First post, first laptop, how did I do?

Glad I found this place. I just got my first laptop ever. I'm coming from an old P4 2.4ghz with 512 MB of ram. The laptop will replace my desktop for a while until I get my new studio pc. My old setup costed me $1176 after shipping and tax. The laptop set me back $941. So, How'd I do?

Specs:
Inspiron 1525, Intel Core 2 Duo T8300, 2.4GHz, 800Mhz, 3M L2 Cache
Midnight Blue Color with Microsatin Finish
4GB, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 DIMM for Inspiron 15
15.4 inch Wide Screen WXGA LCDTrueLife for Inspiron 1525
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
320G 5400RPM SAMSUNG Hard Drive
Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 Home Basic Edition, English
Integrated 10/100 Network Card
Integrated 56K Modem
8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive
Integrated High Definition Audio 2.0
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card,for Insp 1525
NO WEBCAM OPTION
6-cell Primary Battery, for Inspiron 1525

Those are just the basic stats; I didn't bother listing any software as I didn't include anything extra. About the only thing I may have changed looking back was to have vista home premium installed. But I bought the laptop before I found out photoshop cs3/4 needs home premium. I had performance in mind so I decided to forgo the aero glass thing. Basic has less aggressive system requirements. I'll be doing a lot of photo editing, word processing, watching movies and listening to music and possible video editing. Also the typical web and email. No hardcore gaming but I do play on a lot of emulators (NES up to PS1). So how did I do? Be honest. Could I have got more for less? I know I could have had a studio laptop or even an XPS but I wanted to keep things somewhat simple. Plus the 1525 has been around for a while and most of the reviews and user opinions were positive. I also watched a few unboxing videos and liked what I saw. Sorry for the ramble. I'm excited to be replacing my caveman PC (7 years old, I think).

I imagine this setup will annihilate my desktop pc.

 

is that in Canadian, Australian or NZ dollars and what kind of warranty did you buy w/it?

answering honestly, if you paid in USD for that, you did poorly for those kind of specs. aside from the processor it looks to be the barest minimum. even if you stayed within Dell and purchased a Studio or XPS config for roughly the same price you paid for this, you would've come out with a far better machine.

and if you go to a site like newegg and filter what other brands of laptops are available for between $750-$1000 and see what they come with standard, you'll notice how much of a ride you've been taken for.

i know you said you wanted to keep it simple and sure it'll blow away your previous PC, but there's a difference between that and getting completely fleeced.

eta: if you've just ordered or received delivery, i'd personally cancel or return it before your return period expires. if you have to stick with Dell or if you're even interested in a superior notebook within the same price range the people in the 'What Notebook Should I Buy' forum are more than helpful.

 

I wanted to stick with dell because my desktop has served me without a single problem for 7 years (dimension 4550). I haven't heard much about the build quality of the xps or studio laptops...
Warranty wise, 3 year basic. It is USD, sorry for not including the flag.

I'm going to spec out some similar xps (not crazy about the studio) laptops and see what I can come up with.

 

i can understand that, i am typing this out from a 9 year old Dimension 4100. however Dell really isn't the same company it was 7 or 9 years ago. i think the build quality of studios and inspirons are terrible. Dell's business lines, and the last generation XPS are better buys and the jury is out on the new studio XPS, but i'm not too optimistic.

if you change your mind, before you commit to another inspiron or studio, go to best buy or staples and check them out in person. i think they're pretty cheap, flimsy and disposable next to other brands. but see for yourself.

if you've just ordered or received delivery, i'd personally cancel or return it before your return period expires. if you have to stick with Dell or if you're even interested in a superior notebook within the same price range the people in the 'What Notebook Should I Buy' forum are more than helpful.

 

I might do that. I have to go near a staples later today.
Thanks for the advice.

 

no problem, and don't forget to take stock of what other brands offer within the same price range. and if you still want to stick with Dell, make sure you check for online coupons and tips on how to order.

Dell's retail site has this horribly underhanded way of fooling customers into thinking they're getting a bargain by offering lower priced base models of each line, then gouging you with limited options and upgrades to the point where you end up paying far more for less.

 

Have to agree with a36's opinion on Dell's retail site. You start off with a relatively low price -say $499=then by the time they rattle you thru 15-20 add on's you are lucky to get out of there with your underwear on. I've specked out three Dells on that site and each time where I started and where I ended up were at least a grand apart, sometimes even more. I prefer to know what I'm getting into upfront instead of a company sucking me in first by what looks too good to be true-in my experience it's always WAY too good to be true:-( Good luck as you think your purchase. I wouldn't think twice about sending it back if you find a better deal somewhere else. These companies lost my loyalty when they started building in obsolescence into their products and lowered their warranties from 3 to 10 years down to 90 days-1yr.

 

I think Dell's are great computers, and you shouldn't let people with one bad experience change your whole perception of the company. I've had Dell's since the Dimension with the 66mhz 486 processor in it.

If something breaks on it, you will have the part there next day, or a tech there next day. I've had Sony and HP laptops and neither come close in service or support. Just the other day I had a new screen shipped to me because mine was dimming in the middle at random times. I contacted Dell about the problem at 2PM CST, and by 10AM the very next day I had a Fedex package there with the replacement.

