Dell Inspiron 1520 User Review

I checked in Device Manager and it's listed as SEC3350.

Edited: I Googled SEC3350 and it's looking like it's Seiko Epson.

 

From this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2056926

"I just received a word on the Dell forums regarding the 1680x1050px display of the Latitude D830, stating that the panel is very poor quality.

The panel have been identified as Seiko Epson SEC3350."

If this is true, it seems like both good news and bad news. The bad news is that other people think the screen is yucky, but the good news is that there are possibly other screens produced by different manufacturers for this computer.

 

Great review! Now I wish I hadn't bought my Inspiron 6400 4 months. Oh well.

 

I must say, whereas I was a 100% sure Inspiron buyer before, I have chosen Aspire 5920 instead... Seems so much more handy to me IMO...

 

Yes, that's true of any laptop with silver paint on the palm rest, and from what I understand, even other colors sometimes show discoloration. You can see it in the pics of the E1505 I used.

 

Great review Stella. Thanks!
I don't freakin understand how is this comparison made.. I always wondered:

Notebook 3D Mark 05 Results

Inspiron 1520 (2.00GHz Core 2 Duo Intel T7300, 8600M GT 256MB) 5,316 3D Marks
Alienware Aurora M-7700(AMD Dual Core FX-60, ATI X1600 256MB) 7,078 3D Marks

what's wrong with the Aurora baby ? I guess FX-60 is 2Ghz too so what's the catch ?

 

FX60 is AMD's Athlon 64 unlocked multiplier DESKTOP processor - that probably is why it got so much higher 3DMarks. Granted, the 1520 uses a better GPU

 

ok i could take this explanation, but anyway the difference is too large!
and let's not forget that only the 8600GT is considerably better than X1600!

 

Why doesn't it? It does the job, eliminates the noise. Technically you could say that Anti-Virus is "third" party, since Microsoft has their own AV (OneCare, which actually has an AV Engine not made by them)

EDIT: The gap between the FX is probably due to other factors - for example there is no defining how much RAM there is, the RAM's speed, perhaps it is a configuration that has 2 x 7200 RPM HDDs in RAID (I've seen these... crazy)... etc etc

 

hi all.

is the ram easily accessible from the bottom in case i want to upgrade the ram later?

thanks.

 

the X1600 series are 3Dmark optimised
their score at 3Dmark doesn't reflect their real performance, less than other graphic cards

 

Well I would look into the panel used for the wxga version too. The aspire 5920 uses an lg screen that Ive heard many good things about which is also brand new to that laptop. It could show up in the dell 1520

Oh ya stella absolutely you could order the lcd screen used in the asus g1 and replace it.

Your lcd model is so new I dont know what to say about it but it doesnt sound good. You can try dell screen return but they charge for it now I think

All the dells come with different screens so there is at least one other maker you can get.

 

I know I can get it replaced if I pitch a fit (I did with my M1210), but I figure there's no sense doing that until more people receive theirs and I know that a better screen is available.

 

Well right now with the current coupon I made a 1520 with wsxga screen and 8600 gt and dvd burner for 909 free shipping.


Thats just a steal and then some. Id research that bottom level cpu though more it might be worth $100 upgrading it so Id call it 1000$

 

Wow... that really is quite a deal. Go for it!!!! (Choose a good color too )

 

hey stella!!
great review there. was waiting for one for ages..
btw as was with you i also had the biggest problem with deciding the colour... i had opted for ruby red but then the dell sales rep in india told me it would delay my delivery by 4 weeks... then i thot i should go for a spring green and luckily you did a review of one...just wanted to ask if the green by any chance looks gawdy in comparison to the red or is it really beautiful as you've described??

 

I wouldn't order if it delays by 4 weeks :-s

the blue design seems very great

 

Why is Vista Home Premium only available?

 

where can I buy it in that price?

 

dell.com

use the dell coupons link on this page.

make one for the minimum amount and then use the coupon. should come to 900$

 

Hi, Thanks for the review. Sounds a hell of a lot better than the last hunk of junk I bought from dell.... the dreaded 5160.

