Dell Inspiron 15....any opinions on it as a first laptop?

Hey everybody, I've been looking for a good laptop to purchase and recently I was interested in the Studio 15 but found that it is too problematic for a new laptop.

As I was just browsing dell.ca, I came across a notebook I don't recall seeing before.
The Dell Inspiron 15.
I did the 'customize' feature and liked the price it can be had for.

Any opinions on this laptop? I know the Studio 15 has all these issues with the ejected/multimedia touchpad and the mouse.
Has anybody purchased this laptop? is this a new one or is it the same as the 1525 or 1520?



Here are the specs I configured it for:

http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/upsell_1545_systems?c=ca&cs=cadhs1&l=en&s=dhs

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T6400 (2.00GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Glossy, widescreen 15.6 inch display (1366x768)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD
High Definition Audio 2.0
Integrated 10/100 Network Card
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic Edition SP1 edit
SYSTEM COLOUR Jet Black
No Webcam Option
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
8X CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11 Wireless-N Mini Card
6-cell battery



Any Cons with this laptop from any owners?
Do these suffer from the same poor speaker quality as the Studio 15?



Also, any ideas what the mAh or aH rating is for the 6-cell? is it 4400? 4000?
I couldn't find any info on it.

 

The model that you're referring to is technically called the Inspiron 1545. On the sales website and ad materials, Dell is calling it the "New Inspiron 15"...not a good move since they recently changed the name of the Inspiron 1525 to the Inspiron 15!

The 1545 has a 15.6" display (16:9 aspect ratio) vs. the 1525's conventional 15.4" display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Personally, I'm not sure if I like the 16:9 displays, but a few more models seem to pop up every day! Just be aware that the 1545 is about .65 inches wider than the 1525, so it has a bigger footprint on a desk/table if that matters at all to you. The depth (or height when the display is opened) is about .4 inches less on the 1545 than the 1525. The weight and thickness when closed appear to be almost identical between the two.

The good news is that the 1545 is finally the first Inspiron to be built on the newer Intel GM45 chipset. Along with that comes the newer CPU options, much better integrated graphics and the availability of the Intel 5100AGN wireless card.

Oddly, the 1545 has one less USB port (3 total) than the 1525. It also loses the IEEE 1394a (Firewire) port that is standard on the 1525. Despite losing those two ports, it doesn't include an eSATA port.

The 1545, at least from a hardware/performance standpoint, is an improvement on the 1525. But the Studio 15 is still a better system than either of them! That is especially true considering how closely they are priced when similarly equipped.

The newest iteration of the Studio 15 (1537) is an improvement upon the original model (1535). I own a 1535 and, despite its flaws, it's still a great value and a very good performer. The speakers were horrible initially, but I learned that using a different driver made a VAST improvement. They are now on par with most other Dell notebooks I've heard...decent, which is really all you can expect from a sub-$1k laptop.

The Studio 15 also has one very nice feature not offered on the 1545- a standard LED-backlit display. It provides brighter, more vibrant images, is thinner and lighter than conventional CCFL-backlit displays AND significantly improves battery life (uses up to 47% less energy than a traditional display). There are also a lot of options offered on the Studio 15 that aren't on the 1545- higher resolution displays, discrete graphics card, backilt keyboard, fingerprint reader, 100+ exterior designs, slot-loading optical drive and high-speed (7200rpm) hard drives.

More importantly, the Studio 15 has a standard Webcam (costs $25 extra on the 1545) and a standard 6-cell battery. I'm surprised that the 1545 has a 4-cell battery standard and the upgrade to a 6-cell is $50 (CAD) or $30 (USD). A 4-cell battery in a laptop of this size is woefully inadequate....it wouldn't even make it two hours...they did away with the 4-cell in the 1525 a long time ago and made the 6-cell standard.

I'll shut up now...I didn't mean to write such a long dissertation. Then again, it's 4am and I've been up all night with a sick cat...my life is just one big thrill after another!

In summary- The "New" Inspiron 15 looks to be a pretty good budget system...but the Studio 15 is better!

 

Wow, thank you for that post.
See, I'm just worried with the Studio 15, that if I purchase it I'll be posting in here a few days/weeks later with the common issues. I just find it hard to purchase something that it's not finished/built properly.

I've already made a mistake like that back in November buying a product and having it 1/3 done.
That is the only reason I thought this new 'inspiron 15' would be something a step above with a bunch of common issues fixed.

It doesn't seem to have the Media Touch keys...so no problems with them not working or the eject button
Has a normal CD tray drive, so once again, I can eject it manually with the button on the drive itself.

Just not sure about the speakers.

 

I took a look at the Inspiron 15 at Best Buy the other day. Truth be told it looks and feels very cheap. I mean VERY cheap. The whole casing is cheap hard plastic and even the keyboard feels crappy. The previous Inspirons or a Vostro is a much better machine imo. At least as far as look and feel go.

 

Thank you, I've been reading up on the Dell 1545 and I've decided to pass on it.


I believe I am going to purchase the Dell XPS M1530 as I need a unit that will do me good for the money I spend with as little headache.


Thank you all.

 

I wouldn't expect great sound from an Inspiron or any Dell except maybe the new Studio XPS line (unconfirmed). As far as audio cutting out on the 1525 I don't think it is a common issue. Only common sound issue I can find is audio drivers after downgrading to XP.

 

I have the 1705 for 2 years now - great buy!
I would recommend upgrading to a non integrated graphics card, besides that - no problems.

cheers