Grabbing a laptop with a
built-in Blu-ray drive isn't at all difficult; finding one that's reasonably affordable, however, is. Starting today, users looking to pick up a new BD-equipped lappie can get their kicks for under nine bills, as the base model
Inspiron 1525 can be fitted with a Blu-ray combo drive (and the requisite 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo T5550 processor) for the low, low price of $879. Kicking things up to a Blu-ray
burner will tack on another $200, and given the 1,280 x 800 screen resolution, we get the idea you'll be utilizing that HDMI output in order to enjoy the 1080p capabilities (if it'll even reach above 720p). Still, the aforesaid configuration is pretty lacking in most respects (1GB of RAM, 80GB HDD, and a woefully underwhelming GMA X3100 graphics accelerator), but hey, at least you'll have Blu-ray! Grab yours now if you're situated in Canada, Europe or the US of A.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mike @ Mar 28th 2008 11:39AM
Too bad its a Dell...
Nabil @ Mar 28th 2008 12:12PM
sounds like you've had the same experience with Dell that I've had...
y3k.nik @ Mar 28th 2008 12:21PM
I have been using an Inspiron 6000 for 3 years now and I have to say, its not the perfect laptop, but I can rely on it to turn on at the end of the day, when I need it, which is supposedly hard for some of the other laptops out there.
I live in University residence and it is amazing to see how many people come to me to get their toshibas hps and acers fixed.
I have had a two acers come to me, which say they have a windows recovery partition, but when I try to use that to reinstall windows, the entire HDD corrupts for some reason. So much for the safety net.
The next laptop I buy, after my Dell becomes unusable is either going to be a new Dell, or a mac.
Mark @ Mar 28th 2008 12:39PM
I've had an Inspiron 9300 for almost 3 years. It's been solid the entire time. My next laptop will be a Dell.
John @ Mar 28th 2008 12:56PM
Interesting. I had an Inspiron 6000 that first had a faulty DVD-burner, which was okay because it was still under warranty. A month after the warranty expired, both of my shift keys stopped working. I had to remap my caps lock key to act as a shift key just so I could type in e-mail addresses and question marks, etc. THEN the friggin' thing started running hot all the time, so the fan would be on full blast whenever I turned it on. In addition, the battery light started blinking red, which I found out (after days of searching online, since Dell won't so much as online chat with you if your warranty is up) meant that my battery's charge ability was already down to 30%. Thirty friggin' percent after 2 years. RIDICULOUS. My girlfriend has had similar problems with her Dell, and I feel even worse for her considering she bought the lifetime warranty which the salesman promised "covered every part of the laptop." He forgot to mention that the battery isn't considered a laptop part (give me a facking break) so when her battery light started flashing that annoying red every 2 seconds, she was told she could fork over another $300 for a battery.
Dell is the worst computer company ever, and, not to be an Apple fanboy, but I bought a macbook pro and my experience has been flawless. Dell can choke on a big one.
John @ Mar 28th 2008 12:58PM
Oops, my bad. By "lifetime warranty" I meant "extended warranty."
I need to stop watching so many infomercials...
CraigJ @ Mar 28th 2008 1:00PM
Dell is fine as ling as you don't need tech support for any reason: their Indian tech support sucks ass.
Lein @ Mar 28th 2008 1:29PM
I'm still trying to figure out what is supposedly so horrible about Dell systems, specifically notebooks. None of the three I've used over the years have ever given me a single problems starting with a Latitude LM-P133 (OMFG MMX!) in 1995, a Latitude CPx J750GT in 2000, and my current Latitude X300 1.4GHz from early 2005. I'm hoping my new $599 Latitude D420 lives up to my expectations (thank you, slickdeals.net)
Ohhh wait, there's the problem: I've never used a Dell home-style system. Hmm, I think I'll keep it that way too, just to be safe.
