- Dell Inspiron 1525
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Inspiron 1525 Developer Dell Inc. Release date January 11th, 2008 Introductory price $499 Discontinued February 26th, 2009 CPU Intel Celeron, Intel Pentium Dual-Core, Intel Core 2 Duo Website Dell Inspiron 1525 The Inspiron 1525 is a notebook computer designed and distributed by Dell as part of their Inspiron range. There is also an AMD variant known as the Inspiron 1526. The laptop is the successor to the Inspiron 1520, and was released in January, 2008. This computer is available to purchase on the Dell website,[1] where it can be customised to the user's specification. On June 26, 2008, this laptop was followed with the release of the Inspiron 1535, otherwise known as the Dell Studio Laptop. On January 6, 2009, the Inspiron 1525 was superseded by the Inspiron 1545, which gives mostly higher-end configuration options at a lower starting price, but lacks features such as the HDMI port, LED indicator lights and dual headphone jacks. The laptop was discontinued on February 26, 2009, leaving the Insprion 1545 as Dell's 15-inch budget laptop.
Contents
Overview
Despite selling in high numbers, the Dell Inspiron 1520 received widespread criticism regarding its size, and small screen.[2] [3] The Inspiron 1525 was intended to address some of these issues. The 1525 has been described by reviewers as weighing approximately six pounds - half a pound lighter than the 1520.[4] This laptop can be considered as a mid-range Dell computer, between the small 1420 model and the expensive XPS M1530 model. The laptop also fixed a flaw that plagued Inspiron laptops for a decade; they were bulky and boxy, but the Inspiron 1525's chassis used a new wedge design that appears on all of Dell's current laptops.
System specifications
Since the user is able to customise the unit, included hardware varies from laptop to laptop. However, there are several components which are generally fitted as standard in each unit:
- Processors: Intel Celeron 540, 550 or 560, Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2370, T2390, or T2330, or Intel Core 2 Duo T5250, T5450, T5550, T5750, T7250 or T8100.
- Memory: 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 3 GB, or 4 GB of shared dual channel DDR2 SDRAM @ 667 MHz.
- Chipset: Intel GM965 Express Chipset.
- Graphics Processor: integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics (Previously changed to 965 Express).
- LCD Display: 15.4" widescreen with a 1280 × 800 resolution, 15.4" widescreen with a 1280 × 800 resolution and TrueLife, or a 15.4" widescreen with a 1440 x 900 high resolution and TrueLife.
- Hard Drive: 80 GB, 120 GB, 160 GB, 250 GB or 320 GB SATA at 5400 RPM.
- Optical Drive: 8X tray-load dual-layer DVD+/-RW drive, 2X tray-load Blu-ray Disc Combo drive or 2x Blu-ray Disc burner.
- Battery: 4-cell (48 Whr), 6-cell (56 Whr), or 9-cell (85 Whr) Lithium Ion.
- Camera: Integrated 2.0MP webcam.
- Wi-Fi Card: Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g half mini-card (Previously changed to 1395 802.11g/n half mini-card), or 1490 802.11a/g/n half mini-card, or Intel Next-Gen 4965AGN 802.11a/g/n Wi-Fi card.
- Bluetooth: Dell Wireless Bluetooth Internal 355 (2.0 EDR).
- I/O ports: 1 Fast Ethernet port, 1 56K modem, 1 S-Video output, 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 Express Card slot, 1 VGA port, 1 HDMI output, 1 FireWire port, and 1 power adapter connector.
The most notable difference between this laptop and its predecessor, is that the 1520 model was fitted with a dedicated graphics card whereas the 1525 is not. It has been speculated that this is an attempt by Dell to appeal to a wider market of computer consumers. In a recent processor speed test, the Inspiron 1525 placed 14 out of the 18 tested computers.[5] The touchpad has been upgraded from that of the 1520, with one which is designed to allow faster scrolling through web pages. Strangely this model contains a SIM card slot underneath the battery compartment. However reading data, or using Internet from SIM cards is not possible without a separate Wireless modemcard. .
