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Dell's support sites (support.dell.com or "support" link from Dell's home page) seems to be dead due to what looks like a database error. I wonder if they had to kill all their database servers, or if they had to block them internally?

Can anyone else get to them?

1. Will buy an X-Box to play games and DVDs ONLY
2. Will not buy an X-Box, but instead will buy a dedicated machine to do whatever you might want to hack into a linux-running X-Box

IBM has a long history of releasing open standards and not making money of it starting from "IBM-compatible PCs ". Then laptop standards and now this ....
Now by specifying PowerPC as the chip , which they own, maybe they will make actual money out of it...
Now HPQ, and last quarter Dell, sold the maximum number of "IBM comaptible PCs" in US. Even if this goes similarly IBM still can profit...Dell's current PDA uses Intel chips and Microsoft and HP uses Intel in iPAQ and Strongarm in Jornada. Dell being such a follower of "Industry Standards" ,might switch but lets see about HP

The 3.06 GHz Hyper-Threaded Pentium 4 performs even better than the Xeon I listed.

Dell Precision WorkStation 350 (Pentium 4)
3067 GHz
SPECint2000 = 1130
SPECint_base2000 = 1085
SPECfp2000 = 1103
SPECfp_base2000 = 1092
CINT2000
CFP2000

CINT2000 and CFP2000 results from the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation website.

AlphaServer ES45
1250 MHz
SPECint2000 = 928
SPECint_base2000 = 845
SPECfp2000 = 1365
SPECfp_base2000 = 1019
CINT2000
CFP2000

HP server rx5670 (Itanium 2)
1000 MHz
SPECint2000 = N/A
SPECint_base2000 = 807
SPECfp2000 = 1431
SPECfp_base2000 = 1431
CINT2000
CFP2000

Dell Precision WorkStation 530 (Xeon)
2800 MHz
SPECint2000 = 957
SPECint_base2000 = 921
SPECfp2000 = 887
SPECfp_base2000 = 878
CINT2000
CFP2000

Looking at my desk, my tower is on the left side (which is by the wall). So with this, I'd have to route the cables *around* the back of the case....

While I generally like the case and the accessibility is nice, I agree with you. Having the cables come out the side could be a pain. Looking at my desk, my tower is on the right side of my legs. Given that the case doesn't look very deep, that means I'd be knocking cables around (and out) with my feet/legs.

I actually kinda like the current Dell Dimension case. It still has problems as far as cable-spaghetti goes, but the PS and motherboard are on one side, with drive bays on the other. You can open it easily without tools and without having to lay it down, and the drive bays are easily accessible.

I admit that some weenies still live in world of physical media (superdrive), but something like my Dell Latitude X200 running Mac OS X would've been reason enough for me to Switch!. As it is, I rather take (roughly equivalent) Dell that weighs 1.8 pounds less (X200 is 2.8) running Linux than Powerbook with better OS..

Most portable DVD players I've seen have 10" or so screens and they cost in the high hundreds. Why not get a nice laptop with a DVD player for just a bit. Here's an Inspiron 2650C from Dell for $1068...

You should see today's "daily digest" on the kernel mailing list. It gave me a decent heartburn to wade through a few hundred K of advocacy, in between bits and pieces of code. The code is pretty cool looking, btw.

So.... just like the iPod then, which works on other platforms only due to 3rd parties reverse engineering parts of the on disk format?

Here is proof to the contrary. It took them a while, but Apple did release a Windows compatible iPod.

Even Dell sells them.

You must have missed the announcemnt a few months ago.

Anyway, the Mac version just uses HFS. There are 3rd party HFS readers for *nix and Windows. I don't know if they were reverse engineered or created from Apple specs.

Except OS X isn't tinkerable at all. Practically all the code Apple has written is closed source, and the Mac parts of MacOS are generally only capable of doing things one way.

If you ignore the fact that you can recompile the kernel and change most OS variables using XML plists and NetInfo, you are absolutely correct. If I ignore my need for oxygen I can breathe in space too.

Pardon the sorta off-topic post, but this isn't much of a ask slashdot question and fits a bit with this topic:

Are there any KVM switch solutions that incorperate DVI natively?

