True Desktop Replacement
Written: Sep 02 '02
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Pros: Excellent expandability options
Excellent hardware architecture
Very sharp display
True desktop replacement
Cons: Lousy sales service
Very heavy and bulky
Lacking subwoofer
Pretty high price tag
The Bottom Line: I do know what a good product is when I see one. That is simply why I would recommend it highly for someone where their desktop needs outweigh mobility.
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| bxavier76's Full Review: Dell Inspiron 8200 (8TWORH) PC Notebook |
After looking through many reviews here prior to and after I purchased my Inspiron 8200 (I8200), I felt compelled to write a review about my take on the highest-end Dell notebook available.
Firstly, it is touted as a desktop replacement. You have to understand the reason for such a statement. The I8200 has the capacity to perform as well as a desktop system. With a P4M-processor, a GeForce4 GO video adapter and a good system architecture, it definitely lives up to its claim. However, you have to be aware that desktop replacements are not generally portable (not at this price) and are pretty heavy.
Dell has opted for a open architecture to its 8000 series notebooks and this can be seen from the easily upgradeable options. From RAM to processor to even video cards, upgrades on this notebook is very much as easy to perform as it is on a desktop.
I have compared my I8200 to a couple of my friends notebooks by various vendors and have found that my UXGA display is much better in terms of sharpness and clarity. Dell has also mentioned the specification for the UXGA but you really have to see it to believe it. I cannot determine how good the other displays are other than the UXGA simply because I have not seen them live.
A couple of gripes I have with Dell and the I8200 firstly is the sales service. They seem to assume everyone pays by credit card and fail to divulge information on payments made otherwise. I bought mine via a wire transfer and found out very much later that there was to be a ten-day hold on the wire before they could proceed with processing my order. It was not fun finding out the way I did.
As I did mention previously, you should expect the system to be big and heavy. It would have been great if it was sleek, small and light but that is just a pipe dream.
Some other notebooks at around this price range come with a sub-woofer attached to the bottom. Definitely a nice feature that would have made the I8200 all the better.
Finally, it has to be said that this is by far the most I have ever paid for a piece of computer equipment. If only the price tag could be reduced a little, but that is just me being picky.
If the I8200 is everything that you have been dreaming of, there are a few things I would like to share with the prospective buyer. Two most important features that you should go for is the UXGA display and the GeForce4 GO video adapter. You have to bear in mind that the UXGA runs at a native 1600X1200 resolution and you will need a very good graphic card to keep up with that kind of demand. The display quality and video adapter are closely related. They also are the hardest parts to replace/upgrade (particularly the display).
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1800
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Other
Processor speed: over 1000
RAM: 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 13-20
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Epinions.com ID:
bxavier76
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Reviews written: 1
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