Calling all Inspiron 6000 users!

[vtohthree]

First and foremost, I have been watching the I6000 rather close these days. And the price has dropped significantly. They even have a 34% off deal going on. However, I question this deal to its origins...

The I6000 replaced the 5100 series, the 5100 series was plagued by a series of issues, such as heating/cooling, failing powerjacks, mobo failure(due to either the infamous flex or overheating), and of course the case flex issue. I guess when Dell finally woke up from their mishap product, they decided to clear them out. The 5100 series(namely the 5160) also had a 34% off deal towards the end of its lifespan... Is this happening to the I6000??

I'm curious because I am considering an I6000 even though I had my experience with the 5150, I figured Dell has certainly learned their lesson by improving on those specific areas. I'm not so concerned about the overheating(since it uses the Pentium M cpu now), but namely the case flexing on the bottom and any motherboard/power failures?

I still have a while before I do some more travelling so I'm sticking with my current laptop, I like to look perspectively before making any purchase for the most part... Yes I can go with the T42, but for the price and features, Dell yet again gets my attention.

Initally, the i6000 sounds great, but long term I don't know? Just like the 5150(great on paper, great when it came home, then problems came down the road)... Any suggestions, comments, praise assurance, or regrets about the Inspiron 6000?

 

[vtohthree]

This is basically just a long term update on the product, if you guys have encountered any issues with it. After all, the I6000 did replace the 51XX series. Oh and before anyone brings it up, I already did a search about this before I posted, found this thread insightful:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=51&threadid=1622375&enterthread=y

 

[kitkat22]

I currently have had no issues with the 6000. The upper right portion of the keyboard gets warm but isn't excessively hot. The laptop feels solid. I would say I'm very impressed with the laptop so far.

 

[jspeicher]

Ive had mine for about a month. It has no heating problems, the upper right does get warm ( hard drive?), but not overly hot. It is one of the quietest notebooks I've used.

Very happy with this large widescreen purchase. And you're right, its hard to beat Dells coupon deals. I got mine at 40% off.

 

[bearxor]

Actually, the i6000 was a replacement for the i8500/i8600.

The 2200 would be consider more of a replacement for the i51xx and the 11xx series.

The i6000 rocks though. I just wish there was a way to get a better graphics card, but im looking into the possibility of upgrading it.

 

[vtohthree]

Is it really? I was under the impression that the 9300 replaced the 8500/8600. Although they did have a 5100 available with the 14.1'' screen. Anyways...

Well, I guess I am hearing what I would have expected, positive feedback. However, I do have a question to add, I already know that the Inspiron 6000 is a good machine on paper and at home, but how about on the go? Any users in here use it for travelling? Whether it be on the airplane, on the road, or to group meetings, any scenario that involves transporting the Inspiron 6000.?

 

[bearxor]

I take mine with me all the time. Every morning to work. It's definitely what I would consider the high-end of a truly portable laptop.

 

[Imaginer]

As I've said before, I had no problems with my lappy. Things to add though:

I bring this lappy everywhere I would need to use it. Therefore in addition to my wrist resting in proximity of the latch notches of the lid, they also rest near proximity to the speaker holes as well. After my share of experiences with my mouse on my desktop, skin grease builds after awhile (and I am a clean person too) thus potentially having a gunk build up in that area as well.

The construction is mostly plastic. Like I said, dont try and leave the lappy in a hot car. I have left a CD/MP3 player in the car and the lid of the device warped to where its a lost cause in terms of casing...

Lid: it may feel unsecure when closed but it poses no problem at all or imposes any fault when normally carrying the 6000 ala going to school, touting textbook style. Hell I can grip the closed lappy in one hand with no problems (though due to the plastic surface of the lid, I wouldn't suggest holding it that way for long for those who cant handle the weight.

Since the laptop lid anchors by the plastic hooks, it may pose a problem. After briefly examining the spare parts list Dell has, I may have seen a replacement for those hooks but I could be wrong. Either way, replacing them is a pain and I hope you dont break those because again, they are the only things holding your lappy lid together.