The only thing that put me off on getting a flat screen (Outside of price) is trying to KVM a Dell Inspiron 8100 portable (VGA only :[ ) and Gigabyte Ethernet class G4 (ADC & VGA). I know I need to get the ADC-to-DVI converter for the G4, and I would be getting the most native DVI visuals from either the G4 and espically the Dell, but if I can edge out something better than VGA on the G4, it's worth the trouble. So, anyone have ideas for sollutions? Thanks in advance for the help!

I can tell you right now that the 1900FP is a far better LCD monitor. Only downside is 1280x1024 res. But contrast ratio is better, image looks better, and it doesn't have that huge case wrapped around the screen like the 2000FP. It's just sexier!

Then again, to be fair, the 2000FP does have s-video and composite inputs.

A friend of mine has one of these babies. 20" Dell flat screen @ 1600x1200 for under $850 USD.

Zero results eh? You're not exactly Mr. Current Affairs, are you?

Dell Axim

Dang. I DID think of Hokey Spokes about 18 months ago when a friend was describing adverts on the walls of the Tokyo subway as you fly past. I was bicycling to work everday, and the thought sprung immediately to mind. Once again, I didn't act on my incredible intelligence. So, I guess I'll have to ask for them for Christmas.

In the meantime, I want a DraganFlyer III R/C helicopter with wireless video and a Brunton Pocket Transit (100 year old high tech). I will be getting a Dell Axim X5 for my b-day on Friday.

My wife and I keep discussing the "no-gift" idea, but the grandparents always foil our best efforts...

The gameboy advance is nice and the GP32 is better, but both lack horsepower. The Dell Axim is close, but even at $199 too expensive.

How about an Axim with the most expensive bits replaced? Replace the touch screen with a non-touch screen, the lithium ion battery with "AA" types and Pocket PC with a stripped down Linux?

Maybe add a chip to improve 3D performance, rotate it 90 degrees and put in decent game controls. Aim for a $99 price.

Just think of the games that could be ported to that baby!

...on why, perhaps, folks get slashdotted:

-rw-rw-r-- 1 jdf jdf 57197 Dec 17 10:12 original.html
-rw-rw-r-- 1 jdf jdf 10425 Dec 17 10:28 text.html

Yes, that's 47 kilobytes of javacript, headers, footers, CSS, and associated crap for about 10K of real info. Sure, there's also pictures and such, but this is basically 4x the original in overhead alone. Anyhow, here's the text from the site:

Pick a toy--any toy--for holiday gift-giving.

By Joan Lynch, Maura Butler, and Matt Miller -- EDN, 12/12/2002

Holy spokes, Bikeman!
Attach Hokey Spokes to your bike, and you'll have not only the coolest ride in the hood, but also the safest. Inventor and MIT graduate Dave Hoch wanted to take the terror out of night bike riding and designed the transparent "blades" to wirelessly communicate patterns or words with each other. You can put up to six blades on each wheel; a computer on each strip controls 16 LEDs in a variety of colors. Each blade costs $29.95 at www.hokeyspokes.com. Illumination Design Works, 1-617-924-4014.

Keyboard portability on a roll
Road warriors who prefer a full-sized keyboard with their laptops or PDAs will appreciate the Manhattan True-Touch Keyboard. When you're on the move, you can roll up the flexible, plastic unit and tuck it away. The keyboard features a QWERTY design and 104 raised keys that provide goodand quiettactile feedback, but using them will take some practice. Choose from PS/2 or USB connectivity. Units are dustproof and moistureproof and offer a lifetime of 15,000,000 keystrokes. Keyboards are available for around $27 from ThinkGeek, www.thinkgeek.com.

The "PC" PC
In an environmentally friendly move, NEC designed its PowerMate eco PC with 100% recyclable plastic and a 15-in. LCD flat-panel screen that contains no boron. The motherboard is made with lead-free solder, and the computer has no fan, which reduces the amount of dust dispersion for users with respiratory problems. The eco contains a 900-MHz Crusoe processor and a 20-Gbyte hard drive. And of course, it's Energy Star-compliant. The eco starts at $1599. NEC Corp, 1-800-338-9549, www.nec.com.

Free space
Combining a DVD player with a hard-disk-based PVR (personal video recorder), the Scenium Digital Media Recorder (DRS7000N) could be just the thing for overcrowded home-entertainment centers. The $599 unit features progressive-scan output for the clearest pictures and plays a variety of discs, including MP3 CDs and DVD+Rs/RWs. The PVR section handles the usual trick features, such as pausing live shows, and offers more than 30 hours of recording on its 40-Gbyte disk. Best of all, unlike PVRs such as TiVo, there's no fee for the EPG (electronic-program-guide) service. RCA/Thomson, 1-317-587-3000, www.rca.com.

