All I want for Christmas is my Dell Inspiron 8100
Written: Feb 24 '04 (Updated Feb 24 '04)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
|
Pros: brand name, quality, easy to use, fast, screen resolution
Cons: can get expensive with available options, weight
The Bottom Line: A reliable and quality laptop from a good manufacturer.
|
|
|
| kld718's Full Review: Dell Inspiron 8100 Series |
Christmas 2002 came and as usual my mother made us write down what we wanted. It seems that no matter how we get, my mother still demands a list from us, or we don’t get anything. She claims she never has any idea what to buy us because we have everything. By this time, I finished on my last leg at college and really didn’t need a laptop, but I couldn’t think of anything else to ask for. So a laptop made it’s way on my list.
My mother had no idea about computers, and didn’t even have one herself at the time. So she turned to my brother, who works with computers everyday. In turn, he turned to Dell because they were the current computers that were being used in his office and he had very little problems with them.
So on Christmas morning, I woke up to find a Dell Inspiron 8100 underneath my mothers’ Christmas tree. Dell was first introduced by Michael Dell in 1984. My brother liked the fact that he could design a computer based on my needs and that was exactly what I discovered under the tree that morning.
Please bear with me as I have never professed to being a computer expert!
~ Nuts & Bolts ~
Process Manufacturer and Class: Intel Pentium III
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Display Size: 15 inches
Installed Memory: 256 MB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce2 Go
Hard Drive Capacity: 30 GB
Modem: 56k
Includes: 3.5” Modular Floppy Drive, Hard Drive, DVD-ROM, Onboard Modem
Slots: Type III PC Card, Type I PC Card, Type II PC Card
Ports: USB Port, RCA out, Monitor Port, IR Port
Anti-Virus: Norton Anti-Virus 2002
Digital Music: Dell Jukebox powered by Musicmatch 6.0 for XP
Software Included:
I received eight CD’s with my Dell Inspiron 8100.
CD1: Setup, Works 6.0, Word 2000 SR1
CD2: Works 6.0 Clipart, Money 2001 Standard
CD3 & 4: Picture It! Publishing 2001
CD5: Encarta Encyclopedia 2001 Standard
CD6: Streets & Trips 2001
I also received another CD for reinstalling my system software (drivers, utilities, and applications) should something ever happen in that area. Otherwise, it was already set up when my brother received the laptop. The last CD consisted of Microsoft Windows XP. I had heard good things about it and bad things, but I like it much better than the Windows 2000 software on my desk top computer.
The media bay on this Dell Inspiron 8100 supports a variety of devices including: a CD drive, a DVD drive, a CD-RW drive, a zip drive, a second hard drive, and a second battery. You can easily switch devices while your computer is running, the instructions depend on what version of Windows you are using. There is a small green light underneath the laptop’s screen that will be lit or blinking if your computer’s power is on. The blinking means that the computer is on standby. I usually have my computer on all throughout the day, more often than not I will walk away and come back to find the computer on standby. I simply have to depress the power button again to bring it back to life.
The Dell Inspiron 8100 came with an AC adaptor that you can use when you’re on the go. The battery orange light will not come on until your power has gone done and you need to recharge. If you forget to charge up and walk away, you might come back to find your battery depleted and your computer in hibernation mode.
The Dell Inspiron 8100 also allows you to remove your gray palm rests and replace them for brightly colored one’s if you are into that kind of stuff. They are available in many colors for around $10 a pair. The mouse touch pad is located right underneath the keyboard and above the two light gray mouse keys. The purple pointing stick is located on the keyboard between the second and third row of keys. Although I cannot seem to get the thing to slow down when I use it, so I usually just use the touch pad or plug in my Microsoft Basic Mouse.
I was not involved in any of the setup. My brother had the laptop delivered straight to his office and had it completely setup before transporting it to my mothers’ Christmas morning. But reading through the directions, I see that the setup is simple. Setting up Microsoft Works was almost like setting up a computer game. You insert the CD and follow the directions.
