what to check for when your new laptop arrives

Hi i just order an dell studio 1535. I never ordered from dell before so im just
wondering what to check for when it arrives. Tips to check build quality, fan loudness and etc.


Heres what i ordered
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T8100 (2.1GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® Vista Home Premium Edition SP1 SYSTEM COLOUR Graphite Grey with Black U-Trim
LCD Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
INTEGRATED WEBCAM Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
MEMORY 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
HARD DRIVE 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
GRAPHICS CARD 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X Slot Load CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
WIRELESS CARD Dell Wireless 1510 802.11n Half Mini-Card
BLUETOOTH Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module (2.0)
BATTERY OPTIONS 56 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0

thanks in advance

 

1. Make sure the box isn't dented.
2. Open box carefully and lay out all the contents.
3. Read the paper on what's included in the package.
4. Install the battery and charge.
5. Open laptop and see if there's scratches on the screen.
6. Overall look at the laptop to see if there's scratches on body.
7. Gently press down along the sides and corners for any creaks and loose play (screen and keyboard alike)
8. Look at the screens' pivot points if there's any cracks on the plastic.
9. Turn on the computer to make sure the illumination is even and clear
10. Play some music to see if the speakers work.
11. Play DVD's
12. Test out the wireless connection.
13. Test the blue-tooth connection.
14. Test if the web cam is functioning.
16. Keyboards shouldn't have any looseness..must be firm.
17. Do not register the laptop yet.
18. Keep using it everyday to see if you're happy with it.
19. Return it within the policy period if you don't like it or have doubts.

 

In addition to what kanehi said run a burn-in:

When you take your new computer home, follow these two instructions:

* Keep your computer turned on 24 hours a day for 2 weeks.

* Once a day, turn the machine off, wait for a full minute, and then turn it back on.

Because of the way electronic components are designed, faulty chips usually go bad within their first 48 hours of use. By testing your computer this way, you're certain to find any faults immediately. Turning the power supply off and on each day helps to ensure that it's tough enough to stand the load.

After the two-week test, you can obey whatever on-off habits you have deemed proper for your computer. At that point, in fact, it will probably behave itself for years.
The laptop burn-in test

Laptops should be burned in, just like desktops, though with the laptop computer, you also want to stretch the battery's legs. Follow these instructions:

* After initially charging the laptop's battery, use the laptop on battery power only. Use the laptop until the battery fully drains and the computer tells you to recharge.

* Recharge the battery, either while you're using the laptop or with the laptop turned off.

* Repeat the charge-drain cycle at least five times.

* At least once a day, while using the laptop on battery power and while using it plugged in, close the laptop lid to ensure that Standby mode is activated and the laptop "sleeps."

* At least once during the burn-in test, try the operating system's Hibernation option.

Hopefully, these tests reveal any immediate problems the laptop may have, either with the system itself or with the battery and power-management hardware. If a problem occurs, you can immediately get the laptop fixed or replaced, well before the warranty period is over. After a week or two of testing, feel free to use your laptop as you normally would.

Note that if you don't plan to use the battery for an extended period, you should remove the battery from the laptop and store it in a nonmetallic (or conducting) container. The battery drains over time, but it lasts longer outside of the laptop than it does when it's fully charged and never used inside the laptop.

source: http://tech.yahoo.com/gd/breaking-the-computer-in-the-burn-in-test/152957

In addition I would have the laptop running for hours with a graphic intensive game to test your video card.

 

Check the numerous threads already out there asking "What should I check when I receive my laptop".

 

thanks for all the information