i want a second opinion on this laptop im thinking about buying?

Question

im looking for a laptop for school use and for storing/uploading photos something that is relativly fast...ive never used windows vista personally im just used to windows xp...if anybody here has windows vista how do you like it?


the total for this after taxes and shipping is $733.77

SPECS-
Inspiron 1501 Mobile AMD Sempron™ 3500+ (1.8GHz/512KB)


OPERATING SYSTEM(s) FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium with 1GB of memory


LCD panel 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™(glossy)

MEMORY 1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
VIDEO CARD ATI RADEON® Xpress1150 256MB HyperMemory™ (Integrated)
HARD DRIVES 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Network Card and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.08
Combo/DVD+RW Drives FREE!8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Sound Card Integrated Audio
Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card (54Mbps)
Offic

Answer 1

Everything looks good to me with the possible exception of the hard drive. The *size* should be fine for digital photos (unless you're planning to store many tens of thousands of them). But I'd consider a 7200rpm drive, since you mentioned that you'd like something relatively fast. You might be surprised how much of a difference that makes in the overall system speed. The hard drive is, after all, the slowest part of the system that is regularly accessed. On a 7200rpm drive, programs and files spring open noticeably faster than on a slower one.

The only other thing I'd suggest is trying to find a recent PC World or PC Magazine reliability and customer service report. As you may know, both magazines regularly (annually?) do a survey in which users report reliability (repairs needed and the satisfaction with them) and customer service. The last time I looked at laptops (two years ago) I decided from those reports (and from a similar one at Consumer Reports) to go with only Apple or IBM (now Lenovo). Both seemed to be far ahead of all other manufacturers in the laptop world. I didn't want to switch to the Apple universe so I went with IBM for its glowing reports on customer service and reliability, both. So far I've been mostly happy. But I'm not pushing either brand, because things can change in two years. Sadly, Dell didn't do so well in those reports, though it wasn't the worst, as I recall. I used to be a big fan, and still think they may make the best desktop models. But I'd do a little homework before assuming they're as great as they once were.

The price looks good -- almost too good, in my opinion. As I say, it's been a couple years, but my feeling is that you almost have to spend a thousand bucks to get a trustworthy laptop that will last for more than a few years. (I spent *three*, though I did load it up with features, and the same unit today would probably be only $2400.) Maybe that means looking at another brand, but please take that advice with a grain of salt. The surveys will be more useful than my gut feeling.

Oh, and no experience with Vista -- sorry.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I ought to inform you that laptops have come a ways within the final couple of years esp with twin center processors however I do not consider that they're strong sufficient to manage the style of efficiency had to run COD4. I am inclined to confess that I might be mistaken however the warmness generated through FPS's might soften your motherboard earlier than very lengthy they possibly adequate for rpg's however even then I might see your reveal freezing up with various characters onscreen. I recognise laptops are very cool and the mobility is a tremendous appeal however for gaming, they suck. Have you notion approximately a PS3 for gaming, or for the variety of cash you're speaking approximately you might get a tight computing device for those who shopped round, I understand it's your alternative and you have got ordinarily acquired your middle set at the pc however a minimum of speak to any individual in laptop global or anything earlier than you purchase. Best of success.

Answer 3

Not bad price, but I'd check ebay....