[Oz-teachers] Anyone got / getting a Dell Vostro?

Sun Aug 26 15:54:04 EST 2007

Quite a sweet build..certainly not what I would consider low end. 

I have an Inspiron and every week for nearly 14 months it has been dragged
to the classroom and back, connected up to a data projector repeatedly,
travelled Queensland by road and has probably earned a few frequent flyer
miles too. I've even let my students connect up the peripherals as part of
their assessment.

If the Vostro casing, connections and hinges are modelled on anything like
my current machine, I'd consider that robust enough for education use. There
still isn't a scratch anywhere to be seen, however I noticed methylated
spirits will dull the powder coating (an accidental overspray). 

Someone on Whirlpool has just bought the same machine with RACQ
discount.came to $2330. 

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=805903
<http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=805903&r=12766945#r12766
945> &r=12766945#r12766945

My partner has a Latitude and it cops a few more knocks than mine and has
survived.

### Snip

I just wish I was able to salary sacrifice my new Dell laptop, but all 

the info I have read suggests that I have to go through a mob called 

RemServe to ss as an EQ employee

###Snip

I guess there is some comfort then in it being tax deductible even if you
can't salary sacrifice.

Tess

  _____  

From: oz-teachers-bounces at rite.ed.qut.edu.au
[mailto:oz-teachers-bounces at rite.ed.qut.edu.au] On Behalf Of Michael
Cridland
Sent: Sunday, 26 August 2007 3:03 PM
To: Professional community for teachers
Subject: Re: [Oz-teachers] Anyone got / getting a Dell Vostro?

Hi Chris, 

The Dell Vostro range is in fact able to be fully-spec'ed-up (see the specs
I am thinking of ordering below) and is in fact what Dell is marketing as
their robust 'small business' notebook with 'road ready' durability (see
quote at bottom of this email).

Durability, performance, warranty, good value ... the main reasons why I am
going the Vostro option. 

My specs: 

Dell Vostro 1500 Notebook
Intel Core2 Duo Processor T7300
2.0 GHz, 4MB Cache, 800 MHz FSB 
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate 32 bit
BusinessCare Premium Warranty- Free 3 Years Complete Cover Guard (Theft
Protection) 
Free upgrade from 2GB to 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM 
15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) TFT Display with TrueLife
Video Card NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB GDDR2 
160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400rpm)
Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Combination Drive with dual layer write capabilities 
90W Primary AC Adapter
9-cell 85Whr Battery (for up to 5 hrs use)
Intel Wireless-N Mini-Card 
McAfee Security Center - 15 Months
Premium matte black finish and dark chrome accents
2.0mp with camera with built-in dual (stereo) mics
Wireless Bluetooth Module 
Bluetooth Travel Mouse 
Free Bluetooth Wireless Headset 
Travel Remote Control 
Free shoulder bag/case
Free delivery

Quote *****************
VostroTM  notebooks can withstand the rigours of your business day with
RoadReadyTM  durability and around-the-clock reliability. 

*	Extra-durable magnesium-alloy exterior adds strength without extra
weight
*	StrikeZoneTM  shock absorber technology helps protect critical data
in your hard drive 
*	MylarR -sealed keyboard helps guard against dust and spills 

The VostroTM  1500 is a terrific balance of performance and portability,
featuring extensive technology options, enhanced wireless connectivity,
exceptional durability, and many features great for business users.

End quote **************

They are pretty much an Inspiron 1520 with added durability and with the
specs I'm ordering it with ... it should absolutely FLY!!!  Just not sure
about the 5400 rpm hdd, but $110 to upgrade to the 7200rpm seems a lot when
I may not need this extra speed in my hdd - especially with a 2.0Ghz
processor and 3GB of RAM. What do you think?

Cheers,
Michael

Chris Betcher wrote: 

Mick, just from looking at the Dell specs on one those previous emails, the
Vostro appears to be a pretty basic machine aimed at just web browsing and
Office apps?  I am not familiar with the Dell lineup these days, but if that
previous email was accurate then perhaps you need to be looking at something
with a slightly higher spec?  Especially for what you want to do with it...
(podcasting? Video?)

I had a Dell rep call me at work recently trying to get us to think about
buying Dell notebooks in our next purchase decision...  When I mentioned
that my own personal Dell Inspiron had basically just fallen apart with use,
(cracked plastic case, broken hinges, etc) his response was that the bottom
models (such as the Inspiron, and perhaps the Vostro?) were basically just
commodity cheapies and if you were serious about wanting to get one that
lasted you should look at something further up their food chain.  He
suggested not buying the base models for schools.

Just a thought.

Chris

On 26/08/07 2:08 PM, "Michael Cridland"  <mailto:mjc44 at tpg.com.au>
<mjc44 at tpg.com.au> wrote:

Tess wrote:

Have you still been able to match the price using an automobile club
discount and still get the 3 yr onsite warranty offered by NSW fed?

No, you're right. With the 3 year warranty, the NSW fed deal seems like
a good option (although it is still only 'onsite' I'd imagine and not
'CompleteCover').

The reason it's hard to match the NSW fed deal is because - as you
mention - the extra warranty is considerably more $, at least in the
short-term anyway. Over the life of the laptop it really isn't that much
more for (complete!) peace-of-mind, and the resale value of a laptop
still under warranty would be more also (say in 2 years when you might
want to upgrade).

I believe it can be cheaper though to get your lappy with a 1 year
warranty and ask Dell to upgrade it after you purchase it, but before
your existing warranty runs out. Not sure about this - just heard it on
the grape-vine. Might be worth investigating though?

Michael

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---
Chris Betcher
Sydney, NSW, Australia
chris at betcher.org
www.betchablog.com

No trees were harmed in the sending of this message; however,
a significant number of electrons have been electromagnetically relocated.

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