New Vostro 1500 Thoughts

I recently purchased a Vostro 1500 as it is one of the few laptops that can be customized with an nVidia 8600M GT video card at a reasonable price. I've been using a first-generation white MacBook for the past year and a half, and wanted a more powerful system for both work and gaming. I ordered a T7250 (2 GHz) system with a WXGA+ glossy screen.

I was impressed with Dell's ability to quickly turn around and ship my order, however I am having some issues with the Vostro itself. Though the brightness seems slightly higher on the Vostro than my Macbook, the LCD has an incredibly poor vertical viewing angle, to the point where if I adjust the angle so that the top of the screen is bright, then the bottom is dark and vice versa. The edges are also much dimmer than the middle and has a very dim spot in the lower right edge of the screen. It brightens a bit if move my head towards the right side of the laptop--obviously the mark of a very poor horizontal viewing angle as well. I have this feeling that the screen is bowed because of it. I can't say if the LCD is "grainy" but it is sparkly and in combination the with brightness variations makes it a strain on my eyes. In general, I have to say that this screen is worse than those on many $400-$600 value laptops that I've seen.

The build quality seems pretty good, but I had the impression from the online description that the whole body was magnesium-alloy. When I opened up the laptop, I was disapointed to see the plastic interior which both looks and feels cheap. Overall, the Vostro has an hollow feeling to me.

The keyboard is alright, definitely a step up from the MacBook chicklets. It is nice that it's sealed and has good tactile feedback. One thing I really don't care for are the mouse buttons, which are mushy and unsatisfying. I also don't like the front media buttons which again make the laptop look cheap.

The system, however, is incredibly quiet. I can barely hear the fan and there is no audible hard drive noise whatsoever. Not perfectly quiet like the MacBook, but pretty close. The 9-cell battery also gives me a lot of life on the run, but makes it a bit of a monster on my lap.

At this point, I don't know if I should keep it or try another alternative. My main issue is that I paid more ($1,300 including 1 yr. damage protection) for this system than I did for my MacBook with 3 years of AppleCare. For me a quality LCD is the most important part of the system, and when I see Sony or Fujitsu (or even HP or $350 Acer!) systems with beautiful screens for less, I feel I can do better. However, there are few laptops that offer the 8600M, and both the HP and Asus comparable systems would be more expensive with no guarantee that I would get a better LCD.

I would appreciate any feedback or thoughts.

 

I agree with the poor vertical and viewing angle. My screen is the regular XGA screen and even though it is a LG screen with a great visual quality, it all depends on how I have the LCD tilted.

As far as the build quality, it seems ok to me. Its definitely better than Asus G1s.

If you do decide to look for alternatives, give Sager 2090/IFL90 a shot. I've owned that laptop for 2 weeks and I have to say it has the best Matte LCD for laptops that i've seen.

 

I agree about the viewing angle [especially that very dark lower right corner -- it's quite distracting], but not on the screen quality. Mine isn't sparkly at all. I'd say the screen quality [minus viewing angles of course] is almost on par with my desktop LCD screen. It's a pleasure to look at.

The mouse buttons are OK, at least they aren't too noisy and they work. But I agree, they do feel mushy. But I'm still satisfied with it.

I have no problems with the keyboard at all. It's quiet and just a pleasure to type on.

The media control buttons is another story. It feels very cheap and poorly made. It's so hard to press, I actually have to use my fingernail just to push a button effectively.

I don't use my Vostro on my lap [never planned to anyway, as this is my main system and it will just stay on my table for the most part], but I think I know what you mean. The bottom of this machine can get VERY hot [fortunately, the top barely gets warm] and it can be quite uncomfortable to use on your lap. Fortunately, the machine runs really really quietly. I can barely hear the fan.

But what I really love about this notebook [and it's the reason I bought it] is performance. The other computer I own is a P4 2.4GHz with 768 MB RAM, so it's probably subjective to say that this beast performs very very quickly. Most common programs load instantaneously [except for iTunes, but we all know it's iTunes, not the computer], my games have been running very smoothly [although my games are pre-2005], and generally the Vostro hasn't failed in doing what I ask it to do and what it's supposed to do.

Sorry for adding in my own review But all in all, I'm very satisfied with my Vostro.

