Wow!! This Notebook Computer is Bad to the Bone! Worth Every Penny!! Awesome!!!!
Written: May 15 '05 (Updated Nov 29 '05)
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Pros: Simple Basic Unit With Entry-Level use for the beginner or the advanced user. Excellent!!
Cons: Desk lamp shining above unit can make lines appear on screen when first turned on.
The Bottom Line: I highly recommend that you get this unit!
Dell is now the only company that I'd trust for computers.
A simple basic unit that can hang with the big boys!!!
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| daquan's Full Review: Dell Inspiron™ 1200 (I1200L1) PC Notebook |
WHY A DELL LAPTOP COMPUTER?
First, let me start by telling you about the the sad affair that I had with a used notebook computer that I had bought from USAnotebook.com. I ordered a used IBM Think Pad, thinking that I could get away with just having a laptop computer to use as a secondary unit if the main computer ever acts up again in the future.
Bad mistake!! When I got the thing after nearly missing the UPS delivery man, I brought it upstairs, hooked it up & turned it on. Nothing! The thing was dead as a door nail!!!
It wouldn't work at all!
Lesson# 1: NEVER buy a used computer unless you've seen it working in good order first!
Lesson# 2: Never settle for anything less than a Dell computer, notebook or desktop!
WHAT WAS NEXT?
I visited Dell's website just before choosing to buy the used notebook computer and noticed that their baseline model of the Inspiron 1200 (11200L1) was being offered for $150.00 off their list price of just under $700.00. I carefully studied all of the in's & out's of the unit that I was about to, and eventually DID purchase. Note that I went back to Dell and bought this unit & sent that piece of junk back to the other company.
The more I read & thought about it, the more I became interested in getting it! Then I looked at other models in that series of notebook computers. Aside from the fact that it's made by Dell, and that I've heard about how great their products are, I became very pleased at the great savings that I was getting: Truly instant savings right off the top without the aggravating waiting period that you'd normally have to go through if you bought one from stores like Best Buy, Comp USA Or Staples. Also, you can only buy Dell computers by phone through their 800-number or from their website. You will never see them in stores at all!
WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME?
With this being my very first new truly working genuine Dell notebook computer, I was all too anxious to get it upstairs, hook it up, finish setting up the Windows XP software, along with Outlook Express, I was becoming more & more flabbergasted with the unit's features & performance! The strikingly unique styling & dark gray color that Dell has become famous for seems years ahead of its design!
I can't even begin to tell you how impressed I am with the Inspiron 1200. Even though it is one of their lower priced basline units, it's loaded with many things that you'd think you'd find only in the much more expensive units! To even just look at it, you might say to yourself: "Boy!! I think I'll need a degree in rocket science to be able to use this thing!" But once you get past the basic fundamentals that are needed to use this unit, the rest of the stuff will become quite easy to do, in time.
WHAT ELSE?
Like I said, this unit is really one of the baseline models in the inspiron 1200 line. It comes from a company that even today, remains on the cutting edge of computer technology. There is absolutely none better, as I found this unit to be second to none.
Portability. Unlike your home desktop computer, this unit can go with you wherever you need instant access to a computer!. It's compact size & light weight help make it an ideal unit to carry to use in the office, on trips, for use in many spots where a normal computer just can't go. It lets you go where no other computer has gone before!
IS IT REALLY THAT GOOD?
Yes! I like its true portability & it's many great uses. I just can't stress enough the joy & fun of being able to stay in touch with friends and family anywhere in the country! It's the Cadillac of computers!
I DID have some trouble getting Outlook Express set up & running, but I think it was me doing something wrong.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES & FEATURES OF THIS UNIT?
The advantages & features are many.
First the advantages:
1. Crystal-clear sharp bright LCD display panel.
2. Tough durable high-impact plastic housing.
3. Lightweight.
4. Compact. Can be stowed almost anywhere.
5. Display panel can be pivoted forward or backward for best view.
6. Buy the unit basic & simple as is, or choose to add some operating features and options as you please.
I chose not to add anything, as not only would I be principally driving up the cost of the unit, but I'd be adding things that I don't need. And the price would stay low, giving you a tremendous savings overall!
7. Comes with Windows XP software factory-installed before
shipping to your address. You just merely finished the installing process by configuring it to & with your name & registration.
8. You can order & have this unit & others in the Dell line custom-made & tailored to suit your particular specifications, just like you would a new car fresh from a car maker's factory! Add certain things as you'd want them, or just leave it as is with just the basic stuff!
