The new Vostro series from Dell is a dark horse. Despite not getting the attention of Dell's mega-high-spec machines such as the XPS, these laptops designed for small businesses are actually probably the best to buy for any purpose.
As usual, the Vostros are customisable so that you can ... Read review
Installation in matched pairs of modules is required, please order quantity two. Dell ... more
Branded memory offered in the Memory Selector is fully compatible and supported by Dell. Memory offered now may differ in speed from the original system memory but
Postage & Packaging:Free Delivery Availability:3-7 days
Advantages: Built-in webcam, huge number of ports, clever function buttons, media button panel, nice screen Disadvantages: Basically none except that it is slightly heavy because it contains a lot!
The new Vostro series from Dell is a dark horse. Despite not getting the attention of Dell's mega-high-spec machines such as the XPS, these laptops designed for small businesses are actually probably the best to buy for any purpose.
As usual, the Vostros are customisable so that you can pay more for better components. A standard configuration will include a dual core Intel Core 2 Duo processor at 2GHz - a very fast processor indeed ... ...A "home" button instantly opens Dell Media Center for playing DVDs.
A button on the side can instantly turn on or off all the wireless capabilities of the laptop - all of them come with an adequate Wireless adaptor so that you can browse the internet without any cables, but you can also add on a Bluetooth module for a small price which is definitely worth it - this lets your laptop communicate with your phone or any other ... more
The new Vostro series from Dell is a dark horse. Despite not getting the attention of Dell's mega-high-spec machines such as the XPS, these laptops designed for small businesses are actually probably the best to buy for any purpose.
As usual, the Vostros are customisable so that you can pay more for better components. A standard configuration will include a dual core Intel Core 2 Duo processor at 2GHz - a very fast processor indeed - alongside an nVidia GeForce separate graphics card, 1GB of RAM and 160GB of hard-disk space. They also come with Windows Vista (or XP if you prefer). Combined, what this provides is an extremely smooth Windows experience. The graphics card handles all the new visual effects in Windows Vista effortlessly, and the large amount of RAM also speeds up programs a great deal. All of these features can be upgraded to get an even better performance.
Perhaps the best thing to upgrade on the Vostro would be the screen. Standardly you will receive a 1280x800 wide-screen display, which is probably fine for most people. However, this can go up to a 1920x1200 wide-screen display which is absolutely gorgeous. Having a large 17" screen makes the experience of using your computer a joy at this high resolution. Most builds also come with a TruLife display, which is worth paying for - this makes the picture beautifully crisp and coloured. The importance of a top-notch display cannot be understated, and the improvement of TruLife is often underestimated. However, the Vostro screens are large and bright and certainly deliver at any resolution.
Also included on the screen is a built-in 2.0 megapixel webcam at the top - this is incredibly useful for Instant Messaging or general webcam use as you basically have a webcam without it taking up any physical space whatsoever. A light next to the camera shines when it is filming so you are always aware if you are being recorded! Similar lights also alert you to the use of the microphone, Caps Lock, the hard-drive, batteries, Bluetooth or wireless. Little useful features like this are all over the Vostro 1700. A function button instantly brings up Windows calculator, and larger-screened models come with a full number pad to use with this. A "home" button instantly opens Dell Media Center for playing DVDs.
A button on the side can instantly turn on or off all the wireless capabilities of the laptop - all of them come with an adequate Wireless adaptor so that you can browse the internet without any cables, but you can also add on a Bluetooth module for a small price which is definitely worth it - this lets your laptop communicate with your phone or any other Bluetooth device - and both of these features can be flicked on or off from the side.
The computer has several USB ports so you can connect a large number of peripheral devices to it including iPods and printers. There are 2 at the side for easy access, and 3 at the back. There is also a modem with telephone port and a network card with ethernet port. Further connections include a video output for displaying the computer image on a separate monitor, 1394 connection, and an SD card reader. An ExpressCard slot accepts specialised laptop devices, including Dell's own remote control used with the pre-installed MediaCenter.
Perhaps the nicest placement of ports is the microphone and headphone ports immediately at the front. These go alongside a panel of 7 media buttons that control Media Players when running Windows. These include Volume Up, Down and Mute, Play/Pause, Forward, Backward and Stop. These function with Windows Media Player as well as Dell Media Center, which is an extremely useful pre-installed application useful for playing DVDs. Directly above the media panel is a responsive touchpad with integrated scrolling (brushing the edges of the touch-pad is the same as rolling a mouse-wheel) and two responsive mouse buttons. Of course, you can connect your own USB mouse.
