Product Details

• Brand: Dell
• Model: 1525
• CPU: Intel Core Duo 1.6 unknown-units
• Memory: 4GB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 250GB
• Processors: 1
• Display size: 15.4

Features

• Inspiron 1525 Jet Black Notebook: Intel Pentium Dual Core T2330, Integrated 2.0 Mega Pixel Web Camera, Windows Vista Home Premium
• 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 250GB Serial ATA hard drive for large video files
• Wireless Internet access 802.11b/g, 4 USB Ports, 1 VGA Out, 1 HDMI Port, 1 iEEE 1394a FireWire Port, S-Video Out, 8 In 1 Media Card Reader
• 8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability for DVD RW For DVD and CD Burning
• Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, Slim and compact design for business user. 15.4-Inch Widescreen with Truelife

Customer Reviews

Great Deal On A Laptop
AFTER you read this - check the price at Best Buy. You might be surprised.

I can't begin to describe how cool this laptop is. It is all you need for personal or business work. I have an Acer Desktop with 1 GB of RAM and 100 GB Memory. This little guy has 4 GB of RAM and an Intel Duo Core Processor (that's basically at least twice as fast as my desktop) and 250 GB on the hard drive! Those items are critical for good, fast performance. The keyboard is perfectly typical in its layout and the mouse pad is actually sleek and slightly indented, allowing you to seamlessly run your finger over the metal. The two button pads allow for more functions. It is completely intuitive and although I prefer Windows XP Home over Vista Home (XP is faster), you can't get around that nowadays. It comes preloaded with everything you need and I actually uninstalled some unnecessary programs. I took out the Norton Virus software and put in Windows Live One Care (my preference on quality and ease of use).

There are lots of standards that used to be extras, like the Web Cam, which transmits, records, takes pictures, etc. When you move around, it is a bit blurry, but for ordinary transmission it is right up there with most in quality. It also contains a DVD/CD burner and player, which are very fast, even though it seems terribly fragile when you open it. I like being able to have the choice of Cable DSL, dial-up and Wireless Internet. When at home I just plug in the Ethernet wire and when traveling it is very easy to get a signal just about anywhere I go, (call your service provider to get the pass code for wireless service). There is the media card insert, two USB ports and lots of standard software. You can read all of that here on the web page, but the look and feel (the keyboard is very easy on the hands and wrists) is sleek. It also comes with a one-year warranty with the option to buy more.

Here's a little secret. Don't buy past the standard one-year warranty, as Dell will contact you within six to nine months to offer you an extended warrantee at a lesser cost. They want your business. Why pay more? I suggest getting that warrantee when it is offered. Also, a good, secure, padded carry-bag is a must. "Targus" makes great bags that are relatively inexpensive. One last note: Dell has one of the best reputations for quality computers and they have home service, meaning they come to YOU! Have fun!

Hard drive failed less than one year old - buy with warranty!
I had an older Inspiron years ago that I had no problem with so felt comfortable going in to purchase a new 1525. Less than one year in (purchased in December 2008), I was unable to boot the computer and ran a diagnostic check (hold down 'fn' button and power on) and got Error Code 0142 indicating hard drive failure. Luckily I purchased through the Dell website and a 1-year limited warranty was included to cover the repair, but I would definitely be wary of purchasing this computer. It appears there are several people if you use Google that have had the same problem, and weren't as lucky to have it covered by warranty. I would suggest a different model laptop or at least definitely buy it with some warranty.

not bad, but it has the worst touchpad I've ever fought with
In general, the machine has worked pretty well. I haven't had the problems with reliability some others have reported. Having to use Vista is a pain, of course -- I truly wish this had come with XP. I may get a new hard drive and try running with Ubuntu instead.

But the real deal killer (and why I wouldn't recommend this computer to anyone) is that the touchpad appears to be designed with the express purpose of driving the user insane. Imagine browsing around, say, at the Amazon site, or at some news page. You go to drag down the bar at the right to adjust the page on the screen. The screen starts shifting... then stops. Suddenly the touchpad cursor is frozen and won't move. But it isn't broken, it just pauses for an infuriating several seconds, then starts moving again. This is aggravating in the extreme. At first I thought it was a hardware problem or maybe dirt on the pad? But no, the pad is clean, and I checked on another Inspiron 1525 at a retail store and the mousepad on that does the same inane trick. I really can't imagine how Dell could believe that kind of behavior in a mouse or touchpad could be considered acceptable. Like I'd be ok with paying extra for a computer with a fast processor but wouldn't mind the touchpad taking coffee breaks on me??