[Oz-teachers] Anyone got / getting a Dell Vostro?
Chris Betcher
chris at betcher.org
Sun Aug 26 16:20:47 EST 2007
That¹s good news Tess... As I say, I¹m not all that familiar with the Dell
lineup these days, I was just going off a previous email. Michael¹s specs
sound pretty fancy though. Should be a nice machine.
1680x1050 pixels sounds very high for a 15² screen... You normally see that
spec on a 17² model.
The free upgrade to 3Gb RAM is very tasty.
I was just comparing it to the current MacBook Pros and the Dell is a good
price, although the MacBooks have much faster processors (2.4Ghz as opposed
to 2.0Ghz).
Sounds like the Dell is a good deal... If only it didn¹t run Windows! ;-)
CB
On 26/08/07 3:54 PM, "Tess" <tessmart at gmail.com> wrote:
> Quite a sweet buildŠ.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.
> I¹ve 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, I¹d consider that robust enough for education use. There
> still isn¹t 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 discountŠcame
> to $2330.
>
> http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=805903&r=12766945#r12766945
> <http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=805903&r=12766945#r127
> 66945>
>
> 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
> can¹t 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
> * Mylar® -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" <mjc44 at tpg.com.au>
> <mailto: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 <http://www.betchablog.com>
>
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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,
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