As far as I can see, the differences are the faster CPU, the upgradeable graphics card, onboard GB ethernet, and different quicksnaps (which to me is a "who cares?" but that's just me.)
I can see why wanting 3 spindles makes some sense (my old Inspiron 8000 is a 3 spindle) but it may not be possible. The 9100 and XPS need alot of airflow to keep the CPUs, RAM, etc. from cooking.
To be honest, I never saw much point in a 2nd internal HD, simply because the capacity isn't high enough. I figure, if you need more than one HD, go whole hog and get something in the 160+ GB range. The only way to do that is FW or USB 2 (like you say you have at the office). I have two FW drives here, which is enough for the time being....
Well I think a 3rd spindle could be fit in.. I wouldn't mind a slightly bigger machine.. In fact if they have to add to the depth of the machine.. Great.. add to modular bays..? I doubt that there would have to be much of an airflow issue to add a modular bay.. I am sure it can be done.... well the modular bay will accept any size HD.. at present the largest is 80 GB I have both the internal, as well as the modular in most of the time..
My FW drive has all my non essential data, tools, etc... my 2 internal drives are critical data.. I really can't carry a FW drive around all the time..
I would love a true desktop replacement laptop.. Mine goes with me 24x7.. even on vacation as I often have to work from the room. If hard drives get bigger for laptops then maybe my tune will change.. But the fact is if you need 2 hard drives, not being able to use a Cd at the same time is pretty much useless.
@dude00 wrote:
kev, the i8600 has an upgradable video card.
Yes, but what he means is a supported upgrade for the Video card, where Dell techs will actually provide a service to upgrade the video card in your system.... by contrast to the i8600 and previous models, where card were upgradable, but Dell never supported it and it has always been a hassle trying to order them as "Spare Parts".
Very odd, for some reason this didn't go through...
RandyB wrote: As far as GB ethernet goes...it pretty useless inless you have something to plug it into. How many businesses (or individuals) have upgraded to GB?
Well, my company has
GB ethernet is getting popular in areas where you have to move large amounts of data around, like content creation. It doesn't make much sense for most people, but if you have to transfer gigs at a time, you never want to see 100 bt again.
The printing industry is switching over to GB ethernet in progressive shops. The data files for process /full color printing are huge and getting bigger. Often they need to be transferred twice (once from the originator, then from the ripping computer to the output device) which is either a platemaker or printer (very, very high end). GB makes a big difference there. I'm sure there are a lot of other niche applications. Not much sense for me at home though.!
Havent spec'd the 9100, but the XPS also has a desktop CPU and Desktop chipset (the 865PE). That means no notebook compromises despite the notebook form factor.
Dual channel DDR400 is huge. That's major memory bandwidth. Upgradeable graphics, while trivial to some, is nice to have as a "supported" upgrade.
While this may add up to the unit weighing several metric tons and battery life of roughly 38 seconds, the fact that it's still portable still makes it attractive to people who cart their machines to lan parties, or simply want something portable and powerful to sit on their couch and play with (me).
That's basically my take as well. I want something that can be taken with me when required, but has few if any compromises on performance. I need something that I can game or work on either at home, or at a friend's place, or on business trips.
In the case of my current Inspiron 8000, I could probably count on two hands with a few fingers left over the number of times I've run it on battery (this over a 3 year period). However, I have taken it with me to all kinds of places.
I fully realize that some companies have moved to GB Ethernet; but it
IS a very expensive propositon to make the transition - moreso; the larger the company. Of course; the larger the company - the larger the financial resources; I would imagine.
Well, depends what you need. In my case we work with broadcast video, so the file sizes can be massive.
That being said, the cabling for GB ethernet is still usually Cat-5, so you can sometimes get away with not recabling the facility. Then, all you're dealing with is the NICs and the Hubs/switches. So at least it's not as bad as having to run fibre optic cable everywhere.
I just priced out an XPS (Canadian) with the 3.4HT proc, 1GB RAM (free upgrade), 3yrsOnsite, DVD burner and it came to $5578.44 with taxes - after a $300 reduction...obviously, a very powerful notebook; but, just a little pricey!
@RandyB wrote:
I just priced out an XPS (Canadian) with the 3.4HT proc, 1GB RAM (free upgrade), 3yrsOnsite, DVD burner and it came to $5578.44 with taxes - after a $300 reduction...obviously, a very powerful notebook; but, just a little pricey!
