| « Tech Review Plantronics 590 590E | Review- Logitech EX110 Desktop keyboard/mouse combo » |
Computer review- Dell Inspiron e1505/6400 - the best compromise.
11/26/06
Link: http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspn_e1505?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
The e1505 has some tremendous upsides that justify its relatively low purchase price, but it’s not a perfect laptop.
Advantages:
1. When you purchase from a popular manufacturer like Dell, you can easily find accessories and replacement parts from places like www.ebay.com. It’s also reassuring when 1000 other people have had the same problem as you as people as technical support via websites like www.notebookforums.com is as easy as pushing the search button. These are huge considerations for me as I do most of the maintenance on my computers.
2. The E1505 has a discrete video card. I chose the ATI X1400 which is almost as good as the nvidea 6600 go and the nvidia 7400. A complete list is here. What does this mean to you? First, it means that you can play games. I’ve played Battlefield 2 and Elder Scrolls, Oblivion, two very graphically demanding games, at acceptable frame rates, although the most demanding graphical games like Ghost Recon and Company of heroes may not play well. Second, having a high-end video card will allow you to use the next Microsoft OS, Vista, whose upgraded interface requires 3d acceleration. The bottom line: spend an extra $100.00 and get the better card; you won’t regret it unless you’re sure to only use office application.
3. The e1505 has Bluetooth. Bluetooth is hard to find in retail stores like Best Buy and Circuit City.
4. The E1505 has a higher resolution screen (1680x1050-WSXGA) vs. the usual 1280x800-WXGA. The higher resolution means that you can see 72% more stuff on your screen. Keep in mind that you’ll see more because everything will be smaller. If you have vision problems, get the lower resolution screen. You will never find a WSXGA screen in retail stores and only rarely online from the big manufacturers. I like the higher resolutions screen myself and the fact that the Dell e1505 had one really whittled down the laptops from which I had to choose. One controversial subject is the glossy screen. It looks good in darkness and indoor lighting, but is useless outside. I prefer the matt but, unfortunately, the WSXGA only comes with Truelife glossy.
5. The e1505 has a fast duel-core processor.
6. The e1505 comes with Windows Media Center. This feature is relatively hard to find in a laptop this size. The advantage of this operating system is that you can use it to record television shows and, combined with a remote, provides a wonderful way to listen to music and watch videos. Other software can be bought that provide similar functions, but I like the tightly integrated Media Center and since it’s part of the operating system it should be less conflictive than add-on software. The external multimedia buttons are the ideal arrangement.
7. The speakers are in front of the computer, allowing you to listen to music with the lid closed. I often do this especially before going to sleep as it seems a safer way to keep the computer. The sound is fine. One bit of advice: Despite assurances from two clueless salespeople, the advanced Audigy sound upgrade is a software add-on and NOT a different audio chip.
8. The media center button lets one view a DVD without booting the computer. I never use it, but it could save a little battery life for long trips.
9. The e1505 is featured on my favorite TV show, Stargate.
Disadvantages:
1. I would prefer a metal casing like my previous laptop, the Compaq X1000.
2. The e1505 is bulkier than other 15.4” laptops; it’s a bit thicker than others.
3. I’ve had two issues with the e1505, one replaced under warranty and the other I’ve just accepted. A buzzing sound began to emanate from the screen accompanied with some dead pixels. It was fixed. The other problem results in a screen that won’t come back on if the laptop goes into sleep mode until you close and open the screen again-sometimes.
So, there you have it. The e1505 is a difficult to find assemblage of features in a homely package for a reasonable $1400.00. I would purchase again.
**Update**
I've sort of grown wary with the thickness of the computer. I've used better keyboards. The hinges on the lid came loose and I had to have the back panel replaced. It too was covered under warranty.
Pictures:
13 comments
its a very nice site
The advantages seem to easily make up for the disadvantages.
just wanted to know whether it can handle photoshop and 3D max.
My laptop is out of warranty.
Do you know what problem did your laptop have or what did dell do to repair it?
- cDawg
thanks. 
Comment feed for this post
