*Dell 1420 Owners Lounge*

First time poster... great website!

Received my 1420 a couple days ago and overall it's pretty nice. I do have two issues that I hope to resolve before I decide to ship it back.

1) Screen: Unfortunately the Samsung screen I got does show graininess. They agreed to replace the entire laptop. We'll see if the new one is fixed.

2) Touchpad: The touchpad has very limited configuration options. Most important to me is the ability to page back/forward while surfing the Web. The only options available in configuration is scroll up/down and left/right. Even my 3 year old Compaq and 4 year old Toshiba work laptops have this function.

Does anyone know if there's a driver (official or modded) available to enable such a basic feature as page back/forward? Any help is appreciated as this is a show stopper for me. Thanks.

 

Did you try to get a right angle power connector?

 

Does your device manager show SEC as Manufacturer ID? If so, its a Samsung. This is strange since I have not heard one complaint about that display being grainy. Make sure you adjust the contrast/gamma in the nvidia control panel. That could help. If you think your display is grainy, and you get a AUO panel for a replacement, you may just multiply your problem by 10X.

I also noticed that the touch pad was squirlly and would select items like I was dragging them around on IE7.. had to hit the left button to stop it. Pretty much hated the touchpad as well. But I had the Dell travel mouse BT and that was the best 5 button mouse I have ever used. Since i returned my 1420 I had to send that mouse back.. But I want to buy one again for my HP system I just ordered. I wonder if the Dell BT mouse would work with a HP DV6500T?

 

Does anyone know if the NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS can output a 1920x1080 signal to a TV?

 

I was wondering that too on the new dv6500t HP I just ordered. But the HP does have a HDMI. All the 1420/1520 have is a vga and svideo output. So if you are planning on outputing 1080P on a Dell inspiron.. its not going to happen. You need at the very least, a component output for HI res.. For protected content, you need the HDMI output.
On the M1330 XPS.. you may, since that does have a HDMI output.

 

I also did the same thing just ordered a dv6500t special edition white ceramic color after reurning a 1420 for grainy screen, hopefully this hp wont have a grainy screen i pray.

 

First off, HP doe not even offer the WXGA + display.. just the 1200 x 800 glossy. I think this is the main reason you don't hear or people returning systems on the HP forums for grainy screens. The higher res screens are generally experiencing more of the grain issues. Everyone that reviews the dv6500t marvels at the brilliant screen etc.. Personally, I think that there may be a good reason why HP only offers this resolution. And that is because there are manufacturing issues with the higher res displays. Dell on the other hand, is trying to acquire the higher res panels from anyone who can supply them. So up front, Dell must know they are in for some quality issues with the wxga + displays. Sony which is known for great displays also decided NOT to offer the wxga + on their new CR series. I think sony does not feel comfortable with the grainy issues either. This is my theory.. not based on much fact but it makes sense to me.

 

Not sure where to put this...

I did a fresh install of vista today. After I installed the "intel chipset driver" (As well as every other driver that went with my hardware, minus the BIOS), the USB section of my device manager looks like this.

Is that normal or what? (I don't remember what showed up there on the factory settings...)
The only USB root hubs that list attached devices are the two under "composite device." Like if I plug my USB mouse into one of the sets of ports, and my keyboard in the other. Also, I don't have any external USB hubs or anything like that.

 

Yes it shows SEC and there's definitely graininess. No amount of adjusting image settings helps. Not too concerned about getting a LCD that's worse as I'll just send them both back and get a refund.

Might not be an issue anyway since the touchpad really sucks. I too have a nice notebook mouse, but I'd rather not have to rely on the mouse every time I use my laptop (like when I'm sitting on the couch).

If anyone else knows of a way to increase the functionality of the touchpad please let me know. Thanks.

 

Interesting theory, It seems that i have heard of some 1280x800 screens that have had issues but maybe not, I just hope that Dell resolves the issue and Dell buyers can enjoy there laptops worry and Eye strain free.

 

Dell can't resolve the issues.. they don't make the panels. All they can do is have tighter quality control and maybe drop the manufacturers with higher yields of grainy displays. Well I guess if they did that they could resolve it.

 

I got my 1420 today, shipped out a week early. Still in the box, haven't had a chance to play with it (at work, but I brought it with me)

 

I am perfectly happy with my non-glare 1420 screen...

