True Mobile Desktop?
Written: Nov 12 '00 (Updated Nov 26 '00)
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Pros: Most powerful mobile solution available
Cons: Expensive and still too heavy
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| KarsinTheHutt's Full Review: Dell Inspiron 8000 Series |
The Dell Inspiron 8000 is perhaps the closest Dell has ever come to producing a true desktop replacement system. The Inspiron 8000 replaces the 7500, which received much criticism for being too bulky and too heavy.
Specifications:
1.7 inches high (5 cm), weight of roughly 7 lbs (3 kg).
Pentium III 600MHz (up to 850 MHz available)
i815 chipset
128MB SDRAM
15" 1400x1050 LCD
ATI Rage Mobility 128 16MB SGRAM on 4x AGP
10GB 4200rpm ATA66 HDD
Integrated 8x DVD
Removable floppy drive
Windows Millennium Edition
Colored Snap-on inserts
The key differences between the Inspiron 8000 and its smaller 4000 cousin are the use of an i815 based chipset and 4x AGP graphics. The i815 is currently the fastest mobile chipset available. 4x AGP, while not the most useful feature, does give 3D gaming a slight boost. As I've said in other reviews of Dell notebooks, the graphics system is usually the factor holding back gaming performance, so any improvement in graphics is welcomed.
Usage:
A few weeks ago, I was quite impressed with the performance of the Inspiron 4000's LCD. Not any more. The Inspiron's 15" 1400x1050 LCD easily beat the 4000's LCD in image quality. When paired with the Rage Mobility 128 graphics chipset, the screen provided stunning DVD playback in rich 24-bit color. I was also impressed with the wide viewing angle and the fact that even long periods of use did not give me eyestrain. And if I thought that the LCD was the only major improvement, using the system in everyday tasks would prove me wrong.
In most office and professional applications, the 8000 series was noticeably faster than the smaller 4000 notebook. 128 MB of RAM and the i815 chipset clearly allowed the 8000 to outpace and out-task the 4000. Even under intense multitasking involving switching between MS Word, Excel, and Adobe Photoshop, the 8000 performed smoothly and without hesitation.
Other nice features of the Inspiron 8000 are 2 USB ports and a FIREWIRE port. Professionals who need video editing on the move will appreciate the firewire port as it provides exceptional communications speed between a computer and other devices. An optional 32 GB 5400 RPM hard drive can also make things easier for those who need to store and move large video files. A standard TV out port is also included.
What Else:
Performance was great... but there are still a few problems with this notebook. First, it is still too heavy. While not nearly as bulky or awkward looking as the 7500, the 8000 still feels like a brick of lead after carrying it around for a day. And battery life is frankly quite lackluster. The 4000 notebook I tested lasted about 4 hours while the 8000 gasped for more juice after only 3 hours. The 8000's faster hard drive and higher quality LCD definitely exert a considerable power consumption tradeoff.
Overall, the 8000 is a great solution for traveling professionals who absolutely must have the best performance possible in a notebook. But for students and general business users, I have to recommend the Inspiron 4000 over the 8000. The 8000 is simply still too heavy and too electricity hungry for my tastes. Still, the 8000 shows that "desktop replacement" notebooks have come a long way, and that we can expect even greater improvements within the next 12 months.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2600
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: 601-700
RAM: 128
Internal Storage: DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 9-12
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Epinions.com ID:
KarsinTheHutt
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Member: Karsin Eng
Location: United States of America
Reviews written: 83
Trusted by: 19 members
About Me:
I am a part time computer hobbyist and moderator at forum.thinkpads.com
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