Inspiron 15R 2nd Gen i5

So, my son had his birthday yesterday and wanted a new computer for himself (he shares one with his sister). He had about $600 to spend and we told him we would help with the rest. I did the shopping.

Although the last 5 Dell laptops that I have purchased have been Latitudes, I myself have (and love!) a Sony F1190X i7 820QM 8GB HD with an SSD.

Core i5 2410, HD3000 graphics, 4GB single stick CL9 1333 memory (I will add another 4GB for dual channel 8GB), DVD dual layer burner, 2 yr warranty, assorted bloatware, 720p LED 15.6" screen, 500GB 5400 RPM HDD.

I will be replacing the HDD with a SATA 3 SSD (a Dell rep tells me that this laptop will support SATA 3) and will be adding a Power over eSATA external HDD enclosure for the 500 GB OEM drive.

Any comments on this laptop as a budget model for a high school freshman? Anything you would change or upgrade?

 

It's a good laptop, just be careful placing it down as I have found with those 15R, the chassis transmits excessive force through the whole bottom casing (conveniently how the HDD is screwed into bottom casing). Very easy to service in general.

 

I have the 14r 2nd Gen with the exact same HW configuration as the 15r you listed. My only complaint is when I switch the HDD for a SSD, I am going to have to pull the motherboard out of the laptop. There is no other way to access the HDD. Other then that I think it is a great laptop for the money. I added another 4GB of memory. I plan on buying a SSD and putting it where the HDD. I ordered an HDD caddy (which I hope fits) and plan on putting the HDD where the DVD player is.

 

What do you mean by transmits excessive force?

How much disassembly is required to swap out the HDD?

 

Documentation

It's not horrible, but certainly not like the old style Dell where it is integrated into the chassis. Remove all the bottom screws, remove RAM cover and remove screw for keyboard (later revisions of the N5010), remove optical drive, remove keyboard, remove screws on palmrest, disconnect motherboard connectors, pop off palmrest and the HDD is there.

I mean the drive practically sits on the bottom of the bottom assembly. Slamming down the laptop will mangle the drive. I service the N5010 nearly on daily basis.

 

Thanks. That's quite a bit of disassembly. I guess that's one of the sacrifices you make when you choose an Inspiron in order to save a few dollars.

 

I mean I've done so many 15R HDD changes, I can get the palmrest removed in about 5 minutes. Again it isn't the easiest thing, just don't upgrade your hard drive often.