Just wondering how good the various screen options are? I do some amateur photography (i.e. I do it as a hobbie and it costs me money and I dont want to have to throw hundreds of dollars on a screen upgrade if its not completely necessary). The screen on my 5160 is pretty bad and I'd prefer not to 'handicapped' by another poor quality screen.

Thanks

 

Hi, I just registered. I've been reading this thread for days.
I have my 1520 on assembly at DELL.
Does anybody know which hard disk brand DELL uses on the 1520 ? Or is a matter of stock ?

Thanks
Javier

 

It depends upon which hard drive you chose for your configuration. And even if we knew which one you chose, Dell could be using different manufacturers.

 

Hi there!

This computer is absolutely amazing!!!

I also got my dell 1520, but as you mentioned in your review, the wireless may not automatically work right off the bat. This happens to be the case with mine.

I have a home network that has worked well with my previous laptop (IBM thinkpad). However, the dell wireless connection is unable to detect my home network, let alone the other networks around my building.

do let me know how to disable the bluetooth, as you suggested, in order to have the wireless correctly detect networks.

Thankyou,
~~bunny~~
ps: i bought a RED one.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by camilla View Post
where can I buy it in that price?

dell.com

use the dell coupons link on this page.

make one for the minimum amount and then use the coupon. should come to 900$
__________________
a8js3dmark scores:[05 4283oc521/497 5164][06 2679oc500/490 3096]:
My a8js: 2gb ram 100 gb hitachi 5400 rpm . 60 gb 2.5 inch external + extra battery

For $10 I will type something into google and tell you what it says





I JUST TRIED THE COUPON G01JG242730SDT BUT IT ISN'T WORKING CAN ANYONE HELP ME..

 

how is the ati 1270 graphic card?

 

Hi Stella,

Do you or anyone here know if I can use the 9-cell battery from the Inspiron 6400 on this 1520 or not? Thank you.

 

i have the same problem with the NOISE but i am not sure that it comes from the CPU or HARD DRIVE,even i can hear it in my headphone or from my external speakers,as long as my laptop is busy about doing an action( restarting the windows or i openning a programe)the sound disapears for a short time.

anybody else has the same problem?or i am so sensitive???

 

i hear the same noise

 

I really like the look of this laptop, so I ordered 2, 1 for me and 1 for my partner. I ordered on the 2nd July 2007 and was supposed to receive it by 19th July... But instead I received an email telling me they are going to be delayed until 3rd August! I think that's bang out of order, who the hell do Dell think they are?!
I have requested a free upgrade or I will cancel the order, ha ha...

 

Are those coupon codes valid in Canada? At the dell.ca website?

 

I have a quetion. Does anyone who got theirs already burn DVDs? I would like to know if it burns ok, because another review said the DVD burner was a piece of crap.

 

My advice is to ring up the sales team, you can drive them down on price because they get a bonus for their sales. I managed to get £150 GBP off.

 

Apparently the issue was that dvd's burned by the OS didnt "close" their session, and therefore werent being read on other dvd players.

But that wasnt an issue with the hardware - just the the person hadnt set up the dvd to close the session.

The solution was to manuall close the session (I dont know how you do this in vista) or use something like Nero. And that worked fine.

 

Hello,

I've been researching laptops for awhile now. I enjoyed your review it was very helpful in me making my decision. I chose the Inspiron 1520. I twinked it out as I don't want to by another laptop for some time. I too chose the Spring Green (its a calming color, giving me that zen feeling). I ordered it on 07/14. Its delivery date is in August. The wait time is a bit long but I've heard that’s because the display's are on back order. Seems there is a high demand for the glass used in the screens.

I'm a gamer by heart and this looks like it has the best punch for the price. When I receive I’ll update on how it does.

Looks like I spent a bit more that the others i've seen posting there amounts. Rounding out around 1,775$.

Here are several questions I have:
1. Does anyone know a decent *Wireless* mouse and keyboard that will work well with gamer (i.e. no lag, decent battery life, functional). That will not break the bank (100$ - 120$ range)?
2. What are the dimensions of the laptop? I need to buy me a Laptop bag.


Here are my specs.