The power of pictures
CyberLink's PowerProducer lets you produce your home movies and photos on DVD or CD for sharing with friends and family. If you're completely inexperienced, a step-by-step wizard-style program eases the way. It takes just three steps to import photo or video files from video-capture devices; you can then add special effects; adjust color; and trim, merge, and split video. The "QuickBurn" feature captures video from DV camcorders directly into DVDs in one click. Prices begin at $49.95. CyberLink USA, www.gocyberlink.com.

Mouse exterminator
Rid your desktop of mice with the iGesture Pad. The touchpad, which is just a bit smaller than a mouse pad, lets you use finger gestures to complete the same operations you would with a mouse. The $179 pad recognizes hundreds of hand gestures, including those that let you point, click, drag, and scroll. Twist your hand to open a file; spread your fingers to zoom. The USB-connected device is thin and small enough to travel and accepts commands from the right or left hand. Hmmm, wonder how it handles gestures you might make when your computer isn't behaving the way you'd like it to? FingerWorks, www.fingerworks.com.

Carry all
The multifunction Duex is an MP3/WMA player, voice recorder, and data-storage device in one portable package. Take off the bottom of the device to find a USB plug for attaching to the appropriate port on a computer. You can drag and drop music, image, video, and data files from the PC to the Duex and vice versa. The device features 128 Mbytes of memory for two hours of MP3 playback, four hours of WMA playback, and eight hours of voice playback; a backlit LCD shows song information in numerous languages. One AAA battery gives you more than 12 hours of music play. With a headphone/neckstrap, USB cable, software CD, manual, and one battery, the Duex mp302 costs $179. Innogear,
www.innogear.com.

Click it, stow it
The ultrasleek Pocket Digital is a handy, stylish way to capture favorite moments. The credit-card-sized digital camera captures and stores 52 high-resolution images at 1.3 megapixels. The lithium-polymer battery endures for hundreds of pictures and recharges through the USB connection. Image downloading is a snap. $129.95. Logitech, www.logitech.com.

The end of e-mail angst?
Neo (Nelson Email Organizer) might be just the ticket for reducing the stress associated with your daily barrage of e-mail. This add-on for Microsoft Outlook lets you work alongside or outside Outlook. Neo automatically sorts and prioritizes messages into intuitive folders. Searches are quick, and complicated filters are not necessary. The program deals with spam and bulk mailings and manages groups of messages by the type of attachments they contain (for example, all Excel files or Word documents together). Neo costs $39.95 for one copy; site licenses are also available. Caelo Software Inc, 1-250-354-5580, www.caelo.com.

Power protection
As more and more electronic equipment finds its way into more and more households, UPS devices could become commodity items for the average home owner. Six UPS models from Energizer will help protect home offices, home theaters, and PCs from power surges, spikes, brownouts, and outages. They automatically save open files, safely power down systems, and protect hardware when threatening power irregularities arise. Features include visual and audio warning indicators and USB connectivity. Prices range from $59.99 to $279.99. Eveready Battery Co, www.energizerups.com.

Surreptitious snapper
Fitting into the palm of your hand, the Mini Pen Cam 1.3 offers a still-image resolution of 1248960 pixels. Using its 16 Mbytes of flash memory, the device can store as many as 50 full-resolution pictures or 160 snapshots snapped at VGA resolution (640480). The $79.99 gadget also gives you the ability to shoot AVI-format movies, although their quality tops out at 624480 pixels and a choppy 10 frames/sec. In addition, the device, which runs on two AAA batteries, connects to a PC via USB to function as a Webcam. Aiptek, 1-949-585-9600, www.aiptek.com.

In touch, on the go
BlackBerry now lets you make and receive phone calls. The palm-sized BlackBerry 5810 wireless handheld device operates on GSM/GPRS networks to allow communication via wireless e-mail, SMS (short messaging service), or integrated GSM phone services, including call waiting, call answering, conference calling, and call forwarding. It comes with an earpiece and microphone for hands-free operation. You can even click on a telephone number inside an email message to place a call. The $499 device incorporates Java 2 Micro Edition. Research in Motion, www.blackberry.net.

