Very pleased with the Dell 1420.

I just got my Dell 1420. I had next day shipping and going by the original shipping date, I got mine almost 2 weeks early. I've only had the laptop for about 15 minutes, but I love it. I got the anti-glare screen, and I don't think that there is anything wrong with it at all.

I got the 9-cell battery. It sticks out but not by much and it really doesn't bother me. The battery is barely, barely, barely loose. Seriously like if I hadn't read these forums, I probably would have never noticed it. It really isn't a problem at all. I was worried when I heard about it at first but anyone looking at a 1420, rest assured it isn't a big deal at all.

I read from some places that the laptop isn't light. I don't agree. I have the 9-cell and in my opinion, I don't think I'm going to have a problem taking this around campus.

One thing that I am definitely impressed with is the build quality. I've looked at so many laptops, from Sony to HP to Acer, and I'm telling you, this has to be the most well-built laptop I've seen in a while. It is great.

Going by first impressions and playing around with it, I highly recommend the 1420.

 

i agree with everything you said.

 

I can't wait to recieve mine! My ETS is 8/23. But I've heard from a few people who've recieved theirs early, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I also think it's going to be perfect to lug around campus, much better than the 17" widescreen 9300 I have now.

 

Sounds great. What color is your 1420?

 

I'm very excited to recieve my 1420. But it won't even be shipped until September 11, so I've got a while to wait...
I got the midnight blue color, and personally, I think that it's the most "attracting" color.

 

Mine is Ruby Red, I may get a second one in Sunshine Yellow later once dell has caught up with demand

 

what are your thoughts about the closing mechanism? How could you describe the feeling of not having the hatch/

 

AMEN with that ím picking up mine tomorrow @ fedex

 

I've been wondering the same thing for ages!

 

I personally love it. It holds itself closed very tightly; it won't randomly. And when it's opened, it won't move around on you. I really like it, and definitely don't miss a hatch.

 

I just got my 1420 too. Check out if your headphone jack has the dreaded static noise issue and if the built in microphone array picks up static noise. Mine does.

 

What is this hatch you are talking about?

 

Something that holds a laptop shut. Like a switch.

 

oh okay the latch that holds it shut is absent from the new models?

 

Yes, it is.

 

so how do they stay shut? did they soup up the magnet switch for the display on/off or is it just the tightness of the hinges is enough to hold it shut?

 

people say its like a flip phone, pretty secure

 

wow that'll be sweet very interested to see it in action

 

It's spring-action I believe, not magnetic like the Macbooks. However, this is only for the 14" versions. The 1520 and 1720s have latches still.

 

just picked up my 1420, love it, perfect screen, no grainyness, super bright (i dont know manufacturer)

 

Alright I've had the laptop for a week. Still love it.

My cover is ruby red, which is probably my most favorite part about this notebook. It is totally sweet looking.

Vista starts up fast, I've had no problems running multiple programs on it at all.

About the latch and the screen. When I first heard that there wasn't a switch/button to shut the screen, I was kinda worried. But once I got it, I realized it really isn't a problem at all. When the laptop is shut, it won't open unless you open it. You can count on that.

Again, this is a totally solid laptop. Also, go for the anti-glare screen. Personally I think glossy screens are crappy to use because the reflection and glare can be really bad in the summer. I've used my laptop when the sun is shining really bright on the screen, and there isn't a problem at all.

I seriously love this laptop.

More: Also, I got bluetooth on my laptop. I sent some files to my phone and it worked without a hitch, which is pretty sweet.

About the battery rattling: it totally isn't a big deal. You won't notice it unless you're intentionally messing with it. For this price and especially for this quality, the 1420 is an excellent option for college students. I've already told some of my college-bound friends about it.

I went to a Dell Kiosk in a local mall. First of all, I had no idea there was a kiosk anywhere around me. Second, they had the 1520, 1420, and the XPS. The 1420 had glossy screen and the XPS had an anti-glare screen. When I ordered the laptop at first I regretted not getting the glossy screen but once I got my laptop and then saw the difference of the two at the kiosk, the anti-glare is definitely a better option IMO.

 

Congrats guys. I should be getting mine tomorrow!

 

wow wish the 1500 lacked the "hatch" lol.. great to hear you like it.. im considering the 1400 instead for the other one we have on order seems to be better built than the 1500's are

 

dude I am so happy that I got a 1420 coming now!

 

Personally, I opted for the glossy screen. I'm not sure what's so great about the anti-glare screen. Sure, it'll reflect some light, but the glossy gives much better colors.

 

do you have any light leakage??

 

I really didn't know what light leakage was till I looked at this forum, but I have a little bit when I have like a screensaver on. But it doesn't bother me at all and when Vista is running, the screen looks bright/crisp so I think its fine.

 

If you were asking me, I have yet to recieve my laptop yet...