Question:
I9300 extras
Yay, laptop newbie with questions! Anyway, I'm thinking of getting a 9300 with the :750:for college, and I need help with some things. Did anyone get a case from Dell? Which did you get, and how is it working for you? Would a lock cable ($36) be a good investment? I will be staying in a dorm, so there shouldn't be a problem with theft, but just to be sure? Also, is Dell's free *cough$25* printer worth getting? I don't print much, but is it a good deal for a printer? Does it have overpriced refills, because I think I'll print more in the future. Thanks a bunch!
Answer:
Re: I9300 extras
Hey Mog,
Welcome to the forums...
First I don't think I would get the lock, only due to the fact that you will need something solid to anchor is to.
The printer...hey...it is free and comes with cartridges...not a great printer, but at least it is free...at least if you have the cable for it.
Hope this helps...and the I9300 is one of the better lappys that i have seen.
Answer:
Re: I9300 extras
I didn't get a case from dell, although I did get the printer. Still haven't set it up or used it, but I'm a bit limited on space.
I haven't checked Dell's bags lately, but there are several good options outside of dell. Booq.com has the Powersleeve XXL, which is what I'm using. It works greats, but is limited on extra storage space. I'm still able to fit my powerbrick and several accessories in it. Targus and Kensington both have good bags. I would probably stay away from backpacks, but the 9300 is just too big for a packback in my opinion. It added to much weight to mine and the bags are always big and bulky.
SG
Answer:
Re: I9300 extras
I'm gonna have to disagree about the backpack and the i9300. I find it's the only way to carry it around for any period of time. If you have a bag with only one strap it tends to dig into your shoulder. At least with a backpack you have the two straps and if it's a comfortable backpack you won't even notice the weight of the laptop. I got me a decent targus backpack and I find it to be a lot more comfortable than my single strap Dell bag.
Is the free printer a good deal? Hmm, it's FREE. Use it till the ink runs out and then junk it if you don't like it. If you find it does the job for you and ink cartridges aren't too expensive than buy more refills. Otherwise, just junk it. Or since you say you're going to college . . . get drunk, gather your friends and then beat the living S*^% out of the thing in a reenactment of that Office Space scene.
Answer:
Re: I9300 extras
A lock cable really isnt gonna stop anyone, especially if its keningston one. A good pair of cable cutters can slice right through that. However, it can't hurt to have one, and its only worth getting one if you're gonna have parties in your dorm room all the time or something, if not I dont think your roommate would take it.
Answer:
Re: I9300 extras
hey, i thought i should offer my two cents on the issue. i just ordered a 9300 myself on sunday and decided to go with the kensigton key lock and $39 backpack. i have a BS from ohio state and am working on my masters now, and the key lock is a good idea to buy. yes, a pair of decent cablecutters could cut through the cord and your laptop is gone, but the lock will act as a deterrant for the average dorm theif. the average theif in a dorm is, unfortunatly, probably going to be someone else who lives in the building and probably isnt going to have cablecutters sitting around. i think most theives would see the lock, decide it isnt worth the time or effort, and go for your roomate's comp instead. from my experience (4 years in dorms), there were plenty of thefts, but absolutly everything stolen was not locked or tied down somehow. also, the9300 is supposedly not as heavy as it looks, but when carrying books and everything as well as a notebook i strongly suggest the backpack over the traditional carrying case. just my two cents.
Answer:
Re: I9300 extras
I use a cable lock from Belkin $8 Plus shipping
Buy.com
info
I used it at Lanwar, no issues.
I bough a shoulder bad from Overstock, but it's hard to find one that fits without dropping major $$'s. If I could do it again, I'd order the bag from Dell.
Answer:
Re: I9300 extras
Thanks everyone! I ended up getting the backpack. Here's the whole order:
Inspiron 9300
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB), Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 Qty: 1
Unit Price: $2,000.00
Inspiron 9300 Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
Display 17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen UXGA Display with TrueLife™
Memory 512MB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm
Video Card 256MB NVIDA® GeForce™ Go 6800
Hard Drive 60GB 7200rpm Hard Drive
Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
CD/DVD Drives 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Wireless Networking Card Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915 Internal Wireless (802.11 a/b/g, 54Mbps)
Office Software (not included in Windows XP) No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor only
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) No Security Subscription
Primary Battery 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (53 WHr)
Carrying Cases Large Backpack Carrying Case
Hardware Warranty 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support
Dell Home Customers: Select Inspiron affiliate offer save $750 off $1999 or more (before tax and shipping)! (affiliate only online offer)
Expires on 2005-12-08 11:59:59 - $750.00
Dell 720 Color Printer
Free Dell Color Printer 720 Qty: 1
Unit Price: $0.00
Dell Color Printer 720 Free Dell Color Printer 720
Hardware Warranty 1Yr Ltd. Warranty, 1 yr HW Warranty Support, 1 yr Advance Exchange
Free 720 printer with purchase of select Dell Systems.
Expires on 2006-01-01 11:59:59 - $0.00
ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS AND COUPONS
Dell Home Customers: Free Ground Shipping on Dell Inspiron orders greater than $849! $24 handling charge applies.
Expires on 2005-12-08 12:59:59 - $25.00
Dell Home Customers: Save $100 off Systems over $1499!
Expires on 2005-12-22 05:59:59 - $100.00
Sub-Total $1,150.00
Shipping Discount -$25.00
Shipping $24.00
Estimated Tax $76.31
Total $1,250.31
I want to stick with the 512MB, I've spent quite a bit already, I don't think 2GB would be worth it, but I'll try it with 512MB and see if I want to go up to 1.25GB. If I end up wanting more RAM, is what I should get, right?
Is Ebay a reliable source for batteries, what would be a good minimum rating to buy from?
@Pure_Evil Thanks for the link, looks great, I can get a printer cable cheap to get free shipping too. :p
Edit: That is, if this is the cable I need.
Answer:
Re: I9300 extras
Nice system for a great price...congrats on your order I am sure you will be happy with it.
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Re: I9300 extras
I know :D
My first preference was an AMD, but I couldn't find a better deal than this, they either had not enough VPU (under an X700) or they were more expensive (with an X700, which isn't even as good as the 6800).