Dell Laptop OK for My Mum?

hp01jpc · 21 Dec 2006 at 19:10

My Mum wants a laptop. It will be used for general Internet usage, card games, light office work (letters and stuff) and viewing digital photos.

She's not a speed freak, so Dual Core is not necessary. I think 512Mb minimum RAM is needed and the ability to burn CDs is also probably worth having. She will connect to a wireless internet connection.

Dell have the InspironTM 1501 for £428 and the InspironTM 1300 (bottom of the range) for £349. Anyone heard any positive/negative things about these machines? I'm sure she got a mailshot from Dell offering one of these laptops for cheaper than what I saw on the website, shame I can't remember the Model and exact price.

I'd probably rather get a new machine, they're quite reasonably priced.

If not Dell, anyone care to recommend a decent alternative?

Thanks for looking folks.

ChoÞÞer · 21 Dec 2006 at 19:36

erm.. i tihnk dell's are the best for laptops tbh they look and feel good

tazimodo · 21 Dec 2006 at 19:38

yeah provided the battery doesn't go bang!

ChoÞÞer · 21 Dec 2006 at 19:55

tazimodo said:
yeah provided the battery doesn't go bang!

yeh and that, but they sorted that aint they? :confused:

hp01jpc · 21 Dec 2006 at 19:57

Wasn't it Sony responsible for that though? It was their batteries and iirc Dell weren't the only manufacturer affected.

Yea I think it's sorted out now.

So go with the Dell then? Going once...

unde4d · 21 Dec 2006 at 19:59

She is going to overclock it?

Dell laptops are fine, but I'd suggest getting the 3yr standard warranty.

Memphis · 21 Dec 2006 at 20:00

ChoÞÞer said:
yeh and that, but they sorted that aint they?

Yes, and it was more Sony's problem. It was just unfortunate that Dell happened to get that shipment.

tazimodo · 21 Dec 2006 at 20:01

yeah sorry that was a bad dig, but i've seen too many of my friends stitched up by them so it makes me very wary, obviously many manufacturers have had faults etc etc. but it is the after service which makes the difference for me, I'm sure people will reply with positive things but imho i wouldn't go near them.

squiffy · 21 Dec 2006 at 20:06

There are far better manufacter's than Dell, which is bottom of the barrell imo. Low quality machines, and terrible customer service.

Consider Asus laptops.

dbmzk1 · 21 Dec 2006 at 21:12

Generally Dell make a decent laptop which are built quite nice. They have crap support though and the laptops have a habit of breaking more often than you might think, especially compared to others. They are not bad, but they are not great either.

I have found Acer laptops to be fantastic for the price. Check out the Acer Aspire 5051AWXMi for £400. I've got one for my Mum for Xmas and I had a play with it (just testing of course

). I've been nothing but impressed.

ANDARIAL · 22 Dec 2006 at 07:58

one of my Dells is the cheepy 1300 model(1.6 celeron mobile).perfectly fine for browsing word etc.battery life very good if you use max battery,up to 4.5 hours ish
my only real criticism is the model i got has the mobile celeron which i have found to be a bit slow(i feel it is slower than the 1.5 centrino in my other dell)