Yeah, but you guys from the 51st state always get ripped off :) And your taxes are ludicrous.
KevDA
43 Posts
0
March 4th, 2004 22:00
As far as I can see, the differences are the faster CPU, the upgradeable graphics card, onboard GB ethernet, and different quicksnaps (which to me is a "who cares?" but that's just me.)
I can see why wanting 3 spindles makes some sense (my old Inspiron 8000 is a 3 spindle) but it may not be possible. The 9100 and XPS need alot of airflow to keep the CPUs, RAM, etc. from cooking.
To be honest, I never saw much point in a 2nd internal HD, simply because the capacity isn't high enough. I figure, if you need more than one HD, go whole hog and get something in the 160+ GB range. The only way to do that is FW or USB 2 (like you say you have at the office). I have two FW drives here, which is enough for the time being....
jpfeffer
14 Posts
0
March 4th, 2004 23:00
Well I think a 3rd spindle could be fit in.. I wouldn't mind a slightly bigger machine.. In fact if they have to add to the depth of the machine.. Great.. add to modular bays..? I doubt that there would have to be much of an airflow issue to add a modular bay.. I am sure it can be done.... well the modular bay will accept any size HD.. at present the largest is 80 GB I have both the internal, as well as the modular in most of the time..
My FW drive has all my non essential data, tools, etc... my 2 internal drives are critical data.. I really can't carry a FW drive around all the time..
I would love a true desktop replacement laptop.. Mine goes with me 24x7.. even on vacation as I often have to work from the room. If hard drives get bigger for laptops then maybe my tune will change.. But the fact is if you need 2 hard drives, not being able to use a Cd at the same time is pretty much useless.
?
RandyB
518 Posts
0
March 4th, 2004 23:00
dude00
19 Posts
0
March 5th, 2004 02:00
sakor1
2.2K Posts
0
March 5th, 2004 03:00
Yes, but what he means is a supported upgrade for the Video card, where Dell techs will actually provide a service to upgrade the video card in your system.... by contrast to the i8600 and previous models, where card were upgradable, but Dell never supported it and it has always been a hassle trying to order them as "Spare Parts".
stu
KevDA
43 Posts
0
March 5th, 2004 15:00
KevDA
43 Posts
0
March 5th, 2004 15:00
Very odd, for some reason this didn't go through...
RandyB wrote:
As far as GB ethernet goes...it pretty useless inless you have something to plug it into. How many businesses (or individuals) have upgraded to GB?
Well, my company has
GB ethernet is getting popular in areas where you have to move large amounts of data around, like content creation. It doesn't make much sense for most people, but if you have to transfer gigs at a time, you never want to see 100 bt again.
parkerti
610 Posts
0
March 5th, 2004 16:00
Tim
kweckstrom
56 Posts
0
March 6th, 2004 14:00
Havent spec'd the 9100, but the XPS also has a desktop CPU and Desktop chipset (the 865PE). That means no notebook compromises despite the notebook form factor.
Dual channel DDR400 is huge. That's major memory bandwidth. Upgradeable graphics, while trivial to some, is nice to have as a "supported" upgrade.
While this may add up to the unit weighing several metric tons and battery life of roughly 38 seconds, the fact that it's still portable still makes it attractive to people who cart their machines to lan parties, or simply want something portable and powerful to sit on their couch and play with (me).
KevDA
43 Posts
0
March 6th, 2004 16:00
In the case of my current Inspiron 8000, I could probably count on two hands with a few fingers left over the number of times I've run it on battery (this over a 3 year period). However, I have taken it with me to all kinds of places.
RandyB
518 Posts
0
March 7th, 2004 00:00
KevDA
43 Posts
0
March 7th, 2004 19:00
That being said, the cabling for GB ethernet is still usually Cat-5, so you can sometimes get away with not recabling the facility. Then, all you're dealing with is the NICs and the Hubs/switches. So at least it's not as bad as having to run fibre optic cable everywhere.
RandyB
518 Posts
0
March 14th, 2004 18:00
kweckstrom
56 Posts
0
March 14th, 2004 21:00
Yeah, but you guys from the 51st state always get ripped off :) And your taxes are ludicrous.
That same system is under half that in the USA.