Dell Inspiron 1520 Review Discussion

The Dell Inspiron 1520 is a 15.4" screen mainstream consumer notebook recently released. The Inspiron 1520 is highly configurable, offering up to an Nvidia 8600M graphics processor and fast Intel Santa Rosa platform processor. Following is a full review of the Inspiron 1520 notebook.

Read the full content of this Article: Dell Inspiron 1520 Review

 

Very, very nice review.

1 thing. The 8600m GT in the 1520's do not use GDDR3 graphics memory, they use DDR2 (something Dell misrepresented). Rivatuner is inaccurate when used with laptops, it's use is for desktops only.

 

correct me if im wrong but isnt if confirmed that the dell 1520 does NOT use ddr3 video ram and that rivatuner is incorect with this?

 

Just because it says GDDR3 in rivatuner, does not mean it is. I used rivatuner on my Inspiron 1520 with the 8600gt and it said that too. But when i check out the memory clock, it said 400.

 

ANYWAYS, i think we all know by now it is DDR2 from extensive analysis.

where the hell is my remote???

 

yes,

its ddr2

VERY misleading to say its ddr3 and it causes more confusion

please edit that part

riva tuner is for DESKTOPS, not for notebooks thus it detected the wrong memory type

 

Looks nice when it's closed. But as soon as I see it opened up I gag.

I'm an all black kind of guy myself too.

What about the whole crappy headphone jack issue too? I've read a lot about noise when using headphones. Frankly I was surprised to see such a positive review when the Dell forum is swamped with issues.

 

Thanks for the comment, everyone, especially the information regarding RivaTuner, notebook GPUs and the DDR3/DDR2 issue. I simply assumed RivaTuner was giving the correct type, and will now assume it did not. I can't edit, so that'll have to be done by someone else.

I also didn't try headphones. I used the built-in speakers and external 2.1 speakers. They all sounded about right to me, and I didn't notice any difference between the 1520 and my own laptop, the M65, when using the external speakers.

Like I said, if I were going to buy a new 15.4" laptop and wanted to keep the price somewhat low, I'd actually consider the 1520 or the Vostro 1500, based on using the 1520 for a couple of weeks. Aside from the latch, which was minor, everything seemed good. But for sure, another reviewer might have seen things (the LCD or keyboard, for instance) very differently.

 

How tah hell in the year 2007 can they only put an VGA port out?

 

yeah, that is kinda disappointing. Shame such good graphic card but no DVI port to go with it.

However, this will be a HUGE sell for Dell, finally people won't have to lug around a 17" TO-BIG-TO-CARRY-AROUND laptop to get great graphic performance!!

 

Great to see this review - finally answers the question of if the 8600GT was using DDR2 or DDR3 memory as I have seen many posts asking about it. (I even saw a thread about OCing the notebook card!)

I must agree that the only negative is the lack of DVI/HDMI.... and its a little thick still for my tastes.

 

That´s another thing. Maybe it´s just me, but why the bulky rounded lines theme? A well design laptop should atleast have straight lines around the edges.
Offcource, you can´t hurt yourself on a rounded edge, but aside that it´s just plain ugly!

 

Great review!

 

I think that's more of relative opinion I guess. I kind of like rounded edges - it somehow provides more of an "ergonomic" look, which is ironic since I have a T60 which is all straight edges... but anyways again I think its more a relative opinion - just like a person's color choice in cars - it still has the same shape and performs the same - its just a matter of if your legs get burnt during the summer after your car has sat in the sun for a good 8 hours in 100+ F degree weather or not (I hate leather)

 

Yes, I love the rounded edges as well--for me, it gives the 1520 a sleek look .

 

Dell Inspiron 1520 = 15.4" TO-BIG-TO-CARRY-AROUND laptop

 

Are you serious? How is it too big to carry a 15.4" laptop around?

 

I think this is the single best selling model in the world.