Unlike some other notebooks I have seen, there is a considerable gap between the lid and keyboard when the lid is closed fully. Again, not a problem but if you are the one to use notebooks for ruggedness, the i6000 is not for you as if it is outdoors, in a dusty environment, or whatever, things can get inbetween the lid and lappy when its closed.

Heat: only noticable heat is due to the hard disk. the CPU area runs fairly cool. On average, I mostly feel heat on the right side of the lappy where the enter key is and beneath the right vent, probably over the right shift key if I were to place my hand down. And thats with the lappy idle and me typing away at this post here.

Also places of noticable warmth, underneath where the memory cover is.

LCD and screen. When off, there is a slight whitish power leakage making it seem there is a bit of light comming from the bottom of the screen. Those who like it black, this lappy screen may not be for you as it has a bit of cream in it. (hehehe)

No problems with in and out ports as they all work fine. Have yet to try out my mini 1394 port or my Cardbus slot.

Props for Dell to design a touchpad that is out of my typing finger's range of motion. I tried out some HP lappys and while the whole symmetrical look is great and all, functionally, it gets in the way of my typing. And no I dont like pressing the disable touchpad button they included on there at all.

Keyboard is a bit noisy but then again, I like my keyboards with heart and feel. None of this touch sensing crap.

One thing I wish all notebook manufactures include is a toggle for keyboard lighting. I have had some friends use this lappy and all of them use the screen to re-reference the keyboard and their fingers. I know there is the J and F keys to reposition for blind people but I dont know how many blind people use laptops so dont flame for this one....

Upgrading hardware is a breeze. Recently popped in an extra 512mb stick of memory and it detected it and ran just fine. In fact, the nice Dell BIOS gave a cute warning that it detected the new stick. Ran off the timings of the slowest stick so I hope that answers some of your questions reguarding that.

BTW, the antenna on and off button - gains extra battery with it off. Problem is that it turns off WiFi AND Bluetooth together. Also you can change in the bios to have it where if you press the NumLock key, your keypad on the keyboard will function as normal without pressing Fn everytime or holding it down everytime. ^^

 

[vtohthree]

Your review certainly helped Imaginer, thank you! Yeah, I transport my laptop all the time, it's always in the car(inside a leather laptop bag). Once while my brother was driving and I was navigating with the laptop on my lap the motherboard gave out. That thing is so sensitive. I also use it to get work done on the go while I stop by a library or a cafe, etc. The whole package weighs roughly 23 lbs, yes it gets rather tiresome. I'm happy to see that the 6000 only weighs 6.65lbs, roughly half of my current laptop.

 

[Imaginer]

Originally posted by: vtohthree
Your review certainly helped Imaginer, thank you! Yeah, I transport my laptop all the time, it's always in the car(inside a leather laptop bag). Once while my brother was driving and I was navigating with the laptop on my lap the motherboard gave out. That thing is so sensitive. I also use it to get work done on the go while I stop by a library or a cafe, etc. The whole package weighs roughly 23 lbs, yes it gets rather tiresome. I'm happy to see that the 6000 only weighs 6.65lbs, roughly half of my current laptop.

23lbs? That heavy for the previous model???

Anyways, glad to be of help. I wish members would post reviews not only months of so of usage but also after a good year or two after using such hardware. It is simple to label best hardware or best performer upon first sight/touch but I believe in the long runner. None of this short upgrade / ebaying your old stuff every x months.

If you decide/already decided on the i6000, it wont disappoint. You get what you paid for and for its usage it is worth it in value.

 

[vtohthree]

oh yeah, I forgot to mention I'm also carrying other things in there too, lol. I put it on a scale though, I put the laptop, the power adapter(rather chunky on this model), along with all the essential peripherials(mouse, usb hub, ethernet cables, 11 in one card reader, headphones, other misc cables/adaptors), along with papers and usually 1 or 2 books.


And, yes, I agree about the long term updates. Durability and reliability are key factors as well, that can certainly apply for a car. Thanks again Imaginer, you've really helped out on my decision(it's still a while's a way), but certainly put a strong candidacy for the Inspiron 6000.