Dell Inspiron 15

PURCHASE

"But what is it good for?"{'Engineer at the Advanced
Computing Systems Division of IBM, commenting on the microchip, '1968')

I have wanted a laptop for a very long time! In fact, two years ago we stayed at Centre Parcs and they had WIFI available in the lodges, I yearned for one ever since. The laptop was finally purchased through my dear son going halves with me!

SETTING UP

"640K ought to be enough for anybody." {'Bill Gates, 1981')

Dell advises charging the battery for a minimum of twelve hours before using the laptop on battery power. My excitement to use the device prevented me from waiting, so I simply kept the laptop plugged in!

Before anything is done, the laptop needs to be situated on a level surface, ensuring that sufficient ventilation is present around the device to prevent overheating. My son passed his IT Systems Support certification and Microcomputer Technology Certification over eight years ago, so I left the setting up to him, but he insisted I watch and assisted with certain aspects; he believes everyone should be computer literate in our age of technology!

> The whole procedure took under thirty minutes, which included navigating around the laptop's software to get familiar with the tool's features. My son showed me where to plug in the AC adapter, first far connection on the left hand side of the apparatus.

> Next, I pressed the power button that has the usual symbol, located top left hand corner of the keyboard tray Although a network cable can be connected to the machine, we have wireless network so this was not required.

> By simply pressing the third top button from the left on the keyboard with the ((A)) symbol, enabled the wireless function for me. The Dell laptop can have a preconfigured system of Microsoft Windows 7. Page eight of the Set up Guide manual explains the preconfigured system if one had purchased this. Pages fourteen to seventeen explain how the consumer connects to the Internet. Thankfully, I didn't need to rely on this as my son carried out this aspect for me!

> On the same strip the adapter connection is located. Is the USB, Network routes. There is even a VGA connector for a monitor or even a projector. The front strip of the laptop from left to right has three white lights to indicate the Power status, hard drive and Battery. Next are the 3-in-1 Media card reader, Analogue microphone, and Audio headphone and Microphone link. Due to where the lights are situated, I'm looking above so I tend to look at the tool bar which also shows the battery status but also indicates the percentage it is currently charged at.

USING THE LAPTOP

"There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home." {'Ken Olson, President, Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977')

DVDs and CDs:

On the right hand side of the laptop there is the Optical drive which plays DVDs and CD's. It has re-writable capabilities allowing one to burn DVD's and CD's. I couldn't wait to try this out as I love watching films with my grand-son. Firstly, I pressed the eject button on the Optical drive. It slides out gently without any noise. I popped on my grand-son's latest disc he brought round, Ice age. Inserting the disc with the printed cover side facing upwards, I placed it carefully on the tray, popping it on the drive's spindle. Then by simply pushing the tray softly back into the compartment, the film was ready to play. The scenes are captured in vibrant colours and remarkable clarity. The sound is clear and sharp.

To listen to music I carried out the same procedure as for the DVD. I popped in Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass to see if I could get the full flavour of the instrumental sounds on the laptop. Don't expect the latest state of the art music sound technology! The sound does come across as slightly tinny, intermingled lyrical content with instrumentals instead of distinct separated sounds. But despite this, the sound is very good for a machine that has to incorporate its speakers within such a confined space! The CD sounded fluid and salient. The base guitar and trumpet components are particularly impressive. I can see me using the Optical drive more for DVD's though as I tend to download my music to compile favourite album files; a quick click of the button instead of physically searching through albums!

KEYBOARD

"When life gives you a keyboard, make a bunny rabbit"

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((^)(^)

As noted above. The Power button is located in the top left hand corner with the icon printed in white. The top Function keys are similar to those on a regular PC. The Function row begins with the Esc button. The F1 to F12 have buttons such as lightening or darkening the screen. (F4 and F5) I used the F4 button to darken the screen to write this review, with a stark white background, it is easier on the eye to shade the look. But to view websites, I use the F5 button to lighten the screen as the colours are more vision friendly. The Multimedia controls are located on the F7 to F12 buttons. I use the mute button (F7) for such things as web Scrabble; the sound of the game's features being distracting. The remaining media keys are excellent to control the DVD/CD sound.

The remainder of the keyboard is set out as the popular QWERTY standard. The Touch pad is set in a large square at the centre base of the surface. Pages 28 and 29 of the manual explain the Touch pad motions using diagrams to go with the text. Aesthetically pleasing with two neat shiny black touch buttons to scroll, rotate and zoom; it works fluidly and with ease, but I don't use it! I have connected a mouse to the laptop via the USB connecter. I'm far too used to this method of operating my PC so I've decided to stick with it...for now!

I'll be purchasing a printer at some point this year to work alongside my laptop. This will also be easy to connect using one of the remaining two USB connectors.

The laptop monitor's surround incorporates the Webcam in the top centre; the camera's light to indicate it is in operation is beside the lens.

MONITOR ICONS

"Windows NT addresses 2 Gigabytes of RAM, which is more than any application will ever need." {'Microsoft, on the development of Windows NT, 1992')

On the monitor's top, off centre, is the 'Dell Dock'; this is part of the operating system. This is a selection of symbols that is formatted for user-friendly regularly used apps. I have ten of these applications on my laptop monitor.

