Dell Inspiron 600m for $699

[STiSev]

I wrote a guide for the 8600 which addresses a lot of the issues mentioned in this thread.
I hope it helps you guys. Most of this stuff applies for the 600m as well.


THE COMPENDIOUS GUIDE TO OWNING AN INSPIRON 8600c

I didn't get in on this deal, but I got in on the October 19 $750 Inspiron coupon deal.
I can't tell you how happy I am with this computer.

Whenever I buy something, I always have regrets about one thing or another, but with this computer, I have NO regrets.

There have been a few problems with the computer, but I hope this guide helps you guys out in resolving your problems:

--------
PROBLEM 1 - KEYBOARD FEELS "FLIMSY"
SOLUTION- Refer to the Keyboard Flex Mod w/ 3M Double Sticky Tape
--------

--------
PROBLEM 2 - MY FINGERS ARE "PRICKING" THE KEYBOARD KEYS AT HIGH WPM
SOLUTION - Keyboard flexing mod is not enough. You have received a bad keyboard. You have to email Dell Customer Support (at this email address). Refer to the good/bad keyboard guide for details.
--------

------
PROBLEM 3 - MY GPU RUNS TOO HOT/GPU GETS SLUGGISH (possible)
SOLUTION - Dell uses pitifully cheap and crappy material to cool the GPU. Replace the crappy thermal paste with a Sterling Silver GPU block (93% silver) or Copper, if you can find that cheaper. Silver is a slightly better solution because of higher thermal transfer at great speeds. Use this useful guide to assist you in modding your GPU.
------

-----
PROBLEM 4 - GOOD GOD...THE INSPIRON 8600c COLORS ARE FUGLY
SOLUTION - Painting your computer is the only way to go. Use Spiike's wonderful guide to paint your computer.
-----

-------
PROBLEM 5 - THE SCREEN CRASHES AND STARTS TURNING BLUEISH PURPLE COLOR UNTIL IT FADES TO DARK
SOLUTION - This problem is especially prevalent after having opened the computer to do a mod. The problem is that the "flex-cable" that connects the GPU to the LCD is being bent or crimped to the point that data isn't being sent. Follow the keyboard flex guide to remove part of the center console and adjust the aforementioned cable accordingly. Make sure it fits snug and will not be bent by any obstructive items.
-------

------
PROBLEM 6 ? THE LEFT PALM REST GETS UNBEARABLY WARM
SOLUTION ? Unfortunately, there?s no viable solution for this. There are a couple of things you can do. The best thing you can do is purchase the Evercool NP-101 from Acortech.com for $16 shipped and taxed using coupon code PRICEWATCH. This will GREATLY reduce temps across the board; moreso with DIMM & HD temps. Also, do the CPU voltage mod to reduce temps altogether.
------

----
PROBLEM 7 ? I WANT TO MONITOR MY TEMPS YOU FOOL
SOLUTION ? You can now do this with HMonitor (shareware) or with i8KFANGUI, the best program for monitoring temps for the Inspiron series. Thanks to me (I annoyed the guy for ages) and a coder named torsius, there is now a plugin for SAMURIZE that grabs the temps from the i8KFanGUI driver plugin! Search Samurize forums for the link.
-----

----
PROBLEM 8 ? DVD/CD-ROM DRIVE IS GIVING ME PROBLEMS- IT WONT READ MY CDs!
SOLUTION ? Download Everest Home Beta from FileForums and check if you got a Sony DVD/CD-ROM drive. There is a firmware update available, but I can?t find a link at this time. Flash your firmware and see if that fixes the problem. If it doesn?t, contact Dell Customer Support and request they send you an LG DVD/CD-ROM drive. The LG drive is much better than the Sony, imo
----

----
PROBLEM 9 ? I WANT TO BE UBER-l33T JUST LIKE THE XPS 2. I WANT THOSE COOL BLUE LIGHTS!
SOLUTION- When you want to read Spiike's LED guide.
----

----
PROBLEM 10 ? I LOVE MY 8600, BUT I HATE THE LOGO. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS?
SOLUTION - Spiike's Naruto Badge might be a good start.
----


---
PROBLEM 11 ? I WANT TO REDUCE MY RAM (DIMM) TEMPS. HOW DO I THIS YOU MORON?
SOLUTION ? You can follow my Sterling Silver DRAM Cooling GUIDE. Not really a guide, but it works well. Use the same thickness metals from the silver blocks in the GPU guide. You may want to do this mod ONLY if you?re planning to add a fan-based laptop cooling solution (Evercool NP-101 ? 16 USD shipped and CA taxed from Acortech.com using code PRICEWATCH.
----

