[WARNING] - Vostro 1500/1510 + left handed users

Although the Vostro is a great value, if you are a left handed user, you will definitely regret this purchase.

Why? Because on the Vostros, Dell designed the heat exhaust vent on the left side of this computer. This causes two problems:

1. First, being a lefty, it is normal for me to operate the mouse on the left side of the computer. The heat and velocity of the air blown on my hand is unbearable and causes severe hand cramping after just a few minutes of use. It is really that bad.

And btw, if you operate the mouse at a distance away, the heat just blows on your forearm. Plus, without thinking, you will naturally move your hand back to where it feels most comfortable, next to the computer in front of the vent.

2. Because the air circulation is disrupted (I believe), it causes the heat to backup into the system. On my brand new Vostro 1500, my LCD panel has already malfunctioned and I need to have it replaced. My system is less than 3 months old.

I discovered on the Dell forums that sometimes what happens when the computer gets too hot is that the LCD panel connector ribbon/tabs separate from the panel which causes un-fixable yellow vertical lines to appear on the screen.

In closing, if you are a right handed person, I highly recommend this computer. If you are left handed, you will regret it. Dell doesn't want to help other than to repair my LCD. (which I fear will just burn out again and again)

In the 10+ laptops that I've owned over the years, this is the only one that has caused me grief.

 

I'm a left handed person but I have always used the mouse with my right hand. Perhaps that because the first mouse I encountered was on a workstation shared with others but one benefit is that my left hand is free to use the touchpad or one-handed typing on the keyboard.

Also, my mouse location is near the front of the computer with my palm resting on the front edge of the table, so I wouldn't have problems with hot air unless the fan exhaust vent is very close to the front. I find that, because my palm doesn't move, I have very good control over the mouse position.

So I'd modify your warning to aim at those people who use their mouse with the left hand and with an outstretched arm.

John

 

Exactly how long are your hands? .. There should be enough space so it doesnt blow into your arms

Likewise. The advantages of being southpawed.

 

I'm right-handed and I use my mouse on the right, but I just can't see how your hand could go that far forward to be able to feel the air blown out of the exhaust vents. I'm having a hard time describing, so pictures will have to do.




[Sorry for the crappy pictures. Taken with my phone.]

As you can see, it's not even past the "edge of the CD/DVD drive". And the width of the CD/DVD drive is almost the same as the length from the front edge of the notebook to the exhaust vents. So yeah, hope you get my drift...

It just seems highly unlikely that your hand reaches the front of the vents, under normal circumstances. Maybe you just need a bigger table or something.

 

I don't mean to be rude, but why on earth would you question my honesty?

Do you know me? Do you know how I use the computer? If this didn't bother me, why would I waste my time to make this post? Please think before you post, ok? Thank you.

 

Ill answer those q's for him.

1) Im sure he doesnt know you.

2) HOW YOU USE YOUR COMPUTER is what made him say that the first place. Even I wonder how your hands reach the vents at normal usage.

3) He did give you an honest and fair response.

Be nice.

 

im left handed and know many left handed people (us lefties tend to be smarter and hang around each other ) and not one of us uses a mouse with their left hand.

just sucks to be you i guess. most people arent going to care

 

I don't think you make valid arguements. These are pretty much how ALL laptops are.

 

I don't think anyone is questioning your honesty. I think they're just pointing out that most people use their mice towards the front of their computers, not reaching towards the back of it. As for the unbearable heat, I have the same computer, and never have more than slightly warm air coming out of the vent. I think you may have a heat problem with your 1500.

 

1. People, I only made this post to give a heads-up to other left handed people about this issue. I know left handed users are only 10% of the market, but we exist. If this post helps just one person make a better choice, then it's served it's purpose.

2. This is the 10th or 11th laptop that I've owned in my life and it is the only one that has been painful to operate. Laptops are not all designed the same way.

3. I don't reach around my laptop nor do I extend my arms. I sit in a very normal, ergonomic position. I use the mouse next to the computer. Sometimes my hand is near the front, sometimes near the middle. It's never near the back as this only makes the pain worse as the heat will blow down my forearm.

4. I am quite certain the system is operating normally, its a basically a bad design issue to us left handed mouse users.

5. It's hard to be nice when the comments that have been posted here are so nitpicky.