Differences between Lattitude D800 and Inspiron 8600

Choosing between the two is driving me insane.

I keep reading that they are a pretty much identical machine. But not
aesthetically, correct? Are the surface colors different, or are the cases
completely different? It seems that the Lattitude has better finish. I
really don't want to be using a cheesy piece of plastic for the next 3
years.

On the technical level, the 8600 can be had with a better hard drive and the
higher generation video card. I do play games, but seldom. Since neither of
these 2 cards are DX9 level, does it make a difference if I choose the 64MB
version with either D800 or I8600?

I am looking for opinions from people who have used both, thanks much!

 

You've kinda answered your own question....

D800 and i8600 share same chassis but D800 has more robust look and feel
(Tri-metal casing no plastic)
i8600 is slightly less sturdy but has more consumer features such as hard
drive and video that you pointed out.

If it was my choice (and i'm similar user to you) i'd buy the D800 every
time.

Dan

 

DanR,
I am sitting at my D800 now and I must say the feel of the machine I find
quite cheap and certainly 'plasticy'. Never used an Inspiron, but if it
feels even less robust I would be worried. All my previous laptops have
been IBM or Compaq and have felt likely to live forever (I have a 6 year old
Thinkpad has a PDC at home) ... this Dell I not so sure! My last machine, A
Compaq N600C was very wellbuilt, really sturdy. On my D800 (now 6 months
old, the hinge wobbles, the casing creaks if you squeeze it, the keyboard
feels cheap ... spec wise it is fantastic though!!! I just wish Dell would
ship video card upgrades in the UK ... like they do in the states - I do
play games

Regards,
James

 

Get the Dell 8600 with "Complete Care" - if it starts to fall apart or
become useless - or gets too close to the warranty expiration date - just
leave it on top of your car and drive off - wait down the street for the
next truck to run over it and call Dell Tech support!

 

Well (see the recent thread "Dell from Hell") I really wouldn't bank a lot
on Tech support.
But finally after months of heartache and TV arbitration, Dell did send me
a 8600. After getting the kinks out of that fiasco, I finally opened it
and upacked it and moved in.

The case is nice. I bought a couple accessories (like an optical mouse) And
LOVE it!!! The trade they made was almost worth the heartache they gave me.
Now it needs a nice set of speakers (MP3's sound kind of bad on tinny
speakers)
Once I finish moving it, my new laptop will have all the portability of my
desktop. But that's personal user options.

This 8600 will work!

 

James,

Strange you find the D800 case "plasticy" considering it's all metal, but
don't doubt you're opinion.

Intrigued by your comment re: video card upgrades though. what exactly do
you mean? The only Video upgrade (globally) is 32 to 64Mb.

Dan

 

That's what the port replicator is for. My D800 is completely portable.
But as a desktop, it has an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, scanner,
LAN connection, two printers, PDA cradle, drawing tablet, flash memory
reader, USB backup drive, and speakers.

Hit the docking release and it's ready for the road.

Diane

 

I have one of the first D800s that shipped. No screen hinge wobble.
Dell isn't known for good keyboards, but this is the best Dell keyboard
I've used. Compared to the C-series Latitudes, it feels much *less*
"plasticy."

My only complaint is about heat dissipation. It's been through
two Intel wireless cards; I finally gave up and went with the
Dell 1300, which (so far) is holding up. The first attempt at
a memory upgrade (non-Dell) also didn't hold up in the heat.
It's OK in the dock, but gets very warm on a cushion or pillow
(which ought to be a no-no, but I do it).

Otherwise, it's an outstanding machine. The monitor (WUXGA,
1920 x 1200) is superb.

Diane

 

Dan, I'm curious about the video upgrade possibility.

I bought a 8500 in late October and made the mistake of getting a 32mb video
card. I'm hoping that can be upgraded when it starts to disappoint.
When I called Dell to ask, a lady in (Parts?) Sales said $179 and advised
against trying to do it. I have the Complete Care warranty ... would
upgrading video card void that?
Nan

 

Dan,
Well the outer part of the lid feels metal (i.e. cool to the touch), but the
palm rests and rest of the lower case etc feel plastic and are getting very
scratched by my watch strap where it rests on the casing - this is exposing
different coloured plastic underneath. Hence looking a bit tatty.

I've read numerous threads which say people have upgraded D800 successfully
to Nvidia 5650Go GPU ... which significantly increases performance.

Regards,
James

 

Diane,
I agree with you on the general spec/performance of the machine ... I've put
a 7200rpm drive into it and that has boosted performance significantly ... I
was heavily disk I/O bound previously. The screen is fantastic ... wireless
was a pain to get working, heating is not too bad!

Regards,
James