Dell Laptop User Thread

[PierceLee]

Hi Lee,
thanks for quick information.
I have those information. my main confusing status is with default CPU speed, 512 Ram, 40GB, 15' monitor size, how much i can but this 510m model.?
all other spec config is default to model 510m. when he brought, he changed only two things:

1. Upgrade to 512 Ram
2. upgrade to 15i monitor.

all other options are default to model 510m.

Rgds,
prasad

Sorry, I don't know the market price. You can check in HWZ Marketplace or eBay but that not always a good reference, as there are crazy people selling at unreasonably low price and crazy people who buy at overly high price. What matters is how much you think the old laptop is worth to you and how much the seller is willing to let go.

I would approach it like this:

1) Take a look at the current models (that would be Dell 630m or 6000). Those are around $1799 list price. But Dell always have offers (cash off, free upgrade), so let's say that after discount/upgrade, it's down to $1600.

2) If you are buying a 2 year old laptop with exactly the same specs as the current models (not possible, but just assume such laptop exists), how much is that worth? (2 yr old means the looks is not 100%, the battery life has dropped to maybe 70%...) Let's say you are willing to pay 2/3 of the price, that makes it around $1000.

3) But the specs of the 2nd hand laptop is not the same as current models, so you have to upgrade some things. How much are the upgrades? (eg. memory, HDD, optical drive). Let's say $200. That makes it $800.

4) But some stuffs cannot be upgraded (eg. CPU, graphics card, chipset, screen resolution, screen type, and the intengibles). How much are those worth? Let's say you are comparing 1.3GHz CPU to current 1.7GHZ, maybe that's already $300. That will make it $500.

5) Then increase the price a bit, cos you will not find anyone willing to sell at your preferred price. So in this example, maybe $650. Of course, you offer $500 first, then let him negoitate up to $650

All the numbers above are not real, just for illustration purpose only. Whatever price you buy at, there will definitely be others selling cheaper out there somewhere, some day. Don't let that affect you. You are paying what you think is a fair price, that's good enough. Enjoy it rather than worry whether you had a good deal.

 

[darrenlee78]

Hi Lee,
thanks for quick information.
I have those information. my main confusing status is with default CPU speed, 512 Ram, 40GB, 15' monitor size, how much i can but this 510m model.?
all other spec config is default to model 510m. when he brought, he changed only two things:

1. Upgrade to 512 Ram
2. upgrade to 15i monitor.

all other options are default to model 510m.

Rgds,
prasad

expect to more no more than $1k for it

 

[blurpasta]

Just to check wif u guys, 700m canot support ddr2 rite? i look at e pricelists n i dun c any1 selling 1gb for DDR.. so i'm abit confuse here...

 

[Shinji_U]

Just to check wif u guys, 700m canot support ddr2 rite? i look at e pricelists n i dun c any1 selling 1gb for DDR.. so i'm abit confuse here...

700m uses DDR correct. DDR prices are more expensive though...

 

[blurpasta]

ok... thanks! any idea how much a 1gb ddr-ram will cost?

 

[huntzer]

ok... thanks! any idea how much a 1gb ddr-ram will cost?

200 plus......

 

[PierceLee]

Just to check wif u guys, 700m canot support ddr2 rite? i look at e pricelists n i dun c any1 selling 1gb for DDR.. so i'm abit confuse here...

The 700m uses only DDR, not DDR2. DDR and DDR2 are not compatible, you can't even put a DDR2 into the DDR slot.

For 700m, you need DDR PC333 (also called PC2700). If you get 2 pieces of 512MB, it should be around $80 each. If you buy 1 piece of 1GB, that will be $200 plus. Don't know why the big difference.

Still worried about opening up the 700m?

 

[PierceLee]

When I get my Dell laptop, I always wipe off the harddisk, remove the hidden partitions, and do a fresh install. The only things I reinstall are the Dell drivers, CD writer sw, DVD player sw and internet suite.

1) I notice that with the original Dell preloaded image, when I change the speaker volume or screen brightness, an on-screen display will pop up showing an indicator bar. Which CD/application should I install to get the OSD?

2) The original image has a hidden partition for diagnostics utilities. Which CD and how do I reinstall it? (Not that I want to do so, just curious.)

3) Any other useful application I will miss out?

 

[Shinji_U]

When I get my Dell laptop, I always wipe off the harddisk, remove the hidden partitions, and do a fresh install. The only things I reinstall are the Dell drivers, CD writer sw, DVD player sw and internet suite.