As with the price...I think you could have done better. For that much USD, you could have gotten a M1530 or a better spec's Studio laptop.

Check the outlet and look for coupons. I think one similar to yours can be had for around $400-$500.

 

If you purchase from Dell, you have to know what you're buying. Configure it in several different ways using different coupons and such. Then check the outlet.

If you can't use common sense to get a good deal, then you're right, you shouldn't buy a Dell, and obviously you are one of the people that can't seem to figure it out right so you decide to troll and tell everybody else that Dell is terrible. What do you recommend then?

 

Wow guys!

How about getting back to the the Orginating Posters thread topic??

That would be advising him on his first lappy..instead of all the above *bickering*..That's just not cool. Just because you may not necessarily like a brand/model ~ doesn't mean you have to bash opposite of what the thread topic was made about.

@NiteWalker: Congrat's on your purchase...I think that you will enjoy your lappy! When, is your ESD??

I remember ordering my first lappy, coming from a desktop and how nervous & excited I was at the same time. Dell was my first brand choice, and it's worked out well!

Cin

 

Guys please stay on topic and avoid personal attacks, such behaviour won't be tolerated. To the starter of the flamewar(you know who you are) - consider yourself warned.
Thank you.

 

Congrats on your Dell laptop purchase! I think you got a very good set up and yes it will probably annihilate your old desktop on performance. Since you obviously done your home work on the 1525 you already know, YOUR GONNA LOVE IT!

 

Thanks to Cap and Cin', as well as everyone who gave me their opinion. I appreciate the input. The arrival date is the 18th of this month. It was supposed to be the 12th but my order got delayed.

Can't wait.

 

Your welcome! It's your first lappy, so you just be excited! :yes:

The 18th, that's next week....Wednesday, so pretty close by!

Did they happen to mention what the delay was? Delay's aren't fun, and they don't help in the Patience dept. LOL...


Cin

 

They said the particular configuration I chose is pretty popular and was selling like hotcakes so there was a hardware delay. They didn't say which components were in short supply though.

Yep, Wednesday. I'm pretty excited. I already have the wireless router and USB hub for all my accessories. Probably Tuesday I'll be taking the desktop down, cleaning it, doing a fresh windows XP install and hand it down to my nephew. He's probably more excited than I am.

 

its not bad. I dont like the video card option that it has. cant play any games with x3100 graphics unless the game is really really old. if you dont plan on playing any games at all its great i guess. I usually like to have at least a medium to low end dedicated graphics card so if you wanted to play a game you could. im surprised dell didnt offer at least ati or nvidia graphics for it.

 

Well, at least it should ship on the ESD for you, then!

Sounds like you are all set to go with what you have!

Yeah, after you do your clean install...then it feel's like it's *yours*!!!

Cin

 

i dno about everyone else i think you could of have done better. to me im never ever buying a home dell computer/laptop again. if its not too late, u can look into lenovo and try getting a lenovo. i think dell has horrible build quality and customer service.

i even think hp is doing better than dell rite now.

 

Dude, you probably down even own a Dell laptop so quit talking crap if you don't know what your talking about.

 

I smell something *bad* in this thread

If you have such bad comments on Dell..go create a thread here:
Dell Shipping Order Status and Customer Service Issues
http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1040
and open up discussion there with what trouble you had with Dell.

I'm personally very happy with Dell, and I'm quite sure he will be.

Cin

 

I am pretty happy with dell other than the delay.

As for the lack of a video card, not an issue with me. The only games I'll be running are from emulators (SNES, NES, PS1, etc.).

 

Nice! Did you find out anymore info on your ESD? It would be nice if it shipped..oh say TODAY!


Cin

 

Not trying to start any flames here, but I have to disagree with the comments saying Dell has horrible build quality. I have a Studio 1535, and I have yet to experience any trouble with it, and this is the 2nd Dell laptop in a row I've owned, not to mention all the other Dells owned by the rest of my family.

 

Agreed.

I hate people who come into these threads and talk about how crappy Dell is when they probably don't even own a Dell.

 

My desktop being 6 years old and a Dell is why I chose to stick with dell for a laptop. I've never had a single issue with it. I'm sure there's better options out there but I'm happy with what I chose. I really wanted a macbook pro but $3000 is out of my range for now. Maybe later on.

@Cin: It will be here tomorrow. The same day I go pick up Street Fighter IV. The 18th is gonna be a good day. If only it would hit about 50 degrees I'd fire up the grill too.
I also got the Logitech V450 Nano in midnight blue to go with it. I read a lot of good things about that particular mouse.

I do plan to get a new desktop (probably a studio or studio XPS) in a few months but the lappy will do for now just fine, I'm sure. My next big purchase will be my HDTV.

 

WoOT! It's close by...the arrival! Look's like your nearly all set, also!

The V450 is a nice mouse..it should work well for you! Heck, if it's 50 degrees outdoors for me, I will turn on the Sprinklers and run thru them! LOL

Cin