well with gaming. There are no shadows, colors are great ... -----> I'm happy to play game w/ this machine.

... Forever is never ...

 

lucky bastard. I ordered the same machine with the 1.8 Centrino. So that pushed my ship date back. I probably won't see the machine for 3 weeks (hopefully less [ ] ). Nice mini-review though.

 

... lol ... I got it for >2000, but I used the 800$ coupon off, plus Tax, so I got it for 1450$ ... pretty good deal for what I have ...
Is it because I live in TX that I got it faster than urs ? the estimated shippind date was apri 20 -22, but I got it on apr 19 ... a little bit surprise ...

... Forever is never ...

 

I ordered my machine on the 13th like everybody else for the big sale they had. Got my machine for $970 after tax and shipping. Estimated ship date - May 10th - 12th. DOH! [} ]