CraigJ @ Mar 28th 2008 1:51PM
Lein, if you use enough of them, you will encounter problems, just like pretty much any manufacturer (though I have to say I never had any problems with an IBM think pad) I had an early Pentium Pro system that crashed all the time even after repeated reinstalls and patches that Dell refused to help out with after a few calls (this box is still in service and finally stable under Windows XP), I had a 5150 laptop that had BIOS issues that would blue screen all the time. Currently I have a Inspiron 520s, an Inspiron 1521, an Optiplex 745 and an older Dimension that I converted to an Ubuntu box. Currently I'm not having any issues, other than the 10 support calls and the BBB complaint that it took to get Dell to resolve the issue of the incompatible video card they installed in 520s. For the money Dell is probably the best, but they still screw up, and as I said before, their tech support sucks. a lot.
Will3 @ Mar 28th 2008 1:57PM
Dells are physically ugly compared to every other laptop maker out there this side of Alienware. I've had a Dell and the cheap milky white/silver plastic exterior was a pain to see everyday. Plus, Dell's customer service sucks. My HP notebook has been great, plus it's super sexy and HP Total Care service is amazing. My next computer will probably be an HP or a Sony VAIO.
Arnob @ Mar 28th 2008 6:22PM
uhm...have you seen the xps 15-13 inch series of laptops from dell? i think they look better than the hps by a long shot...and even better than a macbook(gasp)
Meai @ Mar 28th 2008 11:42AM
This machine wont even play BlueRay films without lag. (because mine barely does, and it has much better specs)
BobTurbo @ Mar 28th 2008 11:47AM
What graphics card do you have?
Casper42 @ Mar 28th 2008 1:52PM
I just cant see this being a great Blu-Ray watching machine.
1) Mid range processor
2) x3100 Video with Shared Memory
3) Less than 1GB RAM (Shared Video Memory + Vista = Suck)
4) 28Whr battery (Their old default was a 56Whr, not sure you could even watch a whole BD movie on a 28Whr battery)
A Decently configured 1525 with BD is going to be $1200 or more. Plain and Simple. In fact here are the upgrade Prices
$100 T5550 (1.86 @667) -> T7250 (2.00 @ 800)
$100 1GB -> 3GB
$125 80GB -> 160GB (320 isnt even an option?)
$_30 Vista Home Basic -> Home Premium
$_50 1280x800 Screen -> 1440x900
$_20 Add Bluetooth
$229 28 Whr Battery -> 85 Whr Battery
$WTF X3100 -> Nvidia - Oh wait, you cant upgrade without getting an XPS
So $879 becomes $1463 and thats not even the fastest Proc, Most RAM or biggest HD.
Deed @ Mar 28th 2008 3:38PM
Casper, Meai: these machines shouldn't be bought with Blu-Ray capability. Since there's no option for a better GPU (since all Dell did to decrease size was strip away options, much like the Air [ICE BURN]), it would definitely not be the best choice for Blu-Ray. Or anything graphics-intensive. That's why I'm glad I got the 1520 for Christmas right before Dell pulled out these replacements, as at least with the 1520, it can do graphics better.
OneLove @ Mar 28th 2008 11:43AM
it can play blu-ray...but can it play crysis?
tom @ Mar 28th 2008 11:46AM
1 gig ram, dream on!
aendschl @ Mar 28th 2008 11:56AM
more important, will it blend????
NHAnimator @ Mar 28th 2008 1:06PM
With that much RAM and that graphics card, it can't even spell "crysis".
tom @ Mar 28th 2008 11:47AM
GMA X3100 ya right!
y3k.nik @ Mar 28th 2008 12:39PM
http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/GM965/index.htm
according to intel's website, the graphic card is made for 1080p playback.
Am i missing something here, or did people (including me) assumed the laptop is going to do a crappy job only because the graphics card is intel?
martin @ Mar 28th 2008 12:50PM
i've got an x3100 in my laptop and it uses a pretty high percentage of cpu to play back 1080p, its not a stuttery mess but its not great either. 720p is ok tho.. but i wouldnt bother with anything under an 8400m gt for decent playback
rob @ Mar 28th 2008 11:54AM
the drive might be worth more then all the other components combined
looseinthedeuce @ Mar 28th 2008 12:03PM
Word to the author:
Since the title of the article says that Dell is offering a "Blu-ray equipped" laptop for $879, you would think Dell is offering a Blu-ray equipped laptop for $879...if the drive is another $200, why the HELL is that the title of your article?!?