Software
The Inspiron 1525 typically comes with a version of the Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Windows 7 Operating System pre-installed. Other software provided with the laptop includes:
- Dell MediaDirect media player
- Microsoft Works Office Suite
- Roxio Creator DVD/CD authoring software
On February 18, 2008, it was announced that Ubuntu 7.10 would be available as an optional operating system for the laptop.[6]
Customization
The user is able to decide which components they wish to be included, during the ordering process, by selecting from a range of hardware on the website.[1] These possible components include a range of processors, operating systems, graphics cards and various peripherals. In addition, Bluetooth and an integrated mobile broadband card can also be installed upon request, and the default battery can be replaced with an alternative.
Reception
The Inspiron 1525 has received a great deal of positive attention. General computer users welcomed the relatively low price, as well as the easily accessible volume control keys, and hardware reviewers have praised the customisability of the laptop, as well as its system specifications and light frame.[7] In general, users have made positive reference to the screen, with some describing the display as "flawless",[5] as well as the inclusion of a webcam and dual headphone jacks. Some reviewers claim that the battery life is a good point of the system.[8]
Despite being a high-selling model, and receiving a large amount of positive feedback, the Inspiron 1525 has also attracted some level of criticism. Some critics feel that the sound quality is unfit for a recently produced laptop, claiming "raspy-sounding speakers take some of the shine off the 1525's entertainment appeal",[8] whereas others have criticised the system's performance and battery life.[9] It has been pointed out that the positioning of the cooling fans render the laptop incapable of supporting high-end graphics cards.[10] Some users have encountered technical problems, many of which center around the webcam and built-in microphone.[11] A common complaint is that the supplied fan is irritatingly loud, and many people have attempted to discover loopholes to bypass this issue. Some users have pointed out that the placement of the headphone sockets on the front of the unit leads to inconvenient trailing wires upon connecting speakers. Another problem is a design flaw of the trackpad button sticking, requiring the replacement of the entire palmrest assembly. Users have also reported numerous hard drive problems, many related to overheating.
Furthermore, many users have encountered a problem with their CMOS battery not functioning (caused by a faulty motherboard), leading to computer clock problems, and eventually the inability of the computer to charge.[12] Unfortunately, Dell refuses to acknowledge this design flaw, further frustrating users.
It should be noted, however, that due to the customisability of the laptop, most reviews available online refer to different versions of the 1525, containing varying pieces of hardware.
See also
- Dell Inspiron laptops
- List of laptop brands and manufacturers
- Dell Studio Laptop
References
- ^ a b "Dell Inspiron 1525 Laptop Product Details". http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspnnb_1525?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=bundlestab.
- ^ "Dell Inspiron 1525 Laptop reviews - CNET Reviews". http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/dell-inspiron-1525/4505-3121_7-32814939.html?tag=mncol;lst.
- ^ "Dell Inspiron 1525 Driver for win XP - DriverHunter". http://driverhunter.blogspot.com/2011/10/dell-inspiron-1525-windows-xp-drivers.html.
- ^ "Dell Inspiron 1525 - Full Review - Reviews by PC Magazine". http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2242781,00.asp.
- ^ a b "Dell Inspiron 1525 review - Notebook Review". http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4175.
- ^ "Laptops: Ubuntu Linux Comes to the Dell Inspiron 1525". http://gizmodo.com/357868/ubuntu-linux-comes-to-the-dell-inspiron-1525.
- ^ "Dell Inspiron 1525 - Trusted Reviews". http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/review/2008/03/21/Dell-Inspiron-1525/p1.
- ^ a b PC Advisor : 29 Feb 2008 : Dell Inspiron 1525 review Retrieved 2009-08-24
- ^ "Dell Inspiron 1525 review - CNET Reviews". http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/laptops/0,39030092,49298052,00.htm.
- ^ "Dell Inspiron 1525 - Full Review - Reviews by PC Magazine". http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2242903,00.asp.
- ^ "My dell inspiron webcam problem". http://www.fixya.com/support/t1110562-dell_inspiron_webcam_microphone.
- ^ http://getsatisfaction.com/dell/topics/inspiron_1525_cmos_battery_problems_again
External links
Categories:- Dell laptops
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