-LQ

 

i am a future 1420 owner....just wondering about the GPU, is it 64mb dedicated and 64 shared or 128 dedicated? thanks and is the extra 100$ worth getting 2.2ghz or should i stick to 2.0ghz...THANNNNNNNNNNNNNKS ALLL

hopefully ill be here babbling about my 1420 soon

feel free to pm me with insights i NEED THEM lol

 

i'd go the video card but it really depends on what your using it for. If you game, then dedicated graphics are a must.

 

It's 128MB dedicated. Also, personally, I think the T7300 is the sweet spot of price and performance. I can't really see what advantage the T7500 offers unless you're regularly doing CPU-intensive tasks like image or video editing. The T7300 is also probably the best CPU you'd need in conjunction with the 8400M GS in the 1420.

 

sweet thanks alot, i ve been wanting the 1420 for a while but having the thought of missing out on a GPU twice the performance makes me cringe. but i guess most people are here for laptops that play games well.

as a biology major i think with the little time that i will have the 8400 should be enough.

one more question if anyone can answer

the hp one offers BOTH shared and dedicated memory of up to 319mb on the dv2500t. does the dell also do that because i havent read anything in regards to that.

 

Well I played with my brand new 1420 throughout all of last night and i'm so far very happy. I've only identified 1 dead pixel (stuck on a grayish color) but it's barely noticeable. My antiglare screen is the Samsung (SECXXXX) and it's extremely bright with great contrast.. Whites look great and blacks are black. Yes there's some light leakage from the bottom of the screen as others have stated but you only notice it when you're staring at a black screen, it's gorgeous otherwise.

My Windows Experience Index scored low compared to what other people were getting though.. Like a 3.7 or something. I don't remember now, i've already changed over to XP. And the video card is still scoring low in 3DMark05/06 compared to everybody else.. I'm starting to wonder if my GPU has a problem.

 

I ordered my 1420 on August 17th.

The estimated ship date is: Sept 06.


Just today I got this on my status page:
Order Delay Notice
Due to popular demand, we are experiencing some unforeseen supply constraints which in turn may delay the shipment of your order. Please continue to check the status of your shipment by using the Order Status page. You can also sign up for email alerts and or text message alerts to inform you the moment your order status changes.
If you wish to change or cancel your order you may Email or Call us at 1-800-847-4096
We regret any inconvenience this may cause you and thank you for your patience.

However my estimated ship date is still the same.

What do you guys think? Will i be able to receive the laptop on or before Sept 6th?

 

yes most likely , they usually overestimate the ship date so when it arrives earlier you are like "OmfG DeLL is Soooooo GOOD!" its a business strategy

lol sorry about the immature phrase above haha couldnt help it

 

Fix for the touchpad can be found here.

 

ooo LOL okay!
thanks i'll be waiting haha

 

Well, I have to tell you I am nervous about receiving my 1420. I ordered a 1501 about a year ago and had to return two of them because of the screen. And now I am reading all of these posts about the grainy screen on the 1420.

Here is what mine will have - I ordered it two week ago today and the expected ship date is 8/31.

Inspiron 1420, Intel Core 2 Duo T5250, 1.5GHz, 667Mhz, 2M L2 Cache
Basic Black Matte LCD back color
2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm
Anti-glare, widescreen 14.1 inch display (1280x800)
NVIDIA (R) GeForce TM Go 8400M GS with 128MB dedicated graphic memory
160G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, English
8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive for Inspiron
Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini Card
Integrated 2.0 mega pixel web cam
Network Associates McAfee 8.0 English, 15-Month Subscription
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for Inspiron 1420
Dell Wirless 355 Bluetooth Mod

I am paying $1,049 plus $63.00 tax.

Is this a good deal? Should I worry about the Screen? Will my laptop ship on time - it is still showing "In Production"?

Well, thanks everyone - I like this forum!

 

A month ago we bought ours with the same specs (except integrated video) for $749 -- free shipping, no tax (thanks, state of GA).

Chris

 

This is probably a good place for this question.

Owners with the dedicated GPU option, do you find it makes the fan stay on, or the notebook run noticeably hotter?

 

I find its fine with dedicated GPU. Fan hardly comes on at all and I often work with it in my lap. I'm sure if I was play hard core 3d games that would change though.

