Dell Outlet - What's the deal?

DirkVoodoo

Ok, so i need a new laptop, something small and relatively light with good battery life at a good price. So, I decided on an XPS m1210...ok, ok so i hear the groans and the sighs, and yes im crazy to buy one with integrated graphics.

Heres the thing though, I found a good deal on the outlet (yes, i factored in VAT) that can save me 200 euro off the list price. I dont think it includes the XPS VIP treatment, but sure I can live without 2 hour calls to India.

So, I add it to my basket and see that it only has the 6-cell battery...but mommy, i want the 9-cell for my extra bit of juice on the move. So i scroll down dells list of useless accessories, the virtual sweet rack before the checkout counter, but i dont see a 9 cell battery. Ok, me thinks, ill just go to their accessories page....NO battery for the xps m1210 listed!

How oh how do i get my 9-cell battery, who makes them, is this a dell scam (number 12,342), who really shot JFK? My conspiracy paranoia kicks into overdrive and I come to you good people for help.

DirkVoodoo

Ok, not really bumping this, but no replies and my trigger finger was itchy so...i bought the laptop. 1017 euro incl. VAT and delivery, sweet...wasn't going to upgrade to the 3 yr service as i find that i like to change laptops every 2 yrs at the most, but thats another reason its so cheap.

Anyway, still no joy on the 9-cell battery front, its really bugging me.

Anyone have any advice? better reply soon before this turns into a blog/rant!

Calhoun

with the battery recall you will find it hard to upgrade on batteries because alot were supplied to people with faulty batteries so there is a stock shortage. If you did upgrade i think there is a 20-40 day lead time.

TempestSabre

I bought a 640m on the outlet with a 9cell. But I went looking on ebay, and you seem to be able to pick up Dell batteries of all types there. You can probably by non Dell ones too. (I mean Dell don't make batteries but you know what I mean) I bought non Sony batteries for my Vaio and they worked out fine.

Calhoun

it all depends really. The laptop will come with what it was ordered with originally. Some builds you can upgrade but as i said there is a really long lead time on batteries at the moment.

TempestSabre

DirkVoodoo wrote:

... i hear the groans and the sighs, and yes im crazy to buy one with integrated graphics...

IMO for all practical intents and purposes, and economics all laptops have integrated gfx's. Most of the time the technology has moved on or changed by the time you want to upgrade. So you'd be better selling the laptop and buying a new one.

DirkVoodoo

Too true tempestsabre, i learned the expensive way that its best to keep the cutting edge hardware for the desktop, portability and battery life are more important for me.

Thx for the replies guys, I checked out ebay and other places, just need the model number for the 9-cell battery and im sorted.

Absolut

Whn I bought my Inspiron from the Outlet website I had the same problem with finding a battery upgrade so I ended up just buying a 2nd 9 cell battery off of the accessory page (I know you don't have the option to do this), but when the laptop arrived there was a 9 cell battery supplied, not a 6 cell as advertised.

I also got free bluetooth and a few other small changes. This has happened to a few of my friends who have bought from the outlet website too, so i would just wait until you get your order before you go looking to buy any kind of second battery, just incase you get a 9 cell included anyway.

It's not guaranteed, and it's a bit stupid on Dell's part, but it's been known to happen.

TempestSabre

I've bought a few machines from the outlet they were all exactly as described. Guess I was unlucky.

TempestSabre

DirkVoodoo wrote:

Ok, not really bumping this, but no replies and my trigger finger was itchy so...i bought the laptop. 1017 euro incl. VAT and delivery, sweet...wasn't going to upgrade to the 3 yr service as i find that i like to change laptops every 2 yrs at the most, but thats another reason its so cheap.

Anyway, still no joy on the 9-cell battery front, its really bugging me.

Anyone have any advice? better reply soon before this turns into a blog/rant!

Well whats the laptop like?

DirkVoodoo

Sorry, sould have updated. Very nice...but ti came as described, no 9-cell battery

Its a very nice machine, after a quick format/reinstall - still cant get over the amount of rubbish dell stick on them, if i want tiscali broadband i will ask them for it.

I was worried by reports it was a thick and heavy 12", but my god its pretty light and portable. Build quality is excellent, although I have some of the dreaded keyboard flex that hampers this model. Nothing a quick fix wont sort (apparently its just a cable underneath the kb). Also, the matte black cover is not good for smudges and fingerprints.

The good points though, the 2300 is a mighty little processor, no need for a core 2 duo if your on a budget. Its light and gets 3.5 hrs plus on the 6-cell. The true life screen isnt as bad as its made out to be, unless you are using it in a VERY well lit area. Colours are crisp, good contrast and viewing angles are ok, but its a laptop and you aint gonna be using it at an angle other than head on 99% of the time. I dont understand why people take photos of extreme angles and give out about monitors, just turn the laptop to face you and you might find working a little easier!

As you can probably guess, im typing this on it, the keyboard is great, well spaced and full size. The trackpad is a tad cramped, would not be good for gaming, but a wireless mouse is an easy solution and Im not a big trackpad person unless limited desk space says otherwise.

Great little machine, a fully kitted out gaming/media version would be interesting, but i like the integrated graphics more for the quiet, cool operation. As I write this, i8kfanGUI is telling me the CPU is running at 41 C, a bit less than the macbook temps. The fan is only audible if I turn off the TV and hold my breath, but its not afraid to kick into high under load. Its certainly not a "laptop" either, as the base can get warm and the fan exhausts to the left of the keyboard (im resting it on a book now).

Thats all, if i left anything out let me know.