Which inspiron would be better?

Comparing the 1501 and E1505 in quality. Which would be better assuming you customized them with the exact same options??

Oh this would be used for basic college classes and accounting. No gaming, POSSIBLY the occasional movie played on it.

To me it looks like they are about the same except the E is for entertainment, so better chip... but could the 1505 be a better quality as far as lasting and durability??

 

The e series has multimedia buttons on the front and Dell's Media Direct software so you can play media files without booting Windows. There's a more complete list of the differences in this review. Basically, the 1501 is a low-budget version of the e1505. But I think the differences are all in features, processor, and price, not in build quality.

Also, keep in mind that new Inspirons are coming out in a week or so.

 

yeah I heard about the new ones, but havent read much. I thought they were suppose to be good for gaming and stuff so i didnt think I really needed to wait(since the only game I play is solitaire lol!)

 

If you aren't gaming and you aren't too interested in multimedia features, I'd suggest looking at the Latitude D series from Dell's small business store... it may be slightly more money but you get better build quality, a thinner yet more solid and durable machine, and a 3 year warranty standard.

 

yeah I wish I could, but its only because of the coupon that I can afford to customize a dell. My budget is 1000 and that includes accident protection.

 

I just talked to a guy at dell and he says the 1505 would be better for me because I want to be able to quickly process using quickbooks and while taking my class at the school's server.
Would this be correct?

 

ok to get them within the same pricerange I would have to seriously tone down the 1505... so which would be better: seriously upgraded 1501 or seriously toned down 1505?

Ill probably go with the 1501. Here is what I have it configured with:

AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-60 (2.0GHz/1MB)
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™(glossy)
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
ATI RADEON® Xpress1150 256MB HyperMemory™ (Integrated)
80GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.08
Combo/DVD+RW Drives 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Integrated Audio
Dell Wireless 1490 802.11a/g Mini Card (54Mbps)
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
4Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Day
Accident and Theft Protection Add Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 4Yr Warr.
Belkin 2-Outlet Travel Surge Protector

all that for 908 plus tax after the coupon. That leaves just enough room in my budget for the software I have to add for class and some accessories(BTW what kind of accessories do I need???)

How does that sound? Is it overkill? lol!

 

I recently got a 1501 configured like yours without some of the warranty and protection and with the slower TL-50 processor. I use it for about the same things you will be and am very happy with it. At first I worried I should have gotten the E1505 (because of the aforementioned review) but I'm VERY happy I opted for the 9-cell battery on my budget instead. My laptop beats all of laptops around me in and a fair amount above my price point where battery life is concerned. I don't miss any of the media buttons; the only thing that might be an 'oh well, too bad' is the lack of ports on the 1501... but I probably wouldn't ever want to use them, if I'm realistic about it. My guess is that the 1501 will be good for you as well.

Accessories... still need to buy some. A bag, a sleeve, (mini) mouse, some sort of keyboard protection, and maybe a screen protector. I'm also getting a new webcam. Everyone has different wants and needs where accessories are concerned, though.

 

thanks!
Ive never had a laptop so I dont even know what to expect. Never had media buttons! and dont really use any kind of media on my desktop anyway.
How many ports does it have? and what are ports? lol! ok hopefully Im not really that dumb!!! you are reffering to the USB ports right? My desktop has 3 and Ive only ever used 2 at a time- mouse and whatever I need plugged in at that moment. The keypad I need has an extra port in it too, just incase.

I was thinking I need an extra power cord, one to leave at work and one to leave at home, a protective bag, a mouse... do I need a surge protector? I added one to the options of the computer, not sure if it is the correct kind though?? Ill need to get the correct software for class, and then a wireless router. I think that should be it?

 

Actually, this is my first laptop, too... so it's really like the blind leading the blind. But maybe that's the best advice you can get. I mean - if I can use it and I'm pleased, then chances are the same will go for you, too.

The 1501 has 4 USB ports. As for the other ports (places to plug stuff in) it's got: ExpressCard slot, 3-in-1 card reader, microphone, headphone, modem, ethernet, VGA out. THe E1505 has a 5-in-1 one reader, FireWire and a S-video port, but I haven't missed them on the 1501 so far. The four USB ports was the thing I was most concerned about, because the things you plug in there (printer, webcam, mouse, extra keyboard, just to name a few) can add up rather quickly.

About the surge protector: my guess is that it's fine. You could always double check a description of the thing online, but they all do the same. And I think you've thought of the accessories you need. That's an add-as-you-go thing, though. Nothing that has to be perfect from the get-go.