Dude, you're gettin' a PDA
Like the PC before it, the PocketPC platform continues to attract more and more manufacturers. PC powerhouse Dell recently joined the fray with an aggressively priced model called the Axim X5. The device features a 3.5-in. transflective TFT with 240320-pixel resolution, as well as both CompactFlash and Secure Digital expansion slots. Two variants are available. The $299 model has a 400-MHz XScale processor, 64 Mbytes of SDRAM, and 48 Mbytes of flash ROM. A $199 configuration steps down to a 300-MHz processor and 32 Mbytes of each type of memory. Dell Computer, 1-800-999-3355, www.dell.com.

Risk averse
If you carry your office in a pocket-sized device, you're asking for trouble. What if you leave it on a plane or in a cab? The iPAQ h5450 tries to reduce the danger with integrated biometric security. A thermal fingerprint reader means only you can access your priceless data, and you can even add a layer of safety by combining the fingerprint sensor with a password. The $699 pocket-sized PC also includes a 400-MHz XScale processor, built-in IEEE 802.11b and Bluetooth capabilities, and an SDIO (Secure Digital Input Output) expansion slot. Hewlett-Packard, 1-650-857-1501, www.hp.com.

Bragging rights
The Zaurus SL-5600 gives the gadget geek ample reason to crow. It not only features a cool physical design with a hideaway keyboard, but also runs a version of Linux. The PDA boasts a 400-MHz Intel XScale processor, CompactFlash and Secure Digital expansion slots, 64 Mbytes of flash, 32 Mbytes of SDRAM, and a juicy 1700-mAhr battery. The device is slated to appear early next year, and pricing hasn't been announced yet, but its predecessor, the SL-5500, currently goes for $375. Sharp Electronics, 1-201-529-8200, www.sharpelectronics.com.

Stop graffiti
Thumb-pecked keyboards have become so popular on handheld devices that even Palm, the originator of the Graffiti handwriting-input system, now offers them. The $549 Tungsten W, slated for the first quarter of next year, features a tri-band GSM/GPRS radio and supports phone calls (via a headset), Web browsing, e-mail, and messaging. Powered by a 33-MHz Motorola Dragon-ball VZ processor, the PDA includes a Secure Digital expansion slot, Bluetooth, and a 320320-pixel color display. Palm, 1-408-503-7000, www.palm.com.

I completely agree that the more the better, but the problem is that Palm has traditionally been hanging on by the hairs of their chiney-chin-chin (even when absolutely dominating the market): How can the PocketPC making huge inroads help that? The turning point for the PocketPC, in my opinion, was the Toshiba e310 and e740 (there's an Audiovox I believe that's basically the e540), not only economical but very, very small. That article hints at the fact that in a single quarter Toshiba went from virtually no marketshare to 5.5% of the marketshare (and that was before the e740 with the xScale 400Mhz and integrated 802.11b was considered). Now the e310 is quite a bit cheaper, and the e740 is selling like hotcakes. I suspect that the PocketPC numbers will be much, much higher in the next survey. Secondary to that is the fact that Dell is entering the market with a $200 PocketPC. Again, these things can't be good against Palm that already was navigating dire straights.

It's called industry intelligence my moronic friend (backed by stats like this). Already Toshiba had captured virtually all of the presses hearts with the e series (because suddenly Pocket PCs weren't the "too-large" devices they had been), and now Dell has captured the hearts and minds of even more by offering sub-Palm pricing on far more powerful devices. Perhaps you're sitting in Palm headquarters fervently pretending that you're under no risk, but rest assured that sitting on your laurels for several years wasn't too wise.

As a sidenote, I find it absolutely hilarious that you try to pretend that I karma whored...in a post where I SAID SOMETHING PRO-MICROSOFT (or as another poster stated, I'm a "Microsoft fanboy"). Maybe you're near hear, but it's pretty much the opposite, and that usually ensures moderation obliteration. Indeed, I know that it's only a matter of time before some anti-Microsoft fanatics come in and stomp my post to -1, and I would honestly be disappointed if it didn't happen.

They sell a Linux PC for anyone. This page tells you that Red Hat 8.0 is available on their Dell Precision 350n, 450n, 650n, 530n and 340n models. To find those, go to www.dell.com, click Small Business and choose Workstations. "Customize" any of the models listed before (they won't have "n" at the end of the number), and on the sidebar you'll see the option for Linux.

