So this is it, folks.  This is the final phase of waiting and also the appropriate time for me to reveal what this waiting game is all about.  You see, a little over a week ago, I ordered a new laptop from Dell, thus ending a long and frustrating wait.  Since it was looking like Montevina-based Dell consumer laptops were a few months away (!), I went with a business laptop from them.  So, this is what I got:

Dell Precision M4400

Core 2 Duo T9400 2.53GHz/6MB L2/1066MHz FSB on Intel Montevina chipset
2GB DDR2-800 RAM (will upgrade in the near future)
250GB 7200rpm SATA HDD w/ Free Fall Sensor
15.4″ WXGA+ 1440×900 LED-backlit display
Nvidia Quadro FX 770M 512MB graphics (workstation equivalent of 9600M GT)
Intel WiFi Link 5300 a/g/n card + Gigabit Ethernet
Windows XP Pro SP3 Installed with Vista Business Install Disc

Other things:

Backlit keyboard, 6-cell battery, DVD burner, 3-year warranty, Bluetooth, Usual assortment of ports and things

I left out the fingerprint reader and webcam to save money and also because I already have a nice/compact webcam and didn’t think I would need a fingerprint reader. I could be proven wrong!

It shipped out today and has an estimated delivery date of September 29, 2008. My original shipping date was September 30, so they’re actually 5 days ahead of schedule. I’ll do some unboxing shots and maybe a video next week. A more detailed review will follow. Oh, and before I forget, this is what the laptop looks like (arrows not part of laptop ):

This one uses the 9-cell battery that sticks out - the 6-cell is flush with the casing.

Front view of the laptop.