Vostro 1510 user mini-review

Hi,

Finally I've received my Vostro 1510. It came 5 days earlier than the ESD. I'd like to give you some ideas about this laptop.

My system configuration is:

* Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 (2.4Ghz 3MB L2 Cache)
* 3 GB of RAM
* NVIDIA 8400 GS
* UltraSharp WXGA+ (1440x900) Glossy screen
* Windows XP Professional SP2
* FingerPrint sensor
* 250 5400RPM HD
* Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini Card
* 6-cell battery
* 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive including Software
* 1.3 mega pixel camera with single digital microphone


Ports:

* 8-in-1 media memory card reader
* Microphone in & Headphone jack
* ExpressCard slot
* 4 USB 2.0 ports
* VGA-out
* Network connector
* IEEE 1394 port

Weight 5.72lbs (According to dell.com)


First, I am sorry I couldn't provide pictures. But here is a link for another review that gives good pictures. I think I will not provide better pictures than this link

http://johannes.jarolim.com/blog/2008/05/25/a-review-of-my-new-dell-vostro-1510/




Overview:

Before I recieved the laptop. I had read many comments about this model having flex and cheap plastic looking. When I unboxed the laptop, I was very pleased by how the laptop looks. In my opinion, words like " flimsy, cheap plastics, flex...etc) DON'T apply to this laptop at all. The laptop looks really nice, solid, and sturdy.


Design:

Dell did a real good job designing this model. It looks really nice. I like simple black designs. It's LIGHT !! About the same weight as the Inpiron 1525. Dell designed the laptop to be carried easier ( thin from the front, easier to carry). The speakers are not loud enough to make me happy ! But they are clear. They provide good quality sound.


Screen and touch buttons:

The UltraSharp 1440x900 screen looks gorgeous. However, I think the brightness could be better. The viewing angles are wide. But when I switch the setting to another resolution in Display Settings, the screen becomes blurred. I don't know if it is normal or not. I like glossy screens so I don't regret choosing it. I used the laptop outside and I was able to see clearly in most cases ( sun).

The touch media buttons are cool. But there is no Mute button among them ( you have an alternate keyboard way to mute the sound) which is kind of annoying to me.


Keyboard,Touchpad and FingerPrint reader:

They keybaord is good. I feel comfortable using it. The touchpad is OK, I wished if it was bigger a little bit. But it doesn't have any issues. The touchpad button could be better. I don't like them, they don't feel very comfortable.

I found the finger print very useful. With the software provided, I can use the finger print to access anything that requires a password ( email login, forum login, messenger, etc) with a simple swipe. It's easy to use. I haven't gotten any error using it yet. All the swipes worked without any errors.


Noise and Heat:

I've read some commets about the fan and the optical drive being noisy. The fan DOES come more often and I can hear it. But still, it's not an issue. Nothing is weird about the sound of the fan. It comes every minute and turns off after seconds.

The slot Optical drive makes some noice when I insert a disc. But not very noticible. And it makes sounds when laoding from disc.

The fan does a great job keeping the laptop cool. It pushes a lot of hot air out of the notebook. The bottom of the laptop keeps cool and even sometimes cooler than palm rest on the surface.


Windows XP !!

Fortunately, Vostro 1510 comes with WIndows XP option. I had to reformat the laptop and install a clean copy of XP because it started to have errors. I messed up a little and I had to reinstall Windows. Now it's working perfecty.


Bettery life:

Well, It's a big machine. The 6-cell battery delivered 2:18 hours surfing internet with screen settings on maximum, wi-fi, speaker, and webcam on.


XPS 1530 or Vostro 1510?

In my opinion, XPS wins. Not because of the design !!! But because of the 8600 graphics card and the price.


Vostro 1500 or 1510?

Vostro 1500 has gained much respect for the solid performance and the price. If you wanna play recent games or you want a cheaper laptop, Vostro 1500 will be a good choice because of the 8600 card. But if you want light, stylish and new laptop go for 1510 I recommend it. But you will be limited to the 8400 graphics card.

However, I play Need For Speed ProStreet on my laptop on medium settings (no smoke) and it runs well!


Why did I choose this laptop ?

Because it had a good discount when it was on dell.ca the first week.


Am I happy with the laptop ?

Yes I am. It's nice, sturdy, black, and kind of light which is perfect for my use. ( university student). I give the laptop 8.5 out of 10.


---------------------------

Pros:

* Relatively light and stylish.
* Sturdy.
* Windows XP
* No trialware.
* Runs cool.
* Battery life is good for a big machine like this. (6-cell).


Cons:

* Expensive compared to XPS 1530.
* Glossy back lid is very sensetive to finger prints.
* The speakers aren't loud yet clear.
* Touchpad buttons could be better.
* Fan comes more often which can be annoying to some people ( It's completely a non-issue to me).
* Limited to 8400 GS graphics card.

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I hope I've been successful to provide an idea about the machine for the people who are considering purchasing it.


