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Vostro 1500 vs Inspiron 1520

post #1 of 30
9/6/07 at 9:37am
Thread Starter 
This might sound like a really stupid question, but could someone break down the differences and perhaps list the benefits and disadvantages (if any) between the two?

I know they're built on the same chassis. I know the Vostro comes in all black with a silver keyboard and the option of Windows XP whereas the Inspiron has 7 fantastic colours and three versions of Vista. But the reviews say different things, like how the Vostro gets hot but the Inspiron doesn't. Do either come with different versions of the 8600M? GS vs GT, DDR2 vs GDDR3?

I'm guessing there's not going to be anyone out there who has both, but I mean.. If people could just post some thoughts that would be appreciated.

Thanks
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post #2 of 30
9/6/07 at 6:07pm
Well, I actually own a Vostro 1500, Inspiron 1705, and a Inspiron 1520. Main difference right off the bat between the Inspirons and the Vostro, is the Vostro is built way better. Its a a much more solid machine, the chassis is overall better. The screen hinges are alot more sturdy. As for components, you can pretty much get similar components. Someone else would have to take over from here...
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post #3 of 30
9/6/07 at 7:59pm
usualy the vostro is cheaper
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post #4 of 30
9/6/07 at 11:18pm
Thread Starter 
Does the sturdiness of the Vostro make it much heavier than the 1520?
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post #5 of 30
9/7/07 at 12:48am
I've got the 1520 and am pretty happy with it. I would disagree with the temperature issue. The 1520 seems to get fairly warm. The construction of the 1520 does not concern me, it does the job without feeling too cheap.

In conclusion, I'd go either way. If you can find a solid deal on the Vostro, get it. Same with the 1520, let price prevail. However, if you want to stay with XP, you'll have to get the Vostro. My 1520 is no my primary computer. If it was, I'd prefer XP over Vista. I do a lot of gaming and prefer XP over Vista. Other than the gaming aspect, the Vista OS has treated me pretty good so far.

Good luck on your choice.
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post #6 of 30
9/7/07 at 4:54am
I thought they were exactly the same laptop aside from the colour and the Vostro not having custom colour lids,I've seen contradictory info on the thickness of the two as well,but that may just be because of the custom lid thing.........mobkon???

I got the Vostro purely because of XP,I reckon its pretty well built for a cheapy,if you want better you will have to get a Latitude or thinkpad.

I also think it has an outstanding cooling system and runs quite a bit cooler than my M65
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post #7 of 30
9/7/07 at 4:59am
Thread Starter 
Awesome, thanks for the thoughts.
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post #8 of 30
9/9/07 at 11:26pm
Do you get American technical support with the Vostro?
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post #9 of 30
9/11/07 at 2:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gavinh View Post
This might sound like a really stupid question, but could someone break down the differences and perhaps list the benefits and disadvantages (if any) between the two?

I know they're built on the same chassis. I know the Vostro comes in all black with a silver keyboard and the option of Windows XP whereas the Inspiron has 7 fantastic colours and three versions of Vista. But the reviews say different things, like how the Vostro gets hot but the Inspiron doesn't. Do either come with different versions of the 8600M? GS vs GT, DDR2 vs GDDR3?

I'm guessing there's not going to be anyone out there who has both, but I mean.. If people could just post some thoughts that would be appreciated.

Thanks

I have worked on a few of these (including the Vostro 1500 I am currently typing this on) and the hardware on the 1520 and 1500 are identical. Build quality is equal, chassis is equal, in fact some of the part numers are in fact the same. The only real difference is the color options. Get system that is cheaper and best fits your needs.
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post #10 of 30
9/11/07 at 2:29pm
one difference i saw when ordering the lower Ghz range 1.6 etc, the cpu's fsb were different.
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post #11 of 30
9/12/07 at 5:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mobkon View Post
Well, I actually own a Vostro 1500, Inspiron 1705, and a Inspiron 1520. Main difference right off the bat between the Inspirons and the Vostro, is the Vostro is built way better. Its a a much more solid machine, the chassis is overall better. The screen hinges are alot more sturdy. As for components, you can pretty much get similar components. Someone else would have to take over from here...

Boy, that black paint makes a whole lot of Difference I guess. Because seriously, you're mistaken. The Vostro is black, the Inspirons are not. THAT'S THE ONLY DIFFERENCE between them. They are identical in every way besides color. Support is handled a little differently since one is purchased through Business and another through Home and Home Office.
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post #12 of 30
9/12/07 at 7:33pm
I was told by a Dell Business rep that the difference is the hinges: 1520 has more plastic parts that are metal on the Vostro. Again, this is what I was *told*, so unsure if this is true or not.
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post #13 of 30
9/12/07 at 11:33pm
The Dell sales reps would tell you the Vostro would make your girlfriend look like Keira Knightley if that's what it took to get you to buy it. The rule of thumb is that the salesman is NOT the most reliable source of information about a product. Technicians...whose paychecks aren't dependent upon how many units they sell, and have actually taken apart the system are your source for the truth. Technicians such as myself.
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post #14 of 30
9/13/07 at 8:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrEvil View Post
The Dell sales reps would tell you the Vostro would make your girlfriend look like Keira Knightley if that's what it took to get you to buy it.

They told me i would get a Keira Knightly included Free! After rebates of course.
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post #15 of 30
9/13/07 at 8:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrEvil View Post
The Dell sales reps would tell you the Vostro would make your girlfriend look like Keira Knightley if that's what it took to get you to buy it. The rule of thumb is that the salesman is NOT the most reliable source of information about a product. Technicians...whose paychecks aren't dependent upon how many units they sell, and have actually taken apart the system are your source for the truth. Technicians such as myself.

Great info MrEvil. I see you're a Dell service rep, so me going 1520 just felt a whole lot better. I must say though, this isn't the only place I've read a dual-owner of both 1500/1520 state that the Vostro hinges have less wobble. Do you think this is placebo effect because of the all-black intimidation factor?
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post #16 of 30
9/14/07 at 12:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by unclebrudy View Post
Great info MrEvil. I see you're a Dell service rep, so me going 1520 just felt a whole lot better. I must say though, this isn't the only place I've read a dual-owner of both 1500/1520 state that the Vostro hinges have less wobble. Do you think this is placebo effect because of the all-black intimidation factor?


Must be placebo as the hinges on the 1520 and 1500 (that I have worked on) are the same part number.
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post #17 of 30
9/14/07 at 4:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xarthan View Post
They told me i would get a Keira Knightly included Free! After rebates of course.


Sounds like an awesome deal,sounds like an exclusive deal since there's not so much of Ms Knightley to go around.
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post #18 of 30
9/14/07 at 11:49am
Yeah, I'm with yellowlt4 on this one. It's purely the black paint that makes people think the Vostro is better. Especially if hinges are the same SKU.

In the past we've had people on here complaining about the hinges being hit or miss within the same model.
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post #19 of 30
9/15/07 at 3:51am
the hinges on my vostro 1500 feel pretty solid.
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post #20 of 30
9/15/07 at 3:55am
Dude,you bought another dell
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