Dell Inspiron 9300 Laptop

jesus_thats_gre

Hi All

I am on the verge of ordering a really high spec'd version of this laptop..

Intel ®Pentium ®M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB)
1024MB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2x512)
60GB (7.200rpm) IDE Hard Drive
17" UltraSharp™ Wide Screen WUXGA (1920 x 1200) Display with TrueLife
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Go graphics card, PCI-Express x16
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive with Software

All for €2,288

Do any of ye know anyone or have experience with this model at all?

One thing I have not been able to find an answer to is this. The native resolution of the screen is 1920x1200 and is not really suited to most games. Is it ok to run a game on this at say 1280x1024, i.e. will the full image be displayed on screen (I know it will be stretched). Also, does Dell or Nvidia offer any software whereby the screen can be resized to say 4:3 like an average widescreen TV, leaving just unused black borders along the side?

optiplexgx270

Damn that a lot of dosh

I bought a
£3200 (POUNDS) Dell laptop in 2002 still have it 2.2Ghz P4 512mb 60Gb 64Mb graph card

But i have to say i regret it. Do you NEED all that?

optiplexgx270

Oh and to answer you Q i have a 8600 with 1900*1200 screen and games are fine on it but the 1.86Ghz processor WILL let you don im afraid this is my work pc 1.7 PenM 1024Mb Ram 40Gb hd and 64Mb graph but the processor can be slow for some games such as diablo II

Kevin_rc_ie

sorry i'm not answering ur question, but make sure u tinker around to get the free upgrade from 512 - 1024 rather than from 256 - 512 and then paying for another 512. Unless I'm just stupid, this is how it sometimes appear to happen.

Matt Simis

optiplexgx270 wrote:

Oh and to answer you Q i have a 8600 with 1900*1200 screen and games are fine on it but the 1.86Ghz processor WILL let you don im afraid this is my work pc 1.7 PenM 1024Mb Ram 40Gb hd and 64Mb graph but the processor can be slow for some games such as diablo II

Umm... I seriously doubt a 1.8GHz Pentium M CPU is "letting you down". Likey craptacular graphics card.



Matt

optiplexgx270

Well one of the guys in work has same spec but 128Mb card and same results playing diablo so i dont think its that

Matt Simis

jesus_thats_gre wrote:

Hi All

One thing I have not been able to find an answer to is this. The native resolution of the screen is 1920x1200 and is not really suited to most games. Is it ok to run a game on this at say 1280x1024, i.e. will the full image be displayed on screen (I know it will be stretched). Also, does Dell or Nvidia offer any software whereby the screen can be resized to say 4:3 like an average widescreen TV, leaving just unused black borders along the side?

Widescreen= fine for PC gaming

I run all games in Widescreen (either on my HTPC or main PC), posted here many times about it. Any game that allows the user to select from the systems resolutions (thats is to say most games) will natively display a widescreen image just fine. Do not run games in 4:3 if it can be avoided. On a LCD, the image will be stretched.

Some games require you to edit the config ini file for the game manually, like Battlefield. Do a search for it, there are forums dedicated to the topic.


Matt

Matt Simis

optiplexgx270 wrote:

Well one of the guys in work has same spec but 128Mb card and same results playing diablo so i dont think its that

The Pentium M punches well above its weight, there are many desktop PC users switching from 3GHz P4 CPUs to Pentium Ms on the rare Pentium M desktop motherboards. Have a look at TomsHardware, they reviewed this laptop recently as well as the CPU.


Also, the amount of ram on a GFX card is not directly related to the performance..



Matt

optiplexgx270

and if your blowing that kinda cash go on go for the Intel ®Pentium ®M Processor 770 (2.13 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB

jesus_thats_gre

The Pentium M/Centrino will perform at a similar level to that of a 3.2/3.4 Pentium. The only applications it fall behind on are Floating Point calculations. In games, it is on a par with most P4's..

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2342&p=15

jesus_thats_gre

The 2.13 Centrino is nearly 500 euro more expensive for about a 10% performance increase.. Its not worth it in my eyes.. The GPU is one of the best mobile GPUs availabe in this country (Dell are not releasing the XPS2 for 4-5 months according to their marketing dept) and it is what is really important to me..

osmethod

I believe the processor chip is 32 bit....

Microsofts 64 bit operating system isn't too far away. Suse Linux has a 64 bit OS working allready.

I'm not discouraging you but have a look at an AMD Opteron based laptop - it would run 32bit and 64bit software and in binary. Would be future proof to a degree.

A comparison wouldn't go astray...

Just my views...

osmethod

jesus_thats_gre

Do you know of any companies that are selling the A64s paired with mobile versions of either the 6800 or X800?

optiplexgx270

the 64 bit thing is a fair point

And dont kid yourself with

"The Pentium M/Centrino will perform at a similar level to that of a 3.2/3.4 Pentium. "

From personal experience i know this is wrong no way my work pc operates like a 3.2/3.4 p4 i mean it aint a 1.7 P4 its inbetween afaik they are not faster than P4's they're 25% more efficient which i would agree with. 1.7+25% seems about right for my pc based on what i experience using general apps word/excel/outlook/sql server/MS VS.NET 2003/java/iis etc.

jesus_thats_gre

Did you read the articles from the link I posted.. You do not even have to read them, just look at the benchmarks and you will see what i am talking about..



