Inspiron 1420 vs 1520

Both notebooks are very well made, but both also have their pros and cons. I'd be interested to know which one you guys think is better.

Personally, I like the 1420, because it's smaller, weighs less and is more mobile. I had a really hard time deciding between the 1520 and 1420, but when I thought about, the 1420 really was the better choice (for me).

(I'll make a list of pros and cons for both notebooks later)

 

The 1420 doesn't come with the option for the 8600mGT.
BIG deciding factor for a lot of people right there.

 

Well I went with a 1400 just for the size and form factor. I think 13.3 and 14.1 inch screens are the sweet spots for notebooks to be usable and maintain a lot of portability.

 

Yeah, I am more of a mobile type user. I like to carry my laptop around here and there and the 15.4" is just way too big. I have a 14" hp at home and I like the size and portability- I just stick it in my backpack and go. My brother has a 15.4" inch laptop and it is huge compared to my 14".

Though the 1520 comes with a better graphics card, I'm sure the 1420 is decent enough to play most games. I'm not a hardcore gamer; I only play Counter-Strike 1.6 and it's not an everyday thing. But yeah, the reason I went with the 14" again is because I prefer mobility over power. I first wanted the 1330, but man, that thing is expensive. Also, I've already experienced the size of 14" laptops and I like it.

 

I'm also used to 14-inch notebooks. And the fact that it is smaller and more mobile is a great additive, especially when considering the fact that I'm a writer (stories, poetry, etc.). I want to be able to easily take my writing with me. The 15.4 just wouldn't do that as effectively as the 14-inch would.

And although the 1520 has a better video card, it shouldn't make a huge difference between the 128mb nvidia and 256mb nvidia, unless you're a hard-core gamer, which I am not. I'm pretty sure Age of Mythology will run with the 128 nvidia.

 

All right. I'll rephrase my statement.

A LOT of people = gamers

pretty much the gamers and rendering people are going to go for the 8600mGT

 

I found 1420 to be too heavy!! I returned it and ordered 1520. Even if its 1lb heavier than the 1420 I had, I would be MUCH MORE than just happier, for the extra desktop space I get!

If 1420 was really light, I would have stuck with it.

 

Well, for some weenies like me, 1 pound can make all the difference.

I do have another question: how warm does the 1420 get? Is it like the 1520, where it stays cool, or what?

Also, does anybody have a picture of the bottom of the 1420?

 

I just went to a dell kiosk and just toyed around with them; I really like the 1420 much much more for everything in terms of size, weight, EVERYTHING external. I'm downed by the fact that it doesn't have the 8600gt though.....

 

Well, I plan to stick to the 1520 for the next 4 years, so i need all the muscle i can get from the lappy without it being a monster like the 1720. And since i'm not sure what the requirements for Starcraft 2 is going to be, I rather have a laptop that will be more than enough than just enough.

 

8600GT is not going to last much longer than a 8400. The basic feature sets are similar between the cards. Yes the 8600 get better 3DMarkXYZ scores and will play games at a higher frame rate, however when it gets to the point that the 8400 can not render a game properly to play it or support new versions and features/shaders of DirectX, the 8600 will be having the same problem.

 

I like the 1420 better as well. I'm a small person so I don't want nothing huge or anything. the 1420 is the perfect size I need.

 

I am not sure about the 1520, but I can definitely tell you about 1420. Yes, it gets little warmer on the left side of the laptop. Its vent for hot air is mid left. This makes left side a bit warm, and if you let your hand/fingers hang around outside of the laptop while typing, you will feel the heat. All this only if you have done something extensive CPU wise. For normal use, its not warm.

 

Is it uncomfortably warm when it does get warm? And when you say "extensive CPU wise", do you mean heavy gaming?

You know, I am really concerned about the screen, and how it remains closed without a latch. I'm so used to having a latch on a laptop, I'm not sure how my experience will play out without one. I'd really like some feedback on whether or not other people have been anxious about this....thanks.

 

The screen stays closed. I have had other notebooks where the latch is actually holding the screen down flat on the chassis, and without the latch the screen would not even lay flat. The 14x0s hinges have a satisfying snap to them when closed. Think of it like a new flip phone. Do you worry about the flip phone just popping open on its own? No...

And the air coming out the side is not really lava hot or anything, its warmed air. On my Macbook Pro, the whole thing gets so hot its not comfortable. You can tell the 14x0 fan is on and blowing exhaust air, however you could probably hold you hand there all day without a problem.

 

yes, heavy gaming. The warmth is not really that uncomfortable. But you do feel it a little bit. I would say this is acceptable for a laptop. It remains cool if CPU is not peaked that much.

It didn't bother me because it was quite tight towards the last 4 inches of the lid closing.

 

man, I was looking for an analogy. And that's exactly how it is!!

 

Ditto,

Even though it doesn't sound like much, my Inspiron 1420 is MUCH more portable and less bulky than my old 15.4 Inspiron 6000.

The dedicated video card on the 1420 is plenty fast for me.

-LQ

 

I agree. For some reason the 1420 is so much more portable than a 15.4
Although I've had a Sony SZ before and that......is effortless.

 

Well, thanks for putting up with my whining about the screen and how it stays closed.

I doubt I'll be doing much gaming; here and there I may play Age of Empires or something. But my main use for my laptop is for writing. So heat shouldn't be much of a problem.

Thanks for your input guys!

I have one more concern with the 1420; I've read some articles about how the left palmrest gets warmer than the right one does. Is this much of a problem for anyone?