After much reviewing and analysis, I decided to go in for the Dell Inspiron 1545 as my laptop. I placed my order online, customising it with additional RAM and a Graphics card. During the reviewing process with the sales executive, I changed my mind a number of times; the executive was unceasingly cheerful and understanding! I even got a bit of discount.
Delivery was prompt and the laptop worked out of the box on Vista Basic. The very next day, I installed Windows 7 RC, and found the system handling both quite well.
I installed Linux(Ubuntu) subsequently, but didn’t cater for the Windows MBR, so had to end up wiping my disk clean and reinstalling Vista and Ubuntu(dropped Win7 for later). That’s when I ran into a few hitches with device driver installation. Tech support was a great help over the phone, but eventually a technician had to come home to locate and re-install the WiFi device driver - the CD was quite confusing.
That minor hiccup aside, the laptop’s worked great ever since. The display is crisp and bright and battery backup is decent at about 3 hours plus for routine work. Sound is so-so through the speakers, better through headphones, and the volume is ample though there are times I wished it would be slightly louder. I like the fact that all ports are on the side or the front and have never really needed to use all three USB ports at one go. The SD card slot up front is very useful for downloading pictures from my DigiCam, while the WebCam offers decent video on Skype.
Now the gripes: first off, I miss the disk usage and CapsLock lights, which are desperately required while on Windows to figure out whether an application has hung or is simply taking time. The recessed DVD drive button is also quite fiddly to press - I always have trouble finding it without looking, then have to use my nail to press it. My final gripe is the insistence by Dell on providing a Microsoft OS - to my mind, that smacks of monopolistic practices and forcing a product down a consumer’s throat, not to mention the extra(hidden) cost of an OS that I never really wanted.
Eventually though, I’m very happy with it.