Dell e1505/6400 Build Quality

I am looking to buy a Dell e1505, but I have some reservations about the build quality of Dell laptops in general. I just wanted to hear from some of you guys out there regarding your experiences with the build quality of Dells. The main concerns for me are the keyboard, case stiffness, and any other build issues you may have noticed. Are Dells average, above average.... possibly below average?

I have been using an IBM T43 for a while now, and I know that IBM's are generally regarded as having the best build quality, so any comparisons between a T43 and an e1505 or Inspiron 6000 would also be helpful. Thanks!

 

I would say dell is below average on the Inspiron line. It also depends on your usage. For normal at home usage (limited traveling), the 6400 is about average, but for traveling, all the inspirons lack in that area.

IBM is one of the bettery quality laptops as you said for traverlers/business use, so in comparison to Dell, IBM will be better. (IMO)

 

SG, I have to disagree with you on this one. I have 2 Inspiron laptop already and both had been travel with me overseas 2 times a year. The 8200 is heavy but I want a big screen. 15" was the largest one at that time. Yes, it is heavy but never fail. So I don't understand why you said, "I would say dell is below average on the Inspiron line. ... but for traveling, all the inspirons lack in that area. "

I gave the Inspiron an above average in build quality base on my past experience (eight years usage and traveling) with the Inspiron line. That's the main reason I keep buy Dell again and again. I just bought the XPS400 desktop relpacing my old Dimension.

 

Let me clairify my statement. I meant that everyday travel is not good on the Inspirons. The inspirons are not built for that and dell even markets them that way. I'm not talking about moving around your house or taking them on a trip. I'm talking about everyday wear and tear that you would expect if you took your laptop to school/work everyday. The latitude line has the better built and quality.

Looking at simple things like the keyboards on the 9400/9300 and 6400/6000, the keyboards are very cheap, and keys pop off easy. I'm on my 3rd keyboard in the last 10 months. The Inspirons break/crack (paint chips off easily) very easily even if it is rarely dropped.

This is just my opinion base on experience, but I'm a heavy core user. I use my laptop probably about 10-15 hours each day, and I take it to school and work everyday (3 hour drive round trip). So it does get a lot of wear and tear, and I do take very good care of my laptop. I always carry it in a protective sleeve, I've only dropped it once and that was about a 2-feet fall, but I've had a lot of problems that shouldn't have even occurred.

I guess I meant that it was below average for the listed stuff above, but also because Dell sells the laptops at a inexpensive price. They don't sell the Inspirons at high prices like IBM/Sony, etc because they don't use the same quality of products (IMO).

There are a lot of good things about the Inspirons, so don't think that I'm just bashing dell. I just think for portability and heavy duty usage, the Inspirons aren't up to par as what IBM and other manufacturers are.

 

IC, I do carry my laptop everyday and get use to the weight. Larger screen is more important for me that's why I am going to get the E1705 but I will wait a little. There are few more model coming out soon from Dell.

 

There are about 3 or 4 new models comming out in the next 2 months