Dell Inspiron E1405 Review

I ordered a E1405 for my grandma a week ago, and it arrived yesterday. Here is my review of it. I will try and get her opinions on it when I deliver it to her on Friday.<hr>
Well, the Dell Inspiron E1405 arrived yesterday. A whole day of tinkering with a new computer (formating & installing programs) is fun. Here are the specifications: <pre>
Intel - Core SOLO T1350 (1.86GHz, 533 FSB)
QDS0047 - 14.1 WXGA
Unknown - 512MB 1 DIMM 553MHz
Intel - 950GM
Unknown - 60GB 5400RPM
Microsoft - Windows XP MCE 2005 UR 2
Unknown - CD-RW/DVD Combo
Intel - IPW3945ABG
Dell - 85Whr 9-Cell Li-Ion Ploy
Microsoft - Office 2003 Basic
Dell - Windows XP MCE re-install CD
</pre>
It now joins the family list of laptops:
<ul>
<li> Me - Inspiron 8600c <li> Mom - Inspiron 9200 <li> Dad - XPS M140 <li> Grandma(mom's side) - Inspiron E1405 </ul>
I like Dell<img src="http://www.computerpoweruser.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif"> When it came, the entire box was 9.8 pounds, that's lighter than my I8600c + Power adapter + backpack. Unfortunaly, I do not have time to bench it, but it is faster than the other lappys in the house.
<hr>
Ports:

Here are the pics (did my best, crappy camera) (Click for a bigger version):
E1405 vs I8600c

Top:
<a href="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/top.jpg"><img src="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/top.jpg" width="471" height="356"> </a>
I8600c: Dell Logo
E1405: Dell Logo

Front:
<a href="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/front.jpg"><img src="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/front.jpg" width="500" height="132"> </a>
I8600c: Speaker, Latch, Speaker
E1405: Speaker, Mute, Vol Down, Vol Up, Play/Pause, Back, Forward, Stop, MediaDirect

Left:
<a href="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/left.jpg"><img src="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/left.jpg" width="475" height="144"> </a>
I8600c: Fan, IEEE1394, PCMCIA, HHD, Mic, Headphone, Security
E1405: Security, Fan, S-Video, IEE1394, ExpressCard 54 (I think), Mic, Headphone, Memory Card Reader

Back:
<a href="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/back.jpg"><img src="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/back.jpg" width="237" height="58"> </a>
I8600c: S-Video, USB (x2), Ethernet, Modem, Fan, VGA, Power, Fan (x2)
E1405: USB (x2), Power, Battery

Right:
<a href="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/right.jpg"><img src="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/right.jpg" width="431" height="141"> </a>
I8600c: Security, Modular Bay (CD-RW/DVD)
E1405: CD-RW/DVD, USB (x2) Modem, Ethernet, VGA

Bottom:
<a href="http://olgb.net/images/comps/i8600c/i8600c_bottom.jpg"><img src="http://olgb.net/images/comps/i8600c/i8600c_bottom.jpg" width="420" height="319"> </a>
<a href="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/e1405_bottom.jpg"><img src="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/e1405_bottom.jpg" width="453" height="336"></a>
Top to Bottom, Left to Right
I8600c: HHD, Battery, Communications (WiFi + Modem), Fan, Docking Jack
E1405: Communications (WiFi + Modem), CD-RW/DVD, Something, HHD, Battery
<hr>Speakers:

The speakers are great, they don't have any rattle in them. They are pointed up & to the middle, my hands don't interfear with them at all.

Mouse:

The touchpad is great, it is responsive, and it does not wonder in it's own direction at all. The mouse buttons are deep, and responsive. The touch pad has a verticle scroller & a horosental scroller. The horizontal scroller continues to scroll until it reaches the beginging/end of a document, it takes some time to get used to it.
<a href="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/touchpad.jpg"><img src="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/touchpad.jpg" height="109" width="131"> </a>

Keyboard:

The keyboard is the exact same as in the I8600c, I9200, and the M140. It is great. Best keyboard I have ever used. Nicley spaced keys, and the Fn/Windows Key never get in your way.
<a href="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/e1405_keyboard.jpg"><img src="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/e1405_keyboard.jpg" height="211" width="450"> </a>

Display/Hinges:

The screen is crisp, minimal light leakage at the bottom, no dead pixles, and really bright, but you can turn down the brightness to a dim level (still bright in the middle of the night, but not blinding).

Video/Audio Cards:

The video & audio cards are nothing amazing, passable, but still intel integrated. The hinges on the top of the screen are average, but I like my button on the I8600c better.

Multamedia:

The CD drive is terriable<img src="http://www.computerpoweruser.com/idealbb/images/smilies/15.gif"> It got seated wrong at the factory, and when I re-seated it, The CD hole in the case is too big for the drive. It shakes and vibrates constantly, and even a small bump anywhere on the laptop or on the table it is on will vibrate the drive. Really annoying. Anyone have any 3x5 cards they want to send me to make less room in the bay.

Battery:

I got her the 9Cell Extended Battery, which sticks out about an half an inch in the back. It hase some slight moveage wiht you pull it, with out releasing it. It went an hour last night, and since 10 this morning (it's now 1:11PM) I have [about] 5:45 hours left with a 74% charge.

Conclusion:

This is a grat system for not a power user. I would buy one, if not for the integrated gfx. That's the only thing that turns me off this system. Great for a portable DVD player, a student WP, coding system or just a travel system. Great price: $1015 - %30 = $870USD.
8/10
(Would be a 10/10 if not for the CD-drive & the integrated)
<hr>
<a href="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/desktop.jpg"><img src="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/desktop.jpg" height="200" width="320"> </a>
<a href="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/programs.jpg"><img src="http://olgb.net/images/comps/e1405/programs.jpg" height="200" width="320"> </a>

gleng, Thanks

sporrer17, Taxes and shipping included