The Dell vs. Micron Saga

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The Archive: History of the Quest

04-18-97: Dell 166 MMX arrives...

I called support just to test how long it would take (and I had some questions) and after a myriad of menus and on-hold messages I got through (about 2-3 minutes). But don't be alarmed, they have an express support id number that you can use that will bypass all the menus and take you directly to the technical support you need (this was a good idea). The support people were extremely polite and very helpful, I have good feelings about this (but maybe it's because they know I am a new customer), but we will see.

As for the system it is very nice, I am already familiar with the layout as I have been to CompUSA numerous times to look at the WinBook LM (which is very similar to the Dell LM). Here are my initial findings:

• The keyboard feels a little fragile but the location of the keys is better than most of the systems I've seen. Spongy and no tactile response (no clickety-click noises, which may be good for some people but I prefer the feel of the clicks).
• The screen is great but I did get one bad pixel, a red one in the upper edge. This is normal for Active Matrix screens and actually it takes about 8 or 9 before it is considered defective.
• This thing is VERY quiet, there is no fan (or at least I can't hear one) and both the CD-ROM and hard disk generate very little noise. The processor is a TCP-type chip and that is probably why there is no fan.
• The mousepad is one of the better ones I've used and actually is pretty good once you are used to it (but I still prefer a real mouse). It's got some pretty nice features in the driver setup (like edge-dragging).
• I was mistaken about the port cover, it is a plastic swing-type that has another little door that can be swung open to allow access to the expansion slot while the port cover is closed, I think it requires a lot of attention as not to break it.
• The LCD display has very useful icons, for battery gauge, disk read/write, CD-ROM/Floppy read/write and so forth.
• Built in mic and speakers, good enough sound for a notebook.
• Feels pretty sturdy, the case seems strong but a lot of plastic doors, covers and switches for the battery, hard drive, modular bay and ports. I wonder how long it will take before I break one of those things.
• Haven't tested the modem but the one that I got free was the Motorola Montana 33.6 which is the highest rated PCMCIA modem card right now (or at least the last time I checked).
• I need to find a bag, the configuration I ordered didn't come with one but I prefer the backpack-type anyways. I'm looking into the Targus Convertible ($64) or the Kensington Saddlebag ($89), any other suggestions?
• My initial ZD benchmarks are low, maybe there is something wrong with how I'm running it, they don't even come close to the Computer Shopper numbers and my machine has 40MB of RAM vs. CShopper's 24MB.

Oh... and about AMS Tech and that supposed "FIRST" 200 MMX mobile chip, just to let you know... THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A 200 MMX MOBILE CHIP at this time. This is backed up by Intel themselves and if you want more info, I can e-mail you the correspondence between Intel, AMS Tech, NECX and myself. I think I may have caused some problems with this but as a fellow consumer I feel we have the right to know as much as we can about notebook vendors and their claims!

04-20-97: Dell benchmarks update

WinStone97 Business     34.9
WinBench97 CPU-32       313
WinBench97 CPU-16       327
WinMark Graphics 256    52.6
WinMark Graphics 65k    not run
Disk WinMark            586
CD-ROM WinMark          not run

As for battery life, without the power management it ran about 1:45, I will turn it on and see, I am expecting close to the 3 hour mark that CShopper had reported.

Overall the Dell seems pretty good, faster than my Pentium 133 desktop, and it runs DirectX games (Command & Conquer: Red Alert) with no problems. I should mention that Technical support has told me that although the Dell is cabable of Zoomed Video and CardBus, they will not provide technical assistance for those features. What does that mean? I'm not too sure but it doesn't sound very good to me. Stay tuned.

04-24-97: Micron is here!

Right off the bat these are my impressions:

