Inspiron 4000 is a Taskmaster!
Written: Oct 20 '00
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Pros: Light, tough, good-looking, serious performance, great battery life when speedstep optimized
Cons: battery life is lousy when set to maximum performance
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| Uncrownedx's Full Review: Dell Inspiron 4000 Series |
Dell Inspiron 4000
PIII-800 MHz Intel Processor
128 MB of RAM
20 GB hard drive
14.1" XGA (1024 x 768) Active Matrix Display
ATI Rage 128-bit(!!!) Video with 8MB Video RAM
8x DVD
Extra Battery
The 4000 weighs 5.6 lbs with the floppy drive installed in its bay - 5.2 lbs with the bay filler installed. The chassis is 12.5" x 10" x 1.47".
I purchased this machine to replace a workhorse Micron Transport Trek2 PII-233 that I've had for well over a year now. I had big expectations of my next computer due to the reliability I got out of my Micron for so long. Incidentally, my first choice for a new laptop from Dell was a 3800 PIII-750 with 128MB of RAM and a 20GB hard drive. When that machine arrived, however, there was a bad pixel in the middle of the screen and there seemed to be something wrong with the touchpad. Additionally, its 64-bit video card simply couldn't stand up to my expectations for a notebook's graphics performance.
So, after returning the 3800, I swiftly ordered a 4000 in its place. I ordered a PIII-800 (the 4000 isn't offered at 750MHz) with 128MB of RAM, a 20GB hard drive, a DVD player, and an extra battery. Incidentally, as far as the free color option goes (4000s have swappable color wrist rest and display panel pieces in light grey, purple, blue, and yellow), I opted for the blue, but the standard midnight grey would have been just fine for my taste. I put the blue panels on only because the midnight grey wrist rests that came installed had those annoying Intel and Microsoft stickers on them.
Anyway, my 4000 is amazing. There have been, as far as I can find, only two real reviews online for this machine as I have found them so far. One here and one on C|Net. Both reviews cited somewhat flimsy construction as an issue and this worried me. Let me assure you that while the 4000's case is plastic, it is completely rigid, durable, and not cheap-feeling IN ANY WAY. I was very impressed with the solidity of this machine. Granted, it is not Magnesium Alloy like some of the fancy super-slim notebooks out there, but this machine's casing is unquestionably strong and reliable in my humble opinion.
I opted for the internal 56K modem and will use my PCMCIA Ethernet card for network hookup. Dell offers (for $50 more) a card that incorporates a 56K modem and 10/100 Network card INTERNALLY! - An option I very nearly took advantage of.
I read reviews on C|Net of this machines performance that said it was 21% faster than a comparably equipped Gateway 9300cx (PIII-750, 128MB, 20GB). It was also rated to have a single battery life (in Speedstep battery optimized mode) of a whopping FOUR HOURS FORTY-TWO MINUTES!!! Yes, that's 4:42!!! The only downside seemed to be that while this machine also destroyed the competition in maximum performance battery mode, it's battery life dropped to 2:14. Unacceptably low.
This machine is thin and light. It is both conservative looking and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Hot swapping the drive with the included applet was a piece of cake. The deluxe nylon case it came with is very protective and durable, although a little cramped for space. The DVD ran spectacularly smooth. Games like Quake II ran amazingly well - and this is important to me. And with it's 128-bit video card it can handle a game like Quake III as well or better than any laptop out there, except maybe for the Inspiron 5000 which can come with a 128bit video card with 16MB of Video RAM.
In conclusion, I have no real bones of contention with this machine at all and am rather gleefully content with its appearance, portability, durability, power, speed, et al. I would give this machine my highest recommendation for teachers on the go like myself, for businessman who need a machine that is light and powerful, for students who swing the cash for real reliability, as well as for anyone else who can afford to buy a really solid, portable machine that is just a step below the realm of desktop replacements.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2895
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: 701-800
Screen Size: 14"
RAM: 128
Internal Storage: DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 13-20
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Epinions.com ID:
Uncrownedx
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