$600 Notebook Roundup - Crowning the Affordability King
by Anand Lal Shimpi on November 29, 2005 10:38 AM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
Dell Inspiron 2200
Since originally ordering and receiving the Dell Inspiron 2200, Dell has introduced a new line of Inspiron notebooks for the home. The Inspiron B130 is Dell's latest competitor in the sub-$600 market; however, its release was not in time to be included in this roundup. We chose to keep the Inspiron 2200 in this review as it is still available for Higher Education customers, but we will be working to bring an updated roundup with the Inspiron B130 as soon as possible.
The Inspiron 2200 that we received came with a Celeron M 370 (1.5GHz) processor based around Intel's 915GM chipset; naturally, it uses the chipset's integrated graphics. The Inspiron B130, the 2200's replacement, moves back down to a Celeron 360 (1.4GHz) as its default processor option.
Like all of the notebooks here today, the Inspiron 2200 that we configured only shipped with 256MB of RAM, to keep within our $600 budget. Storage comes courtesy of a single 40GB Fujitsu MHV2040AH drive.
Unfortunately, in order to meet the $600 budget, the Inspiron 2200 comes with no wireless networking options.
Surprisingly enough, there are no ports at the front of the notebook:
- Headphone jack
- Microphone jack
- PC Card slot
- 3 USB 2.0 Ports
- Ethernet jack
- Modem jack
- VGA output
Since originally ordering and receiving the Dell Inspiron 2200, Dell has introduced a new line of Inspiron notebooks for the home. The Inspiron B130 is Dell's latest competitor in the sub-$600 market; however, its release was not in time to be included in this roundup. We chose to keep the Inspiron 2200 in this review as it is still available for Higher Education customers, but we will be working to bring an updated roundup with the Inspiron B130 as soon as possible.
The Inspiron 2200 that we received came with a Celeron M 370 (1.5GHz) processor based around Intel's 915GM chipset; naturally, it uses the chipset's integrated graphics. The Inspiron B130, the 2200's replacement, moves back down to a Celeron 360 (1.4GHz) as its default processor option.
Like all of the notebooks here today, the Inspiron 2200 that we configured only shipped with 256MB of RAM, to keep within our $600 budget. Storage comes courtesy of a single 40GB Fujitsu MHV2040AH drive.
Unfortunately, in order to meet the $600 budget, the Inspiron 2200 comes with no wireless networking options.
| Dell Inspiron 2200 | |
| CPU | Intel Celeron M 370 (1.5GHz/1MB L2/400MHz FSB) |
| Chipset | Intel 915GM |
| Memory | 256MB DDR333 (1 DIMM) |
| GPU | Integrated Intel Extreme Graphics |
| Display | 14.1" XGA (1024 x 768) |
| HDD | 40GB Fujitsu MHV2040AH |
| Optical Storage | 24X CD-RW/DVD-ROM Drive |
| Wireless | N/A |
| Ethernet | Intel PRO/100 VE 10/100 |
| Modem | Internal Soft 56K |
| Audio | SigmaTel C-Major |
| Ports | Headphone, microphone, PC Card slot, 3 x USB 2.0, Ethernet, Modem, VGA out |
| Mouse | Trackpad |
| Size (L x W x H) | 13.0" x 10.6" x 1.46" |
| Weight | 5.99 lbs |
| Battery | 8-Cell NiMH |
| OS and Other Software | Windows XP Home SP2 |
| Price as Configured | $599.00 |
| Warranty | 90 days |
Surprisingly enough, there are no ports at the front of the notebook:
- Headphone jack
- Microphone jack
- PC Card slot
- 3 USB 2.0 Ports
- Ethernet jack
- Modem jack
- VGA output
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trexpesto - Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - link
Didn't notice much about screen quality.cactux - Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - link
Hello,Such articles are great, but you say nothing about the Linux compatibility of these PCs.
In only 5 minutes, you could test them, using for example a Knoppix. This Linux distribution boots are works from one CD.
This would allow you to say what works and what fails (sound, screen, nouse, etc.)
Regards
Yann
CB1 - Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - link
Want Linux? Get an Acer. A version of the Acer TravelMate TM2312LCi has been sold briefly with a Linux boot disk and no OS. There is an Asian linux distro linked at Acer's website.HP has had an Ubuntu option available in Europe.
I've just booted a Compaq X1000 from the latest Ubuntu live disk, and it produces a perfectly working desktop, at the correct screen resolution. I wasn't in a location to check the modem or wireless, but I doubt there would be problems. Win 2K wouldn't give me the proper screen res or colours without the Compaq driver disk.
Short of gaming, you'll have as many issues with Win as Linux. I don't think it requires special consideration in the test.
nullpointerus - Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - link
I'd love to see a test like this, too.In the meantime you take a look at building your own laptop from Linux-compatible parts:
http://www.anandtech.com/news/default.aspx?newdate...">http://www.anandtech.com/news/default.aspx?newdate...
artifex - Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - link
...because a couple of weeks ago, we bought my sister a v2000z, with a 3000+ chip, for $400 or so after rebates. I think the office supply company that sold it to us figured out they screwed up, because it hasn't been that low, since :) Anyway, at these prices, look at the Sunday ads before you buy, because if one is substantially cheaper than the Gateway, like ours was, go for it instead.Myrandex - Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - link
I have seen plenty of laptops for sale under $600 with 512MB ram. Well at least on a sale and not a regular price. I wouldn't buy a machine w/ 256MB of ram at all anymore :-/bupkus - Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - link
What's with these 90 day warranties?unclebud - Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - link
heartily enjoyed!and also printing out to share with my coworkers -- the most asked question for me "is how good is this laptop?"
can just give this to them (to read) instead...
MacLean - Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - link
You can't review low price great bang for the buck laptops without including a model from Acer. The Acer AS3003 is AMD Sempron based, has WI-FI and all the of the specifications reviewed for the other models.I am very interested to find out how the integrated SIS Mirage 2 graphics go head to head vs. Intel and ATI.
Hardly a beauty contest if you don't invite all the contestants.
CB1 - Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - link
I too was surprised by the absence of a model from Acer. They are ubiquitous in the market here in Vancouver, and have a good reputation for quality. Their bottom end models, both Cel M and Sempron, use SiS chipsets. I could care less about gaming capabilities of the onboard video, but would really like to know about the performance and battery life of the Cel M Acers with an SiS chipset.Please include one when you test the new Dell model.
Otherwise, this was a very well done and thorough test, up to the usual Anandtech standards. The idea of testing the loss leader versions was brilliant.
Bottom end model locally is the Acer TravelMate TM2312LCi-H.