Dell Inspiron 1545 Review

Editors note: This Dell Inspiron 1545 review was submitted by Mike D, one of our new readers.

I use my Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop all the time and when I say all the time I really do mean about every waking moment I am sitting on the couch, I have my laptop on my lap. I am constantly multi-tasking because I have a very hard time focusing. First off, my wife and I both use this computer. She uses it mainly to check her email and run her google calendar. I use it to run my Internet business and other various tasks.

I got this laptop about 2.5 years ago and I bought it right off of Dell’s website cause that was the best deal on the web. I looked at other discount laptops but none of the compared to what I would get with just buying a Dell. I upgraded the wireless card to draft N because speed is of the upmost importance and I also upgraded the screen, we will get to the screen part later.

The computer rarely crashes but when you get too many things running at the same time it does slow down. If I had to do it all over again I would get 8 GB of memory in it instead of 4. Another thing I wish it had was a backlight for the keyboard. Good thing I know how to type cause it gets tricky trying to work on this when there isn’t that much light around.

Another problem is the power supply. Either the power supply or the connection has gone bad because it no longer charges the battery when plugged in. It gives me an error saying it has the wrong power supply connected even though it is the one that came with the laptop.

Overall for the price I have been really happy with this laptop. Dell laptop prices are comparable, if not better than others on the market. While my dell was in my backpack, my backpack slipped off of my shoulder and hit the ground resulting in a broken screen. Since I was cheap and didn’t want to buy the accidental insurance dell offered I had to fix the screen myself. Fortunately dell has a great support website with a walk-through on how to replace the screen. I ordered a screen off of a description on a computer supply website and had it shipped to my house. Took the entire laptop apart to find it was the wrong screen. This time I ordered the screen based on the part number and I got the right screen and everything went back together perfectly. So I can say the computer is definitely repairable and fairly easy to work on, thanks to Dell’s great support walkthroughs.

I am unsure if I am going to buy another Dell laptop. I keep hearing great things about macbooks and want to try one of those out for size. The only problem is that a lot of the applications I run only run in a PC environment so I am going to have to figure something out there. Overall I am very happy with this laptop as I think it only cost me about $700 and I have gotten a ton of use out of for that price.

Related posts

• Top 5 Laptops For Individual Needs (7)
• Review: Dell Laptops (0)
• Five Tips For Buying Laptops On Sale (0)
• Save Money On Laptops (0)
• How To Get The Best Deal On A Laptop (0)

Laptop News: Eye-tracking laptops, 3D Sony VAIO, ...

The latest laptop news includes new releases with 3D and eye-tracking technology, and the new 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Coming Soon:  An Eye-tracking Laptop

How would you like to control your laptop with your eyes?  The first eye-tracking laptop will be unveiled at the CeBIT trade show in Germany on March 1st.  The laptop is a collaboration between Lenovo and Tobii Technology.  By tracking the user’s eye movement, the computer is able to center photos on the user’s gaze, scroll the screen automatically when viewing documents, and save power by reducing the brightness of the screen when the user is not looking at it.  This technology will not replace the keyboard and mouse, but it could still revolutionize the way people interact with their computers.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro

Mac lovers who like small laptops will be pleased to learn about the new 13 inch MacBook Pro.  The Intel Core i5 processor is incredibly fast and makes use of Thunderbolt technology to provide fast data transfer between the laptop and other devices.  The 13-inch MacBook Pro has long battery life and a large touchpad that is easy to use.  The keyboard is backlit for use in low lighting conditions.  The biggest drawback is that the battery cannot be replaced by the end user.  If it ever stops charging, you’ll need Apple’s tech support to replace it for you.

 Sony’s 3D Laptop Goes on Sale in March

Sony’s first 3D laptop computer is being released in March.  The Sony Vaio VPCF21Z1E/BI has a 16-inch stereoscopic screen and comes with 3D active shutter glasses.  It has a built-in HD web cam, and the 3D effects can be switched on and off easily by pushing a button.  The processor is a quad-core Intel Core i7-2630QM with Intel Turbo Boost technology.  Other features include a Blu-ray disc drive with DVD SuperMulti, two SuperSpeed USB ports, one Hi-Speed USB port, and Dolby home theater technology.

Lenovo’s New Laptops Designed for Teleconferencing

Lenovo has released six new laptops that include technology to improve noise suppression.  The company is marketing the new laptops as being better suited to teleconferencing because they are so quiet.  Lenovo also claims that the new models have a battery life of up to 23 hours.  This includes both the internal and external batteries.