Fair enough, its not as good across the board but its certainly a viable option.. Especially when you are talking about frame rate difference of about 5fps in 90fps.. The primary function where performance is important is during games, general Windows use is not an overly big deal, i.e. once its reasonable I will be happy..

Important points of note is that the laptop also has a 7,200 rpm hard drive and a GB of ram.. The HD should make a big difference as alot of laptop HDs are 4,200rpm or 5,400rpm..

Personally I would prefer to get their XPS2 laptop but it isnt going to be avaible here for ages. This laptop scores higher in most benchmarks than my current desktop which is a P4 clocked at 3.5Ghz with a Radeon 9800pro..

optiplexgx270

Whatever its up to you at the end of the day and it is a sweet machine but if your spending €2.2k whats 4 months to wait for something you "really would like" (XPS2)?

On the other hand life is short. And in 4 months there will be something better in 4 months from then.

One thing to take note of is Dells deals, they can have BIG differences in cost from week to week.

osmethod

sorry... i don't know of any... just offerring a view to you...

This might shed some light...

http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20050303_023118.html

osmethod

jesus_thats_gre

Yeah already have them down to 2,100, i.e. they matched the price of it on dell.co.uk...

Slightly more reasonable price..

The alienware machines offer similar specs, albeit with a worse screen, no battery life and twice the weight for 2,800..

Dell seem to be the best all round for some reason but if anyone can link to a better machine offered here or the UK, would certainly appreciate it

jesus_thats_gre

Anyone got any links to alternatives?

smemon

if you bought from the uk, you could get 5% off. check this site out, i always find it useful for getting the best value of online shopping.

might be too much hassle though buying from uk, if it is, be sure to use pigsback , you get 5points for every €1 spent. in other words 10000 points or so.

im keeping a close eye on the laptop world atm, buying one myself soon. i'm holding out for a newer version of this , rumoured to be out by may/june, with amd's new turion64 processor.

smemon

if you want expert advice check out notebook forums

some great computer guys on there.

jesus_thats_gre

Yeah have spent the last 2 or 3 days searching their forums for anything 9300 related.. Some useful stuff there alright.. Some guys have oc'ed their 6800Go already and are hitting 4400+ in 3DMark2005..

http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=68799

zod

Don't forget the dell outlet store :

heres an example:

Inspiron 9200 (System Identifier. D0V7AXM9)
Inspiron 9200 Pentium M proc 755 2.0Ghz
English - Win XP SP2 Pro (Backup Media)

---

System Price EUR 1,514.00
Dell recommends Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional


Operating System: English - Win XP SP2 Pro (Backup Media)
Memory: 1GB DIMM (333MHZ) (1 X 1GB)
Hard Disk Drive: 80GB 5400rpm ATA/100 HDD
NoteBook Screen: i9200 17.0
Modem: Internal 56K Modem
CD Read-Write Drive: 8x DVD+/-RW (Multiformat)
Software: Microsoft® Works® 7.0
English - Adobe Reader 6.0
Record Now/MySonic DVD S/W
Inspiron DVD Cyberlink PDVD Decoder S/W
MISC: Dell Media Experience 2.1 - Inspiron
Inspiron Internal Keyboard No pointer UK
NO SNAP COVER OPTION
D-Series 90W AC adapter
Norton Internet Securities 90 day English
i9200 Hardware drivers
6 cell Li-Ion 53WHr primary battery

jesus_thats_gre

The 9200 was a bit of a shambles it seems.. Also, it does not offer the 6800Go which is the main motivation for getting the 9300..

good find though

jesus_thats_gre

Anyway, ordered this today. Got it all for 2,100 with a bag and extra cover thrown in.

Tip: Compare the price to the same spec'd laptop on dell.co.uk. They know they are a lot cheaper and will match the price without argument!!

jank

Are u ****ting me about matching the prices from the dell.co.uk site

Im interested in the Inpirion 6000 and compared the prices last week
Here it is

Now if i could get it for the uk price id be over the moon
Id need a bag too though and what kind of cover did u get?

The i9300 looks sweet but a bit too big to be me mobile thats why the i6000 looks better for me.

jesus_thats_gre

I told him what configuration I wanted along with a bag and a snap on cover (fake leather crap). He quoted me 2,380 or something like that. While he was saying this, I configured the same machine on Dell.co.uk.. I told him I can order it from Dell.co.uk for 2,040 and will order from there as I have someone up the north who will let me use their address.. Within 10 seconds he offered me a price of 2,100 which accounts for the VAT difference. That was that really..

jank

Well if i can do that i could save myself upwards to 400 yoyo's on the machine
The carbon fibre cover looks much better imo than the leather but everybody is different

Hope they can make me an offer I cant refuse!

