1100 is a great value. Know that it's heavy.
Written: Mar 02 '04 (Updated Nov 19 '04)
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Pros: Exceptional value. Long battery life. Deferred 90 day payment.
Cons: HEAVY! This is not for those who will need to lug it around.
The Bottom Line: Great value. Not for lugging around all the time. Get upgrades of harddrive and ram for faster speed.
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| willsugg's Full Review: Dell Inspiron 1100 (1100SAP) PC Notebook |
After using an IBM 600e for a couple of years, I wanted to move up to an IBM T20. The 600e crashed all the time with win98. After much research I found that the Dell 1100 Inspiron seemed to offer more for about the same as I could get a t20 on eBay (with no operating system or warranty).
I was quite concerned about all the negative comments I read here and at other review sites, although almost all journalistic reviews of the 1100 were positive. I think that epinions, etc. are weighted toward negative comments because if you have a bad experience it is a way to 'get back at' the company that screwed you over.
After nearly clicking the buy button on the Dell site twice, I decided to call and see if I could get a cheaper price. This was good because although not cheaper, you can get it delivered and have 3 months to pay with approved credit check. This gave me some piece of mind because when I asked the woman (very nice and efficient) if "You mean I can refuse to pay and send it back after 90 days even because I don't like the way it smells?" she said "yes."
So for $798 delivered I received the computer days ahead of projected delivery. I was impressed with the packaging. I like the looks of the machine and boots up 5x faster thn my 600e did. The screen is very large and bright. I like the feel of the machine although perhaps a bit less rugged feel than the IBM. IT'S HEAVY! DO NOT buy this machine to haul around all the time. I take it to work on Mondays and home on Fridays so that's doable. This is not the choice for travelers, students, biz folks that lug it around much! You'll be sorry.
Some cons...
Besides heavy, some text on websites looks a bit fuzzy, you know larger block text. I'm not sure why but otherwise screen is sharp. I thought it would be faster. I think it's the hardrive access that's slow. My config is the basic with RAM upped to 386 in a special deal. When you click on a file for info or boot up a program it seems pretty sluggish. I would seriously consider upgrading to the faster hardrive and get all the ram you can if you are into speed.
It comes with TONS of software on it that is mostly a scam to get you to buy the full version of the programs. I stuck with the McAffee and Wordperfect 11 that came with it but deleted most of the rest.
Some pros.....
Amazing value for the money, so far. It has a cdrw that flies. STABLE! No crashes in a couple of weeks except when I was trying to transfer files from my 600e. It is fast when the applications are open. Long battery life - over 2 1/2 hours with screen at brightest, longer if you dim screen.
We'll wait and see, but so far I am pleased with this purchase.
If you are having trouble making up your mind and are concerned about the negatives you will read here and elsewhere(as I was), go with the phone order and 90 deferred payment so you can really road test it.
UPDATE 11/19/04
Still love this computer! It hardly ever crashes and only then with Netscape address book. The battery only lasts about 50 min with normal use and screen brightness. Dimming the screen can double this. I think it can take a second battery if you need that. Consider a DVD-RW upgrade.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 798 to door
Operating System: Windows
Processor speed: Don''t Know
Screen Size: 14 inches
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 13-20
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willsugg
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