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General discussion

Dell Insiron 600m

Sep 24, 2004 5:31AM PDT

Does anyone use this machine as a laptop? I have been using it about a month. If you use it for any length of time, 30 minutes to an hour, your left palm becomes fried from the heat of the machine. The moving parts are houses under the left palm rest. Dell has acknowledged that this is a problem, but won't do anything for me other than to offer a laptop stand. That defeats the purpose of using it as a laptop. This is a design flaw in the machine. Dell acknowledges that this needs to be addressed in future models, but can't do anything for me. I have only had this machine for about 45 days and they say "too bad." It can't be used as it is marketed, so I am essentially out the full price of the machine. Any comments or does anyone else have this machine and not having this problem if it is used as a laptop?

Sue

Discussion is locked

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45 days?
Sep 24, 2004 5:50AM PDT

I'm surprised it took 45 days for you to decide that this laptop wasn't meant for you. You can write to Michael Dell and express that you want an exchange for another model.

Do try it. Or call and ask for Michael Dell.

Never lose your cool. Decide what you want to do and stick to it.

I do have a p3-600 that gets a little warm but figured out that setting it power settings to battery mode helped that immensely. I don't have your model, so try that.

Bob

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Re: Dell Insiron 600m
Sep 24, 2004 6:04AM PDT

Most manufacturers (if you bought it online) have a 30 day return policy so since you are past that you will have to appeal to Dell as stated already above.

The Toshiba M35 series is also warm around the touchpad area and under the notebook despite the fact this is a Pentium M (Centrino) notebook also.

A Targus Podium Coolpad (2" lift in back or adjustable lower for 2 other settings -- 29.99 retail or online) or the Targus traveler coolpad (14.99 at Target)are very useful.

I use one with my Compaq X1000 even though it does not run hot and the fan does not even run at all in normal wi-fi use. Some people at my forum posted when you put in a 2nd RAM stick (512mb) under the notebook that it does get warmer down there (other RAM slot is under notebook keyboard on top of unit) so I use a coolpad to get more ventilation.

Also, the coolpad allows a more natural typing position as it slants the keyboard slightly higher in the back more like a regular desktop keyboard.

This is expressly why it is important to test out notebook models at the retail level even if you don't buy them there. The Toshiba M35 and HPZT3000/Compaq X1000 (all 15.4" widescreens and competition to the 15.4" online Dell 8600) can be tested out there for heat and keyboard feel issues upfront.

But perhaps you can get some sort of an exchange for another Dell product like the Dell 8600 (6.9 pounds, Pentium M -- 7200 rpm hard drive and ATI 9700 128mb dedicated video card options) if that notebook costs more. That notebook has the 15.4" widescreen but it is heavy versus the other 15.4" notebooks and its case and keyboard are not great but it does have the component specifications many people are looking for (128mb dedicated video, 7200 rpm notebook hard drive)

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Re: Dell Insiron 600m
Sep 24, 2004 9:49AM PDT

Also, you may want to check out www.laptopgellyfish.com

These thin gell pads (shaped to conform to the portion of the palms on your hands that impacts the notebook deck) work great for me. They cushion you palms, protect the paint on the notebook deck, and in your case act as a non-conductive buffer between your palms and the hot notebook deck.

You have to be careful to close the LCD latch (pressure on center of LCD lid) but otherwise these work great and are very thin. They are removable for cleaning if desired (or repositioning) but otherwise they stay put inside the notebook when closed and also act as a cushion between the LCD and the notebook deck. Mine impact the LCD bezel surrounding the LCD but not the LCD itself when closed.

If you use a product like this that stays in place and protects your hands you should not have a big issue with the heat transfer. They are $14.99 and come in 4 colors.

My X1000 notebook has no heat issue at all -- I use them to protect the silver paint on my notebook and to cushion my palms (similar to a desktop notebook keyboard wristrest but thinner) but in your case it will allow you to have a buffer between your palms and the notebook surface to stop the heat conduction.