Dell Inspiron 8600: Mobile Multimedia goes Wide Screen
by Andrew Ku on October 9, 2003 1:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
Construction — Under the Hood (continued)
As we previously mentioned, our test system came with a single 512MB DDR PC2700 memory module. This leaves one other SODIMM slot unpopulated for upgrades down the road.|
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The mini-PCI slot on the 8600 is default configured with the Intel Pro/Wireless 2100, which qualifies the system to be called a “Centrino notebook.” Since our sample came configured with Dell's TrueMobile 1300 DualBand, it can't technically qualify for the “Centrino” dubbing. But this is more of simple marketing semantics, since the branding of “Centrino” gives the mobile vendor access to Intel's co-marketing funds. We found the TrueMobile 1300 DualBand to work just fine in comparison to Intel's standard Centrino wireless standard. This choice also provides us with 802.11g connectivity, which Intel has yet to provide.
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On the back, lower right-hand portion of the motherboard, there is a riser, which interfaces with the PCTEL modem that the 8600 uses. Our system didn't come with Bluetooth, which connects to the white connector below and to the right of the modem riser, so we weren't able to test this feature.
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Below is the motherboard, which as you can see, is basically the same as the motherboard that the Latitude D800 uses.
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We noticed that there was hand soldering involved for the D800's motherboard. The system we received this time seems to have undergone whatever they needed to fix.
The hard drive that came with our Inspiron 8600 is the Hitachi Travelstar HTS726060M9AT00 60GB 7200RPM. This is one of the more popular 7200RPM drives that we have been seeing in desktop replacement notebooks. This has some give-and-take issues. Since the 8600 is based on Centrino technology, it will benefit from the 5400RPM hard drive, which is the default configuration option. A 7200RPM drive will benefit those seeking to dedicate this for multimedia or other high-end purposes, but on the other hand, it will consume more power.
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Andrew Ku - Saturday, October 11, 2003 - link
Hey bud :), I don't recall 386 processors in notebooks that used sockets... In fact, only recently have notebooks on such a wide scale used molex socket designs to house processors, and this is more for the ease of scalability and or the need to use desktop components. Remember that when you are talking about the mobile side of pcs, often times it becomes an entirely different ball park than when compared to the desktop side.Btw, if you are refering to the use of "molex," it is a technically correct term. Additionally, we did not write "molex connectors." If you read page 4, you will see that we instead wrote "molex socket."
Anonymous User - Saturday, October 11, 2003 - link
I just wonder when CPU's went from using sockets ," as they have done since the 386" , to using molex connectors as refered to in the article , should technical writers proof read more ????bandwidthboy
Anonymous User - Friday, October 10, 2003 - link
The 7200 rpm uses less power if used over time..indicated by the write wattage.Here's a quick comparison of wattage use from the previous 60GB/5400 rpm model vs the 7K60/7200 rpm model:
60GB/5400 RPM vs 60GB/7200 RPM:
Max (startup/spinup) - 5W vs 5.5W
Seek (avg): 2.6W for both
Read (avg): 2.5W for both
Write (avg): 2.7W vs 2.5W
(7K60 slightly lower)
Performance idle (avg): 2.0W for both
Active idle (avg): 1.3W for both
Sleep: 0.1W for both
Anonymous User - Friday, October 10, 2003 - link
well if you guys are looking for m10's in laptops you can try looking here:http://atitech.com/buy/onboard/mobile/mobilityrade...
you can also try http://pctorque.com, they have the same laptops as some of the ones on the ati site but a little cheaper i think (plus there's one that has an option for a 2x dvd-rw drive and a built in tv tuner :) (that's if you're willing to dish out upwards in about $3000US for it
Anonymous User - Friday, October 10, 2003 - link
# 4 If you want quality settings like FSAA & Aniso the ATI is much..much.. better.Also 2D graphics quality is on the ATI A LOT better!!
Anonymous User - Thursday, October 9, 2003 - link
He meant for a monitor only, read more carfullyAnonymous User - Thursday, October 9, 2003 - link
# 2 try 2300.00 w/out a M10Anonymous User - Thursday, October 9, 2003 - link
Actually they are not nearley that expensive for the 17" wide screens. Samsung has one of the best, the 172w.http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&a...
Well, I have a 8600 on the way, wont ship until early november because dell claims the 1920x1200 screens will not be in until OCt 28.
Anonymous User - Thursday, October 9, 2003 - link
I totally agree on the fact that Dell should offer a notebook with the Ati M10(p) !!!...I live in Belgium ( Europe ) an dcannot find a "known" brand with an ATI M10(p) offer...
Anonymous User - Thursday, October 9, 2003 - link
Yes there out there but pricey, a 17" $700 -800 on up...