---
PROBLEM 12 ? MY CPU RUNS TOO HOT. HELP ME STISEV, YOU DICKWEED
SOLUTION ? Download SpeedSwitch XP (Google for it) and enable Intel SpeedStep technology (to reduce temps @ idle). Then follow the Simple Undervolting Guide\. Make sure you use Prime95 or SP2004 to stress test your computer to be stable.
----

---
PROBLEM 12 ? THE LCD HINGES CREAK WHEN OPENING/CLOSING THE LCD MONITOR
SOLUTION ? (((((((((((need help filling this in)))))))))
----

---
PROBLEM 12 ? WHAT TYPE OF SCREEN DO I HAVE?
SOLUTION ? Go to http://support.dell.com/ . Click Services & Warranties. Enter your service tag.. Open the "Original System Configuration" tab.
----

EXTRA ? D800/M60 CHASIS CONVERSION
SOLUTION - Chasis Guide

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Refer to the notebook forums. It?s basically a wealth of information for all that is Dell.
Click here for link

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: sxr7171

Originally posted by: BakedWafer
To say the laptop will be a paperweight is idiotic. I have an old Sony 200 Mhz laptop, it's an absolute piece of crap and I still use it for internet. Ever stop and think that maybe your standards are just a tad too high? 699.99 is a good price for a laptop that is around 5 pounds, I pumped it up to 512 and put on Burner/DVD combo and it was 780.80 shipped. That's a good deal regardless of how warm my wrist is.

Maybe some people need their computer for things other than just internet moron. I personally know people to whom this has happened.

To whom what has happened? The 600m is not one of the world's elite laptops, but it works fine for Office apps, internet browsing, and even modern 3D gaming (the Moblie Radeon 9000 will play HL2 fine). I haven't had any problems with mine, although I'd certainly swap it for a T42 if I were offered one at little or no cost. I remain very pleased with the value I got by buying mine with the $750-off coupon last fall.

 

[newbiepcuser]

Man, some of you laptop 1337s sure expect out of sub $1k laptop. We all know if we had the dough, it would be T-series thinkpad.

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: sxr7171

Originally posted by: BakedWafer
To say the laptop will be a paperweight is idiotic. I have an old Sony 200 Mhz laptop, it's an absolute piece of crap and I still use it for internet. Ever stop and think that maybe your standards are just a tad too high? 699.99 is a good price for a laptop that is around 5 pounds, I pumped it up to 512 and put on Burner/DVD combo and it was 780.80 shipped. That's a good deal regardless of how warm my wrist is.

Maybe some people need their computer for things other than just internet moron. I personally know people to whom this has happened.

To whom what has happened? The 600m is not one of the world's elite laptops, but it works fine for Office apps, internet browsing, and even modern 3D gaming (the Moblie Radeon 9000 will play HL2 fine). I haven't had any problems with mine, although I'd certainly swap it for a T42 if I were offered one at little or no cost. I remain very pleased with the value I got by buying mine with the $750-off coupon last fall.

I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with a 600m because I've never used one. However, sometimes people's expectations and needs exceed what a certain laptop can handle. In that case it just isn't worth it to buy something that doesn't meet your needs just because its cheap. The people I am refering to are ones who bought certain kinds of Compaq machines or a Dell 1100. We had an open laptop exam and these people's laptops died in the middle of the exam. So what I'm saying is that some laptops are only good for desktop use and very occasional portable use. Some people are very particular about a laptop being sturdy to carry around or for whatever reason. In that case it is better to just spend a little more and be completely happy. If your uses are just internet and basic office task + occasional gaming mostly at your desk then this laptop most likely meets your needs. However if it doesn't meet your needs then all the money you spent on it could have been used towards something that does meet your needs. That's all I'm saying. I'm not trying to be a laptop elitist or something. The only reason I say this is that I've seen people who really regretted buying what they bought and now they're stuck with something that has no real resale to speak of and they need to shell the big bucks anyway for what would be more appropriate for them. Sometimes when you spend tens of thousands of dollars on your school tuition it pays to spend a couple of hundred extra dollars to have a laptop that allows you to maximise your use of it during your education.