You can install either a parallel printer or a USB printer to this Dell Inspiron 8100. This I did do myself, and it was simple to do. I use a USB printer, so all I had to do was attach the USB cable to the connector located on the back of my laptop. I inserted the CD that came with my Lexmark X73 Ink-Jet Printer and followed the directions. When transporting my laptop, I’m obviously not going to take that big Lexmark with me. All I have to do is unhook the USB cable from the back of my Dell and reconnect it when I arrive back home.
After my brother had finished customizing this laptop for me, which he did totally by himself on Dell’s website, it did end up being more expensive than what my mother wanted to pay. But being the spoiled brat that I am, I did end up with the laptop anyway. But seeing that Dell did offer a payment plan, she didn’t mind it so much because she didn’t have to write out a huge check at one time. Dell offered to let my mother pay $50 a month, but of course she paid it off with only a few payments, to avoid any finance charges. I probably could have done without the added cost for the larger 15” screen, but it sure is nice to have now.
What I found odd about the 8100 is the backwardness of the floppy drive and the DVD-ROM drive. The floppy drive, located at the front of the computer underneath the mouse keys, is removable instead of the DVD-ROM drive. This was something that I found funny, but I guess it allows for more battery room if you want to carry an extra one. The hard drive is also easy to remove, good for those looking to keep their information safe.
The display resolution and clarity are great. I have had no problems seeing anything on the screen or it being bleary. The sound quality is also something that was unexpected. Although I have realized that if I try to turn a music CD up to loud, the laptop puts out a kind of vibrating noise along with the music. I’ve just learned not to blast my music out loud, something I cannot do in the office anyway, or just plug in some speakers.
The only real complaint is that this thing is just darn heavy, weighing in at almost 8 pounds. By the time I get out of my car and tote my Dell laptop bag across the parking lot at my work, my shoulder feels like it’s going to fall asleep. And I have pretty muscled shoulder area. The Inspiron 8100 can also get pretty hot if you are using it for a long time. I always make sure it sits on another surface and not my knees like some people prefer. And I might mention something about the battery life. It sure does seem to wear down quickly, but maybe that’s because time goes by more quickly when I am working a lot? Or maybe not. Lasting about 2 ½ hours just does not cut it for me. I more often than not keep my laptop plugged in whenever I can to prevent the thing from shutting down.
I have not yet had a problem with this Dell Inspiron 8100. One thing that occurred about a year ago now is the modem would not work for some reason. I immediately called customer support and they were able to help me get it working again with no problems. They seemed knowledgeable and patient, so no complaints there. My Windows XP also provides me with an easily accessible help menu with tons of questions and answers if I ever have a problem. This Dell Inspiron 8100 came with a 3-year limited warranty. You get 3 years of at home service, but Dell support through the telephone will always be available to you.
Of course, please be careful when using any computer while during a storm. Most surge protectors do not protect against lightning. I once had lightening strike my desktop modem during one of the many storms I experienced in Florida and had to buy another one. It’s no phone to spend all that money when the solution is easy, don’t use your computer when there is a lightning storm.
Try to catch Dell when they are offering something for free. I received my own Dell nylon laptop bag and my Lexmark X73 Ink-Jet Printer when my mother purchased this computer. I also received a free 6-month membership to AOL, but did not use it as I already have AOL. My mom also received free shipping. I love freebies!
Overall, this is a pretty good system, one that I cannot complain about because it has been good to me. It definitely does a good job with replacing a desktop computer. I still have not unpacked my desktop from when I moved 9 months ago! But do be careful when customizing your system, this Dell Inspiron 8100 can get a little expensive.
* You can buy Dell products either online at www.dell.com, or by calling 1-800-
WWW-DELL
~ Happy Computing!
Kim
Other Computer Related Products:
Microsoft Internet Keyboard
Microsoft Basic Mouse
Lexmark X73 Ink-Jet Printer
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): gift
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Screen Size: 15 inches
RAM: 256
Internal Storage: CD-ROM
Hard Drive (GB): 21-30
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
kld718
|
 in Wellness & Beauty, Books |
 - Top 200 |
|
Location: Central Florida
Reviews written: 606
Trusted by: 313 members
About Me:
Preparing for a return to writing!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.