Perfect for College Students/Business Travelers
Written: Jul 20 '05 (Updated Jan 12 '06)
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Pros: Widescreen display, crystal clear picture, tiny, stylish, quiet and cool, and very affordable.
Cons: Flimsy mouse buttons, reflective screen
The Bottom Line: Only 4.1 pounds and 1.5" thin, with a 12.1" wide Crystal-Clear LCD display, the 700m is a "go anywhere" notebook perfect for students and travelers.
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| nuzzle77's Full Review: Dell Inspiron 700M (i700ml1) PC Notebook |
[Continue to read below for info on $750 Dell coupon!]
I purchased my Dell 700m for use during law school. I researched many opinions and finally chose the 700m for many reasons, and I knew I made the right choice from the first time I booted it up.
I'm sure you like it, but what DON'T you like about it?
Okay, first the cons. As I read before purchasing, the two mouse buttons are somewhat flimsy and "cheap" feeling. But this doesn't really matter to me much...and now that I have a mobile mini-mouse, I barely even use it. Also, because the screen is of such a high quality, it is highly reflective. If there are bright lights above you or behind you (as in a classroom) you will probably be able to wave to your own reflection. So, far this is a very minor issue.
The other often-mentioned drawback is the small keyboard size (approximately 90% of the size a normal keyboard). This is at best unnoticeable and at worst requires a slight adjustment. If you are a decent typist, you will not even notice the difference.
Be honest, because I've read a lot of negatives about the teeny keyboard!
So did I. There are a few times when I hit the slash (/) instead of the period (.) or hit Caps Lock instead of Tab. But after getting used to it, it really isn't a problem. The only really small keys are the four arrow keys and the "Del" key, which is located, strangely, in the uppermost right-hand corner. Also, because of the tiny size, Dell has left out a number pad so you only have the number keys above the letters. Again, all of this is very minor nit-picking.
Okay, I'm over it. Now tell me the good stuff!
Yes, the pros (which FAR outweigh the cons). Make no mistake, this thing is itsy-bitsy and lightweight. The 700m falls in the "Ultra-light" category of laptops. The best thing about this laptop is that it combines the desire for mobility with the widescreen display. For comparison, the Dell 6000 has a widescreen display, but is a giant compared to the 700m (my friend just bought the 6000). And on the flipside, the Dell 600m has a small size, but it lacks the widescreen display. The 700m gives you both! Just because this laptop is tiny, the display on this thing rivals what I've seen from similarly sized Sony VAIOs (which are nearly double the price). When carrying the 700m around, it feels like you are carrying a book (a really small, thin book).
Yeah, but since it's so small doesn't it feel unstable and flimsy?
The body, in spite of its size, feels sturdy and the screen and base both seem well-constructed. Carrying it around I am not afraid that it will fall apart or be damaged easily. While typing, the keyboard has a very comfortable feel...a slight give to the keyboard allows for a soft, quiet, yet sturdy, supported feel.
How is your battery holding up so far?
I chose the optional Extended Life high-capacity 65Whr (8-cell) battery, which does stick out about an inch from the back...again, a minor negative but it doesn't change how much I love the laptop. This battery lasts at least 5 hours without needing a recharge. And last night I drained the battery completely, and it took only one hour to completely recharge it! I highly recommend the extended battery.
Out of curiosity, what are your specs?
Ah, for my fellow nerds out there, I chose the Intel ProWireless 2200 (802.11 b/g) card (internal and ready to go out of the box), which works flawlessly with my high speed wireless internet network running at about 54Mbps. The speed is basically the same as my desktop's hard-wired cable connection. I also have a 60GB hard-drive, CD and DVD burner, the Intel Pentium M Processor 725 (1.60 GHz/400MHz FSB), and 512MB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms (Memory)... all for around $1,000. And with Dell, your hardware and software options are endless and completely customizable.
What are you using the laptop for?
Primarily, I will be using this computer for word processing and internet applications. I have also watched several DVDs on it, and the picture quality is truly flawless. One caveat, is that when the laptop is NOT plugged in (and running on battery alone) the screen automatically dims slightly to conserve power. I didn't even realize this until I watched a DVD while plugged in and I was amazed at how crystal clear and bright the screen was. Watching while unplugged was still enjoyable. I have also used streaming internet audio/video, macromedia games, mp3 downloads/playing, and all applications thus far run as quickly (if not faster) than my Dell Desktop 8300.
I bet since it's so small it heats up really fast, and then a loud fan kicks in...
I know a big concern with laptops is temperature and noise. I have used the 700m on my lap for hours at a time, and it becomes only slightly warm to the touch. When it does get warm, the internal fan activates and is the equivalent of a soft hum...it only stays on for about a minute and then shuts off. This is GREAT for school because it stays so quiet and cool. The hard drive and DVD drive are also very quiet and often I have to glance at the LED lights to see if the computer is "thinking" because I can't hear anything!
Final thoughts?
I really love this computer and would highly recommend it to college students and business travelers because of its incredible size/weight. It truly is the next step in laptop mobility, without compromising on performance. It is basically a high quality portable DVD player and highly functional laptop computer all in one very stylish package. You will be sure to get many compliments on it carrying it around! If you have any questions at all, please feel free to shoot me an email.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not "impulse" buy from Dell!! The best thing about Dell is that they release weekly coupons of up to $750 off! Copy and paste the following website and carefully review for details, and re-check every Thursday for updates before making a final purchase: http://www.edealinfo.com/dell
UPDATE (01/12/06): I have now been using my laptop for about 6 months and completed my first semester of law school. I love this laptop more than ever, and 4 fellow students have purchased the 700m after seeing mine in class. I have absolutely no complaints and it is the perfect computer for someone on the go!! This is one of the best purchases I've made in a long time.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1050
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Other
Processor speed: 701-800
Screen Size: 12 inches
RAM: More than 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): Over 50
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Epinions.com ID:
nuzzle77
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Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Reviews written: 35
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
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