Inspiron 1520, Intel Core 2 Duo T7500, 2.2GHz, 800Mhz, 4M L2 Cache
Spring Green Color with Microsatin Finish
2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm
15.4 inch Wide Screen WSXGA+ TrueLife LCD for Inspiron 1520
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
160G 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, English
Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for Inspiron
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy
Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini Card
Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for Inspiron 1520
Dell Wirless 355 Bluetooth Mod

 

Does Dell replace a grainy laptop screen with a new one?

 

Unfortunately most screens at this resolution appear to be grainy to some extent, at least for this generation. I even tried a different brand and the new screen is grainy as well.

 

how would you compare the sec screen to the samsung one on the g1s?

 

I believe the G1S screen and the 1520 are both Samsung screens, at least in the ones I received. They appear to be identical to me. The G1S has more light leakage, but I think that's just the luck of the draw, and not any difference inherent in one screen or the other.

 

I returned my Inspiron 1520 because the grains were terrible. The screen on my Vostro is unbelievable - it's so crisp and smooth. I didn't know how to check what kind of screen I had while I had the Inspiron but the Vostro came with an LFLP300. Does anyone know what manufacturer that is?

 

I returned my Vostro because the grains were terrible. The matte screen on my Inspiron 1520 is unbelievable - it's so CLEAR, crisp and smooth.

I think it's just a matter of luck !

 

Update from my previous post.
Order date 07/14. My original est. ship date was suppose to be 08/01. I got a call from dell on the 1st and they informed me that the screens are on backorder and mine won't be shipped now until 08/28. Needless to say I’m pretty furious . I explained that this is unacceptable and dell said and I quote, "I apologize Mr. XXXX, we'll send you a coupon". So I’m starting to see there customer service shine through. What the heck will a coupon do for me? They did inform me I can get a refund on the computer which I might do. Although this is one of the best I’ve seen from the mulla.

 

Hi,

I received my Vostro 1500 two days ago and having the same noise issue. I chatted with tech support with no luck. Does anybody here have a solution?

 

Yo! ive been lurking after i purchased an inspiron 1520 here's the stats
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7100 (1.8GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic Edition
CD writer / DVD player (Combo Drive)
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 - Word, Excel + PowerPoint
Battery (6 cell)
Ruby Red color w/o Camera

So I've just been waiting eagerly for it. Its the first laptop ill have purchased total came to about $1200. But i guess the ship/build time is forever for these things because I ordered mine 7/23/2007 and im scheduled to receive it 8/16/2007-8/20/2007. I'm just a college student for business, which is why I went against the MacBooks. Hopefully I wont have any horrendous problems with this thing like my computer I have now...and bass amps.

 

how come so few people use dell coupons?

@slapska:
you could upgrade your HD and processor and use the -300 USD dell coupon. judging by your price, i'm assuming you didn't do this already.

 

you want to use the free program everest and look for the model number

If that were just lp, that would be lg phillips. So I think the LF youre telling us is junk from control panel or whatever youre looking at.

I mean its been a very long time since Ive seen a notebook lcd that wasnt made by:


AUO something optronics, formerly quanta display systems
SEC samsung
LP LG phillips
CMO chei me optronics
CPT chungwa picture tube
TOS Toshiba/hitachi

SHP Sharp
SNY Sony

That could be all of them and the last 3 I havent seen in a long time. Ive seen hann star lcds about 2 years ago as well. Those first 3 are like 90% of all of them and the first 5 are like approaching 99%

 

actually no. barely anyone w/ the matte screen experienced grainy issues, and its questionable whether those who did actually had grainy screens or just imagined they did after reading the horror stories elsewhere.

this is partially because all the glossy screens (trueLife) were from a bad batch made by AMO while the matte screens (1280x800) were made by Chi-Mei

 

yea my grandma gave me her credit card info and told me to order one so I wasnt concerned with the price as much as i should have been. I dont think i'll be as scrupulous with details like grainy screens and stuff seeing as im going to be using it mostly for college and not gaming or extensive media.

Torch, how did you get your dell in 6 days??

 

I got mine in 5 over phone ordering. I think it's just about negociation. Those phone sales reps get incentives from our orders, so if you behave like being insecure about your order and the rep feels that he/she is losing you, will do a good shipping time for you.

 

Your ship date really depends mostly on your components. Ordering the black lid, among other things, will make your shipment much faster.