Any original vostro owners still around?

^^I'm assuming it was a typo. Vostro 1400 had the 8400M GS, which was fairly standard for the size. The only decent graphic options in the 14" line of that generation were the crippled FX570m in the T61p and some of the Asus models.

The Vostro 1500 had the 8600M GT DDR2, which was considered relatively standard for the 15" line. The Vostro was a mid-range offering that offered mid-range performance at a relatively low price. Its best point was its price/performance ratio. It wasn't thin/light, but it was cheap, performed decently and decently built for the price.

 

I don't have either my 1500 or 1310 anymore, but they are still going strong for their new owner's, I miss WSXGA resolution.
Great budget model's with good feature's, I was thinking of getting a 12" one shortly, depending on circumstance's

 

I have to say the original vostros were built like tanks. The fact that you could get a vostro (same as the inspiron) with the same features and options for less was awesome at the time. Plus no matter where I looked I couldnt find an 8600mGT system with a wuxga screen and this build quality for the price I paid for my vostro.

 

I just upgraded the CPU on my Vostro 1500 to a T7700 (2.4 Ghz) from a T5470 (1.6 Ghz). And it was a lot easier than I expected. How awesome is it that Dell has instructions for doing this on the web? Thanks Dell.

 

The first gen Vostro line is my favorite. They, like their Inspiron counterparts at the time period, felt over-engineered and brought many features previously reserved for enterprise class business laptops to the average joe. Magnesium Alloy frames, Mylar-Sealed keyboards, etc.

Sure it looked like what they were, rebadged Inspirons, sure all that durability and material made them look "thick" to most people, but the foundation was very good, and resulted in a sturdy looking product. The current Vostro's don't look visually as appealing in my eyes. (Glossy black plastics look cheap IMO)

 

Agreed. My vostro may be thick and heavy but its built like a tank, is still viable today after 2 years, and looks good imho. Oh and BTW I like to believe the inspiron got its good looks from the original vostro series.

 

Had the dell at work today to verify it was only the ac adapter that failed, thank God I was correct and the dell is fine. So I figured in a celebration Id compare the office's 1500 to my 1700. WARNING: These pictures were taken on a cell phone.

 

mine with Inspiron 1420's front bezel and camera
go ahead, laugh at it at will LOL

 

HAHAHAHAHA

It's like some kind of Frankenstein laptop.

 

LOL .. I was trying to get the lowest upgrade cost possible,
and couldn't do it with vostro's front bezel
and I tought.. hell, looks doesn't really count for me, what's inside that matters