The Dell Inspiron 1520 is built around an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and (in the case of higher-end models) the new Centrino Duo platform. Aside from processor choices, Dell is also offering colour choices: if buyers don't like the traditional white or black case, they can opt for red, blue, green, yellow, brown or pink. We've seen colourful laptops before -- most recently in the Sony VAIO C series -- but we've never seen a coloured laptop with as many configuration options as the Dell Inspiron 1520 series offers. Add to that such media-friendly options as a built-in Webcam or Blu-Ray disc drive, and the Dell Inspiron 1520 series will definitely appeal to home users who want a solid all-around laptop with a high degree of customisation.
Though the Inspiron 1520 series' feature set is largely average for the midsize category, a few key items stand out. For example, the laptop's 15.4-inch wide-screen display can be configured with a sharp 1,440x900 or even sharper 1,920x1,200 native resolution. Buyers will have the option to include a Blu-Ray drive in their system -- still a rare choice outside the realm of premium desktop replacement laptops. Of course, these finer features will drive the Inspiron 1520 series well above the AU$1699 starting price, but many home users will appreciate the option to customise their laptop to fit their needs and lifestyles.
Dell has also borrowed a few handy design features from its other laptop lines and incorporated them into the Inspiron 1520 series. First, media controls along the front edge, similar to those found on the XPS line of laptops, let you easily control disc playback. From the Latitude line, the Inspiron 1520 has adopted a built-in Wi-Fi Catcher, which lets you detect wireless networks even when the laptop's lid is closed or the computer is powered off.
As often happens with configurable laptops, the price of the Dell Inspiron 1520 series can vary widely depending on your component and feature choices. But we even like the look of the baseline Inspiron 1520 configuration, which incorporates a Core 2 Duo T5450 processor (based on Intel's previous-generation architecture), 2GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, an NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600M GT graphics adaptor, and a 8X DVD-RW drive for AU$1699.
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Bloek105
06/10/2008, 01:52 PM
rating
10/10
Fantastic Laptop, Planys crysis lol
Pros: Great Specs for your money
Cons: Little bit heavy but not to bad
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AlexP
20/07/2008, 01:03 AM
rating
9/10
I have had my 1520 t7500 2.2ghz for a year now. Still feels like a top notch laptop and performs really well.
Pros: NVIDIA 8600 card and CPU with 2gig ram provide great performance. Seems to run FEAR like a dream etc..
Cons: Yeah it's heavy but I don't move it all that much.
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kiki
27/06/2008, 04:38 PM
rating
10/10
Great great great great great!
Pros: Great!
Cons: !taerG
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Allam
21/12/2007, 05:34 AM
rating
9/10
I had mine for few days now, I've been using laptops since 1996 and I tried all famous brands but I always wanted to buy a DELL but they use to be very expensive and they look ugly, but with choices of colors they really look great.
I really like the performance and the feel you get when you type on the keyboard also I like the silver color of the interior which makes it looks clean at all times.
Very stable and screen is so bright and crispy.
Pros: keyboard layout and wide inside to rest your hands, wonderful pictures, very quite even when the fan is on, feels solid, good sound, I like the remote very much with lots of functions
Cons: Thick and heavier than my previous laptops.
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triplesixfactor
17/11/2007, 02:30 PM
rating
10/10
I have had my Dell Inspiron 1520 for a few months now, and I must say that it is awesome! I have t7100 core 2 duo processor in mine, topped by 8600 G-Force graphics and 4 GB RAM. Mine is very very sweet!!!
Pros: Everything
Cons: Nothing at all!!!! I work out as well, so weight of this beauty means nothing to me!!
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jebus
02/11/2007, 01:34 PM
rating
10/10
just got mine and its the best ;xxxx
Pros: everything
Cons: nothing
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etak100
25/09/2007, 11:45 AM
rating
9/10
i've only had my 1520 for a couple of days now, but i'm hooked!
Pros: Choosing the colour for the top was cool. the high resolution display is really good.
Cons: i agree that it is a bit heavy to carry around, but its a good computer, so i reckon its probably worth it.
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susan
24/09/2007, 03:08 PM
rating
9/10
Most negative comments I've read about Dell are about their delivery times and customer service. I might've been one of the lucky ones, I don't know, but I ordered my Dell 1520 (2.2 Ghz; T7500, 250Gb, 256mB NVIDIA 8600, matte black finish, 2yr warranty with accidental cover) on Monday and received it the following Wednesday (would've been Tues if I'd caught the call). Customer service wasn't bad either when I phoned through my order. The lady had a bit of trouble matching the configuration to the price I came up with using their website, but that was sorted by saving my order to the cart and giving her the number. I got $50 off and a free printer (free targus bag already included)- better than nothing, I suppose. The laptop itself is great! especially compared to my 4yo Pentium 4 Compaq that was as loud as they get and took ~3 secs everytime I switch windows. Time to retire. Oh, I didn't get that high screeching sound that some people have complained about.
Pros: Really really quiet, although u can still hear it.
Very responsive.
Does not get very hot at all.
Vibrant screen.
Wifi works well, although it keeps needing "repairing" before it'd work again after I switch it off.
Cons: Glossy screen- very distracting for me when i can see my own reflection, made worse coz I like my screen dimmed down.
Heavier and longer than I expected- though it still feels lighter than my old laptop.
Touchpad- had to disable it when I use my mouse coz i'd accidently touch it and my cursor jumps to a new place in Word and mess things up.
No shortcut buttons to hibernate or lock, but can find ways around this annoyance on the web.
I was told that the ExpressMedia remote control actually doesn't come standard if I have Vista Business instead of the Home edition. Seems wrong to me.
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DaeScope
14/08/2007, 05:58 PM
rating
9/10
I am a Dell hater i hate all their products which were really overpriced seriously you could have got a better laptop with those prices..
But now when i took a look at the 1520 it is a killer deal, an 8600m GT in a laptop with those prices and specs is a monster for games!
Pros: GRAPHICS CARD!! 8600M GT
Price!
Free upgrade of ram ATM!
Fast
Colours!
Cons: Heavy? its ok to me well i work out so that takes into account :P.
I feel like a walking ad for dell
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Cogan
04/08/2007, 10:15 PM
rating
9/10
sounds good to me.
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