> From left to right: E-mail and Chat, represented by a green speech bubble with an addressed envelope over-lapping. I keep my e-mail account open during task so I tend to simply log in using a new tab.

> The next icon is the Internet, including related aspects, represented by the globe. Again, I tend to use the toolbar for this application.

> The third feature is for photo files, which is depicted by three over-lapping postcard images. I will certainly be using this quick to view feature when I have established new picture documents.

> The fourth graphic is to link onto music, neatly characterized by headphones.

> Next in line is the video link portrayed by a film reel.

> Cards & dice are used to illustrate the games network.

> Two sheets of paper and a pen illustrate 'Office'.

> A lock is used to symbolize 'Security'; the anti-virus software comes under this category.

> A manual with a large question mark shows the 'Help and Support' feature.

> A picture of a bin with paper alerts one to the 'Recycle' link.

> Finally, Internet explorer is pictured by an 'e'.

>> It is the tool bar though, that I tend to use mostly. The toolbar has, from left to right, the Microsoft symbol, once clicked, will bring up the standard lengthy list on PC's such as Microsoft Office and Documents.

>> The next icon shows the 'e', and includes all the tabs I have opened.

>> The third icon depicted by a file is for libraries of such things as music.

>> Over-lapping pages with a white arrow surrounded by an orange circle is used to show the media player.

>> Any symbols added thereafter are from the user's activity, such as the logo of sheets of written work with a 'W' that show I have Microsoft Office open.

I have opted to have the toolbar hidden, and simply hover my mouse logo over the bottom of the monitor to bring it up. This affords me an un-obstructed view of such things as written task.

OTHER FEATURES

"A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history-with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila."

I simply have to mention something that I am particularly thrilled about; the Caps! When I'm using my PC with keyboard, I will often carry on typing without looking at the screen, only to look up to find I still have the caps on! I have found this so frustrating! So many times, I have completed a huge amount of written work, only to have to delete and start over. But the wonderful incredibly practical pop up that shows when the caps is on or off saves time and patience!

The battery life has around four to four and a half hours depending on the user's activity. Such things as high graphics applications will consume more battery power. I tend to keep the laptop on charge.

There is only 16OGB of hard drive space on this version but it is certainly enough for my requirements. I have extensive amounts of files on my PC and use my laptop more for social activities and small amounts of work related items. I will incorporate a much smaller selection of music onto the laptop. I will be using the Optical Drive for DVDs instead of down loading.

My LCD monitor at a width of 37.3cm is wider than my PC screen, so it affords an effective visual display. The depth is 24.4cm and height of 25.9 which combines to furnish the user with a neat but practical area of viewing. Additionally, I can tilt the monitor to adapt to my seating angle making this an ergonomically designed feature.

There is even trial software such as the security protection incorporated in the laptop that is available for six months. This gives my ample time to select and purchase my own appropriate software.

A brief rundown of other specifications

"Hardware: The parts of a computer system that can be kicked."

'Audio Features with analogue & digital output/ Card Reader Type Memory stick duo, SD, xD/ Graphics Chipset/ Mobile Intel Express Montevina/Cantiga GM45(UMA)/PM45/ Graphics Shared/ Hard Drive Capacity 160GB/ Hard Drive Type 2.5" SATA 5400rpm with 8MB Cache/ Memory Size 2GB/ Memory Slots Total 2/ Memory Speed in Mhz PC3-10666 (1333 MHz)/ Memory Type DDR3/ Number of USB Ports 3/ Operating System Microsoft Windows® 7 Home Premium 64 bit/ Optical Drive Dual Layer Compatible/ Optical Drive Hd-dvd Compatible/ Optical Drive Type DVD dual layer rewriter/ Os Recovery Discs Included/ Output VGA 15-pin D-Sub
/Power Adaptor Included/ Processor Intel® Celeron®/ Processor Bus in Mhz 800/ Processor Model Number C900/ Processor Speed in GHz 2.2/ Trial Software Loaded Mcfee 6 months/ Wired Networking Port 10 /100 MHz ethernet/ Wireless Built in 802.11g'.

THE NEGATIVES

None of the following included: 'Blank Discs Case Included/ Bluetooth/External Sata Interfacd/ Finger Print Reader/ Firewire/ Optical Drive Lightscribe Compatible/ Remote Control Included'.

RECOMMEND?

"If it keeps up, man will atrophy all his limbs but the push-button finger." {Frank L.Wright)

Absolutely. This laptop is one of the cheapest available but not lacking in quality! The apparatus is a mobile PC! Although the memory is small, at a price this can be enlarged. In fact, just about all a PC's features can be added to on the laptop if one is prepared to pay the cost.

The keyboard is an absolute delight to use, with its sleek black soft touch buttons. The laptop has an incredibly up-market appearance with its shiny black veneer that has a contemporised finish with multiple subtle circles. I cannot be more thrilled with this remarkable multi featured device. So simple to use, that my young grand-son logged in and played his car game!

At £279.00 with 558 Club card points from Tesco direct and a full years' warranty, I'm a very happy customer.
Summary: A contempory multi faceted tool with practical features at a competitive price!