Opinions of Dell Vostro and/or Inspiron please!

sudzs · 05-09-2012 08:22AM #1

My first and only laptop was a present 3 years ago. It's a big heavy Toshiba Satellite with a super glossy 17" screen that has driven me mad me for 3 years! It is only usable with no light whatsoever behind or on me! :rolleyes:

Time to buy a new laptop and I need a bit of advice. I'll be using it mostly for tinternet and study (hopefully starting an OU course soon) lots of typing. No gaming! I want something smaller (maybe 14" screen) and lighter for portability and preferably with a better sort of screen without the shine and reflection problems. I've been al over the internet looking for something within budget, around £500, sterling

I've been looking at a Dell Vostro and an Inspiron that kind of fit the bill in relation to screen size and anti-glare and budget. But I've searched the forum and read a few scathing comments about Vostros so wondering if ye could give me a few opinions or any advice!

Jarren · 05-09-2012 12:25PM

Portable/not gaming/ nice screen

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5085659/Trail/searchtext%3ESONY+LAPTOP.htm

More specs http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vn-s-series/vpcsb2m9e

Not sure if this is glossy/matte screen

Just another option to your Vostro/Inspiron

sudzs · 05-09-2012 03:18PM

Jarren wrote: »

Portable/not gaming/ nice screen

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5085659/Trail/searchtext%3ESONY+LAPTOP.htm

More specs http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vn-s-series/vpcsb2m9e

Not sure if this is glossy/matte screen

Just another option to your Vostro/Inspiron

Thanks for the links, never noticed that Sony on Argos. definately considering it. I think the screen has anti-glare.

so you reckon this would be better than a 14" Dell Vostro?!

Jarren · 05-09-2012 03:33PM

All depends on your budget and built quality

Lenovo T series are my favourite lappys

Currently out of stock but keep an eye out for this

http://outlet.ie.lenovo.com/store/lenovooe/en_IE/pd/productID.252216100

RAM chips can be purchased from this gang http://www.crucial.com/uk/

That Lenny ^ is my top contender from built quality point of view .

Can you post a link to that Vostro lappy ?

sudzs · 05-09-2012 10:40PM

Not sure if these are the links you're after but thinking of something like this maybe... http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/vostro-3460/pd?oc=n09s4611&model_id=vostro-3460&

or this http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/inspiron-14z-5423/pd?oc=n00i1440&model_id=inspiron-14z-5423&

But what do you think of this... http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5087956/c_1/1|category_root|Office%2C+PCs+and+phones|14418968/c_2/2|14418968|Laptops+and+netbooks|14419039/c_3/3|cat_14419039|Laptops|14419040.htm

Though I love the sony! Would love to see it in the flesh though.

Jarren · 06-09-2012 07:42AM

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5087956/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7COffice,+PCs+and+phones%7C14418968/c_2/2%7C14418968%7CLaptops+and+netbooks%7C14419039/c_3/3%7Ccat_14419039%7CLaptops%7C14419040.htm

CPU could be better on that ^ to be honest having said still not bad price wise for the portable lappy.

http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/inspiron-14z-5423/pd?oc=n00i1440&model_id=inspiron-14z-5423&

^ The cpu is really bad, it's not really an ultrabook.

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=n09s4611&model_id=vostro-3460&c=uk&l=en&s=bsd&cs=ukbsdt1

This actually could be a contender against Sony :)but Dell will charge you VAT/shipping for the models you linked.

sudzs · 06-09-2012 07:11PM

Thanks again for the advice and info!

With VAT, the Dell works out at £467... the Sony is £450. But I think I love the Sony!!! I just love how it looks... I'm very shallow!

sudzs · 07-09-2012 02:44PM

Right! I went into my local Curry's and had a look at 13.3" lappys. As much as I am covetting that Sony, I think it might be a tiny bit too wee.