Cheers.

 

Great review, thanks!

Right now I am torn between this and the XPS M1530. I agree the 1530 has a better video card and also an LED screen choice.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

No problem !

I was between this and the XPS m1530. I went for the Vostro because I heard that I might end up returning the m1530 many times for replacement ( HD, Optical Drive, screen issues).

Again, I am very pleased by the machine's appearance.

 

You have to understand people that called this laptop "flimy or cheap plastic" have never even TOUCHED this new model. Those people are simply created their own reality and believed it to sub their lack of knowledge.

This new Vostro BLOWS AWAY the failed 1500 model. Dell is only still selling the 1500 model because they are stuck in a contract with the Mfr.

 

Thanks for the review. The only thing Im not liking is the fan turning on and off instead of constantly running at a lower speed.

 

Just out of curiosity, have you handled both models equally?

 

Thanks for your review. Have you tried to connect it to TV via VGA port?

 

Your welcome

No I haven't tried that. But I will try soon and I'll let you know.

 

It's normal. Native resolution works best for an LCD screen. Other resolutions will look blurry.

 

Oh thank God . Nothing is wrong with the screen then.

Thanks for the info.

 

You really have to bring your anti-1500 sentiments here, huh?

So you're saying Jerry never touched the 1310 when he said that it had much flex?

By "blow away", "failed", and "stuck in a contract", could you please elaborate? I would like to know the details behind your statement.

Anyway, to the OP, wish you had more pictures. Are those speakers on the sides of the keyboard? Wow, so they moved it. Disappointing that it's not loud enough, as you said. The screen looks nice and bright though. Hopefully Dell is done with their screen issues

Also, wish you'd done some benchmarks. wPrime, 3dmark06, PCmark05, HDTune, etc. But I must say, good choice on the XP! Yup, the availability of an XP option is definitely a plus for the Vostro line. One of the reasons why the 1500 was once ranked #1 most popular notebook here in NBR for more than a few months.

This is probably a personal thing of mine, but I'm definitely not a fan of the glossy cover. My hands only leave marks on my 1500's lid when my palms are sweaty Also, note that I said "marks", not fingerprints. The 1500 is fingerprint-proof.

And speaking of fingerprints, Dell definitely made a good choice on adding that fingerprint reader. It's a popular feature among business laptops that's unfortunately missing in the original Vostro line. Good that they've learned.

I still think the only reason the 8600M GT isn't available in the 1510 is because Dell is really pushing the XPS M1530 really hard. Same reason why Inspirons are losing GPUs. Kind of sad, but at least XPS isn't that much more expensive, so I guess it's alright.

I really want to see more pictures! Pretty please?

Thanks for the nice mini-review!

 

....As the "failed" 1500 enters its 11 month of production, and atop the sales list of Dell Small Business. :laugh:

 

Good point.

 

No problem. Thanks for your comment. I wish I could do some benchmarks and that stuff but I don't know how to do it. So I'll leave it to NBR experts when they submit a full review. The glossy cover makes you need to carry a piece of cloth with you for cleaning . Sure if the 8600M GT was available on this laptop, it will be so hard to avoid choosing it over the other models. Yes I like the place of the speakers but disapointed by the loudness level they provide.
I'm sorry I can't put pictures right now. I don't have a camera in my possession at the mean time. But I think that the link I put in the beginning of the review has some nice pictures.


Cheers

 

Good one !

 

I dont get it. You believe the 1310 and the 1510 are the same laptops? You understand that the 1310 is a much smaller 13.3" laptop while the 1510 is a 15.4" laptop. The only reason you would post about the 1310 in a 1510 thread is if you believe that these two models are the same. Well, they are not the same units sorry.

 

Yes. According to Jerry's review. The two laptops don't seems to be similar in many things. I wished that Dell put a bigger touchpad on both .

 

saad88, Plese post more info about how loud the fan is. I dont like the idea of the fan kicking on and off instead of it running at a lower speed all the time.

 

Why don't you just buy one and you will find out how loud the fan is?

That way you can brag about your superior machine by actually owning one.

 

Too funny...

 

You know that's too bad cause my Vostro 1500 doesn't have that problem.

 

It's loud that I can't hear it when my AC is on . You hear the fan when the place, you are in, is queit.

 

Please don't think that I am saying 1510 is better than 1500. They both rock !!

 

No problem man enjoy your 1510.

My comment was directed at the 1510 troll who some are wondering whether he even owns one.

 

I wouldn't even have paid attention to it if I didn't read about this in some other reviews. But it DOES come more often. Like once a minute then it turns off after seconds. But you get a very cool bottom in return!.

 

Try i8kfan (its linked) you should be able to control when the fan comes on and off.

 

Thanks for the link

 

no prob great program

 

Nice mini review saad88,thanks for posting it.

 

saad88, did the fan control program work?

 

Sure no problem . Thanks for your comment.

 

I didn't try the program as I am not annoyed by any of the fan's actions.