Inspiron 1525, Notebook for Grandparents. Thoughts?

The Blurb:

Powerful Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core T2370 Processor
2GB memory* and an enormous 250GB* hard drive
Plays and creates CDs and DVDs


*Basically $649 after $270 off*

Any notions as to how well vista will manage on this guy, and if casual
grandparent-level usage will work well with it?

Thanks!

On Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:38:42 GMT, "Thomas G. Marshall"
. com wrote:


The Blurb:

Powerful Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core T2370 Processor
2GB memory* and an enormous 250GB* hard drive
Plays and creates CDs and DVDs


*Basically $649 after $270 off*

Any notions as to how well vista will manage on this guy, and if casual
grandparent-level usage will work well with it?

Thanks!

Vista should do very well on that configuration. The 2GB of memory is
important when running Vista.

You probably already have thought of this but I'd recommend a
resolution with larger text size.

i would recommend spending the $50 more and upgrade the processor from the
t2370 (1.73mhz/533mhz/1mb) to the t5550(1.83mhz/667/2mb) processor. but
having said that, i am not a big fan of the inspiron 1525. it is
thinner/ligher than the inspiron 1520, but not as well built, and i dislike
the two tone look of both models (one color on the outside, silver on the
inside). for the best bang for the buck check out the vostros 1500 with
your choice of operating system (xp or vista)... starting at $599
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...qdwkbf&s= bsd
base configuration has xp home but for $29 more you can have vista home
premium if you must, $0 more for glossy true life screen, 2gb, dvdrw, $0
more for 128mb nvidia gforce 8400m gs, 250gb, $30 for integrated webcam if
you want. this machine is definately hevier than the 1525, but the
processor is better in the vostros configuration and the video card takes
the whole machine to a different level.


"Thomas G. Marshall" . com
wrote in message news:CU7Kj.1896$bQ1.1828@trndny09...

The Blurb:

Powerful Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core T2370 Processor
2GB memory* and an enormous 250GB* hard drive
Plays and creates CDs and DVDs


*Basically $649 after $270 off*

Any notions as to how well vista will manage on this guy, and if casual
grandparent-level usage will work well with it?

Thanks!

On Sun, 6 Apr 2008 14:15:08 -0400, "Christopher Muto"
wrote:

i would recommend spending the $50 more and upgrade the processor from the
t2370 (1.73mhz/533mhz/1mb) to the t5550(1.83mhz/667/2mb) processor. but
having said that, i am not a big fan of the inspiron 1525. it is
thinner/ligher than the inspiron 1520, but not as well built, and i dislike
the two tone look of both models (one color on the outside, silver on the
inside). for the best bang for the buck check out the vostros 1500 with
your choice of operating system (xp or vista)... starting at $599
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...qdwkbf&s= bsd
base configuration has xp home but for $29 more you can have vista home
premium if you must, $0 more for glossy true life screen, 2gb, dvdrw, $0
more for 128mb nvidia gforce 8400m gs, 250gb, $30 for integrated webcam if
you want. this machine is definately hevier than the 1525, but the
processor is better in the vostros configuration and the video card takes
the whole machine to a different level.



No argument Chris but the OP said this is for grandma/pa g . For
me, I'd take your advice.

To the OP tho, if Chris's suggestion is cheaper, I'd 2nd what Chris
said even for grandma/pa.

On Sun, 6 Apr 2008 14:15:08 -0400, "Christopher Muto"
wrote:

$0 more for glossy true life screen
$30 for integrated webcam if you want

Christopher brings up two good points. The true life screen has a
higher contrast and is easier to see. If there is a window behind a
person or something like that then you can see reflections but usually
that's not a problem.

The integrated web cam could be used to have a video chat with someone
located far away. The laptop the OP is considering will last a long
time, and video chats will possibly become more common.

It could be useful if you have relatives a long distance away (like
grandkids in a distant state) that also have a web cam.

"Rider" wrote in message
...
Chris,
Are these recondition units?
thanks



Sorry if I'm butting it, but no, these are brand new. I also notice that
the $599 price includes a free upgrade to the 128mb NVIDIA 8400M GS video
card, fwiw.....

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...qdwkbf&s= bsd

i followed my link and stews link and see the same system offered with a
strting price of $599... and as you progress through the component selection
you are able to select the glossy truelife display for $0 more and the 8400m
gs video for $0 more.

"S.Lewis" wrote in message
...

"Rider" wrote in message
...
Chris,
Are these recondition units?
thanks



Sorry if I'm butting it, but no, these are brand new. I also notice that
the $599 price includes a free upgrade to the 128mb NVIDIA 8400M GS video
card, fwiw.....

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...qdwkbf&s= bsd

brand new, and being in the vostros line they have a 30 day total
satisfaction (return) policy unlike other dells that only have 21 day. but
i have had to remind dell about their own policy about vostros machines when
speaking with customer support.

