Dell Inspiron 1525 - What I need?

Ham Slicer

Looking for some advice from someone with a little bit more knowledge than me on buying a laptop.

It's for simple home use and won't be getting any gaming. MS office, web, itunes, and messing around with pictures is the extent of what I intend to do with it for now.

I was looking at the Dell Inspiron 1525 for €549.

Processor - Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5550 (1.83 GHz, 667 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2 cache)
Operating System - Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
Monitors/Displays - 15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display with TrueLife™
Video Cards - Integrated Intel® Graphic Media Accelerator X3100
Memory - 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]
Hard Drives - 160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
Optical - 8x DVD+/-RW Optical drive, including SW
Wireless Communication - Intel® Pro Wireless 3945 802.11a/b/g Mini-Card - Europe - Core 2 Duo Processors
Services - 1Yr Limited Warranty - Collect & Return

Now the stupid questions.
This obviously has a modem?
How long will battery charge last on this?
Does this come with anti virus software or any version of office?
Would you recommend this to me?

Thanks in advance

Dartz

Most modern Laptops come with a modem as standard, if it's off a decent size.

Battery lasts about 2-3 hours on most laptops...usually somehwere between that if you're using it.

Technically no... Dell give you the option of buying a subscription to McAfee. Just download AVG or Avast! for free though and you'll be set.

It's your money pal...but take a look at the vostro range if you're unsure

Ham Slicer

Dartz wrote: »

It's your money pal...but take a look at the vostro range if you're unsure

Thanks for that. I just looked at the 1500 Vostro (not really interested in a 17' screen).

For roughly the same price I get roughly the same package except with extra 90GB HD and vista business instead of home.

Is this reason enough to go with it or is vostro simply a better machine?

Dartz

Ham Slicer wrote: »

Thanks for that. I just looked at the 1500 Vostro (not really interested in a 17' screen).

For roughly the same price I get roughly the same package except with extra 90GB HD and vista business instead of home.

Is this reason enough to go with it or is vostro simply a better machine?

Be sure that includes VAT. Vat for my XPS was 250Euro...the business site does not actually include VAT in it's prices, so you need to be careful. Might be 100 or so for that Vostro.

If you think it's better though, then it's better. You're the one paying, not me.

gamer

THATS a great laptop for 549euros, you can download a free office clone, reads office format files ,i think its called staroffice, or google free ms office clone.IF im buying a laptop i look for 1 with tv out interface,very handy 4 watching dvds,or podcasts like digg ,rev3 etc on a tv with rca/video in.

Dartz

gamer wrote: »

THATS a great laptop for 549euros, you can download a free office clone, reads office format files ,i think its called staroffice, or google free ms office clone.IF im buying a laptop i look for 1 with tv out interface,very handy 4 watching dvds,or podcasts like digg ,rev3 etc on a tv with rca/video in.

Openoffice is much better I think

http://www.openoffice.org.

Makes with just about any format. Cost nothing but time.

Ghost Train

vostro and inspiron should be very similar hardware
inspiron 1525, slightly newer model and a bit neater (thinner), look at side on photos. Probably slightly lighter
battery life for 6-cell battery, I'd say about 2hours

theres openoffice or ibms lotus symphony (version of open office)

would prefer the inspion myself, but functional wise the vostro should be the same if the specs are the same

Ham Slicer

Still undecided but better informed.

Thanks again folks

aliqueenb

i gots that laptop just last wednesday, its pretty cool, grrr though got it in black, wanted it in pink ha!
what do you mean by does it come with a modem?
i cant get my 3 mobile broadband to install on it though...

gamer

has it got vista, cos win xp sp2 has the drivers built in for that modem, vista has not got proper drivers installed for many devices.MAYBE YOU COULD download vista drivers.

aliqueenb

yeah it is vista? but it installed just says data modem invalid now?

Sam Kade

aliqueenb wrote: »

yeah it is vista? but it installed just says data modem invalid now?

I bought the same laptop (dell 1525) last march for €519 including upgrade to 2gig memory. I also have 3 broadband when it says modem invalid go to computer right click drive f click open auto play then click run doing this connects to internet first time.