It is very big for a 15.4 inch but people are carrying it around all over.

A lot of people like the hp 6000 more because its much smaller.

 

I just received my 1520 in the mail today....Haven't opened it yet, but I can't wait.

Thanks for the review...nicely written

 

Solid review. It's nice that you touched upon some points brought up in the forums.

I would like to say, it seems like you perhaps got a problematic Sammy drive? The transfer rate is extremely low and the access time is pretty high. I'd take a look into that.

On a side note, anyone else notice how much attention Dell has been getting since the new Inspiron + M1330 launch? Take a look at the popular laptops widget on the main page. Six of the top 10 are Dells. They must've done something right with the launch.

 

Excellent review Kevin. I like it very much !

In fact they were 7 a week ago and they had all the top 3 places then !

yes Sir, it is! no matter if it has 6.5lbs. my old business HP has 7.7 and I'm still carrying it.. until 1520 ships soon !
I guess that most of the people want the 8600GT card rather than HDMI and light weight, and all these for only $1,200-1,500 !!

 

Is the Vostro available in Canada....

 

Could you comment a bit more on the screen? I'm think of picking up a second cheap notebook with a glossy screen.

 

hi .. and thank you for the review. been sometime since i have logged onto NBR .. ha ! my gf is thinking about getting her daughter the pink of course !! 1521 AMD chipset. cheaper again i figure. decent deal with $ 0 shipping now CDN. (promo)

i (we) certainly appreciate the note on build quality-design. I'm curious on the capability of the vairious graphics cards

_ATI RADEON® Xpress1270 HyperMemory.
(Part and parcel with the AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-56 (1.8GHz/1MB)) I would think some decent perfomance fo this graphic config. any comments welcomed ..

BTW .. notebook review as been great for me in the past helping me evaluate some great notebooks for sure. i opted for the compaq R4020 series last year. nice built .. great quality. ideally situated as a desktop replacement absolutely .. certainly not ideal for toteing around the airport/plane/travel. the fan runs constantly .. i don't mind so much .. given the machines intented use. great system overall .. am happy with it.

have an IBM T41 .. now this little notebook i love. bought it refurbished. given i travel alot on biz .. this is an ideal travel companion ..for getting your work done on the go.

funny really .. i'm bit of a notebook pack rat ..haha ! have the old NEC Lx Versa happening too. dated .. very. but amazing NEC quality. can't get these in north america (new) any more.

hey ..thanks for reading .. hope to see more on the 1521.

take care

 

Are the clips to hold the screen down plastic, because i had an issue with an e1505 clip snapping off

 

A lot people have noise problem with the headphone jack. It is a high-pitch buzzing sound, which drives most people crazy.

 

I read a review somewhere in the Thinkpad forum which claims that Dell laptops are now of better quality than Thinkpad. Is there any truth to this?

 

these are just BS stories! I opted for the Audigy card and I'm listening music in my headphones for a week and there's no high or low-pitch buzzin sounds. also another BS stories are about matte screens. I have no graininess or blur or anything compromising for my trained eye !

 

When you don't have the buzzing sound problem, it doesn't mean those complaints are BS. I am experiencing it now and it's really annoying. I've been talking to the tech support but they have no clue. They asked me to do all kind of tests but still no luck. I'll do more research and keep you guys posted. I'll give it another week and then return it if I can't fix the problem.

 

i was referring to that line "drives most people crazy". there are a lot of dudes spreading rumours here and some of them didn't even get their 1520s. Doesn't it look weird to you ?

you guys should give more details, like what sound card did you opt for, what drivers are you using, and so on... I have the Audigy card and using it with Creative panel and apps.. no sound anomalies at all !

 

The sound issue is a hardware one. When it is present, it exists with all software setups and the only work-around is an external sound card (either via USB or ExpressCard). There is only one completely internal card available with the 1520.

The sound can vary from mild static to loud morse code beeping with loud static. It is very irritating at the extreme. You are lucky you don't have the issue.