1) I notice that with the original Dell preloaded image, when I change the speaker volume or screen brightness, an on-screen display will pop up showing an indicator bar. Which CD/application should I install to get the OSD?

2) The original image has a hidden partition for diagnostics utilities. Which CD and how do I reinstall it? (Not that I want to do so, just curious.)

3) Any other useful application I will miss out?

I always do those too, but I don't install their drivers, I used drivers from the manufacturers which often has a driver revisions higher than Dell's.

The OSD software is called Quickset, not necessary, I've been using my notebook without the quickset, but I missed the OSD.

The diagnostic utility is on one of the blue Dell CD, no need to install that one, cause it runs off the CD as its a bootable CD.

 

[blurpasta]

The 700m uses only DDR, not DDR2. DDR and DDR2 are not compatible, you can't even put a DDR2 into the DDR slot.

For 700m, you need DDR PC333 (also called PC2700). If you get 2 pieces of 512MB, it should be around $80 each. If you buy 1 piece of 1GB, that will be $200 plus. Don't know why the big difference.

Still worried about opening up the 700m?

yes... as one of e slot is hidden under e keyboard... damn scary... i tink i buy a 512 1st n c how... if still slow den i will try my luck to open it...

 

[XPSGen2]

Anyone interested in buying original Dell 2x512MB DDR2 RAM (~7 month-old), can PM me your offer price. Reasonable offer will be considered. Thks.

 

[GreenArrow2002]

Selling original DELL 2 X 256MB DDR2 ram of 3 months old. For lappies use only. All reasonable offers welcome. PM your offer.

 

[PierceLee]

I always do those too, but I don't install their drivers, I used drivers from the manufacturers which often has a driver revisions higher than Dell's.

The OSD software is called Quickset, not necessary, I've been using my notebook without the quickset, but I missed the OSD.

The diagnostic utility is on one of the blue Dell CD, no need to install that one, cause it runs off the CD as its a bootable CD.

Thanks.
I do that too. I always install from the Dell driver CD first, but later will go to the manufacturer site to update the drivers. (I only update for the major parts, like Intel and nVidia, the rest, like modem driver, I don't bother.) Some times even MS Windows Update will offer newer hw driver version.
The Dell driver CD quite suck though. Always cannot detect correctly the hw components on the notebook.

 

[PierceLee]

yes... as one of e slot is hidden under e keyboard... damn scary... i tink i buy a 512 1st n c how... if still slow den i will try my luck to open it...

Haha, don't worry lah, not scary. The only scary part is the first step, cos have to ply open the plastic cover (there's no screw holding it down). Just take it slow.

Actually this part is much easier on the 700m than the 630m. The plastic cover of the 630m was really hard to open, even after removing the screws as per the manual. And yet, Dell advertises the 630m as having both slots accessible and included the instructions in the manual.

 

[blurpasta]

Haha, don't worry lah, not scary. The only scary part is the first step, cos have to ply open the plastic cover (there's no screw holding it down). Just take it slow.

Actually this part is much easier on the 700m than the 630m. The plastic cover of the 630m was really hard to open, even after removing the screws as per the manual. And yet, Dell advertises the 630m as having both slots accessible and included the instructions in the manual.

i'm handling e opening of e plastic cover to my bro, he more experienced. Anyway just bought a 512mb ram 2dae at 75 frm best bargain n e person helps me to install. Qt gd service i must say... Going to buy another 1 after i manage to open e keyboard...

 

[bkmtan]

hi how is the build quality of the 630m? was comparing between the 630m, 700m and the ibm r52 machine.

dell's plastics seem a bit flimsy, and does any of ur laptops creak at the hinge after awhile?

ibm r52 is cheap quality is good just that too damn big. <sigh>

 

[darrenlee78]

i'm handling e opening of e plastic cover to my bro, he more experienced. Anyway just bought a 512mb ram 2dae at 75 frm best bargain n e person helps me to install. Qt gd service i must say... Going to buy another 1 after i manage to open e keyboard...

ask the sales person to open haha.

 

[blurpasta]

ask the sales person to open haha.

did try asking... he know where to open but dun dare to open also...

 

[Extremme]

me using Dell Inspiron 4150

 

[Extremme]

Different type of Ram

I tried to swop 2 "Kingstons" Rams (128 & 513) from my Dell Inspiron 4100 with my Dell Inspiron 4150's "Inspiron" 256ram. upon opening up then I discovered that could not be swopped as it is of a different model. Sianzz....btw, how do we know the max ram a laptop can take?