Notebook Update

Last month I mentioned that I really need to get a notebook before leaving for England. I was considering either the Dell Latitude D630 or the Lenovo ThinkPad T61. The Dell because I’ve used Dell for years and they’ve never let me down and the Lenovo because it is generally considered the very best notebook on the planet and I really wanted something just a little better than the Dell notebooks I’ve used thus far.

Well Lenovo completely let me down. Their notebooks might rock but their customer service is terrible (at least in Canada). I ended up calling Dell and ordering the D630. I had never called Dell before but instead simply configured and ordered systems online as their website is decent and provides good configurability but I had some specific requirements and wanted to make sure they were met. Specifically I needed the notebook to arrive promptly (before we leave for England) and wanted to make sure that the system included an Intel Turbo Memory module.

Well the salesman assured me that the notebook would arrive within 2 weeks and that the system comes equipped with an Intel Turbo Memory module. I got a good price and waited for the system to arrive. That’s when things started getting a bit uncomfortable.

First, I noticed that no Vista x64 drivers were available. I called and Dell shipped me the resource CD … which didn’t include any x64 drivers. Sigh. Fortunately, the next day they uploaded the drivers to their support site. Great!

Second, I noticed that the notebook had an estimated arrival date of 26 July, quite a bit more than 2 weeks. Fortunately the notebook arrived in the first week of July. It would be useful if the estimated arrival date was a bit more accurate.

Lastly, I’ve unfortunately discovered that the notebook does not include an Intel Turbo Memory module. I’ve been had. It looks like the outsourced Dell salesperson (in India) was just telling me exactly what I wanted to hear to make the sale. I have tried contacting Dell about this but have yet to receive a response.

Still, I’m happy with the notebook and it apparently has a slot for the Turbo Memory module should I pick one up in future. I also ordered the system with the minimum amount of RAM and installed 4GB of RAM that I purchased at Canada Computers saving me hundreds of dollars.

In case you’re interested here’s what I now have:

Dell Latitude D630
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz (4MB L2 cache and 800MHz bus)
4GB RAM 667MHz (from Canada Computers)
NVIDIA Quadro NVS135M (128MB or video memory)
14.1 inch WXGA+ LCD
120GB 7200 RPM drive
Intel A/G/N internal wireless and Dell Bluetooth
Windows Vista Ultimate

Despite the headaches it is a great notebook with lots of power. Below is the Windows Experience Index. The overall result is a bit low since it only has 128MB of video memory but the processor, memory and hard disk numbers are more relevant for me and they’re all good.

© 2007 Kenny Kerr

1 Comment

  • Hi,

    at least in europe: always call dell (gives bigger rebate than ordering online), make them fax you the order/system configuration, sign that fax and fax it back. They will send you the wrong configuration anyway, but you have proof of what you ordered. I ordered one notebook and they managed to send me the wrong hardware configuration twice(!). Call them, complain about what has happened and they gonne give you an even bigger rebate on the system.

    And if you order only one system from dell, never look at the invoices larger companies receive when they order multiple systems (~10), because Dell gives them huge rebates (even when ordering state of the art systems).

    I have an D820 and I like it, the price is very good.

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