I also have a friend who goes to work and uses his Dell 2200 (nothing high end about that) at home for regular internet surfing and he never needs to take it out. I've used it and I think it is a great laptop for the his needs and budget.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: superflysocal
the 600m is also one the few remaining less than 5.5 lbs. laptop that has a parallel port. That's useless for most, but some of us require it because our work uses a parallel dongle.

any other competitor with parallell port, dell or non-dell?

My IBM T42 does have a parallel port and is quite light. I've used the T42 and 600M and there's no comparision between the two. The T42 feels much more sturdy and solid and is (IMO anyway) far more comfortable to use (the buttons/touchpad).

Of course the T42 is about 2x the price of the 600M so this really isn't a fair comparison.

 

[Garlic]

Personally if someone was offering me a 600m or T42 and I HAD to use it and couldnt sell it I would take the 600m. The T42 is absolutly nothing special plus IBM laptops are the absolute ugliest laptops I have ever seen in my live.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: Garlic
Personally if someone was offering me a 600m or T42 and I HAD to use it and couldnt sell it I would take the 600m. The T42 is absolutly nothing special plus IBM laptops are the absolute ugliest laptops I have ever seen in my live.

Great statement. Now do me a favor and list the advantages a 600M has over a T42 - other than cost and looks (which are your opinion) - to justify your statement.

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: Garlic
Personally if someone was offering me a 600m or T42 and I HAD to use it and couldnt sell it I would take the 600m. The T42 is absolutly nothing special plus IBM laptops are the absolute ugliest laptops I have ever seen in my live.

If you judge laptops based on their looks then the problem is not with the laptops themselves :roll:

 

[BakedWafer]

Apparently, you don't get my point. I will make it clear, not everyone can afford $1000 + laptop and are willing to forget all the problems with their obviously subpar (<999.99) laptop. The idea that it will be broken in 6 months is just horse$$$$.

 

[masterc]

I have a dell 600 m. It's great for what you get but better get the extended warantee... mine is only 3 months out of warantee and it looks like I have to rplace my mobo. ~$700 Rip off!!!
If you google dell 600m motherboard problems, you'll see it's a fairly common problem. Even people posting on Dell's forums acknowledge this.... http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums...oard.id=insp_general&message.id=182400
now the new models may have fixed this problem but based on my experience, i'd be weary....

 

[tknodav1]

I've had one for almost a year and don't have any complaints. Take any forum comments and dilute them with 10 parts water to get the truth.

 

[artemicion]

Originally posted by: tknodav1
I've had one for almost a year and don't have any complaints. Take any forum comments and dilute them with 10 parts water to get the truth.

Yours too?

 

[masterc]

Originally posted by: tknodav1
I've had one for almost a year and don't have any complaints. Take any forum comments and dilute them with 10 parts water to get the truth.

I'm only giving an example of my personal experience.
I have a number of Dell products, which I'm pleased with, just not this one.

 

[Hankysmoo]

Is this deal dead? I tried applying the coupon only to get a coupon error.

 

[Law]

yeah coupon doesn't work no mo.

 

[TrueWisdom]

I've had the 600m for almost a year now and I've been pleased with it. I've had no problems with any hardware. Mine is relatively new, though, so we'll see how long it lasts after going out of warranty.

I don't think it's a flimsy laptop, either. I took it all over Japan with me and it held up just fine.

 

[silverghost]

I've had my 600m since they came out and I've been very happy with it. The battery life isnt the greatest (think mine is starting to go) but its a decent laptop. I have a friend with an Dell 8600 and my dad has one also and they rock!

 

[yangjay]

Great laptop for its price, but not the best out there. If you're on a budget, considering its price, its pretty damn good. I personally have one and its great for Internet, home, and school. It's light and the battery life is around 3 hours. Keep in mind that this laptop is under $1,000 so don't expect this laptop to out-perform itself.

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: Garlic
Personally if someone was offering me a 600m or T42 and I HAD to use it and couldnt sell it I would take the 600m. The T42 is absolutly nothing special plus IBM laptops are the absolute ugliest laptops I have ever seen in my live.

Great statement. Now do me a favor and list the advantages a 600M has over a T42 - other than cost and looks (which are your opinion) - to justify your statement.

Some people just prefer a cheap silver plastic look to the look of solid powder coated magnesium alloy with metal hinges. What can do you? There's no accounting for taste.

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: BakedWafer
Apparently, you don't get my point. I will make it clear, not everyone can afford $1000 + laptop and are willing to forget all the problems with their obviously subpar (<999.99) laptop. The idea that it will be broken in 6 months is just horse$$$$.

Who are you supposed to be talking to?