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    Is an Inspiron 5100 a decent laptop?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by pmartin, Jan 12, 2005.

  1. pmartin

    pmartin Newbie

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    is the Inspiron 5100 a decent laptop?[?]
     
  2. srdhkl

    srdhkl Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    Depends on what you want to do....

    It's pretty good for basic stuff like web browsing, wathing movies, office programs...

    battery life is only about 2 hours...

    weight is a bit on the heavy side around 7.5 lbs.
     
  3. JesseQ

    JesseQ Newbie

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    I have had a 5100 for a year and a half now and it is a decent notebook for the money.
    HOWEVER, the 5100 has a SERIOUS flaw with overheating. You need to regularily (once a week is recommended) blow the fan out with compressed air. Sometimes you even need to take the case apart to clean out the heat sink. Dell will definately not tell you about this problem but I can just about gaurentee you will run into it.

    My computer would just get real hot then shut off with no warning until I learned about this problem and starting blowing the dust out. I have heard that the bios has been updated on newer 5100s so it will at least warn you before it shuts off.