And for those who are curious, I customized the Precision 350 and 350n, to be identical in hardware, and the 350n (which is the one w/Linux) is exactly $100 cheaper than the 350.

Unfortunately, copying the URL doesn't copy the configuration, so I can't post a link to the two computers.

uy Microsoft Server Products Retail !!!!!!!! Is this your advice? What an idiot you are?

Uh huh. Retail=Something other than OEM. It means "don't select the `Windows 2000 Server' radio button when ordering that new Dell Server". I'm including any licensing agreements with Microsoft in "retail". BTW: I'm not quite sure what your point is anyways- The cost different between OEM and retail is marginal, and between Software Assurance and retail is again marginal (indeed SA is often more expensive because it gives you multiple pieces of paper allowing you to run X number of the current software product, allowing you to upgrade as new versinos are released). Most organizations buy their licenses through a reseller consultant organization that keeps them current with their licensing needs.

If YOU the party of the first part, wants to remain legal with Microsoft, the party of the second part, NO server products are transferable from one machine to another under these 'special' licensing plans. ...and then...

All machines that a company buys from Dell have an OEM copy of a Microsoft product preinstalled.

No they don't. All of the client machines have a copy of a Microsoft product (depending upon the agreement that the VAR made with Microsoft), however the user chooses whether or not to add an OEM Server OS (and pays a hefty premium for doing so) to servers. Please feel free to confirm this (see http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.asp? customer_id=04&keycode=6W300&order_code=pe4600 ). You're grossly confusing client operating systems where there are restrictive licenses, with server licensing: They are two VASTLY different things. Server licenses generally work as a "you have 5 pieces of paper giving you Windows 2000 Server licenses, so you can have 5 servers operating at one time".

I think I found what your looking for. Check this out.
Its about the same in specs (actually better) plus includes the following for the same price:
a KB, built in mouse, 14.1 screen, ability to plug into the lighter socket, and get this, can run Linux and even comes with battery so you can take it out of the car! What are they going to think of next!

That's odd, considering neitherDell, Sony, Toshiba, nor Fujitsu require you to purchase Office XP. IBM was the only one that I saw from a quick glance.

There is actually a work around to get powered by cards working with the Linux driver WITHOUT needing to flash your cards BIOS or using Windows. It involves a tiny bit of hex editing and details can be found here (4th post down on link)

That's also the same reason why Macs cost much more than PC's. In fact, if you're a low end shopper, twice as much. Check out a low end Dell vs. a low end Mac.

oh, btw...

Dude, you've got blisters on your johnson!

(for anyone wondering which brand was responsible for the toasted twig)

(posted at +1 cuz it's kinda redundant as it's in the register link and it may not even be the right one)

Actually, you can get them directly from Dell for less than $20. See here.

Because for $199 you can't recharge it or connect it to your PC

Because for $199 you can't recharge it or connect it to your PC

check out The real price looks like it says $329.00 before $50 rebate so by my calculations you can get the top model for $279.00 but maybe its a typo or not configured correctly.

-Kaplan

I carry the following:

Palm IIIc: Front left pants pocket

Dell X200 Laptop: Ultra-portable laptop (12")-- I carry this in a RoadWired messenger bag which I take almost everywhere.

Canon S110 digital camera (digital elph): It's in a small pouch attached to the shoulder strap of my laptop bag

Nokia 3360 cellphone: I don't carry this as often, since I don't like cellphones, but if I'm carrying it, it's in the interior jacket pocket.

Panasonic CD player: I have a little cd carrying bag that I sometimes lug around with me if it's a long walk to where I'm going.


Yeah, I like my toys to be small.

Well, my big problem with newer gadgets is that people seem to care more about extra features rather than making them smaller. I have no interest in a PDA that can play MP3s or has 64MB of memory. On the other hand, if you can shrink one down to just the size of the screen (plus a small border) and make them half an inch thick, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Also, make more small phones without movable parts. I don't want to waste my time pulling out an antenna or flipping open my phone. And stop putting features in my phone! I don't need an MP3 player in my phone.

I want small specialized products.

what are you talking about. no one(ok most people) buys anything from the internet. why do you think internet commerce sites are dropping like flies.

http://www.dell.com
http://www.apple.com
http://shopping.yahoo.com
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.expedia.com

With the possible exception of Apple, all of these make most (if not all) of their money via internet commerce. Dell alone makes millions per day, every day, from online purchases alone. And while their balance sheets vary widely (and at least one may not consistently see a positive bottom-line), none are going to "drop like flies" anytime soon.