• Box was also big. Flatter than the Dell and not as nicely padded or organized, things could be heard flying around inside it. No quick-start manual like the Dell and the box wasn't designed as well as Dell's.
• The keyboard feels a lot better than the Dell. The layout is pretty good, almost like a desktop, but there are no Win'95 keys and the Function key is in a bad spot. Not as spongy and a bit more "tactile-ness". It feels better to me, but as I've said, it is a personal thing.
• The screen is a Fujitsu I think. It has some dim areas around the right edge and is not as bright as the Dell. I was hoping to get the Toshiba screen but one good thing is this... NO DEAD PIXELS!!!
• This is also a quiet machine, but not as quiet as the Dell. I don't think there is a fan although someone said there is. The hard disk is very noisy and the CD-ROM sounds are noticeable.
• Well, I have a choice of pad or stick here and they both have their merits, being able to switch is a nice option although you have to re-boot to do it. Also, if you use the stick, the buttons are farther down then they should be, but since I have big hands, it's not that much of a problem. I think this pad is better than the Dell's.
• The port cover on this thing is AWESOME. It slide three different ways to allow you access to the 'serial and parallel', 'expansion bus' and 'vga port'. It also has 2 PS/2 ports (so you can use an external mouse AND keyboard without a Y-connector), a game port (with a cable that converts it to the usual pin connector, a NTSC/S video out (with a Y-cable that slits it to a NTSC out or an RCA video out), and 2 (yes 2) infra-red ports. Needless to say, this has a port for everything you'll ever need.
• This one feel a bit sturdier than the Dell. The power switch is on the outside, which I'm not too fond of. This also seems smaller than the Dell, but I left it at home so I can't really do a side-by-side compare.
• I ordered a modem with it because it was only $150. It was a Motorola Montana 33.6 like the Dell's (but I got it for free from Dell). I've been busy so I haven't even tested the modem on the Dell but I will try to do it tonight. Just a note, I prefer these type of cards to the X-Jack or EZ-Jack cards. The Montanas come with a cable that connects to the card and then has one or two phone jacks on the other end (mine has 2). The X-Jack or EZ-Jack has a pop-out connector on the card that you just plug the line into. Although this eliminates the need for an extra cable, I think it will be prone to breakage and further mechanical failures, but again, this is just my opinion.
• The Micron came with a notebook bag and also a smaller case to carry either the battery, CD-ROM or floppy (whichever is not in the machine). But I will still use my Targus backpack, the Micron bag says 'Micron Electronics' on the outside so I'll just be advertising my possession of a $4200 hunk of metal to would-be thugs if I use it.
• My benchmarks are comparable to the Computer Shopper, my CPU scores are actually higher but my video and WinStone is lower.

WinStone97 Business     35.6
WinBench97 CPU-32       341
WinBench97 CPU-16       342
WinMark Graphics 256    61.1
WinMark Graphics 65k    not run
Disk WinMark            500
CD-ROM WinMark          not run

All in all, the Micron cost $450 more than the Dell (due to the free modem special I got). They both have their strong points and perform almost the same. Until I can get these 2 suckers side-by-side, I will post a better comparison. I think Dell has better service and a better reputation but we will see.

04-30-97: Dell vs. Micron

There are rumors that the Dell does not even have CardBus. I will look into this and let you know. It seems that my quest is far from over.

05-06-97: Dell vs. Micron: Latest Update

In other news, I will be gone for the next 5 days so my next update will not be until Monday, May 12. I plan to consolidate all the Dell vs. Micron stuff into one page and maybe re-vamp this site as it is becoming unmanageable. I'm even thinking about using FrontPage as using a DOS text editor has become quite limiting. Let me know if you have any suggestions by e-mailing me. By the time I get back, the Micron should be in so hopefully I can finish this phase of my "quest". Until next week...

05-12-97: I'm back...

Where did I go? Hawaii!! A friend of mine got married so I went there for some time off and a vacation. Lots of fun and great weather, I almost did not come back.

What's the latest? Well here it is for now, I will go more into in it in the next couple of days:

• The Dell went back, I had only a week left and I didn't want to deal with the question of Zoomed Video or Cardbus. They were very understanding, gave me an RMA number and that's it. Sent it back in the same carton they sent to me, cost me $23 to send it UPS ground. Not bad, the review was well worth what I paid for in shipping (both from and to).
• The Micron went in for repair on the screen, they fixed it in one day. I sent it in Tuesday and it came back on Thursday. They even supplied the box to send it in. But, alas, although the screen looks better, it still has the dimness on the right hand side. This one is going back too. Shipping might be more, but again, it will be worth it.
• And I guess that's good because guess what? Yep, the TXs are out!! To refresh... the TXs used the new Mobile Module, CPU and memory on one card to allow future expansion as needed. I just got this info from a couple of sources and it seems that Gateway and Nimantics are the first ones out of the gate. The Gateway is available today but it like in the $6000 range. I will research this a bit more and let you know.