new e1505 owner - first impressions

Just got my e1505 out of the box.
Overall i'm very pleased with the build and feel, except that the touchpad buttons feel very cheap.
The "delete" button hidden somewhere in the right upper corner also sucks - but not a big deal really.

No problems with the Dell 1390 mini wireless card whatsover. No dead pixels, no grainiess with the LCD.

Still deleting all that junk software Dell installed for me.

 

Congrat desi on your new system.

Yes the touchpads do have that feeling. My complaint about them is the fact of how stiff they are.

Hope you enjoy your machine. Let us know if you have problems develope or any praises that you would like to share with our users.

SG

 

strange enough, my complaint is just the opposite - they feel somewhat loosely connected to the chasis. I would have liked them to feel a li'l stiffer - like the ones on VAIOs.
Anyway i'm eventually gonna buy one of of those logitech wireless mouses and probably never use the touchpad again.


Here's my config for those interested:
1.66 GHz core duo, 512 mb (1 DIMM), 60 GB, Truelife screen, DVD R/W dual layer.

I paid $774 incl taxes and shipping.

 

desi you got the integrated video ? how is it?

 

yup and it's working out fine for me. I played a couple of DVDs on both XP media center and with Dell's direct mode and no problems with either. No choppiness or sound lag in either mode.
However haven't tried any games yet. I'm guessing the advantage of dedicated video will be seen mostly with games. Otherwise the integrated video is just fine.

I really like Dell's direct mode.
Also did i mention that speakers on the e1505 are simply terrific?

 

they sounds horrible?

 

They're awesome. I said "terrific" not "terrible"

 

LOL, glad to hear it desi.

Have you tested out your speakers while using your laptop for websurfing, and stuff? Just curious if dell has upgraded their speakers. I dont' know about other users, but on my laptop, the sound is really distorted when I'm listening to music and websurfing/doing homework.

SG

 

SG, yes i tested out the speakers by playing some real audio and music CDs as well. I've used the inspiron 6000 as well can say with certainity that the speakers on the e1505 are better - so maybe they have upgraded the speakers.

Or it could be that my stars are aligned perfectly this week

i also saw some posts here saying the e1505's shipping dates are slipping - whereas i got mine before expected. I ordered my laptop online on 3/16 and got an estimated shipping date of 3/27 - but Dell actually shipped it out to me on 3/22 and UPS delivered it to me on 3/24 (yesterday evening)

 

Hello. As all have certainly noticed, the Dual Core available on the basic system became a Solo Core yesterday. So I wanted to ask those who have received/tried/learned about the E1505 what do they think about the basic system (for non-gamers).

- Intel® Core™ Solo processor T1300 (2MB Cache/1.66GHz/667MHz FSB)
- 512MB Shared Single Channel DDR2 SDRAM 533MHZ, 1 DIMM
- 40GB4 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
- 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
- Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card (54Mbps5)
- Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005

For $711.

On the other hand, does the Solo Core remain better than a Pentium M or not?

Thanks.

 

I believe the shipping issue has to do with configuration. The more loaded the laptop the longer the build time. My guess, this early in the product life, Dell is having supply problems cranking up the parts flow. That will be solved soon I'm sure. After all the 6400/E1505 will surely be Dell's volume leader.

You and I ordered almost identical E1505's, only difference being you got a 60GB and I got the 40GB HD. Mine took 9 days, yours 8 days.

Hermit

 

I haven't noticed because why look? I own one, no point.

If it were me, I'd pass on this. The Core Duo w/DVD-RW will be back at $699 soon. Dell jockies these prices on an almost daily basis. Just keep checking.

Because Core is 65nm and P-M is 90nm, I'd say inherently Core is superior, but not by much. P-M is dead in Intel's eyes, soon everyone will see it too.

Hermit

 

can anyone tell me what kind of games the GMA950 runs ? and will it run Vista full specs? I know it supports vista, but it will full specs? it's the only thing i'm waiting to know in order to purchase the laptop.. i'm not a games fan.. just an ocassional gamer.. j

 

The GMA950 will be able to run aeroglass feature in Windows vista. The 900GMA on the other hand will not be able to run aeroglass. So you should be able to run everything in Windows vista just fine. As for what games the 950GMA can run, you should visit intels site. They have a list. On my 900GMA I run Counter-strike 1.6 and Condition Zero just fine at very good FPS. I can also play warcraft 3 no problem. I tried Counter strike Source and it didn't run too good, but perhaps the 950GMA will run it all right. It should also be able to run World of Warcraft on low settings.

 

The GMA 950 will run Vista, and support the WDDM specs, according to Intel:

http://www.intel.com/business/bss/products/client/vistasolutions/mobile.htm

I tried running the latest beta 5308 on my E1505, but didn't have a lot of luck.

 

why not????

 

I was limited to a max screen resolution of 1280X1024 as the 950 wasn't automatically detected. This is in direct contrast to Intel's statement that the 5308 build (Feb. CTP release) had support for the 950G. I may try this experiment again and see how I do.

 

please let me know when you try it again

 

I reloaded Windows Vista Beta, Build 5308 today. It seems to have detected and loaded all of the hardware on the E1505. I'm still not able to use the Aero advanced interface options (no transparent windows, etc). The resolution is now properly set to 1680x1050. The Intel graphics accelerator software is installed and is running, but still no Aero