D600 users help pls: Heat issue

Question

It has come time to replace my 4-yr old Inspiron 7500 which has served me well. I would like to get the latitude D series and the D600 specs is just right for me. However I have read so many negative comments regards the annoying heat problem of the D600 at the left palm area, where the hard drive seats. Also some users mention the D800 does not display this heat problem.   I'm torn between getting the D600 which fit my requirements, or spending extra for the D800 to avoid the heat issue. For users of the D600, how much of a problem do you find this issue? Any comments and advise appreciated. Also for Dell tech support, has Dell done anything in the newer D600 to address this issue? Thanks.   Noel

Steve911 · Answer

I have 3 brand new D600's. They all get warm.  It's not that bad.  So far no one has complained.

noelp · Answer

The Dell rep suggested that whether the D600 heat issue is a problem or not could be a matter of user tolerance and perception. Not really reassuring. Unfortunately my location does not offer me the luxury of ordering a unit and returning later should I find this to be a problem.

The D800 as nice as it is appears to be too bulky for me and i'm having 2nd thoughts on it as an alternative. And after more research on the forum apparently this model exhibits the same heat issue, though perhaps to a lesser degree. Maybe its time to try another brand.

bicyclebill1 · Answer

So have you decided on one yet?

Geezer_Geek · Answer

I bought a D600 for my wife back in March. She's pretty fussy about her computer, but has had no complaints about heat. The only service related issue was the PCMCIA eject button, which broke off. That required a new motherboard (warranty). Otherwise it's been great.

bicyclebill1 · Answer

And what did you have before the D600 to compare it to? I'm thinking about a new laptop too. Too many choices!

Geezer_Geek · Answer

Her prior computers have been, from most recent to oldest:

Inspiron 4000 (aka Latitude C600)
More or less acceptable, but she never really liked it. It needed 2 keyboards and a motherboard in its warranty period. Originally purchased as a refurb, which had a mobo flaw that kept it from turning on.
Toshiba Satellite
Her favorite over the Inspiron, due to the fact that it had both a floppy drive and a CD drive. This is not an issue with the D600, since she has (finally!) accepted the fact that floppies are dead.
CTX cheapo
Bought at her insistence that she would not use it enough to justify a good notebook. Fortunately we bought the store replacement policy, and it lasted just over a year before giving up. Replaced by the Toshiba above.

Richard Coghlan · Answer

If you can think about holding off purchasing systems until after christmas.   Come January the D610 and the D810 are being launched along with the Precision M70

noelp · Answer

Well well that's definitely something to consider. If indeed Dell plans to rollout new models in Jan '05 I would try to hold my purchase. Any underground info on what the D610 and D810 would look like?

Richard Coghlan · Answer

Outside they'll look more or less the same, D810 looks a little smaller to me but nobody else seemed to notice it.

The main changes are inside, Processor upgrades mainly, little bit of tweaking with the Motherboard etc.

Not certain about the video cards but I'm assuming it will be Geforce again but starting with 64 meg cards as standard.

The M70 though is shipping with a 256meg card as standard.........:mantongue:

Richard Coghlan · Answer

Wont be announced until the new year. Dell is ramping up for the Optiplex/Dimension case changes first then they'll turn on the Latitudes

noelp · Answer

Thanks. To me a slightly smaller D810 would be worth the short wait. Are you aware if Dell has made any announcement regards these new models? The AsiaPac Dell salesrep I am dealing with does not seem to know this.   Noel

noelp · Answer

Thanks.

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D600 users help pls: Heat issue

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