Best-Selling Laptop Deals at Dell

Dell has deals on their top-selling laptops that range from $279.99 to $899.99.  You can save up to $233, depending on which model you choose.  The deals start with the Inspiron Mini 1018 for $279.99, which is its regular price, so it’s not exactly on sale, but it’s still a great deal.  The Dell Inspiron 15 is on sale for $399.99, and you can get an Inspiron 15R for $499.99 to $609.99.  There are two versions of the Inspiron 17R listed, with prices of $599.99 and $679.99.  There is also a Dell Inspiron 14R for $599.99 and two XPS 15 laptops for $799.99 and $899.99.  If you qualify, you can purchase any of these laptops using Dell’s financing plan.

Related posts

• Sony Joins the 3-D Laptop Arena: Can it Match Up? (1)
• Saving Money On A Laptop (0)
• Laptops On Sale This Weekend: Sony, Asus, Dell (0)
• Laptop News: Toshiba, Game Laptops and Sony (0)
• Google’s Laptop, Netbooks vs Tablet & Eye-Tracking Laptops Are Here (2)

Laptops On Sale This Weekend: Sony, Asus, Dell

Laptops on sale for 1/29/2011:

1. Walmart.com has a Sony Vaio laptop on sale for $548.00. It’s normally $598.00.
From their site:
Sony 15.5″ Laptop PC, EE3WFX Vaio
AMD Athlon II Dual Core P340 Processor 2.20Ghz, 1MB L2 Cache
4GB DDR3 Dual-Channel 1066MHz memory
500GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive
CD/DVD burner
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN; 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Certified
15.5″ HD widescreen LCD
Built-in MOTION EYE camera and microphone with face-tracking technology
Digital media card reader
4 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x HDMI port, 1 x VGA connector, 1 x headphone/speaker/line-out jack, 1 x microphone-in jack, 1 x Ethernet port (RJ-45), 1 x DC-in jack for AC adapter

2. CircuitCity.com has an Asus Refurbished Notebook on sale for $430. It’s normally $500.
From their site:
Intel Pentium T4400 2.2GHz processor
4GB of DDR2 memory
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system
500GB hard drive
Multi-format DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support
Supports the 802.11b/g/n wireless protocols

3. BestBuy.com has a Dell Inspiron Laptop on sale (until tonight) for $750.
From their site:
6-cell lithium-ion battery
Intel® Core™ i5-460M processor
6GB DDR3 memory
Blu-ray Disc-enabled DVD±RW/CD-RW drive
17.3″ WLED high-definition display
Intel® Wireless Display
640GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
Intel® HD graphics
Built-in 1.3MP webcam
7-in-1 media reader
3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports
Built-in Dell 6250 wireless networking mini card (802.11b/g/n)

Related posts

• Laptop News: Eye-tracking laptops, 3D Sony VAIO, and a Small MacBook Pro (0)
• Black Friday Laptop Deals For 2010 (0)
• Sony Joins the 3-D Laptop Arena: Can it Match Up? (1)
• Laptop News: Toshiba, Game Laptops and Sony (0)
• How To Get The Best Deal On A Laptop (0)

Buying A Laptop For Your Teenager

Typically for a teenager, an important and useful accessory to have is a laptop. Not an outdated one, or one that is too bulky, or one that doesn’t have enough power. Laptops for teenagers are sometimes difficult to decide on. Teenagers usually want the latest technology, the flashiest and most attractive laptop, and the one that has the most features and the most processor power.

However, there is a way to satisfy a teen looking for a laptop and one who doesn’t want to blow their budget. First off, small laptops are a great option for teenagers. Usually, teenagers have to carry around a lot of books and such for school, so a more compact laptop would be a great idea. Small laptops for sale can save a lot of money, and can easily be found online. Laptops that are small can also come in the form of netbooks, or tablets, such as the iPad. I actually have an iPad, and it is a perfect size for a teenager, for taking notes and web browsing, but doesn’t take up too much space and weigh too much. iPads only cost around $500 to $900, and are very trendy. They are also new and upcoming, so a teenager may like them a lot more than they would a regular laptop.

Laptops for sale online can also include the popular netbook, the Triple E PC, which is only a few hundred dollars, and has the capability for web browsing and small document like functions. It doesn’t have a large memory or processor, but for a first laptop it is suitable for a teenager. Compact laptops can be considered smaller than the average 15 inch laptop. So, with that being said, if a teenager doesn’t want his or her laptop too terribly small, an HP NC2400 notebook is great. It is only around $500, the same price as an iPad, and it also has a 12.1 inch screen. It has a decent hard drive capacity and a decent sized processor as well.

