Inspiron 8100: Review By A Computer Science Flunkie
Written: Jan 09 '02
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Pros: large screen, virtually ready out of the box, wireless net work available
Cons: gets quite warm underneath after use
The Bottom Line: Once you conquer the intimidation of ordering online without touching the product the process is enjoyable, the result excellent.
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| LRGuis's Full Review: Dell Inspiron 8100 Series |
Okay, I didn't really flunk Computer Science in college, but it was certainly not my major either. Why do I tell you this? Primarily so you read my review as written by a pretty normal household user. I'm a mom, a stay-at-home one at that. I use various applications, print, play the occasional game. I'm the status quo. With that in mind, my latest investment....
Dude, I Got A Dell
Why oh why did we add a Dell computer to our home's arsenal? Mostly because we are readers. We read up on laptops from the moment we considered the purchase. We went to the PCWorld website, read product reviews in business publications, and even read (& rated) several epinions. In most reviews, even when weighing good and bad, the Dell Inspiron 8100 was coming out ahead. Each review shared the negative so we were not uninformed, but the reviews ended up solidly behind this upgrade of the 8000 model.
Then we went to users. A couple "computer geeks", a business user, and a home computer user. The computer knowledgeable spoke in jargon we sometimes struggled to understand, the business user spoke of networks, and the home computer user spoke English. Somewhere in the midst we received anything from envious comments to high tech language that we equated with "you certainly could do worse".
Purchasing a Dell....No Store Required
My husband was gung-ho to build his own Inspiron. He had lingered a bit longer in the Computer Science department at school and was eager to select individual pieces to make a whole. We went through lists regarding memory, optional network cards, software options, and harddrives. I added the occasional nod or argument and we configured the computer of our choice.
While he enjoyed the process, I found it a bit laborious. I wanted to find a computer, press "BUY ME" and be done. This is how I work. I want to tell someone what I'm going to be doing with the computer and let the techs deal with the specifications. This is not to be found at the Dell website. To be sure there were "ready made" systems, but none fit my prerequisites (and I don't think my requirements were very outside the norm).
Adding to my hesitation was not being able to touch the product I'm buying until after it's bought. Fine for a pair of jeans, a book on folk art, a VHS tape. When it's a computer and it's this much of an investment I'm not as enthusiastic.
Ding Dong the Dell is Here
Approximately 10 working days after placing our order, a large box arrived decorated boldly with the DELL logo. The UPS guy even grinned a little more than usual and told me to "have fun".
Set up was a snap. Not the least bit intimidating and, actually, easier than when we installed our last desktop system. Partly, of course, because everything is attached, but also because of the step-by-step instructions built into the Inspiron. Set-up, in fact, is obviously made to cater to the non-tech among us.
Out of the box and plugged in. A quick read through a poster-sized set-up guide, follow the numbered steps, I'm wandering through Windows XP (also new to our household) in a matter of five minutes. Online in another 5 minutes.
My Unit
Specs: Pentium III 1.13 Ghz processor, mobile CPU 1133 MHz,256 MB RAM, utilizing Windows XP.
Okay, let me tell you about my actual laptop. I'm typing as I speak. The keyboard is set up well considering there is a little size issue because of the laptop. I can imagine a future of carpal tunnel thanks to the angle at which my hands and wrists meet the keyboard. I've been through the surgery once on the right wrist---maybe wrist number two is not far off. It's actually a comfortable feel but I know the positioning is no the best.
We purchased the external mouse which functions as well as our desktop version but feels a bit small in the hand---a bit cheap I guess would be an appropriate term.
Screen is 15" and better than I anticipated. Resolution is clear, color bright.
Sound...cheesy? Is that a word? Well, I should add that we did not purchase additional speakers, so we're working strictly with the tiny little speaker built into the table in the upper right corner. Considering a laptop to watch DVDs? Buy additional speakers.
Speed....instead of talking numbers I'll talk time. To move between programs of a similar nature (i.e. Word and Excel) the process is fractional seconds. Smooth, streamlined. From the time the computer is turned on and the user can access programs, approximately 30 seconds has passed. Gaming, such that it is in our home, has been a smooth process but loading up to actual play time is about a 30-40 second process (varying based on games---and we're not playing any "heavy duty" games here).
Graphics....photo work has been a pleasure with clear, crisp images taken generally direct from camera using a floppy disk.
Dell: The Downside
In reading reviews it was often warned that this is a "heavy" laptop. Heavy as compared to our desktop---most certainly. But heavy as compared to other models with the large screen? We don't find this to be the case. Weight was relative anyway as we are not using this for business use and therefore we don't travel constantly with laptop on hand. The Dell website lists weight as 6.84 lbs. Our weighed in at 7 per our home scale so the number is accurate. Heavier than a smaller-screened computer with shorter battery life? Most definitely. To me, it's not heavy enough to complain about.
But I will complain about the heat. Give the Inspiron enough working time (say 70 minutes) and the amount of heat thrown out the bottom is quite substantial. Warm enough to forego the need for that electric blanket on your lap. I'm told this is typical of a Dell of this size and, in fact, that the heat was much worse with the 8000 that preceded this model.
My Verdict?
1) Regardless of brand I'd never use below a 15" screen. I'm spoiled thanks to years of desktop use. When the search begins eliminating all laptops under 15", the Dell is not significantly hire priced than others of the same calibur.
2) Ordering major items online still makes me nervous. I'm not thrilled about this feature of the Dell Corporation. If you can "test drive" someone else's Dell for a while I would definitely take advantage of the opportunity, even if it's just for peace of mind when ordering.
3) Financing through Dell is laughable. We utilized this feature only because they offered 90 days with no payments. If you aren't paying cash, line up a line of credit or a credit card with minimal interest and transfer the entire balance when you receive your first bill. I believe the effective rate was somewhere around 21% when we went through the process.
4) Finally, look for all the offers you can find. Look for a sale at the Dell.com site, then move over to Ebates.com and purchase as a home user to receive a 2% rebate. We waited even longer and also received a free carrying case.
This being our first laptop, we have no past experience to compare our current experience against. However, we already prefer this laptop over our Compaq desktop including the feel of the keyboard. And in our home, the children no longer ask to use the computer...now it's "Mom, can I use the Dell?"
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2200
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: over 1000
Screen Size: 15
RAM: 256
Internal Storage: DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 31-40
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LRGuis
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