Dell Inspiron 6000 First Thoughts Review (pics, specs)

Isn't i6000 supporting dual-channel memory? Then memory speed is doubled from 400 MHz to 800 MHz in total, god enough to load the fastest CPU. This can be read in an article at tomshardware.com.

 

Hello there!

I have recentrly buy an Inspiron 6000 from DELL with the Centrino 1.86 procesor and im experiencing dificulties with it.javascript:insertsmilie('[B)]')
Black Eye [B)]

What really happened is that DELL had send me an CD/DVD combo drive HL (never heard of that branch before!) and a very dark display with 3 dead pixels on it. Two of them very red right in the middle of the screen. I had talked with 7 (im not kidding of this!!!) different dell custumers representatives in a period of 3 days and finnaly they have agreed to send me the replacement.javascript:insertsmilie('[ ]')
Frown [ ]

However, the DELL hase even forse display than the previous (in the lower part of the screen display is brigter and there are obvious dark edges on both sides!!!). The CD/DVD drive is Samsung (by the way, it's a bit slower than the previous one)

I'm very disapointed by the DELL representatives and im starting to think of returning the laptop and bying an IBook.javascript:insertsmilie('[ ]')
Wink [ ]

These two week had passed in desperation and trying to talk with some of the representatives (i offen wait on the phone for 30 minutes maybe more) so i can return my replacement. I still haven talk with none of the representatives and i'm starting to loose my nerves.
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Angry [ !]
My advise to you all: never buy a new model of DELL!!! I had two same Inspirons side by side and believe me: the displays very very different!!! Some of the frends had also said that the XGA display very the worse they have ever seen. The keyboard very differnern , even the touch pad.

Be carefull when you buy new models from DELL!!!javascript:insertsmilie('[V]')
Disapprove [V]

[B)][B)]

 

Well, I must give props to Dell's customer service, and a warning to everyone with an I6000. I ordered my system with the cd-rw/dvd-rom combo drive and it shipped with the Samsung sn-324s. I purchased a program to help me score better on my promotion test and the drive wouldn't recognize it. I tried the disk in 4 other computers and it worked fine. The driver I had was from 2001 so I thought it might just need an update, there wasn't one, not from Dell or Samsung. So I called the software company and THEY knew about the problem! It turns out that isn't the only drive that won't see their disks. They are sending me another one that should work. I decided to call Dell and ask about why my drive wouldn't read certain types of cds and the lady told me she had the same problem with her I1100 and that reseating the drive might fix it. It didn't so I did a bit more research and found out that the I1100 uses, you guessed it, the Samsung sn-324s! I called Dell back and they are sending me a Sony optical drive, they were even nice about it! Go Dell Support! And if you have the Samsung drive, get a replacement before your warranty expires!

 

This is in reference to the dim screen... Most people from wha tI can tell have a dim screen when they are on battery. The default is like 3 when on battery and goes up to 7 or 8 max. The default can be changed in the bios soo I'm guessing people that didnt know that and automatically shoot off a complaint didnt take the time to read the manual or check the bios themselves. As for watching movies it does a decent job. The only thing I would say is you are going to have to get all the different programs yourself such as a better dvd viewing program, better burning/ripping program, and so forth.

 

Is there any was to force the screen brighter? Perhaps by messing with the BIOS settings? I just have trouble seeing it outside during the day, even when set to maximum brightness (fn+up arrow till max).

 

Hey, Kingston value ram KVR533D2S4/512(533MHz) works fine for Inspiron 6000D

You can buy it for just $80 with free-shipping at http://shop.kingston.com

Be patient, if it's in back order.
I just got two 512 RAMs after waiting for two weeks.


Inspiron 6000D Intel¢ç Pentium¢ç M Processor 730 (1.60GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
15.4 inch UltraSharp WSXGA+ LCD Panel
Memory 1G DDR2 (512x2, KVR533D2S4/512, 533MHz)
ATI's MOBILITY¢â RADEON X300 128MB
60GB 7200rpm Hard Drive
Microsoft¢ç Windows¢ç XP Pro
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe¢ç Acrobat¢ç Reader 6.0
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Intel¢ç PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless
Battery 9-cell Lithium Ion Battery
MS Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse
4-Year Warranty

 

Walkinghispath, You can make LCD brighter by adjusting ATI X300 display properties.
Check the the color panel; gamma, brightness, contrast.


<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Walkinghispath

 

I have the built in graphics. I got my machine before the D model came out. Any other ideas?

 

Comparison: Dell Inspiron 6000 vs. HP Pavilion zv6000
I'm looking for help deciding which of the 2 laptops I just bought is better suited for me and which one has better resale potential. The Dell arrived today and the HP should arrive in a couple/few weeks. Both were really good deals and I'm excited about both of them, but I will be keeping only one. First-time laptop owner (except the occasional work unit), never touched either model prior to purchase.

