Dell Inspiron 700M - Taking the Widescreen Display to Ultraportables
by Andrew Ku on December 11, 2004 1:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
Widescreen displays are really changing the face of a "typical notebook" for the general consumer, and to a lesser extent, the professional. If you look back to a typical "configure it yourself" notebook a few years ago, they were likely to be roughly 5 to 6 pounds with a 14.1" XGA or 15.0" SXGA+ display. The selection of widescreen notebooks back then made up a small fraction of the market, which system vendors like Dell, HP/Compaq, and IBM all correctly pointed to the cause: high widescreen display panel prices.
LCD monitors have come along far enough in the past few years for all of us to notice some substantial price drops, thanks to the further development of LCD technology. In the case of notebooks, we are seeing a price drop all across the board through the system vendor passing on the cost to the consumer. When it comes to widescreen display panels, this means that system vendors are finding it easier to include it in a notebook design without having to sacrifice a bottom line low price.
One reason why we loved the HP Pavilion DV1000 notebook was its sleek profile, suitable for meetings, classrooms, and traveling. However, it was also designed with an "on the road" theater comfort, which marked it as a rarity - something that really could go multipurpose - but it obviously lacks in the gaming department, as we know it, given its choice of an IGP solution. In its form and overall design, it was as if someone took a 15.4" desktop replacement and shrunk it to the size of a mainstream notebook.
This is why we were pleasantly surprised to see someone else take this concept to the ultraportable. Obviously, Dell allows for "configure to order" notebooks, but we were handed an Inspiron 700M with:
- 1.8GHz Dothan Pentium-M 745
- Intel 855GME chipset (non-changable shared VRAM BIOS setting)
- 2 x 256MB ProMOS PC2700 CL2.5
- 8x DVD±RW/CD-RW (Sony DW-D56A)
- 60GB Hitachi 5400RPM Hard Drive
- 12.1" WXGA display (native 1280 x 800)
- Dell's 1350 WLAN 802.11b/g WiFi card
- Broadcom 10/100 Ethernet
- 8 cell extended battery (14.8V, 4.4AH, 65WH)
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ScArE2100 - Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - link
http://www.700mUsers.com/">http://www.700mUsers.com/I'm starting the 700m Users Community up.
Check it out, a great resource for 700m owners to collaborate and take full advantage of their notebooks.
holygrail - Sunday, July 3, 2005 - link
This is a great computer. But be aware. The microphone port is broken. This is a problem on all inspiron 700m's (google for it). Dell ignores the problem. Maybe that they don't want to recall all their computers.They replaced my motherboard and wanted to tell me, that i have software-problems. They still don't believe (or don't want to believe) me, that this is a hardware problem. I can't count the hours i waited on the hold, when i wanted to contact a dell customer care, or dell support.
mrminator - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
These laptops are defective. The 700m audio input is not functional. Try recording something using your 700m and you're screwed. If you own a 700m check it out. I'd call Dell and complain, these units are defective and Dell continues to sell them. They are the bottom of the heap.pg22 - Saturday, January 15, 2005 - link
Hi josannakaytwo - Sunday, December 12, 2004 - link
Fujitsu called, they want their P5000/P7000 design back. Well they probably don't, seeing as they do it better in the first place, with longer battery life, more 'multimedia' features, etc. In laptops, you really do get what you pay for.segagenesis - Sunday, December 12, 2004 - link
I use a Inspiron D600 at my job. I am unsure of what to expect from interchangeability from notebook parts but wouldnt it be asking a bit much to have ultraportables use the same stuff as standard notebooks? The D series parts will work in thier SX small form factors though...ElFenix - Saturday, December 11, 2004 - link
dell's new policy of not using d-bay devices on the 700m and 9200 is piss poor. i realize that the neutral gray of the other notebooks doesn't work with the black from the new ones, but they could at least have made the form factor the same for those of us who don't care about the looks and already have a substantial investment in d-bay devices.Losttek - Saturday, December 11, 2004 - link
"Measuring at 8.5" x 11.7" x 1.5" thick, the DV1000 is the smallest multimedia notebook that we have seen to date, making it very unique."I thought you were suppose to be reviewing the 700m. Might want to proofread your articles next time.
kuljc - Saturday, December 11, 2004 - link
well if you get the extended battery, you'll be geting around 4 hours of normal usage out of this thing. Which is plenty of time.bob661 - Saturday, December 11, 2004 - link
This at the bottom of the barrel as far as battery life is concerned which is one of the main reasons you buy ultra-ports in the first place. That HP kicks ass.