 

actually there are two: the base HD one and the Audigy HD one. I've chosen the Audigy and it looks like it has no problems but the EAX missing drivers... you guys have all chosen the base HD card ?

Stella I see that you returned the 1520, why bother anymore ?

 

The Audigy option is software, not hardware. See Dell's configuration page:

*High Definition Audio 2.0 [Included in Price]
*Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™HD Software Edition [add $25 or $1/month1]
*Creative Labs Express Sound Card [add $75 or $2/month1]

Dell has been offering this option for about a year, and there are literally hundreds of threads across this forum and others explaining that the Audigy is SOFTWARE. I did a quick search on this site and came up with this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=138924 .

I'm bothering because people who are considering purchasing this laptop shouldn't be given misinformation. I don't think the fact that I returned it affects my knowledge about the laptop--in fact, I'd venture that I'm a little MORE knowledgeable about it than some people that have kept theirs .

 

ummm... then why I do lack all the sound buzzes and distortions if it's the same soldered chipset (not Creative, some saying)? well it is in my opinion that it IS another soldered chipset, but the HD sound decoding is made by the software... I opened a case with the Dell support dudes and waiting for their answers

by the way.. is that G1s that good comparing to 1520 ?

 

Well, lol, I've sent you threads and information from Dell's own site--I'm not sure what other information I can provide you . I would hope you don't have the sound issue because Dell has improved their manufacturing process.

The G1S and the 1520 are different beasts, each with their own positives and negatives. I posted my thoughts in a thread a while back.

 

cool review ive got a question i play games like eve-online and i was wondering if someone could find out what a good fast gaming set up is that would play low graphic games for under $1000 thx a ton

 

Regarding the buzzing/bleeping/morse code in the audio jack.

Dell's own forums have admitted there is an issue, but claim it is a software issue, and present only using Windows Vista, and related to the various power states of the CPU.

This issue should not exist if you are using XP.

If you have this issue on XP, then, Dell says, it is a hardware issue and should be fixed. But if you are running XP, they are working with Microsoft to develop an improved driver that should solve the problem.

Now, having said that,there could be multiple issues, the software one dell is actively working one, and maybe some additional hardware type of problem that is also popping up. Its difficult to say, unless you are using XP. Then you can eliminate the problem Dell is working on.

I have the blooping/bleeping/crackling static/morse code sound problem. When I play with various apps that manage the CPU states and CPU behavior, I can alter the effects somewhat. It is, at least with mine, clearly related to the various CPU states. Changing earpones doesnt help.

 

Hi,

you buy a Inspiron 1520 with window XP with this link (in canada):

http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=ca&CS=cadhs1&l=en&OC=N15202X_F_2E

Chat with a advisor DELL like I did and He would give you the link for XP

 

Hi.

I have an Inspiron 1520 with Windows XP, 2.2GHz, 256MB NVIDIA Card, 2GB RAM, 120GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive, CD/DVD Writer in Midnight Blue and am madly in love with it.

I don't experience a buzzing with the headphone jack (I obviously do not have upgraded sound), I don't have a problem with the opening clasp, the video is incredible, it runs a virus scan while running HD Video perfectly (with maybe a couple other windows open), and the curved lines just make it sexier... oh, and it's definitely not too big to carry around...

I <3 mine.

 

Dear All,

The review says the inspiron 1520 model cannot load windows XP, can someone confirm this please because i am seriously considering buying one but need to have windows XP as i cannot stand vista!!!

I have checked the Dell website and there are drivers available for the xp on the inspiron 1520.
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...NS_PNT_PM_1520&hidos=WLH&hidlang=en&TabIndex=

 

Hello,

A friend of mine has Windows Xp on his Inspiron 1520 working flawlessly.
I have my 1520 since august 2007 ( with Vista though, as it shipped ), and is working and looking like the first day I opened the pack - perfect.