Hi,
I had a Vostro 1400 which is being replaced due to manufacturers defects (4 faulty motherboards, yay). Specs (going off the top of my head):
T5270 (Core 2 Duo 1.4Ghz, 800MHz FSB, 2M L2 Cache)
Vista Home Premium
14.1" WXGA+ Truelife
1GB Memory (2 DIMM)
128MB Nvidia Geforce 8400GS
160 GB 5400RPM HD
DVD Burner
No idea what wireless card
Some sort of bluetooth
No webcam/microphone
no fingerprint reader
9 cell battery

Dell's sending this replacement (cut out unnecessary stuff):
1 223-8901 Vostro 1510, Intel Core 2 Duo T5870, 2.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2M L2 Cache $430.00
1 420-8709 Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1,w/Media,32 Edition Notebook,English,Vostro $29.00
1 320-6439 15.4 inch Widescreen WXGA+ LCDTrueLife for Vostro 1510 $50.00
1 311-8548 1GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 DIMM $.00
1 313-6192 8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+/-R write capability, withRoxio $15.00
1 320-6436 256MB NVIDIA#174; GeForce#153; 8400M GS Graphics $150.00
1 341-6598 160GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with Free Fall Sensor $75.00
1 430-2888 Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini-card $59.00
1 430-2891 Dell Wireless 360 Bluetooth Module (2.0+EDR) $20.00
1 313-6185 Integrated 1.3 Mega Pixel Webcam and Digital Microphone $40.00
1 311-8557 Touchpad with UPEKM Fingerprint Reader And UPEK Protector Suite software $25.00
1 312-0686 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for Vostro 1510

Basically, it's got a faster processor, slightly better video card, slightly faster hd (which I'll be ripping out as soon as I get it), and a webcam and fingerprint reader (which i don't need but are kind of nice I guess),

On the other hand, it has a larger screen (I bought the 1400 for the small screen) at the same resolution, and not as nice build quality.

What do you guys think? I bought this solely for class so the size matters, but everything else is a small upgrade. If I have to have the 15.4 inch screen I want a higher resolution. The only smaller Vostro currently made is a 13 inch with low resolution...

Justin

Also, does nobody else have the Vostro 1510? I tried searching the forum and found all of four posts on it.

The Vostro 1510 and 1710 are MUCH better quality than the original Vostros. I've worked on a 1710 Vostro before and it was very nice.

As far as size, unfortunately Dell doesn't have a 14" vostro anymore, you can get the 1310 Vostro which has the 13.3" screen if you need the smaller size. However, I don't know off the top of my head what video card options that system has.

Thanks for reply

Vostro 1310 has lower resolution (wxga 1366*768 vs 1400*900) and only x3100.

Other current 14's are:
i1420 (which is a home-line laptop)
e5400 (integrated 4500mhd only)
e6400 (would be awesome but probably unlikely)
d630 (would be not bad)

also wouldn't mind a 13 but those are all lower resolution, which may be alright for 13 inch (i don't think there's a 13" wsxga)

do you think i should just take the 15? or should i roll the dice again and hope for something good in the 14 range?

Well, Dell won't switch you model lines unless that line has been discontinued. They also won't upgrade you to a Latitude I don't think. Despite the Inspiron 1420 being the same system as what you had, Dell sees that as a downgrade.

I don't think you're going to get anything better than the 15.4" they sent you.