So back to square one now and looking at a bigger machine. :rolleyes:

Jarren · 07-09-2012 02:57PM

Shame about that Sony ,have a look at that Dell Inspiron.

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5086816/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7COffice%2C+PCs+and+phones%7C14418968/c_2/3%7Ccat_19780850%7CLaptops+and+netbooks%7C14419039/Trail/searchtext%3ELAPTOP.htm

14 screen and very good price for that size.

sudzs · 07-09-2012 03:24PM

Shame about that Sony ,have a look at that Dell Inspiron.

I know... I still really really want it!

Thanks for that link. Just had a look at the Dell. Seems great value. Would it be much bigger than the Sony though... i'm wondering if I might go for a 15". Portability is not really a huge issue. I'll be mostly using it at home

Jarren · 07-09-2012 03:36PM

Hmm

£500 and 15.6 screen can get you this

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/samsung-series-3-300e5c-15-6-laptop-black-15119696-pdt.html

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_G580_1234985.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Satellite-C855-18D-15-6-inch-i5-3210M/dp/B008CO24DC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347028404&sr=8-3

sudzs · 07-09-2012 03:45PM

Jarren wrote: »

Hmm

£500 and 15.6 screen can get you this

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/samsung-series-3-300e5c-15-6-laptop-black-15119696-pdt.html

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_G580_1234985.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Satellite-C855-18D-15-6-inch-i5-3210M/dp/B008CO24DC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347028404&sr=8-3

Wow! How do you do that so quickly! My head is addled from searching online for the perfect laptop!! Thanks a mill again!

MarkR · 07-09-2012 03:45PM

You can get some keenly priced vostros in harvey norman. For basic internet / you tube videos an i3 processor would be loads, and will keep the cost down. 4 gb of memory and a 500gb hard drive is all most will need. Don't forget to think about backups. You can get a 500gb usb hard drive for a reasonable price, or a very large32-64gb pen drive quite cheap. Or both. :-)

CainMarko · 10-09-2012 09:45AM

i would be inclined to stay away from dell i have a lot of experience with repairs and it always seems to be dell laptops
that are put in front of me

I reckon this would suit your needs:

http://www.elara.ie/productdetail.aspx?productcode=MME9435ZGD

Torqay · 10-09-2012 09:50AM

CainMarko wrote: »

I reckon this would suit your needs:

http://www.elara.ie/productdetail.aspx?productcode=MME9435ZGD

And what do you reckon is so good about an AMD A-4, care to elaborate?

It's a lot slower than any current Celeron processor, never mind a Pentium or even Core iX.

CainMarko · 10-09-2012 10:24AM

if your only going to use it for internet browsing your not going to need a top of the range CPU
i know it aint the best im just saying that their are much better models than dells

Torqay · 10-09-2012 11:23AM

I wouldn't rate HP's reliability any higher than Dell's. The reason you see so many in your "experience with repairs" is because Dell is/was a hugely popular brand in Ireland with much higher sales.

Rule of thumb: if you buy cheap, you get cheap. Discussing the reliability and build quality of budget laptops is rather moot, except maybe with brands as Advent and Acer who never seem to be afraid of introducing new lows in quality standards. If you're looking for build quality you can always buy a Thinkpad T but don't come here and ask for the cheapest deals. Having said that, the Vostro isn't the worst, they can take some abuse.

Jarren · 10-09-2012 11:32AM

That HP doesn't present a value but this does

Lenovo G580 15.6-inch Laptop (Dark Bronze) (Intel Core i3 2370M 2.4GHz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, DVDRW, LAN, WLAN, Webcam, Integrated Graphics, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit)

If you look at the right hand side ,it should be more buying choices option
So let's do the maths here
£329 + free delivery - £50 cashback = £279 delivered

https://lenovo-saving.com/en/summer-saving

There is simple no comparison between that AMD and sec gen Intel Sandybridge cpu.

Opinions of Dell Vostro and/or Inspiron please!

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