There's plenty of commerce being done online. There are just a lot fewer companies doing it now than a couple years ago. Given all the dumb ideas that were given capital, that's a Good Thing.

Here we go again. I really don't have all day to poke holes in this, and because I'm actually trying to cite and verify I'm going to completely miss the moderation window, and lose readership. While some of the claims are correct, don't assume I agree with any of them just because I didn't refute.

A good PCI-X capable Fiber Channel card on a mac [...]

There are no Macs that support PCI-X. I am therefore suspicious of the numbers you claim for this configuration.

Next, RC5. The rant here seems similar to another Anonymous Coward post back here; I'm not going to copy in my response again; quick summary: I didn't buy my computer to run RC5 really fast, and neither did you.

Cold memory random read and write is FASTER on macs than DDR machines as seen in benchmarks but this author does hit upon that topic indirectly a little. Even if macs in Feb 2002 were faster than AMD for scatterred random read and write, the current 3 desktop macs all use DDR ram now so probably lack speed boost for that action, but do have write agregate (combined writes) across pci bus and other tricks.

This paragraph is confused. Yes, "cold start" memory latency is very important for many tasks, and is often overlooked. But how is the first sentence be true when many Macs are DDR machines? And where are these benchmarks? I just went looking for DDR Mac latency scores and couldn't find anything. Does anyone have lmbench memory latency numbers for the Xserve or the current PowerMacs? Oh, and write combining is hardly a Mac trick.

The hiddedn "backside only" cache of Pentium 4, and older macs, is the reason you could only have one cpu.

Incorrect. You just need a cache coherency protocol between your processors. "Backside" has nothing to do with it. For example, the dual-processor Pentium III box I'm typing this on has "backside" cache on each processor; it's just hidden inside the CPU packaging rather than brought out to extra pins to connect to an external cache.

There is no "PACK(1)" prgma for c structures on a mac.

struct foo { char c; int i; } __attribute__ ((packed));
struct foo foo_inst;
main() { printf("%d\n", (int)&foo_inst.i - (int)&foo_inst); }

happily returns "1" on 10.2. In fact, if i doesn't cross a double-word boundary, there is no penalty for use on later CPUs. Yes, I just verified this on the G4 downstairs.

And RAM? Don't make me laugh! Try to find an AMD board that takes 4 gigabytes of RAM and USES it as fast as the fastest AMD can. every tweaker site says you can only use one 512MB part and have a max of 512MB.

Although you can't get the absolute, topped out single-CPU performance with it, dual-CPU boards like the Tyan ThunderK7Xpro support up to 4G of registered PC2100 RAM now; these boxes still comfortably beat current top-end G4s at tasks like SPEC CPU2000. If you really want a lot of memory you'll have to get a box from a major vendor; the Dell PowerEdge 6650 comes to mind as a 16G machine. Unfortunately, there aren't any AMD boxes out there like this that I know of, but Hammer will change that.

In 2002 no linux with any normal tweak allows a user task to hold and lock 1.5GB of reeal ram, its all virtual or fake.

Get an Alpha. Although I have no direct experience with this, reliable sources claim you've been able to go past the 32-bit 4G address space limit for several years.

thankfully apple is migrating to 40 bit address space physically soon in august with the new lightweight Power4.

Why wait? Apple isn't the only vendor out there.

I just can't help but wonder why everyone seems to be so excited about Macs. If you ever want to run the latest game on that "other" OS, you can't really do it on Mac without paying a premium and/or having to wait forever for it to come out. And not just games, but other software too.

Dell has a comparable deal that is $999 for an Inspiron 2650, comes with a free hard drive upgrade and a CD-burner (or DVD) upgrade. Not only that, but you get some really great tech support. And no, I don't work for dell. I just can't understand what all this jazz about getting an Apple is.

Sure the Mac has cool looking hardware, but beyond that is there really a compelling reason for techies/nerds to switch from Intel/AMD based machines?? I can't think of any real good reasons.

This is really not a troll, I'm just trying to understand what the hoopla is. Please enlighten me!!

Tell that to Gateway and Dell.
OK, I'll go tell them.

Update:

Found a very visible superscript note on Dell's 250N Tech Specs page. It is attached to the line "Intel® Pentium® 4 processor at 2.4 GHz" and reads "Power management features limit processor speed when running on battery."