"Rider" wrote in message
...
Chris,
Are these recondition units?
thanks

Christopher Muto wrote:
i would recommend spending the $50 more and upgrade the processor from
the t2370 (1.73mhz/533mhz/1mb) to the t5550(1.83mhz/667/2mb) processor.
but having said that, i am not a big fan of the inspiron 1525. it is
thinner/ligher than the inspiron 1520, but not as well built, and i
dislike the two tone look of both models (one color on the outside,
silver on the inside). for the best bang for the buck check out the
vostros 1500 with your choice of operating system (xp or vista)...
starting at $599
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...qdwkbf&s= bsd
base configuration has xp home but for $29 more you can have vista home
premium if you must, $0 more for glossy true life screen, 2gb, dvdrw, $0
more for 128mb nvidia gforce 8400m gs, 250gb, $30 for integrated webcam
if you want. this machine is definately hevier than the 1525, but the
processor is better in the vostros configuration and the video card takes
the whole machine to a different level.


"Thomas G. Marshall"
. com wrote in message
news:CU7Kj.1896$bQ1.1828@trndny09...
The Blurb:

Powerful Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core T2370 Processor
2GB memory* and an enormous 250GB* hard drive
Plays and creates CDs and DVDs


*Basically $649 after $270 off*

Any notions as to how well vista will manage on this guy, and if casual
grandparent-level usage will work well with it?

Thanks!

ps. you probably also want to select the dvdrw with roxio creator for $0
more. and if you are more concerened about performance than hard disk space
you can select the 160gb/7200rpm disk instead of the 250mb/5400rpm disk for
$0 more. with the video card, 800mhz fsb processor, 7200rpm drive, this is
a very good laptop at a excellent price.

"Christopher Muto" wrote in message
m...
i followed my link and stews link and see the same system offered with a
strting price of $599... and as you progress through the component
selection you are able to select the glossy truelife display for $0 more
and the 8400m gs video for $0 more.

"S.Lewis" wrote in message
...

"Rider" wrote in message
...
Chris,
Are these recondition units?
thanks



Sorry if I'm butting it, but no, these are brand new. I also notice that
the $599 price includes a free upgrade to the 128mb NVIDIA 8400M GS
video card, fwiw.....

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...qdwkbf&s= bsd

a. i recommend that you order on line. whenever you call in the sales
people seem to try to sell you things you don't want, will argue that the
deal is for online only, and then will capitulate and give it to you, but
will likely screw up some part of the order and you will be worse off for
the wear. the only thing i might order on the phone is a server because
there are some options not available on line.
b. anyone can order from dell small business. you can just echo your name
in the business name box if it is demanded of you. i find it interesting
that people always seem to worry about this. everyone, every company had to
start somewhere. heck, michael dell started dell from his college dorm room
and so his first parts order were for a 'business' and he probably didn't
even know it at the time.
c. anyone can order them.

"Rider" wrote in message
...
I guess I should have asked...
a. if this has to be ordered online or can it be phoned in?
b. I've also heard you have to have a business to get this,
c. or can anyone get a Vostro?
thanks

Christopher Muto wrote:
brand new, and being in the vostros line they have a 30 day total
satisfaction (return) policy unlike other dells that only have 21 day.
but i have had to remind dell about their own policy about vostros
machines when speaking with customer support.

"Rider" wrote in message
...
Chris,
Are these recondition units?
thanks

Christopher Muto wrote:
i would recommend spending the $50 more and upgrade the processor from
the t2370 (1.73mhz/533mhz/1mb) to the t5550(1.83mhz/667/2mb) processor.
but having said that, i am not a big fan of the inspiron 1525. it is
thinner/ligher than the inspiron 1520, but not as well built, and i
dislike the two tone look of both models (one color on the outside,
silver on the inside). for the best bang for the buck check out the
vostros 1500 with your choice of operating system (xp or vista)...
starting at $599
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...qdwkbf&s= bsd
base configuration has xp home but for $29 more you can have vista home
premium if you must, $0 more for glossy true life screen, 2gb, dvdrw,
$0 more for 128mb nvidia gforce 8400m gs, 250gb, $30 for integrated
webcam if you want. this machine is definately hevier than the 1525,
but the processor is better in the vostros configuration and the video
card takes the whole machine to a different level.


"Thomas G. Marshall"
. com wrote in message
news:CU7Kj.1896$bQ1.1828@trndny09...
The Blurb:

Powerful Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core T2370 Processor
2GB memory* and an enormous 250GB* hard drive
Plays and creates CDs and DVDs


*Basically $649 after $270 off*

Any notions as to how well vista will manage on this guy, and if
casual grandparent-level usage will work well with it?

Thanks!