Oh what bag did ya get!

Id want a backpack like this

But 90 euro for it tis bit steap and i wouldnt think dell would dish them out for free or have I underestimated your powers of persuasion.

jesus_thats_gre

Dell do not offer a big enough back pack for a 17inch screen as of yet.. Got a normal one to do me in the meantime...

I reckon you will get a similar offer if you try.. There is no harm in asking and these sorta things are always easier to do over the phone..

jesus_thats_gre

Just got word back from Dell that the delivery will be delayed by a few days..

They gave me a refund of 10% when I said I wasn't happy

Class

jank

Thought u were canceling and getting the XPS II instead

Class about the refund though

jesus_thats_gre

jank wrote:

Thought u were canceling and getting the XPS II instead

Class about the refund though

Nope decided that the extra 400 euro just for a graphics card just in not worth it!! It has also became apparent that Dell have locked the clock speeds on the 6800 Ultra so that it cannot be overclocked while the 6800 can be overclocked to within 10% of the Ultra..

jesus_thats_gre

Just checked the Dell website and my laptop is not retailing at just over 1,800 euro with a delivery time of 7 to 10 working days.

Called Dell and told them to match it or I will cancel my order. I cancelled my order and am just gonna order it again at the lower price..

The XPS2 could be done

jesus_thats_gre

The XPS2 was done I couldnt help myself..

MunkyHed

Just to save a few quid, check the DELL stockroom, they're all systems that were ordered and cancelled or failed in the field and were refurbished, check out the inspiron 9200 (the second one down) click the system identifier tag number to get the specs.
Dell outlet

System Price EUR 1,095.00
Dell recommends Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional


Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Memory: 512MB DIMM (333MHZ) (2 X 256MB)
Hard Disk Drive: 60GB IDE Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Video: 128MB ATI M10 Video Memory Card
NoteBook Screen: 15.4 WSXGA+ SCREEN - INSPIRON 8600c
Modem: Internal 56K Modem
Network Interface Card: Internal 10/100 Ethernet LAN on Motherboard
TM1350 WLAN 802.11b/g 54Mbps MPCI
CD Read-Write Drive: 8x DVD+RW, Insp, D-Series
Software: Microsoft® Works® 7.0
Record Now/MySonic DVD S/W
Inspiron DVD Cyberlink PDVD Decoder S/W
MISC: 72WHr 9 Cell Primary Battery
Norton Internet Securities 90 day English
D-Series 65W AC adpater
Dell Media Experience 2.1 - Inspiron
Inspiron 8600c Internal Keyboard, IRE/UK

Not bad deals sometimes.

jesus_thats_gre

The Nividia 6800 was the sole reason for ordering this model..

jank

Yea the dell laptops seem to be coming down in price pretty fast now alright!!
For a grand u could get yourself a pretty nice machine!

oh and 2 new models released today the insprion 1200 and the 2200, Pure affrodable but nothing sepcial about them.

The 510m is at rock bottom now! U can get one for 650 all in, upgrade to a Centrino 1.5Ghz for an extra hundred, so 750 or so for a pentium mobile laptop and its the lightest Insprion on the market. Not bad at all!!

JTG post up your specs and d price!

jesus_thats_gre

Right the spec's are as follows:

2.0GHz Pentium M Processor
512mb 533MHz DR2 RAM
60GB 7,200rpm HDD
17" Ultrasharp Widescreen WUXGA (1900x1200)
8x DVD/RW
256MB Nvidia GeforceGo 6800 Ultra with DDR3 memory

Thrown In:
XPS2 Backpack
XP2 Clear LCD Backcover with 3 colour interts
1 year on-site repair

All for 2,338...

optiplexgx270

sacrificed some RAM i see jeasus? Going to add your own?

Mthor5

went for more or less the same spec myself, justover 3000 euro with 3 yr waranty(arriving tomorrow )
except i went for 1 gig of ram(2x512)
should have went with 2x256,and buy ram from uk and upgrade myself.
600 euro to upgrade from 512 to 1 gig with dell :eek:

btw,d'ont believe the status on dell website,i was in pre-production yesterday-today it was shipped!

jesus_thats_gre

optiplexgx270 wrote:

sacrificed some RAM i see jeasus? Going to add your own?

Yeah they are chancers.. Was 600 euro to upgrade to 1gig of Ram when you can just buy a 1 gig stick online for under 200 euro.. So I will buy 2 sticks

jesus_thats_gre

Mthor5 wrote:

went for more or less the same spec myself, justover 3000 euro with 3 yr waranty(arriving tomorrow )
except i went for 1 gig of ram(2x512)
should have went with 2x256,and buy ram from uk and upgrade myself.
600 euro to upgrade from 512 to 1 gig with dell :eek:

btw,d'ont believe the status on dell website,i was in pre-production yesterday-today it was shipped!

I will hopefully get mine on time so

As for being stung on the RAM, ouch... I noticed that myself and will just buy it from shop4memory.com or something..