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Are they sturdy?

post #1 of 11
2/28/06 at 2:01am
Thread Starter 
I'm considering purchasing a laptop namely a dell with a dual core for college next year... I have never owned a laptop but I have owned a dell desktop. That desktop served me well but I wasn't impressed with the construction the case was made out of plastic, I am NOT a fan of plastic exteriors on computers. Also the keyboard was low quality and clunky (I ordered a more expensive option not the basic crap) and the speakers are toast after 2 years.

So what I want to know is what is the worksmanship on these laptops like? I'm assuming its mostly a plastic shell because metal would be to heavy for a laptop that big. But I have used a apple ibook or whatever it's called and it feels very sturdy with a little weight to it but it felt good. So could someone give me a good idea of what these are made of and if they are sturdy and wont fall apart on me?
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post #2 of 11
2/28/06 at 3:15am
Inspiron's = Plastic Shell

Latitude's = Magnesium Composite Alloy

The Latitude's are possibly the 3rd toughest big name laptops on the market, behind the Panasonic Toughbooks and the Lenovo Thinkpads. Panasonic is a definate first in sturdiness, and Lenovo (IBM) would be second. Their prices are also higher by rank.

As for the general workmanship and build quality of the Inspiron line, my 9300S is quite firm for a large laptop. The chassis base doesn't have any visible flex, runs for days on end and hasn't warped like the metal base work laptop I have, and the LCD hinge is of the tightest I've felt.

Hope some of that info helps.
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post #3 of 11
2/28/06 at 3:19am
Compared to my previous Compaq Presario, my E1705 is built like a tank. However, I can't vouch for long term durability since I've had mine less than a month.
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post #4 of 11
2/28/06 at 3:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaxChris
Inspiron's = Plastic Shell

Latitude's = Magnesium Composite Alloy
Except that the Inspiron 9200 / 9300 / 9400 have a Mg-alloy lid and base. If you don't believe me, get out your drill.

Rock solid.
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post #5 of 11
2/28/06 at 3:26am
Can someone do a drop test?
I want to know the highest you can drop it and have it still reboot! I want numbers!
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post #6 of 11
2/28/06 at 3:27am
Didn't you see the thread in the 9300/XPS forum where the guy's dog knocked the open running laptop off a 3-ft-high table? It hit a concrete floor with no damage.
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post #7 of 11
2/28/06 at 3:33am
LOL... let me run outside this apartment and toss it from the second floor stairwell. First I'll do the grass out back, then the concrete out front.

I'll send you a PM if any of my laptops survive. (Don't hold your breath)
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post #8 of 11
2/28/06 at 3:35am
This comes up so often, let me see if I can come up with a good test you can do without a drill.

Tilt your laptop up so that the rear fan grills are facing you (i.e., get the rear of the laptop off of whatever surface it's on). Twang the fan grill with your thumb nail. Hear that metalic ring?

Edit: this test works best on the grill by the power cord, and make sure you're not holding that area, which will dampen the ringing.
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post #9 of 11
2/28/06 at 4:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dellbert
Didn't you see the thread in the 9300/XPS forum where the guy's dog knocked the open running laptop off a 3-ft-high table? It hit a concrete floor with no damage.
Yes I did! I asked him to teach me how to do back flips
And it dosent count since the drop was made by a dog.
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post #10 of 11
2/28/06 at 1:56pm
some one could take one for the team, if they have the CC from dell?! Come on it's all in the name of science! So throw your laptop, oh and vidoe ape it to, Not every day you get to see a nice $2,500 laptop fly.
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post #11 of 11
2/28/06 at 5:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dellbert
Except that the Inspiron 9200 / 9300 / 9400 have a Mg-alloy lid and base. If you don't believe me, get out your drill.

Rock solid.
yeah, it's definately NOT plastic. Very hard & cold
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