When looking for a laptop for a teenager, such as their first laptop, it is important to note that their primary use will be for school, and web browsing. Unless they have some dire need for a lot of power in a laptop, it is good to get the basics and not spend too much on something being flashy and high-tech. Laptops for sale online usually can get you the best deal as well. There are lots of big sales on laptops if you take time to fine them. Many sites offer free shipping, and that can save you gas on a trip to the store if you don’t mind looking online. Teenagers can be very hard to please, so if you’re shopping for your teenager, make sure to let them see what you’re looking at too. Let them know you have a budget, and to make sure that you both stick with it.

If a teenager tends to be rough with their belongings, such as dropping a cell phone or slamming books around, a Lenovo laptop would be best. Many people have said it is built like a rock, they are very sturdy and stable. Even if the style isn’t up to date, for the price, durability and features are a great value. However, smaller laptops tend to be best for teenagers as they will also be carrying around books and notebooks, and slamming their bag down on the ground and on their school desks. Also, with a smaller laptop, one can carry it around easier, and avoid keeping it in a bag where it can be easily damaged. Portability is a major issue when looking for a laptop for a teenager.

As mentioned before, teenagers like to have fresh, new technology, so a huge outdated laptop is not the best idea. In conclusion, when shopping for a laptop for a teenager, it is important to remember, compactness, price, features and power. Do a laptop comparison to find the best fit for your teen. pay attention to gaming laptop reviews as it’s safe to sa your teen will be using their laptop for some sort of gaming activities. But most of all to remember that too many features and accessories are not necessary because it will not really be used for intense purposes.

Related posts

• Google’s Laptop, Netbooks vs Tablet & Eye-Tracking Laptops Are Here (2)
• Buying A Laptop For Your Teen (0)
• Black Friday Laptops On Sale (0)
• 10 Most Popular Laptops On Sale (6)
• Black Friday Laptop Deals For 2010 (0)

Saving Money On A Laptop

Since their rise to popularity in the ’90s, laptops have rapidly come to be considered one of life’s essentials. It is now nearly impossible to navigate work and life without the use of a computer, and laptops can provide essential portability. One thing often stands in the way of consumers adopting laptops over cheaper desktop computers: the price tag.

Lightweight construction and sleek designs often come at a high price, and finding the cheapest laptops for sale can be daunting, as there are hundreds of different models and brands on the market. When you’re looking for laptops, the following tips can save you money and time as you navigate the complex world of laptop comparison.

First, consider buying a used laptop. The price of a laptop computer drops off significantly when you’re buying one that’s already been used for a year or two. It may not be as shiny as a new model, and it may have cosmetic problems, but if it works and fits your price range, it may very well be worth it. A new MacBook with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB DDR3 memory, and a 250GB hard drive costs about $999, but an eBay search will uncover big sales on laptops that are the same or similar models selling for much lower. Wherever you buy your laptop, make sure that the seller has positive reviews and that other customers have been satisfied with their purchases. Don’t buy a computer that is marked “as is,” and be wary of counterfeits and deals that seem too good to be true. When shopping online, you can’t physically see the product you’re getting, so be careful what you buy.

Second, comparison shopping is always a good idea. You might be tempted to go with the first laptop you see on the first site that you see, particularly if it’s within your price range and has all of the features that you need, but looking at several sites will work in your favor. A Lenovo ThinkPad T510 with 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-520M processor, 2GB RAM, and a 250GB hard drive is listed on various sites at $995, $899, and $950, so you’re probably doing yourself a favor if you look around. Google Product Search and other comparison-shopping tools can be your friend. Also, if you see a model you like at the lowest price you can find, try searching for a different brand or model that has the same features.

Third, decide what the essential features you need in a laptop are. Things like hard drive space, speed, and weight should be high on your list. Features like fingerprint recognition and backlit keyboards can be useful or fun if you have the cash, but if you’re on a budget, these should be lower on your list. Some sites let you customize your laptop with only the features you need, so make sure that you uncheck anything you feel is unnecessary — otherwise, you could be paying extra for features that you don’t even want.

With a few hours’ research, you should be able to come up with a laptop that fits your needs and budget. Be sure to consult friends and family with technical expertise, as they can often be valuable sources of information. Don’t make any hasty decisions — remember, the laptop’s going to be there tomorrow.

Related posts

• 10 Most Popular Laptops On Sale (6)
• Buying A Laptop For Your Teen (0)
• Top 5 Laptops For Individual Needs (7)
• Reader Reviews: MacBook Pro (1)
• Buying A Cheap Laptop (0)