The Vostro 1700 is a beautiful laptop. It comes in smooth metallic black, with silver embellishments and blue glowing LEDs. It is packed with little features for connectivity and easy of use. Everything about the laptop is smooth, from the motion of the fold as you open and close it, to the cushioned laptop keyboard keys. The machine comes pre-installed with Windows and several useful but non-invasive programs such as McAfee Internet Security and a Media Center. It works very smoothly, has a good battery life, and is overall an exceptional machine.
Advantages: Sound Quality; Keyboard layout; Battery Life; Disadvantages: AC cable loose; Relatively noisy hard drive; Attracts alot of Dust; Location of the speakers
I have owned the Dell Vostro 1700 for nearly a year, however it still looks and runs like new although it has been reformatted several times. The laptop cost me around £1800 which was almost fully customised with a sizeable discount from Dell for being a valued customer.
Good Features: The sound quality is very good for a laptop and is easily loud enough to fill a small room although it is slightly tinny. The media buttons are especially useful ... ...than acceptable.
A very good laptop which i will look forward to using for years to come, Dell customer service is always superb and will try there best to help you out if you do have any problems, have always used Dell computers and will continues to use them. ...
JetPilot 02.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Dell Vostro 1700
Advantages: Great all rounder, fast, durable and good pricing, value for money Disadvantages: Some minor problems like power cable sometimes not recognised
The dell Vostro 1700 is a good piece of technology. It have used it now for 6 months roughly and the thing i find great about dell's computers is their durability even when kept turned on for long hours (sometimes a couple of days in my case!!). This laptop is powerful and has a good quality screen that does not get marked easyly, unlike the other new laptops from dell, where the screen gets marked easyly due to the ultra clean and shinyness of it. ... ...plug not being from a dell brand. Which is untrue because i purchased my laptop directly from dells website. This is a glitch in their programming, tho the error messege rarely comes, it still annoyed me for the price i am paying for this, as well as the brand name of dell , which always means quality and durability. ...
Selito206 18.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Dell Vostro 1700
Advantages: Value, features, price, options, large screen Disadvantages: delivery time, big and heavy , only available for businesses
I recently purchased my Vostro 1700 laptop for business and pleasure purposes for an amazing £572.00 excl. VAT direct from Dell's website!!! Incredible!! but what did I get for that price...?
2.2ghz Intel Core Duo processor
3GB Memory
360GB HArdDrive
Integral Webcam, Bluetooth, Wireless
17"Widescreen monitor
Windows Vista
The price also include certain discounts at the time amounting to about £130!
All i can say is you will have a hard time ... ...specifications, let alone a laptop!
Performance is great and does everything I require including really quick start ups. Vista takes some getting used to from XP but once I got the hang of it it was great and has so many useful features. Vista does use quite a bit of memory so I would recommend 2GB upwards.
I am actively using the bluetooth to send and recieve files from my mobile (Nokia N95) and that is a cheap but highly useful option to add.
...
lcharm 28.03.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Dell Vostro 1700
I was bought a Dell Vostro as an alternative to an Apple Macbook Pro, the initial advantage being a significant difference in cost, My vostro came with 3gb of RAM, a 160gb Hard drive and a 2.2Ghz duel core processor. Since I am studying for a degree in graphic design, The vostro is a tool I could not live without. Seamless use of photoshop, illustrator, flash, quark - you name it! The vostro performs all tasks with ease.
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and excellent ... ...easy to transport in a laptop bag designed to do just that. I would heartily reccomend the vostro to anyone who requires a great looking performance laptop on a budget. I love mine, and it's yet to let me down. 3 year Dell warranty is also a very reassuring service. ...
Jackoh 08.04.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Dell Vostro 1700
Speed
Look & Feel
Comfort & Portability
Robustness & Durability
Value For Money
Quick review of Dell Vostro 1700
I Have a 'VOSTRO 1700' and the build quality is EXCELLENT but you do not not get online support. for this model,they expect you to contact them by phone on a high rate phone number between the hours of 08:00-08:00pm. these times are out of the question for me due to my work times,by the time I get home the support lines are closed. I Was lead to believe before I Purchased this machine that online support would be available to me. and whats even WORSE is you can't email them either with a problem....David Stewart ...
seered 15.11.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Dell Vostro 1700
Vostro notebooks are built exclusively for small business and are ready to be customized with the features and software you want without any trialware. The Dell Vostro 1700 features a brilliant 17" widescreen display, a full numeric keypad, additional USB ports and high performing graphics options that help to provide you with the versatility and performance that you want.
