The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    should i buy a dell inspiron 1525?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by bluesharpie, Jul 11, 2008.

  1. bluesharpie

    bluesharpie Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    i'm looking to buy a laptop for college. i was leaning towards the dell inspiron 1525. i will be using all microsoft office programs, and i will also be using this laptop for browsing the internet, watching movies, music, and some gaming (the only game i would probably be playing is the sims 2 plus expansion packs, is the graphics card good enough to have it run smoothly?) i really want everything to run smoothly and quickly. i was planning on getting a 2.0 ghz processor, 2 gb ram, 120 hard drive...does anyone have any comments as to whether or not this laptop and its configuration would be good for what i'm looking for? i don't have the budget to buy a high-end laptop...definitely less that $1000! any comments or suggestions? thanks!
     
  2. Razor2

    Razor2 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    107
    Messages:
    914
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    31
    If you don't plan to play new games it will be ok. Sims2 will run on it without compromises, but don't expect miracles for future games.

    Is the Studio 15 over your budget? It would have a bit more bang and probably be enough for future light gaming.

    Apart from that I would strongly recommend a larger HDD, because it will be too small. A 160Gb or 250Gb is not much more expensive than a 120Gb.
     
  3. bluesharpie

    bluesharpie Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    well a studio 15 isn't necessarily over my budget, but it seems that people think they are cheap and i don't like how they have the xps design with one end thicker than the other. i don't plan on playing games in the future, but games aren't the only things that need a better video card, right? i will upgrade the hard drive. any more thoughts or suggestions?
     
  4. Razor2

    Razor2 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    107
    Messages:
    914
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Not many people here have seen a Studio in person, so if someone says it looks cheap, it doesn't automatically mean it is. You should ask the guy who recieved one of the first ones. His tread is on the first page of Inspiron/Studio section.

    GPUs are almost exclusively used by games or some design software (CAD), so if you don't game and don't use such stuff, the X3100 in the 1525 should be enough.
     
  5. directeuphorium

    directeuphorium Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    62
    Messages:
    408
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I saw one today at staples. I felt the 15 was less impressive as the 17in. As far as the wedge shape i was a bit turned off by the pictures on the dell site, but trust me when i say that in person the 17in makes quite an impression. I encourage you to go to your local Staples and put your hands on the display model so you can make up your own mind firsthand.