torn between Inspiron 1520 and Vostro 1500 =/

I'm not used to this having to choose a manufacturer to get a laptop.
I like building my own like a desktop, but obviously i dont have that option and If i did it'd be way to expensive.

I'm having a very hard time choosing based on the results I see in the reviews i read.
Great Specs and budgetworthy.

Are Dell's business class computers stronger than there average consumer computers?

Does the Vostro overheat easier than the Inspiron?
Inspiron risk getting a grainy screen right?
Vostro risk getting a whiny sound jack?

I will be using it for:
Web Development/Design
Art/Flash Animation
Gaming
Video/Sound Production

I've looked at a lot of posts, and reviews and there just seems to be a lot of negative tradeoffs. Also I'm a student in College and I wasn't sure if Dell was lieing to me or what, but I wanted to use my student discount with another coupon code but they said i couldnt......any other tips on saving some more $?

Main thing is helping me choose Vostro or Inspiron. I'm torn.

2.2 Core 2 Duo
3GB of Ram
160GB 7200 RPM
8600M GT
Windows Vista (Home Premium/Business) whats the addon with business?

 

Inspiron 1520 is a dream... I like mine...

Just like everything, it is the luck of the straw... mine was perfect, yours, maybe not. Remember though that those who don't have issues don't post as much... you visit a forum like this of course you will hear all the negative info... I'd say don't worry about what others are saying since obviously both computers are good choices... Not like you are looking to buy something that needs a recall....

Also, you might want to hold on the HD... get a HD from newegg... it costs about the same... the one in my sig....

 

buy whatever is cheaper... they are the same

 

Go with the Inspiron. TRUST ME.

As for Vista Home Premium and Buisness... http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx

 

The business orientation seems like a joke to me. I think they wanted the laptop to appeal to both home/business consumers so they decided to market it as two "different" laptop and give the choice of colours with the Inspiron. You will find no difference with gaming, benchmark if you must to confirm this.

 

The only reason i would go with the 1520 over the vostro, is(atleast according to my CSR) the express card remote. Apparently it cant be added onto a vostro system, and even if it was, it would not work. I know thats BS, but i didnt want to argue with the guy.

Otherwise, short of the colour of the plastic, and the bios version... they are the EXACT same. Same chipset, available processors, display panel, even keyboard. So pick what-ever works out to be cheaper.

 

vostro's are ugly.. in my opinion.

 

id get the inspiron. mine is awsome and does not get hot

 

LOL. Insprions and Vostros are the same. Unless you don't like the full black colour.

 

You can get one of those barebones notebooks (chassis, display and motherboard), then add your own components to build a custom notebook (not as customizable as a desktop, but that’s the closest you can get to building your own notebook); I don’t think it would be lot expensive, however finding all the right parts and setting it up will be difficult, not to mention that if something goes wrong you are on your own.

No, Only Latitude and Precision class notebooks are better; Vostros are average. Inspiron 1520 and Vostro 1500 is essentially the same machine with minor differences like color, some configurable options and warranty services. Get whatever is cheaper and looks good to you. I can’t say for sure whether getting a Vostro or an Inspiron will make any difference regarding those issues (most probably not).

Don’t worry too much about all the negative posts you see here. Those problems occur rarely (remember, people only come here when they have a problem, there are many more out there who are perfectly happy with their Vostros and Inspirons)

 

Really.. the only clear differences from the Vostro or Inspiron..

is..

Do you like black or silver?
The name Vostro or Inspiron?

That's it.. lol under the hood they are the exact same configuration and layouts.. and well..yea..

Maybe price varies and tech support may vary between the two. but piratically same crap.

 

The silver actually does not look as nice as the black IMO.

And it's not like the whole laptop is one color, just the back of the screen :/

 

If the Inspirons and Vostros are the same; well, even more stuff to back up getting the Inspiron. Because you can choose a color to add to it. That is, if you like colors.

 

I have found Inspiron to be more expensive than Vostros, at least when I purchased my Vostro. With the same configuration I get about $100-$200 dollars cheaper tan Inspiron here in the US. It might just be one of the weird dell pricing moment but hey I got it for a cheaper price, I ain't complaining.

 

Comparison:
Inspiron:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache)
enuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
Jet Black
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1680x1050)
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz (may up to 3GB for some extra push)
160GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
CD writer / DVD player (Combo Drive)
Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card
Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)
85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
ExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi® Xtreme Audio Sound Card (shouldnt have buzzing noises).
3yr Accidental/Warranty.

Vostro 1500
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
15.4 in Wide Screen SXGA+LCD Display w/TrueLife™
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM (may go 3GB)
160G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive (slower hdd =/ 7200 faster)
X CD/DVD Burner w/ double-layer DVD+R write capability
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT
Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate), Vista
No Expresscard? (higher chance of dealing with interference)
(Still really good considering i added $for Vista Ultimate)
hows that display going to work out? is it going to be glossy or what?

I need accurate bright coloring. Is glossy going to be better for that?

Final Prices (I have to choose to use my student discount or the coupon)
Inspiron w/coupon ($1,749.33)
Vostro $1,895.00 ($1800.00)

So Vostro will have the better display but Inspirion will have the better audio.

Thanks for all the help so far, im still not sold.

 

Here are some things you might want to consider:

*You can save $75 by getting a T7300 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) I don’t think that extra 200MHz is going to make any significant difference.

*Paying $100 more for the 7200RPM upgrade is a waste of money. Because you can configure it with a 160GB 5400 for $100 less and then get a 100GB 7200RPM from newegg for $100 (if you really need 7200RPM). That will give you an extra HDD which you can use as a portable storage device; in addition you’ll get 100GB more for the same price !

*Do you really want an add-on sound card that sticks out from the side of your notebook?

*Only a CD writer / DVD player (Combo Drive) with Inspiron ? you are willing to pay a lot for not so important upgrades but not paying $40 for a DVD RW

*What makes you think that Vostro has the better display ? In fact, according to those specs Inspiron has a higher resolution screen (which is generally considered better). Glossy = TrueLife; (if that’s what you made think Vostro is better)

 

buying lowest configuration and upgrade it later, this could save you a lot. for instance, dell asks extra 260 for T7300 over Intel® Celeron M® M540 (1.86GHz, 1M L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB) but you can get T7300 under $200.

 

I wouldn’t recommend upgrading the processor as it is difficult and probably will void warranty. But not for HDD and memory.

 

if there is possibility to void warranty, i would keep original CPU but it's still much cheaper to upgrade CPU by self plus getting a free low end CPU. changing CPU is extremely easy for 1400/1420 but a bit difficult for 1500/1520.

 

Did i mention i already have a good desktop, and will use this at school/between classes and at work or when i travel.

Burning isnt very critical to me

I'm just so worried of getting pooped on by Dell. My luck has been down lately.

So am i going to want glossy or matte?

I'll most likely be on couches by huge windows, but keep in mind i need accurate color

 

Upgrading the memory and harddrive is far easier and is the way to go. You can then buy more accessories. The bluetooth headset rocks for $80. There is even a mic on it. Comparable ones are a good $120 from Sony. The accessories, unlike the HD and RAM, are cheaper if you buy it with the system.

 

Went with the Inspiron 1520

52/month 1680.00

very good deal, i'll keep u guys posted on my experiences.