Everyone else is doin' it...

Mike wrote:
They have dell store everywhere Op maybe you can pick up the same deal there
unless it was one of them online deals where you get a few bucks off and they
get the bucks back through shipping.......


Handyman Mike
Standing in a river waving a stick

See if the school has a deal with Dell and buy through that. Lots more
clout through an institution that as an individual. Maybe the bookstore?


Tom

n4tab at earthlink dot net

On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 13:25:49 -0500, "Guyz-N-Flyz" wrote:


"daytripper" wrote in message
.. .
I'd have opted for XP Pro, not Home, and that 60gb 7200 rpm hard drive for
sure. Hard drive speed is the throttle on higher-end laptops, and that's
the
first 7200rpm 2.5" drive I've seen. In fact I may try to pick one of those
up
for my trusty 8100 and stick my 40gb 5400rom drive in a MediaBay carrier
for
backups.

Oh - and I'd get the extra battery for the MediaBay...

Have fun with it!

/daytripper

I up-graded the items that you suggested an plan to get the extra batt., but
is that the primary batt. you are referrin' to (72WHr), or the 48WHr for
modular bay, as I see nothin' about the media bay?

Op --ready to hit send button and buy a Dell Dude!--

Sorry, had the wrong marketing words, Modular Bay it is indeed.

It appeared the 8600 has two Modular Bays like all earlier 8000-series LTs,
and if it is configured similarly, then the right hand Modular Bay is where
the first primary battery normally resides.

And if your optical device (CDRW/DVD combo unit) is going in the *fixed*
("optical") bay on the side of the base unit, then that leaves the second
Modular Bay in front for goodies - like a second Primary battery. Or a
removable hard drive, second CD, diskette drive, etc.

You should get a second of whatever you're getting for the first battery, but
in any case I recommend cells with the integrated battery management units,
for the life-span and safety benefits (I don't even want to think of a
heat-induced separator failure on a 72Whour pack root-caused by
overcharging...)

I just checked the Dell web site and the applicable battery is the 72WHour
"Smart Li-Ion" pack.

This must be Dell Day, as I spent an hour this morning on the phone with a
coworker as he built his Dell laptop today. Another 8600, very similar to your
configuration. Looks tasty from here ;-)

/daytripper

Why a notebook, Opie?

When running from the law, it's always best to travel light.
--
TL,
Tim

BINGO! No identifyin' tattoos on this boy either.

Op --note to self: check on hackin' courses offered at ASU--

I've owned both desktops and laptops and had full intentions of using the
laptop for the supposed benefits. For me, however, I would say you'd get a
lot more machine for a lot less money with a desktop. I have yet to
actually use the laptop on a flight (though I've taken it with me) and had
been to a cafe or what not only a handful of times with it. Furthermore,
for most people, I'd say the cheapest computer is the best route to go. If
you do any intense video/graphic/maybe audio work (and especially if you
are into the new high end 3D games) and/or do any intense database queries,
you'll be happy you've got the speed...if you're like most people and
surfing the net, checking e-mail and maybe doing some Word/Excel type work,
get the cheapest you can find ( though I'd stick with reasonable name
brands -- components, not necessarily marketer) and use the money saved to
get a fast broadband connection.

Another thing to keep in mind is the expense to upgrade...it's always
cheaper to buy the latest video card/motherboard/RAM for a desktop than a
laptop.

Either way, you'll be happy with the machine -- it's just a matter of $$ (or
??, ¥¥ or whatever).

"Greg Pavlov" wrote in message
...

station), at home, and on the road. I have a wireless hub at home
so I can use the laptop anywhere in the house. It has become what
computers should be, an appliance that should be convenient
to use in and between other things you do.

I echo the use of a wireless hub to make use of a laptop convenient. I use
my Dell 600 M at home and the wireless hub means I'll never go back to the
desk only computer. The only word of caution is to use just a few security
tips and use the WEP encryption, don't broadcast the name of your network,
and change the default password for the wireless. I've heard that many
don't do those simple and effective steps. I do wish I had the 811.g
standard instead of the slower 811.b standard.

"rakane at verizon dot net" wrote in message
...

snip
I do wish I had the 811.g
standard instead of the slower 811.b standard.

We've tested both and the .g is great when you have a line-of-sight. The .b is
better for greater distance and around obstacles.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

rakane at verizon dot net wrote:

"Greg Pavlov" wrote in message
...


station), at home, and on the road. I have a wireless hub at home
so I can use the laptop anywhere in the house. It has become what
computers should be, an appliance that should be convenient
to use in and between other things you do.


I echo the use of a wireless hub to make use of a laptop convenient. I use
my Dell 600 M at home and the wireless hub means I'll never go back to the
desk only computer. The only word of caution is to use just a few security
tips and use the WEP encryption, don't broadcast the name of your network,
and change the default password for the wireless. I've heard that many
don't do those simple and effective steps. I do wish I had the 811.g
standard instead of the slower 811.b standard.



802.11b has a fatally flawed WEP protocol. Don't depend on *that* for
security. 802.11g uses a higher level protocol and seems to be properly
implemented.

The 802.11b protocol is regularly cracked/hacked by "wardrivers" using $25
worth of hardware and a free hacker program. There are national "contests"
organized for the purpose of scoring points for the fastest crack and the
most cracks within a given time period.

More basic info he

http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20021031S0004


Tom

"Bob Patton" rwpmailatcharterdotnet wrote in message
...
"Guyz-N-Flyz" wrote in message
...
Op, I ordered a Dell computer a couple of years ago. Price was very
reasonable, but when they confirmed my order and told me the shipping cost
my eyes popped. I forget exactly what it was, but the shipping cost was
VERY
high. And it's not as if I live in outer Slobovia, or they had to hire
Sherpas to deliver it. I had some experience with similar things, having
bought a computer from Gateway a year or two earlier. I cancelled the
order
as soon as I received their fax confirming the details and haven't ordered
from Dell since.

Bob

**** Bob, I only wish it were the shippin' costs. By the time I finished
adding the features that 'tripper suggested and got off the phone with the
sales woman--"checkout" wouldn't work on the web site (could this be a
design feature?)--I had been talked into a 4 year in home warranty. Final
tally was over $2500.

Op --there goes my tax refund and more next year!--

"Bob Patton" rwpmailatcharterdotnet wrote in message
...

"Bob Patton" rwpmailatcharterdotnet wrote in message
...
//snip//

I just found the message Dell sent me in 1999 to confirm my order and
advise
of total charges. I ordered a computer only - no monitor - just a 'puter
in
a tower and standard speakers. Nothing special. It cost $749.00 without
shipping cost.

Shipping cost was $120. This was for standard shipping.

Bob

I got free shippin'--or so they said--valued at $49, rebate of $150 for
orderin' on line, and a nother rebate of $150 for gettin' the 4 yr. in home
warranty. Guess I could start another thread and ask folks when they know
they've been fleeced!

Op --suckered by the rebate--

On Mon, 8 Dec 2003 17:05:24 -0500, "Guyz-N-Flyz"
wrote:

-I had been talked into a 4 year in home warranty. Final
tally was over $2500.

I assume you got the undercoating too?
--
Charlie...

"Mike" wrote in message
...
They have dell store everywhere Op maybe you can pick up the same deal
there
unless it was one of them online deals where you get a few bucks off and
they
get the bucks back through shipping.......


Handyman Mike
Standing in a river waving a stick


Yep, that was the deal Mike. For the convenience of havin' it shipped to my
house, I paid an extra $1000.

Op --can I negotiate a deal for anyone else?--