So if he bought it from the website, Dell did make a fair effort to let him know about the speed drop.

Dell makes no mention of this fact on their website, product brochures, or any other material you would read before purchasing the laptop

Actually, Dell does. On the product web page.

Look at the actual web page detailing the computer.

First, see footnote #2. "Power management features limit processor speed when running on battery."

Then go up the page to where it has "Learn More" next to Processors, and click on it. That explains the difference between a Penitum 4 and a Pentium 4-M. Look at the "Details" tab and note the footnote on the Pentium 4 speeds that says "Power management features limit processor speed when running on battery."

Now, finally, note that there's no M after the processor name in the specs.

What does this mean? Dell both said that speed is reduced when running on battery AND that it isn't the mobile processor. All on the product web page.

From Dell's online ordering: Power management features limit processor speed when running on battery.

There is no excuse for not reading this.
If you wonder "Gee, how much does it limit processor speed?" You should put down your credit card and start researching.

This is labed as a "SmartStep" computer.
Do a little research on the net.

FROM Dell's WEbsite:
Power management features limit processor speed when running on battery.

You have no legal recourse when they make full disclosure.

These are manufactured in bulk, not like a house. Besides, you wouldn't actually buy your house without a final walkthrough! Your legal recourse would be to not buy the house!

I don't think Dell (or any laptop manufacturer) would be that dumb. Atleast in Win you have (based on this: Power Management Dell(TM) SmartStep(TM) 200N and 250N control over your power usage on-the-fly (as usual).

While I don't think any manufacturer specifies the speed of the machine to get the maximum amount of battery life, this article does not tell us what the speed of the mobile P4 is while it is in energy saving mode...

There are many reasons why Dell wants to put a desktop CPU in the machine, why don't they give the user the option of running it at full speed while on battery sacrificing battery life. I know my Apple PowerBook gives me several options on energy consumption while on battery, including running full out.

Anyway, no manufacturer states the speed of their machine while on battery. They usually state the battery life depends on configuration and use. Dell is no different. If you go to the specifications page on the 250N you will see that it states that Power management features limit processor speed when running on battery. It's not like they are hiding this information from the purchaser, learn to read the fine print. I don't think that this is enough to get that excited about...

Or you could just buy this for $1499.

That would be a neat rack mount. Turn the lcd sideways and then you don't have to have a mopnitor in the rack.

Or you could just buy this for $1499.

I saw you were looking for a slimline IDE cable for use with a full-size mobo.

You might be able to get one of these from Dell.

Dell regularly uses slimline parts in some of their PCs, like in their OptiPlex SX260.

My suggestion would be to contact Customer Service and inquiry as to purchasing one. I don't think you have tio supply them with a service tag to get one, but I could be wrong.

I bet there are more Steve PC's than I can shake a stick at

Steve PC's??? You mean like the ones this guy hocks?

I know that this doesn't quite answer your question, but I believe that your question has a fundamental flaw.

Dell's servers are not necessarily more expensive than their desktops. They have a wide range of servers, the lowest end are far cheaper than any desktop that they sell.

See this page for their introductory range of PowerEdgeSC servers -- which start at $349 (probably closer to $5-600 for something usable with a good warranty). Try to get a Dell desktop for that little. (Yeah -- I know their higher-end systems can get pricey fast...)

As far as dealing with the vendor -- how difficult is it to tell hime that he is out of line? Maybe get his name and his manager's number. You are the customer, aren't you?

I buy Dell computers for a small business almost daily, and I've never had a bad experience with them. Maybe its because I don't volunteer more information than they need. In any case, the bottom line is you are the customer, and you can tell your vendor to fuck off -- however, they will not do that to you...they need your business.

--Turkey

Compaq, dell, maybe even IBM have little apps known as Sizing Tools. You download a tool specific to the type of server you want to install (SQL Server, Exchange Server, BizTalk...etc). And then you give it some key information, and it makes recommendations (and nicely enough, some make parts lists).
Here's some of dells:
Dell Sizing Tools

Compaq's i think you need to do a freee registration to get through.

Because the performance is tied to the system as a whole (CPU, Memory, drives/raid) the only usefully information your going to get that you can use to compare apples to oranges is the TPC numbers for a specific configuration.

