Dell Inspiron 15

[Ol_Topcat]

On techbargain, I saw this Laptop. I am thinking about doing the upgrade for $50. Is this a good laptop for me?

Dell Inspiron 15 Intel Dual-Core T4200 2GHz 15.6in Laptop (2GB/160GB) $409, May. 18 2 PM

5.8lbs; 15.6" 1366x768; Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4200 @ 2.0GHz; 2GB RAM; 160GB HDD; DVD burner; 802.11b/g; Vista Home Basic; 4-cell battery; 1yr warranty

UPDATE: UPGRADE TO A PROCESSOR: INTEL CORE 2 DUO T6400 @ 2.0GHZ FOR ONLY $50!




1) What is your budget? Below $500 U.S. dollars

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

d. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen

3) Where will you buying this notebook? U.S.

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Don't care


5) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?
Internet, music, watching movies, possible gaming

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both? Both

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games or types of games? not sure

8) How many hours of battery life do you need? 4-5 hrs if possible

9) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK? would prefer to see before buying.

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Windows I suppose

Screen Specifics

11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

b. WXGA+ – 1440x900; A modest bump over WXGA. Text and icons are a bit smaller. A little more stuff fits on the screen.


12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen? not sure

Build Quality and Design

13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you? not really

14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last? Immediately, 3-5 years

Notebook Components

15) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 500GB? Do you want a SSD drive? would like yes,

16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive? I would like to be able to write both CD's and DVD's

[amj1627]

I say Take it with the upgrade

[ARom]

Good deal, although since you seem to be on a budget I would not take the $50 upgrade... Pentium Dual Core will be just fine unless you're worried about resale value.

[neilnat]

Take it WITH the upgrade. Core2 is a good step up from Dual Core Pentium.

[Ol_Topcat]

My main goal is to be able to Search the Internet, Burn CD's and DVD's, light gaming and WiFi where ever I go...

I am looking at $450 and below.

I am unsure if I want to get the Dell Inspiron 15, I listed above or go to Best Buy and get a Compaq Presario for $429

AMD Athlon™ X2 QL-62* dual-core processor
Features 64-bit platform, HyperTransport™ and AMD PowerNow!™ technologies and Enhanced Virus Protection.**
AMD dual-core technology
Enables you to work or play with multiple programs without impacting performance; AMD64 technology provides simultaneous support for 32-bit and 64-bit computing; 1MB + 1MB L2 cache memory for efficient processing.
2GB DDR2 memory
For multitasking power, expandable to 4GB.
Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support
Records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible media.
15.6" WXGA widescreen display with BrightView technology
Supports high-definition video playback with 1366 x 768 resolution for movies and games with stunning clarity.
250GB SATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
Offers spacious storage options and fast read/write times.
NVIDIA GeForce 8200M graphics
Features up to 895MB shared video memory for lush images and vivid detail. Altec Lansing audio for improved sound quality.
See the benefits of an NVIDIA graphics processor in your laptop.
Integrated microphone
Allows you to chat with family and friends.
5-in-1 media reader
Supports Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Cards.
3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports
For fast digital video, audio and data transfer.
Built-in high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g)
Wirelessly connects to the Internet.
Built-in 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN
With RJ-45 connector and high-speed 56 Kbps modem for flexible wired Web connectivity options.
Weighs 6.5 lbs. and measures just 1.7" thin
For portable power.
Good battery life
Of up to 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Glossy black HP Imprint finish
With a silver palm rest panel for contrast.
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition operating system
With Service Pack 1 (SP1) preinstalled provides a stable computing platform.
Software package included
With muvee Reveal, Cyberlink DVD Suite, Adobe Acrobat Reader and more. 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition 2007 included.


And thank you for your help so far...

Now, When I looked at CNET's review of the Compaq it suggest buying the
HP G60-235DX for $499

Processor Intel Pentium Dual Core T4200 / 2 GHz Multi-Core processor technology Dual-Core 64-bit processor Yes Data bus speed 800 MHz Cache Memory
Type L2 cache Cache size 1 MB RAM
Installed Size 3 GB / 4 GB (max) Technology DDR2 SDRAM RAM form factor SO DIMM 200-pin RAM configuration features 1 x 1 GB + 1 x 2 GB Storage Controller
Storage controller type Serial ATA Storage Controller / Serial ATA Interface Serial ATA-150 Storage
Floppy Drive None Hard Drive 320 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm Storage Removable None Hard drive type Portable Optical Storage
Type DVD?RW (?R DL) / DVD-RAM Disc Labeling Technology LightScribe Technology Card Reader
Card reader type 5 in 1 card reader Supported flash memory cards Memory Stick , MultiMediaCard , SD Memory Card , xD-Picture Card , Memory Stick Pro Display
Display Type 16 in TFT active matrix Max Resolution 1366 x 768 ( WXGA ) Widescreen Display Yes Features BrightView Video
Graphics Processor / Vendor Intel GMA 4500M Total Available Graphics Memory 1309 MB Audio
Audio output type Sound card Audio Output Features Altec Lansing speakers Audio Input Microphone Input Device(s)
Input device type Keyboard , Touchpad Telecom
Modem Fax / modem Max transfer rate 56 Kbps Networking
Networking Network adapter Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes Data link protocol Ethernet , IEEE 802.11b , IEEE 802.11g , Fast Ethernet Networking standards IEEE 802.11b , IEEE 802.11g Expansion / Connectivity
Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 ( 0 ) x Memory - SO DIMM 200-pin Interfaces 3 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A , 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm , 1 x Display / video - HDMI , 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) , 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11 , 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45 Miscellaneous
Cables Included Power cable ( 1 pcs.) Features Power-on password , Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Power
Power device form factor External Battery
Technology 6-cell Lithium ion Installed Qty 1 Operating System / Software
OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Software Microsoft Works , CyberLink DVD Suite , HP Recovery Manager , Adobe Acrobat Reader , HP Total Care Advisor , HP Help and Support Center , Microsoft Internet Explorer , Norton Internet Security 2009 (60 days subscription) , Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (60 days trial) Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support 1 year warranty

When comparing the performance the Dell is pretty close to the HP....

So I am thinking the Dell is the way to go...It's kind of one of those loops were I think ok for a little more I can get the Compaq and then for a little more I can get the HP but then the performance of the Dell is pretty close so rather than spend $499 why not just go with $409?

I mean if the HP blew the Dell away then I would see paying more....
Again, if I upgrade to the duo core for $50 more now I am at 450 without shipping cost and that's not far from the HP at $499...

Thanks in advance for the input...

GO PITTSBURGH PENGUINS