New Dell E1405

Not a new member -- I joined 2 years ago -- but I do have a new Dell.

I received my Dell E1405 on Tuesday -- after ordering it the Wednesday before, so overall very fast service. As configured I received:

E1405
T2300E (1.66 Duo)
True Life WSXGA+ (or whatever it is)
2X 512M 533MHZ (1G total)
8x DVD-RW
Intel Wireless
XP Pro
Office Basic (hey, it was "free" -- or included in the config I used at least)
McAffee 3 year subscription (also, as far as I could tell free -- see above)
3 year warranty ( I've learned my lesson from my Compaq r3000z I had Previously. I'll post that in the HP/Compaq forum later).
6 cell battery and an extra 9 Cell battery
I ordered an extra AC adapter -- they sent me two extra. Score!

The also "gave me" bunches of software (and trials) I didn't want. It has been uninstalled and cleaned. Fairly painless and was easier than a full install. I did order the full XP disc just in case I change my mind.

My overall impressions are as follows:

Build Quality is good, with only one minor complaint. The light leakage from the bottom of the screen. In "real-life" usuage I don't notice it. So, I guess its more of an annoyance because I know its there -- even when I can't see it.

The machine seems very solid, and I don't have the latch play like some others have had.

Media Direct is cool, even if I may not use it that often.

Battery Life is VERY good.

The DUO is plenty fast for what I use a laptop for (I have a workstation at work and a desktop at home).

The hard drive is a Hitachi 7200RPM drive - seems VERY quick and VERY quiet. In fact the whole system is extremely quiet.

Sound output is plenty for a laptop, and it drives my headphones well when I use them.

Image quality is GREAT except for the light leakage from the bottom. But, like I said, I never notice it in normal use.

Size was perfect for me. I wanted something I could drag around and have good battery life and a decent screen. I couldn't have asked for a better size/weight trade-off.

As far as looks, I like the way it looks. Nothing else to say there.

One note on the software they install. I uninstalled 95% of the "bonus applications" they sent me. I even think I paid for them in a roundabout way. Oh well.

I also ended up uninstalling the Intel ProWireless drivers. They were USELESS (and a memory hog)! They dropped connections left and right and loaded a ton of processes. Uninstalled and switched to letting windows manage my connections and not a single one since (going on three days on different networks).

So, until I get busy again, I guess I'll be hanging out here again for at least another 12 posts.

 

Was considering to get an E1405 for college as well. Good short review. Have you tried to watch a dvd in the dark on the laptop yet? If so, was the leakage apparent?

 

I have watched in a dim room, almost dark. Honestly I did notice it in the band at the bottom on the letterboxed Raiders of the Lost Ark ... But I was looking for it. It ended up not bothering me at all. I can try again this evening once its dark and let you know.

 

As a follow-up. I watched a movie in complete darkness, and it was noticeable in very dark scenes, but not so much I wanted to stop watching.

Now, if this were my main method of watching movies, overtime it may become more of an annoyance.

 

whats your screen manufacturer?

 

The manufacturer is AOU

 

What is the Dell part number on your invoice for this screen?