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Now the features: Simple.
Inspiron 1200:
1. Intel Celeron M Processor 350 ( 1.30 GHz/ MB Cache/ 400MHz FSB )
Operating System:
2. Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.
LCD:
3. 14-inch XGA LCD Panel.
Memory:
4. 256MB Shared, 1 DIMM.
Video Card:
5. Integrated Graphics Card.
Hard Drive;
6. 30GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive.
Network Adapters:
7. Integrated Network Card.
Modem:
8. Internal 56K Modem.
Optical:
9. 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive.
Watch full-length movies on DVD's with this unit!
Office Productivity Software ( Preinstalled )
10. Word Perfect 12-Word processor only.
Security Software:
11. No Security Subscription.
Digital Music:
12. Dell Jukebox - easy-to-use music player and CD burning software.
Primary Battery:
13. 8-cell NiMH Primary Battery ( 43WHr )
Limited Warranty, Services & Support Options:
14. Ninety Days Ltd Warranty, Ninety Days Mail-In Service, and Ninety Days Technical Support.
Dial-Up Internet Access:
15. 6 Months of free America Online Internet Access Included.
Digital Photography:
16. Photo Album SE Basic.
17. Has an Ethernet connection port for High-Speed Broadband Internet use.
18 Three USB ports on rear of unit.
19. Has small power cord which plugs into adapter, then from there, a grounded three-prong plug.
20. Instruction manual gives instructions in English, French, Spanish and Asian languages.
21. Comes with some Dell software installed. One of the disks gives you a direct connection to Dell's website & technical support for help with most issues.
22. Also comes with Norton Internet Security software not installed yet.
23. Instruction manual can be accessed through Windows desktop. Simple and easy to use.
24 Has headphone jack for private listening.
25. Can be programmed to accept various brands of Wireless Internet cards for use when a regular Internet connection is not available. Most hotels and airports provide subscriptions for Wi-Fi Internet service for travelers on the go.
Most hotels such as Courtyard Mariott in Providence offers free wireless Internet service!
Eliminates having to use raping Internet machines at airports, which can be very costly!
26. Touch pad and buttons for use in place of a mouse ( You can add a mini mouse later for travel use as long as it has a USB port connection, if you like ).
27. Has provision hookup for anti-theft device which helps to eliminate theft of unit. Helps to protect your investment!
ARE THERE ANY SHORTCOMINGS AT ALL?
Yes, I found one. Since the computer uses an LCD panel display, a desk lamp shining above it can cause vertical white, black & colored lines to appear on the screen, partially or completely blocking the screen as if there's a malfunction. There really isn't. Just turn off the lamp and the lines will vanish. Wait for the desktop screen to boot up. Then you can turn the desk lamp back on.
I thought this really meant that something was wrong with the unit itself until I turned off the lamp.
OVERALL?
Overall, I'd say that the Dell Inspiron 1200 is one of the most accurate, up-to-date & latest notebook computers that you'd ever want to own!
It's your perfect connection to the World Wide Web wherever you may go! Or when you want to just do some general work off line. Like gaming, graphics or just surfing the Internet. It can be your secondary computer, especially at home when your desktop computer goes on the bum!
Or you can just as easily use it as your main computer, especially if you live in a house or apartment where space is at a premium!
FINAL THOUGHTS?
I strongly believe that I've happily made a very wise choice by buying this unit! It's a simple basic notebook computer that has most of the confusing & annoying expensive frills removed. my main purpose is to use it for sending & receiving e-mails while away from home and doing some work offline.
Keeping it simple, basic, practical and useful without most of the things you don't need!
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SAFETY CONCERNS:
Do not under any circumstances tamper with, disable or destroy the grounding prong on the cord! It is there for your protection.
Do NOT under any circumstances shut the computer down abruptly, as doing this practice over a period of time could disrupt things and may cause irreversible damage to the unit's cpu ( central processing unit ).
Also, if or when unit is upgrading or checking operating system, wait until it finishes before trying to shut it down.
Shut down the unit properly as per the instruction manual.
When using the unit for the first time, leave it plugged in for about three hours to charge up the battery.
Thank you for reading this review.
-Daquan.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 549.00
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Celeron
Processor speed: 301-400
Screen Size: 14 inches
RAM: 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 21-30
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Epinions.com ID:
daquan
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Location: East Boston, MA.
Reviews written: 246
Trusted by: 62 members
About Me:
Was born & raised in Boston. I like kitchen gadgets & appliances. Love to cook!!
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