Should I Get Bluetooth?

I'm going to be buying an Inspiron 1520 and I want to keep costs at a minimum (even though it's only $20). Is Bluetooth really necessary? I'll probably be using a wireless mouse, but they usually come with an attachment that enables me to use the mouse wirelessly. I'll also have a Bluetooth-supported cell phone, but I think that also comes with a USB attachment. Plus, will it be taxing on battery life?

 

The only thing with a regular wireless mouse is that the attachment takes up a usb port. I believe that using a usb port for a mouse rather than bluetooth would be more taxing on battery life; but im not for sure. I would get just bluetooth so i wouldn't have the little attachment sticking out from my notebook...but thats me.

 

The only reason I got bluetooth is so I can transfer photos from my cell phone to my laptop without cables - but I will probably get a bluetooth keybaord and mouse as well.

 

This may seem like too simplistic an answer, but it really depends on if you think you'll use it. Will you actually use the bluetooth functionality? Do you want a bluetooth mouse? Are you worried you'll use up your USB slots. Do you really need to connect with your phone using bluetooth, or are you going to use it for calls and text? Whether it's worth it or not is entirely up to you. From my perspective, I don't need or want bluetooth. The only device which I might want is a wireless mouse, but I can just use one that connects via the USB. Others love bluetooth because there aren't any cables.

 

It's a matter of personal preferrence. It has more advantages than disadvantages and one is draining the battery faster than normal.

If you are more inclined to making connections to your laptop wirelessly, then BT is a logical choice.

 

For only $20, I would get it. You never know when or if you might want to use it.

 

That's pretty much why I got it, I don't really need it, but god forbid one day the world will rely on bluetooth to survive.

 

you might end up finding a use for it, like syncing your contacts from your cell phone, or syncing up a calendar to your phone.

 

I say get it simply because it is cheap. I will not use it much, but I have ordered it with mine.

Another thing to consider -there is a bluetooth light on the 1400s, not sure abnout the 1500s but I personally would not want a useless light

 

I use bluetooth to transfer files from computer to computer. It saves alot of the hassle of buying a hub and doing a bunch of things. If you have a semi-recent cell phone then it might have bluetooth and you can use it to transfer photos, ringtones, music, etc. For $20 I would definately get it.

 

For $20, you should get it even if you're rarely going to use it. Aside from just being there in case you do need it, it'll increase the resale value of your laptop if and when you sell it.

 

Double-check that your phone has a USB attachment first - if it doesn't have that or it would cost money to buy from the phone company, you might as well get the $20 Bluetooth instead.

Bluetooth does use a bit of battery, I'm not sure how much exactly. But you can turn it off, either through the Control Panel or Dell's Wireless/Bluetooth switch on the left side of the 1520. I tend to leave it off except for when I use it to transfer files from my phone.

 

Thanks, everyone. I actually opted not to get the Bluetooth. Someone is buying the laptop for me, and I want to pay back as little as possible and figured that the Bluetooth was something I didn't need, but if I ever DID need, I could just go and get a toggle.

 

I use Bluetooth for a wireless GPS receiver. They seem to be replacing USB ones. Just FWIW. There are various uses for it, but you could get by without it if needed.