As for your Vostro, have you tried playing around with the screen settings? Maybe you just need to adjust a thing or two to reduce eye strain and make it look better for you.

If you really think the screen is that bad and you just can't stand it anymore [as you said, you want a quality screen], then maybe you should return your Vostro and try other options.

Also, ask yourself if you really need an 8600M GT card. Do you play a lot of games? Because other options with 8600M GT are more expensive than the Vostro. I'm quite sure the Vostro, if not the Inspiron, is the cheapest 8600M GT laptop available today [correct me if I'm wrong ]. If you're willing to spend more, other options include:
- Dell XPS M1530 [lol another Dell. First look and video just out. Onlyavailable in WXGA though.]
- MacBook Pro [considering you used to use a MacBook, this shouldn't be a challenging option. Except for the price ]
- Asus G1s [can run hot, though, or so I've heard. Read the review]
- Acer 5920G
- etc. [this is NBR. Just read the reviews ]

Hope this helps

 

thats a lot of smilies lol

 

Unfortunately I must second the poor viewing angle , however i just paid around 860€ for this baby with almost everything you could imagine in a uptodate notebook : bluetooth , 12 cell battery ,webcam and so on.

So I think its still a bargain, the screen isnt THAT bad as you explained , its actually as good as my friends acer screen.

I also dont like the plastic inside but it doesnt feel *cheap* to me , of course i would have prefered magnesium inside as well but oh well the notebook still kicks ass in my opinion ^_~

 

Have any of you guys noticed a gap between where the bottom cover and IR sensor meet the plastic top cover on which the media buttons are? It's really bugging me because now the IR sensor feels loose in there and I've barely had it a month...

 

Yes. I noticed it when the blue backlight on the media buttons light up.

 

Were you able to do anything about it?

 

No, I just let it be. I figured if I did something I could make it even worse lol

 

You could have it RMA'd back to Dell and hassle them to give you an LG screen...

 

I have the same issue of poor viewing angles.

If screen and graphic card both are important to you, newegg has an Asus listed for 800$ with AMD processor but Radeon HD2600 (equal to 8600 GT).

It is mentioned in the deals section. Check it out.

 

The screen was an upgrade from my old hp laptop, so I've actually been pretty happy with it, I dont' know what manufacturer it is though.

 

I have an LG screen [LPL0301 if I remember correctly]. And anyway, I'm quite content already. I'm just thankful I don't have the grainy one.

 

Mine came with a free 256mb card and the LG (lpl0301) screen. Simply amazing. Very little problems with the viewing angles. The screen is so bright I have to turn it down a couple ticks at night.

I have no problem doing graphic work on it. The screen is better than my desktop screen. I read some reviews while waiting for Dell to build mine and got very nervous that the screen would be grainy, sparkly, or greasy. All I can say is it is BEAUTIFUL.

For the price I don't think you can go wrong with the Vostro line. Mine is very stable, sleek, and powerful. I am amazed every day how much work I can do in less time with this machine - plus I am not chained to the desktop.

Another 'review' for you consideration. Back to your post: if you contact Dell they may will replace the screen. If you can, directly ask for the lpl0301 screen - I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

Thanks for all the responses to my original post. As to some of the points raised, I've considered a few of them:

• I purchased 1-yr on-site service with my Vostro, so I'm considering asking for a (LG) screen replacement. However, after following several posts here, I'm afraid of getting the runaround or the potential to get an even worse LCD.
  
• I would consider the XPS M1530, but would want a LED screen which isn't available yet as an option. And I'm afraid a XPS with the same specs I have now with an LED screen would run well over $1500.
  
• At that cost, I would probably want to spend the extra money to purchase a 15" MacBook Pro.
  
• The IFL90 might be another option that might work for me, but I don't want a WSXGA+ screen.

I looked at the Asus laptops that RovingCalypso mentioned but wanted to see what sorts of experiences folks were having with ATI graphics under Vista. I've had many bad ATI experiences over the years, and have only purchased nVidia graphics cards lately. From what I've seen the Radeon HD2600 seems to be comparible to the 8600M GS not the GT. I've also read that LCD's can be a crap shoot with Asus as well...

Thanks for any additional comments.

 

stupid question: how do i know or find out what kind of screen i have got on my vostro 1500? (LG,ect..)
Cheers
Chris