So I ordered myself a laptop today. I had one back in 2006 but I gave it to my girlfriend in the middle of 2007 when she needed a dedicated computer for school so I was left with just a desktop. After a couple of years of not being able to sit on the couch or in my bedroom while still being able to be on my computer and online, I decided it was time to get another laptop.

So I went through the same channel I used last time: Dell Outlet Store

I think I got a great deal on this thing. it was $886 with taxes, shipping, and an optical mouse accessory. What do you all think? Here's the specs below:

Inspiron 1525 Laptop: Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache) Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Inspiron 1525 Laptop: Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
6 Cell Primary Battery
MEDIADIRECT 3.3 Software
MEDIA DIRECT 3.5
Software
Keyboard On Notebook
Operating System Label
Processor Label
AOL Software
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Software
Software
Documentation
Dell Support 2.0 Software
Software
Previously Ordered New
4 GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz (2 DIMMs)
Software
Resource DVD
Operating System DVD
Dell Solution Center Software
56K DataFax Modem
Shipping Material
Bluetooth Wireless Card 355
No Dell DataSafe
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Adobe Acrobat 9.0 Reader
MEDIADIRECT 3.3 Software
Earthlink ISP
Integrated 2.0 Mega Pixel Web Camera
Jet Black
No Dell DataSafe Backup
Documentation
Internal NIC
Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
250 GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
ISP Search Assist
Net Zero ISP
15.4 WXGA Laptop Screen Display with TrueLife
Power Cord
Image Restore Software
Software
Wild Tangent Gaming Client
Software
Roxio Creator 10
65W Adapter
Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini Card

I would ditch the AOL Software, Adobe Acrobat 9.0 Reader, Earthlink ISP, Net Zero ISP and Wild Tangent Gaming Client and run:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/pcdecrap.html

Then install SpywareBlaster and an anti-virus like avast! or Avir AntiVir.

Decent specs for the price though right? What I am going to do right off the bat is get a new HDD... I need a 7200 RPM HDD so I'll dump another $70 for that. Then I may load either linux or Windows 7 Beta on that bad boy and learn some new operating systems. Worked in Vista for the first time today for a coworker and I must admit. I am very behind. I would have liked to have some sort of dedicated video card but I guess I can't complain too much. I probably won't do too much gaming on it if any.

Looks like a nice system to me and money well spent! And software can be added or changed as you learn your needs.......Congrats!

I might be done buying from Dell. Let me explain.

I got the external mouse separately the Monday after I ordered (quick turn around) and the laptop on Tuesday... GREAT! However, it was shipped with the wrong power cord for the AC adapter so I could not charge the battery or turn the laptop on until my girlfriend got in the next day with her laptop and AC adapter. THEN, the very first thing I do is load into the system BIOS and the memory says it's running at 667Mhz. Well, the Outlet store said 800Mhz and so did the invoice they sent me. So I call Dell. The woman who spoke to me said the system says 800Mhz too. After several phone calls and a few hours worth of talking, they told me that the Inspiron 1525 cannot support over 667Mhz. So naturally, I wanted some type of compensation for the false advertising as the memory's speed did play a part in my purchase. They directed me to Customer Care. After being hung up on 3 or 4 times today, I finally got in touch with the "floor manager" and he told me there is no way I can get any type of compensation. That is the worst customer service I have ever dealt with. It's their fault, yet I have to live it??? That might be the last Dell I buy.

In the UK we have a procedure we can follow for firms that place false advertisements.

Perhaps you may be able to get some help by following this page up, it's valid until April 2009.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=cagoterminal&a...s&csid=Cago

Just return it! I'm on my second Dell PC, and it's my last one too.

Thanks for the reply... But I don't think this has much to do with financing, repairs, or rebates

Processor is supposed to be 2.4Ghz but it's saying 1100, 1500, and 2400 at different times in CPU-Z. I changed the power options to "High performance" so it should be running at full power... Anyone got any suggestions?

It is probably throttling it self back when it isn't in use. It is a power saving feature. Don't worry about it. CCleaner should tell you the speed. There has to be a way to complain and get your money back especially with the false advertising part.

AJ

CCleaner and the BIOS show 2.4 Ghz but CPU-Z is still showing 1.2Ghz most of the time but I guess it is the processor throttling back. All the power options are set to 100% though for min/max processor state. Thanks for replaying back

Ugg..

Take a look at this Validation from CPU-Z... Memory is supposedly 800MHZ memory but it's running at 667MHZ. Is that the motherboard throttling it down or could it be bad memory? I seriously doubt the latter.

Keith

If you paid w/ a credit card you may have an option to get your money back by filing a complaint through the card company.