 

I ordered my 1420 on 8/8 with an estimated ship date of 8/30. Today, it says its in the boxing stage, but I get an email saying its delayed. I have a new target ship date of 9/16!!! Is it possible when my computer is being boxed?

 

i would call about the email. i said to myself if my order got canceled or delayed i would get a macbook. =X

 

Happy to report Bioshock runs on my 1420. I had to dial down everything though, but still looks pretty cool. Fantastic game! Had to get new drivers though as Dell ones just crashed in game.

1420 Black,2.2Ghz w/ 2G
nvidia 8400GS

 

Is there any quick way to disable the touchpad on the 1420? It's annoying when i'm using a mouse and accidentally touch the touchpad when i'm typing.

Thoughts?

 

Left-click or double click on the Touchpad icon on taskbar.
Choose Content. Then DeviceSelect/ButtonSetting. Click on the box on the bottom to "diable touch pad when external mouse present".

 

Oops, I should have mentioned im using Windows XP and not using the Touchpad driver.. it's all default.. I'm probably out of luck other than "disabling" it in the device manager.

 

Did you happen to try the touchpad driver that was previously discussed in this thread?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=159669

It has numerous options:

Device Select
Enable/Disable device
Disable Touch Pad when USB pointing device is present

Touch Pad
Tap off when typing

-LQ

 

Another thing..

Why does the screen not turn off when you close the lid?

Jay

 

Is the black on your computer a coating? I got a blue, and it is a "coating" on the casing and picks up dust. Thanks.

 

How do you like the "antiglare" screen? I ordered a glossy hi resolution and found it too bright. There was no "antiglare" option when I ordered mine. I'm planning on returning it and ordering the "antiglare", but when I looked at the prices, for the same computer, they are a lot higher than before.

 

How is everyone getting these great deals on the 1420? When I price it out now, it's close to $2000.

 

I recently received a 1420 w/ anti glare screen. It is very nice. It is brighter and clearer than my 15.4 8600 screen. In my opinion, anti glare is the only way to go.

 

Mine does this by default -- I close the lid and it goes to sleep and turns off the screen. Check your power settings.

 

Hmmm thinking about getting an anti-glare... if I call them to change will it be too late? It's in production right now.

 

I love my glossy screen. It's so much better than the antiglare on my Thinkpad. Much brighter and better colours, better contrast, etc.

 

do u think u can post some pics?

 

Yeah I prefer glossy screen. Though its a bit of a pain when using outdoors.

 

im now a proud owner of a 1420

 

i'm now a proud owner of the most anti-glare screen in the world. no glare what so ever!!!!!!!!!!

 

when i click on remove safely my thumbdrive, the light on the thumbdrive still on.

i just want to ask whether is this normal for vista or on this model??

because, when im using xp, whenever removed safely, my thumbdrive light will off.

 

Does anyone that owns a 1420 with the dell 1390 wi-fi card have any issues with a delayed connection to their wi-fi network. Sometimes it takes up to 30 seconds for my 1420 to connect to my Motorola SBG 900 router/cable modem whether through hibernation / sleep or initial bootup. My M1330 with the intel card connects in under 10 seconds to the internet. Could the problem be directed towards Vista with less than perfect Dell wi-fi drivers? I mean my old Dell Windows XP system with Dell's 1150 truemobile card connected also in under 10 seconds, so I'm stumped on why the new one is struggling to find the network before it successfully connects. I've made sure I've got the latest drivers and the 1420 has pretty much the same specs as the M1330 and setup pretty much the same way, so there shouldn't be any reason why it takes that much longer to connect to the network. Anyone have any tips with their 1420 and Dell Wi-fi card that might speed up the connection process to the network. Seems like the initial searching for the network takes way too long before it connects and that's when it's right next to the router.

Thanks for any help provided.

LTM

 

I'm in the club! Just ordered this morning....

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2MB cache/2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB)
Alpine White Color with Gloss Finish
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 Dimm
Anti-glare, widescreen 14.1 inch display (1280 x 800)
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 8400M GS
Speed: 120GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition, English
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition
IntelJ3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD, English
McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 15-months
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

 

Does anyone have uneven speakers? I made a thread about it here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=173976

 

Anybody know what the deal is with the Dell coupon codes. A few weeks back, every model of the Inspiron would always have some sort of coupon code to save around $200. Now, it just seems to be the dimension desktops for the past few weeks... I would like to order a 1420 for the wife.