Well I just received my I8K... two dead pixels. They are sorta on the side so I'm not really complaining.
Opened the RAM module area and the 64MB SODIMM that came with it is a Mitsubishi -7L part which is PC-100 CAS2. Interesting to note however that the RAM info sticker is labeled as 322 signifying that the EEPROM is programed to run at CAS3 instead of 2. Memory module doesn't look as high of a grade than the crucial one.
The DVD-ROM drive is a Toshiba SD-C2402 which is great news as the firmware can be flashed to RPC-1 (region free) mode. This basically means that you can buy DVD from anywhere around the world and watch them on your laptop without any worries (provided your software solution is also region free). If ya want the DVD Firmware, visit this page and scroll all the way down (assuming Dell uses the SD-C4202 for all Insprions). Make sure to match the RPC-1 firmware with the one that's on your drive. You can find it easly by viewing the settings tab under the Systems Properties. While you're viewing settings for it, might also want to disable the "Auto insert notification" as it will help you conserve more battery power. If auto insert is on, the laser on your drive will go on about every 5 seconds or so to check to see if there is media in the bay.
Under the Performance tab > File System, you might also want to change Typical role of this computer from "Desktop computer" to "Mobile or docking system." This will tell windows to access the hard drive less frequently saving more battery power. Trade off is hard drive performance. Setting it to "Network Server" will slightly increase hard drive performance depending on the application but use more battery power.
The sound as said in previous posts is very staticy. However a simple fix that I've found is just to lower the main volume control and fiddle with the other volumes. One thing that I was disappointed about is that there was no hardware MIDI syth on the notebook (uses that crap MS Wavetable software syth.). If you're a MIDI sequencer, like me, you might consider the Roland SC-8820 which can be completely powered by the USB port. A plus is that it's also very light. I have this syth and I just LOVE it. Anyone wanna hear some of my works?
The BIOS itself is very limited support wise. But if I remember right, you can get a program that will help you unlock some of the settings in your BIOS and perhaps give it that standard BIOS look that many of us are familiar with on our desktops.
The Network card is not a 3Com unit but apparently a Intel one which is generally just as good. Basically Actiontec is using a relabled driver for the NIC. The modem is a Lucent WinModem (yes... software controlled). Lucent softmodems are widely supported from what I hear so finding updated drivers for it is very easy.
This weekend I'll disect my notebook and give ya all more info on it if anyone is interested.
Opened the RAM module area and the 64MB SODIMM that came with it is a Mitsubishi -7L part which is PC-100 CAS2. Interesting to note however that the RAM info sticker is labeled as 322 signifying that the EEPROM is programed to run at CAS3 instead of 2. Memory module doesn't look as high of a grade than the crucial one.
The DVD-ROM drive is a Toshiba SD-C2402 which is great news as the firmware can be flashed to RPC-1 (region free) mode. This basically means that you can buy DVD from anywhere around the world and watch them on your laptop without any worries (provided your software solution is also region free). If ya want the DVD Firmware, visit this page and scroll all the way down (assuming Dell uses the SD-C4202 for all Insprions). Make sure to match the RPC-1 firmware with the one that's on your drive. You can find it easly by viewing the settings tab under the Systems Properties. While you're viewing settings for it, might also want to disable the "Auto insert notification" as it will help you conserve more battery power. If auto insert is on, the laser on your drive will go on about every 5 seconds or so to check to see if there is media in the bay.
Under the Performance tab > File System, you might also want to change Typical role of this computer from "Desktop computer" to "Mobile or docking system." This will tell windows to access the hard drive less frequently saving more battery power. Trade off is hard drive performance. Setting it to "Network Server" will slightly increase hard drive performance depending on the application but use more battery power.
The sound as said in previous posts is very staticy. However a simple fix that I've found is just to lower the main volume control and fiddle with the other volumes. One thing that I was disappointed about is that there was no hardware MIDI syth on the notebook (uses that crap MS Wavetable software syth.). If you're a MIDI sequencer, like me, you might consider the Roland SC-8820 which can be completely powered by the USB port. A plus is that it's also very light. I have this syth and I just LOVE it. Anyone wanna hear some of my works?
The BIOS itself is very limited support wise. But if I remember right, you can get a program that will help you unlock some of the settings in your BIOS and perhaps give it that standard BIOS look that many of us are familiar with on our desktops.
The Network card is not a 3Com unit but apparently a Intel one which is generally just as good. Basically Actiontec is using a relabled driver for the NIC. The modem is a Lucent WinModem (yes... software controlled). Lucent softmodems are widely supported from what I hear so finding updated drivers for it is very easy.
This weekend I'll disect my notebook and give ya all more info on it if anyone is interested.