 

oh yeah call and order and can probably bargain a few more dollars

 

thanks so much!

Im about to order, so if anyone objects: speak now or forever hold your peace lol!!!

 

e1505 is much more better than 1501 and they're almost at the same price. i dont use media buttons too on desktop but on the notebook i just love it. you dont have to scroll or look for the appropriate program , just click on the media buttons and it mutes, changes volume , songs and etc. i find it very useful , although 1501 looks unordinary built by missing these buttons.
Also e1505 has much more power than 1501. You can get it with faster Processor with huge cache and much more better graphics than 1501 which is essential in VISTA. So considering the price match between these two , ill definately spend a few bucks more but having the better notebook. Also consider DELL outlet which has the best deals by keeping an eye on it for good deals !
for example:
$609.00 Inspiron 6400 / E1505 Intel Core Duo - 1660 Genuine Windows XP Media Center 2005 15.4 80 GB EIDE SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM) 1000 DVD/RW 128MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1300 HyperMemory Intel Pro Wireless 3945 Notebook
there're 1501 in dell outlet too check them out, you can get nice warranty with it

 

ya, the E1505. you can get a lower clocked processor and be able to match the AMD...and the lower the clocked processor the less power hungrey it is...so if i want the 1501, then get a lower clocked processor because it doesnt sound like you need that much power...

my sister has the 1501 and she thinks its fine. it has a Sempron @ 1.8 GHz and i still think its more then enough then for what she needs. it has a few scratchs from being moved around constantly vs. my E1505 being on a desk with a skin on it. so cant really compare there...

ummm, what else. o ya, she has the 6 cell and gets about 3.5-4 hours doing word and listening to music on and off with screen brightness 1/2 way up. so thats pretty dang good in terms of battery. with a 9 cell, you should be able to get 5.5 no problem

mine since i have a more power hungrey set up, gets 3 hours with screen at 1/2 just wording and some music. absolute amount of battery i have ever gotten just wording, screen lowest is 3.5 hours. sometimes i wish i got the Intel GMA 950...and even lower clocked processor. the most of the time the processor is at 5-20% usage, while my sisters goes up to 70-80% (this is listening to music, typing; basic stuff)

only time i use all my processing power and GPU power is when gaming...wish i could just swap out parts depending on the situation....>.<

so, if you have not already ordered ur laptop, i still think you will be happy with what you buy since you purchased it, who wouldnt like to think that their computer (that they spend 1000 on) isnt good? i wouldnt

Cheers and congrats for getting a Dell!

 

well I bought it, but somehow the options defaulted during the screwed up checkout lol! so I had to cancel it(thatll teach me to try and order on dial up again!!!).

hmmm strange... I cant find the 1505 on their site now!

 

well apparently the E1505 is now off the assembly line!

So I went with the 1501. If any of you think I can get the same exact options or better! with the same warranty for the exact same amount or LESS then let me know and Ill cancel it!!! otherwise here is what I bought:

$908 + tax
Inspiron 1501
AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-60 (2.0GHz/1MB)
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™(glossy)
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
ATI RADEON® Xpress1150 256MB HyperMemory™ (Integrated)
80GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.08
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Integrated Audio
Dell Wireless 1490 802.11a/g Mini Card (54Mbps)
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
4Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Day
Add Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 4Yr Warr.
Belkin 2-Outlet Travel Surge Protector

Now I wont be storing much on the computer aside from the software I need to add to it. I wont be saving many photos as I have a main computer. This is my portable work station only, not my personal computer. I will NOT be playing any kinds of games with graphics(I only ever play solitaire). I *might* watch a movie on it.
I just want to be able to take my work and school with me and process it quickly. Sometimes it takes as much as 5 minutes to get quickbooks to OPEN on our desktop at work. The boss bought a very basic HP on sale and has it LOADED with software and pictures... so its going fast! I always delete unneeded items off our computer and backup things onto discs... so our basic desktop from 02/03 has done very well! especially after a few upgrades in memory. Ill be happy if the laptop can perform as well as our desktop has.

 

The E1505 did disappear today but it's back up now.



-----EDIT------
It's weird actually....its only accessible from the Dell main page from what i can tell.

 

I talked to customer service and they said it was taken off the assembly line, or whatever technical word they use for customizing options lol!!
I guess to make room for the new ones?
If the new one comes out and is great and available with the coupon at about the same price Im paying I might consider cancelling/returning this one and buying that one. But Im pretty certain it wont be cheap enough!