To all you Computer Gurus....

[Bethany]

...I need your help!!!! I am in desperate need of a new laptop and my dad is trying to help me find a good deal. He just e-mailed me this laptop he found, so I'm going to (secretly) ask my PT friends that are computer savvy if this is a good deal!

Thanks so much in advance!!!!!

Here it is...

Inspiron 1521 $758

SYSTEM COLORJet BlackeditPROCESSORAMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TK-55editOPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows Vista® Home Basic EditioneditDISPLAYGlossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)editVIDEO CARDATI RADEON® Xpress1270 HyperMemory™editMEMORY1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHzeditHARD DRIVE80GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)editINTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVECD/DVD writer (DVD+/-RW) +Roxio Creator 9 Premier-Ultimate Burn/AuthoringeditWIRELESS NETWORK CARDSDell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-CardeditINTEGRATED WEBCAMNo Webcam OptioneditBATTERY OPTIONS85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)editSOUND OPTIONSHigh Definition Audio 2​

 

[Hifiman]

I like it

It's been about a year since I've been in the market for a computer. I'm not sure what's out there, but I like the processor. As for the rest, I assume this will be a work computer and not used for gaming or heavy graphics applications. My only recommendation is that you budget in an extended warranty. I never buy them for desktop computers, but I wouldn't want a laptop without one.

 

[Bethany]

Thanks, Hifiman...

...I was hoping you would chime in on this subject!

 

[missbluejay]

in the same boat

I recently just had to purchase a new laptop, too. Are you mainly using this for work (papers, etc.) or is this your primary computer? Will you be putting music, movies, pictures, etc. on this computer?? If you are, the only thing I would look at is the fact that it only has an 80 GB harddrive, and putting all that extra "stuff" on there really uses up a lot of space. For instance, my ipod is an 80GB and the laptop I just bought has a 200GB harddrive. But I do a lot of music and photo editing, so I needed one with a larger harddrive. As long as 80 is big enough, you can't really beat that price! GOOD LUCK! Happy shopping!

 

[dtrabilsy]

Bethany

My first laptop was an Dell Inspiron. It got me through my technology masters and much much more! I agree with the other posters about what you are going to use it for. If you are heavy into the graphics and will be using it for a lot of music, you will want more than 80 GB. Otherwise this should be good. An 80 GB hard drive is enough for a normal user. I definitely agree with Hifiman, you have to get the extended warrenty on a laptop. They just aren't as sturdy as a desktop computer.

Good Luck, Happy Shopping and enjoy the new computer!

 

[Bethany]

Missbluejay...

..you bring up a good point...I will be using this for grad school but this will also be my primary computer, where I will use it for my iPod as well.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you purchase and for how much?

Thanks for responding!

 

[Bethany]

Dtrabilsy...

...good to see you and thanks for responding! I guess I need to look for a larger hard drive because I have an iPod and am always updating it with new songs and podcasts.

What is the general price range for extended warranties on laptops?

 

[soph]

Vista

I ended up ordering and then sending back my first pc order because I had ordered vista home. I changed it to vista premium. I would certainly buy the extended warranty. I got my laptop at the end of March and am now on my THIRD laptop because of major issues with the operating system. I think this third is finally working right. I had to fight for them to send me the third new pc. The first one came with half the operating system missing. I am soooooooo glad I got the warranty.

 

[missbluejay]

bethany

I bought a Toshiba satellite laptop for $1000 before the extended warrenty. It is the A205-S7464 series. It's a 15.4 inch screen, has a really good processor, 2GB of memory, 200 GB harddrive, webcam, hd dvd and is a dvd/cdrw drive. I really like it. I do a lot with my music and pictures, so I wanted something with a bigger harddrive...and this was about as good a deal as anything out there for what I was getting. Hope this helps!

 

[dtrabilsy]

Hey Bethany

Good to see you too. Just a bit of info on the Dell's extended warrenty. They have levels of service...all the way from sending the computer in (which is what I had) to them coming out to your house to fix. It has been years since I have had the Inspiron, so I am not sure of the cost.

Let us know what you ended up doing. I love getting a new computer!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[love_to_learn]

laptops

Dell is offering some great deals:

http://www.dell.com/content/product...&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&dgc=BF&cid=25952&lid=596441

I just ordered a $399 one that was a good deal, but it sold out. The other ones seem to have the same specs as yours, if not better. Although we ordered one with the AMD processor, my DH says that the Intel is better.


Oh yeah, I recommend ordering XP, not Vista. There are way too many issues with Vista.