Build quality of Inspiron Notebooks

Can anyone provide details on how the build quality of Dell Inspiron notebooks compares with notebooks of manufacturers such as Acer, Toshiba, Sony, HP/Compaq?

Please restrict your comments to the mentioned makers above. Thanks.

 

With those I would have to go like this:

1) Sony
2) Acer/Toshiba
3) HP/Dell

Dell is of average quality, but is decent, not as bad as some people say. I think mine is pretty stable when I compare it to my wife's HP. Hope this helps.

 

Acer low end models I saw were really bad. HP felt much better in low-end

1) Sony
2)HP/Toshiba
3)Acer/Dell

 

This question isn't really valid. Each company's had good models and bad models.

If you're looking for a machine, figure out what specs you want, find the ones that meet that in your price range, then compare specific models against each other. If you ask me about Gateways, some are great, some are ****. Dells...I've seen a few models that are kind of flimsy, but several that seem built like a tank. Toshiba? Same thing.

Don't worry about brand name yet. Find what does what you want, then ask specifics.

 

Dell Inspirons are RoadReady (tm), aren't they? Check the specs for your laptop of choice, RoadReady ones have been tested by dropping, continuous open/closing of the lid etc.

 

How long have they been road ready? I've seen/heard of this but mine is older.

I'd say mine is pretty sturdy and well built although the fact it is largely made of ugly boring plastic is a bit of an issue. Runs hot to.

 

Inspiron quality is average, I think it's better than Acer's low end especially low end TravelMate series. And is on par with Satellite M40/50 but doesnt noticeable much keyboard flex.
For quality I'd go with Sony,HP,Toshiba/Dell, and Acer,except Ferarri.

 

Well the 9400 is... although considering that everything but the kitchen sink is in it they'd be unwise not to have it stand a few knocks

 

Let me clarify my question, tullnd. Perhaps I forgot to mention to compare specifically Inspiron to the low-end models of the said manufacturers. You cannot compare a low-end model of one maker to a high-end model of another.

 

Sony doesn't really have any low end notebooks. Most all of there notebooks cost 1k+. And that’s why there built better... they cost more!

As for Toshiba there build quality is dropping. I use to love Toshiba and respected there notebooks as being very well made. I have now lost that respect for them. The only good Toshibas are there higher end ones. The rest or poorly made. In some cases even more poorly made then Dells and hps.

As for Hp and Dell I would say they typically have similar build quality in there lower end notebooks. I would also say that Acer also puts out notebooks at about the same quality as dell / hp does. However I have seen some really poorly made Acers in the past. But I think the Acer is trying to build better notebooks now, so they are now up to par with hp and dell.

 

Well, one does get what they pay for.

You can't expect ThinkPad quality on something that has coupons issued for it weekly.

 

Low end...high end. I made no comment about either. Every model is different. Inspiron low end models are very different from each other. There's also several different designs of "low end" models from other manufacturers.

All I'm saying is one model could be ****, the other could be great. Comparing brand names isn't a great idea anymore. Especially since many of those companies DON'T manufacture their own notebooks. So one low end model might be made by one company, the other by another company, but both branded the same.

I just think it's only worthwhile to consider "brand name" when you get down to specific units.

 

i'm surprised everybody is putting sony at the top of the list. my experience and my friends experience with sony notebooks is pretty negative. too expensive and built like a toy.

seirously, go to best buy or frys' and just mess around with one. it's like typing on a child's toy.