Major Specs/Features:

Dell Inspiron 6000
Pentium M 730 (1.6GHz, 2MB cache, 533MHz FSB)
XP Home
256MB RAM (will add own 512 stick @ $65-80 for 768MB total)
Integrated Intel Media Accelerator 900 graphics
15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050)
DVD-ROM/CDRW combo drive
40GB HD
Intel Pro wireless 2200 internal wireless 802.11b/g, 54mbps
6-cell battery
extra 9-cell battery
1-yr basic warranty
$776 including tax + cost of additional 512MB RAM

HP Pavilion zv6000
Athlon 64 (64-bit) 2.0GHz 512kb L2 cache
XP Home SP2
512MB RAM (1x256)
128MB ATI Radeon Express 200M graphics card
15.4" WXGA (1280x800)
DVD-ROM/CDRW combo drive
60GB 4200RPM HD
54g Integrated Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN and Bluetooth
6-in-1 digital media card reader (more flexible than the Inspiron's which I think takes only SD)
FireWire port
Two 12-cell batteries
4 USB ports
1 S-Video TV out
1-yr standard warranty
$770 including tax and after rebates

Both of these laptops, I may ebay a battery to make a few bucks.

Planned use:
Pretty light-duty stuff: web browsing (often 3-5 browser windows concurrently), MS Office applications including some PowerPoint stuff, no gaming except for preschooler's games, DVD movies in the car. Won't travel out of house very often with laptop - estimate 2-4 times a month. Looking forward to some wireless web browsing and computing around the house. We have 2 desktops at home, so storage space is not really a consideration on the laptop.

The Dell has a much nicer screen but other than that I think the HPs might be better - faster, a few more features, plus it's 64-bit so presumably more future-proof. I am having trouble deciding which one I think I should keep. The Dell with 768MB RAM and integrated graphics probably will be plenty fast for what stuff I will do on it, right? I suspect the HP's 512MB RAM + 128MB graphics card also will be more than sufficient.

 

For your usage, I guess the Dell I 6000 will be a good bet. Although you have not mentioned the weight of the two machines, I think the HP will be heavier. Also, since it has an AMD with a good graphic card, no doubt it might perform better but it will surely drain more bettery. Centrinos are known to be most power efficient.
For your kind of usage, I would reccomend the Dell Machine, which is based on the latest Sonoma platform with faster FSB.

 

arup10,

In response to your question on weight...The Dell weighs roughly 1-1.4 lbs less.

& by the way...The dell has anywhere from 400Mhz to 533Mhz as compared with the incomparable 800 POUND GORILLA Athlon-64 chip in the HP (1Ghz FSB)

 

Hi AMDemon. Thanks 4 the weight update.
Since the HP machine is so heavy, I reccomend the Dell I6000 cos it will be more than sufficient for the usage specified by "bluedevils".
Buying the HP dosn't make much sense for his kinda usage.

IBM R51(1.7 Centrino, 2 MB L2, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB HDD, 15" TFT, DVD/CDRW Combo Drive, WiFi, IEEE 1394, Win XP)

 

I'm experiencing the "Sparkling Graphics" mentioned in the review above. Very annoying. I went with the WXGA panel and the 128 MB ATI card. I was wondering if this is caused by a mismatch betweent the panel and card, the panel itself, or the card itself.

Love everything about it except the "sparkle"

Best Regards,

CT

 

I was so annoyed by some dark,stained area in my LCD, especially in the right side.
My LCD was not so homogeneous in white screen.

It exceeded my patience.

To my happiness, Dell has replaced it with new one at my office in two days after my contact; I purchased 4-YEAR warranty for my I6000D because of the BAD experience of my SONY VAIO, which I've thrown away.

I was so impressed by DELL service.

Seeing my LCD, the service man said it is normal but replaced LCD with new one anyway.
However, The new LCD was much more homogeous but somewhat grainy at my first look.

Well, I think the old LCD was brigher and finer. If it was homogeneous, it would have been perfect.

Anyway, I perfer homogeneous one, satisfied with all of Inspiron 6000D now.

To my interest, my old LCD was LG but new one is SAMSUNG.

 

Is it possible to replace CPU in the future?...
Thank you

 

Forgot to mention that I also opted for the 15:4 WSXGA screen....

cheers
dutchie

 

I there......some very informative responses.

I too have just purchased a new Inspiron 6000 here in Australia
My concern especially from other sites is that the machine is a no-game machine and find this a bit hard to believe.

So hence my question, has anyone had major issues with games?
Can I play game slike Age of Empires, Command & Conquer Generals, Diablo 2, Simm City 3000, Total War etc?

What games have you played successful on the 6000?

My system config is as follows: It should arrive here in a week

1.86 Ghz (750)- 533 FBS
1024 RAM
100 Hard drive
128 ATI Radeon X300

thanks heaps in advance
dutchie

 

u can play everything on it but maybe in low resolution , with 1 gig u can i believe