In terms of which is better (1 big CPU vs 2 med CPUs), it COMPLETLY depends on your application (which you've told us nothing about). SQL Server is obviously very good at utilizing multiple CPUs. This isn't like trying to get a Quake Server to show some benefiti off 2/4 CPUs. I think it fair to say SQL Server is optimized for more than one CPU.

However, you results still depend on what you do with SQL Server. If you have a lot of long running queries yet have a high degree of concurrency then you will see benefit from multiple CPUs. If you have long complex queries that do a lot of processor intensive stuff (check the query plan for your biggest queries) and they have concurrency issues (locking key tables, affinity for the same group of rows...etc) then a very powerfull processor that can get through the bottle neck quicker may be better for you.

Also, as someone else mentioned there is some 'redundancy' with 2 cpus. Although, this benefit isn't as clean as say, having an extra power supply. If a CPU goes, there's a good chance the box is going down. You can most likely disable that CPU on reboot (or hopefully the BIOS does it for you) but still, you're down until then.

-malakai

I see little point in adding additional terms to the GPL when current terms are being ignored.

Dell/Red hat was notified in JULY 2002 that the Dell PowerEdge Web Server version 3.0 Powered by Red hat Linux was violating the GPL by not provide the source code or a written notice of the source code. Red hat's Mark Webbink responded that under contract between Dell and Red hat, the Red hat v7.2 packages (on CD 2 of 3 and CD 3 of 3 of the PowerEdge Web Server) where distributed by Dell, not Red hat and Red hat would make sure the GPL was honored. Dell responded that the next release of the PowerEdge Web Server would honor the GPL including the non-RH packages covered by the GPL on CD 1 of 3.

Well, the next release is out under the name of Dell PowerEdge Server version 3.1 Powered By Red Hat Linux and guess what:

It does not include the source code for the non-RH portions on CD 1 of 3
It does not include a written offer for the source code for the non-RH portions on CD 1 of 3
It does not include the source code for the RH 7.2 packages on CD 2 and CD 3
It does not include a written offer for the source code for the RH 7.2 packages on CD 2 and CD 3

Mark Webbink refuses to respond to e-mails requesting details on what Red hat considers to be a written offer for the source code that was included with Dell PowerEdge Web Server version 3.1 Powered By Red Hat Linux.

Dell technical support when asked for the after-market part # for the source code explains that Dell does not intend the PowerEdge Web Server software to be "open source" and does not intend to provide *ANY* source code related to the product. In addition, he explained that any customer modifications that Dell intends to be provided is already in the web configuration screens and modifying the source code would only "break it."

Despite this excuse for continuing the violate the GPL, Red hat/Dell is now (October 29) giving a talk at Georgetown U. to explain why software distributed under the license they are both violating will result in better security.

So which is it that Red hat/Dell believes? That modifying the source code only breaks it or improves security?

And Red hat's Alan Cox would like additional terms added to the next GPL so that the Red hat/Dell alliance can ignore those terms as well! That is really cute. Why don't you talk to Mark Webbink about honoring the FSF request to snail mail every reciever of the PowerEdge Web Server version 3.x a written offer for the source code before declairing what more the FSF should do. Maybe if the FSF wasn't busy policing GPL violators like the Red hat/Dell alliance then they would have time to work on GPL-NG instead.

In short, adding your above language to the GPL is NOT going to ever make RH's Mark Webbink responsive to the requirements of the GPL.

Well, they already sell Palm PDA's. They actually gave us some M105's (bottom barrel, but my manager likes his for keeping contacts and golf scores) when we bought some laptops a while back.

At their website they've got Palm, Sony, Handspring...

Isn't Dell climbing into the printer business as well, and the router business?

I thought Cisco wasn't allowing them to resell anymore because Dell has the PowerConnect line out...

Yeah, it's 50% thicker, and .3 lbs heaver with the "Dell TravelLiteTM module" module (which means no CD-ROM, right?), only has one USB port, no FireWire, a smaller screen 1024x768, maximum ram is 512MB, and Ethernet doesn't seem to be a standard option. Dell spec.

In contrast, the TiBook (original) is 5.3lbs with battery and DVD, has two USB ports, FireWire, 1152x768 resolution, up to 1GB RAM, has 100Mbit Ethernet standard, and can use a wireless network without sacrificing your PCMCIA slot. Apple Spec.

And it's not bug ugly. "Zealot fanboy" my ass, it's simply a better product.