If it's not equipped with Blu-ray at $879, why say that it is????
Chebwa @ Mar 28th 2008 12:04PM
I believe the *burner* tacks on an additional $200.
y3k.nik @ Mar 28th 2008 12:05PM
It is equipped with a BD Read only at $879. At an extra $200, you get BD RW
looseinthedeuce @ Mar 28th 2008 12:18PM
DOH!!
Chebwa @ Mar 28th 2008 12:03PM
"...given the 1,280 x 800 screen resolution, we get the idea you'll be utilizing that HDMI output in order to enjoy the 1080p capabilities."
Yeah, because 720p just looks like total crap to most people, right?
::eye roll::
y3k.nik @ Mar 28th 2008 12:15PM
I have a 720p 26 inch LCD, and if I was in the market for a laptop (which I am), I wouldnt mind getting this one, if it had a better graphics card at the price.
I want a BD drive in my next laptop, and all the options I can find are more than $2000. (Dell XPS and Sony Viao FZ Series)
Here is to hoping apple puts in a BD drive sooner on a mac or someone makes a decent windows machine with a decent spec sheet and cost!
Chebwa @ Mar 28th 2008 12:18PM
@y3k.nik
Wha?
Andrew Campbell @ Mar 28th 2008 2:02PM
Chebwa - 720p is fine and dandy, but if I'm paying for a 1080p experience, I want the 1080p experience.
Chebwa @ Mar 28th 2008 2:07PM
Since when did buying a high definition player mean you were paying for a 1080p experience? That's like saying you shouldn't buy a PS3 unless you have a 1080p TV to use it on. Some people can hardly tell the difference (if at all).
1080p isn't worth it unless you're dealing with a LARGE display, this has been proven time and time again. I can't believe it is even an issue anymore at this point.
ozzzy @ Mar 28th 2008 5:10PM
Chewba I think you're missing the point of that sentence. The resolution of the LCD on the laptop (1280x800) is less than 1080p (1920x1080). Hence you'd need to use HDMI/VGA/DVI to hook this up to a monitor/TV that can support 1080p.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1080p
kevin @ Mar 28th 2008 12:05PM
Not to rain on the parade but a little disclaimer is in order: Because the laptop display and graphics card only supports up to 1280x800, even with the HDMI output, the graphics max out at 1280x720 on an HDTV. This was tested personally with my setup of Panasonic plasma that accepts 1080p, no dice. Maybe a custom graphics driver could deliver?
mac @ Mar 28th 2008 12:21PM
I have an X3100 on my XPS1330 and it outputs fine at 1360x768 on a Samsung and Westinghouse TV (via HDMI and VGA. My Samsung even correctly pixel maps it 1:1). It also lists a 2048x1536 max resolution, so I'm thinking it's a different problem.
Sure, the laptop only supports 1280x800, but go to graphics properties and you should be able to change the resolution once you switch to the external display.
mac @ Mar 28th 2008 12:22PM
No edit button...
by "the laptop only supports 1280x800" I meant "the laptop display only supports 1280x800"
tom @ Mar 28th 2008 12:28PM
What audio grade of input do you get? My sis's old dell has a conexant HD sound card (pretty crappy)
How about this one?
Magallanes @ Mar 28th 2008 12:06PM
Good :
-can play doom
Bad:
-Play bluray with lags.
Ugly:
-Blu-ray cost a +$200 extra.
Icchansan @ Mar 28th 2008 1:50PM
Just the RW is +200, gosh...
y3k.nik @ Mar 28th 2008 12:07PM
I think the reason for Dell to add BD to this laptop was more storage based than multimedia based.
It will probably have issues playing BD, but I dont really see it having a problem burning data on the disc, with the specs it has.
We have to remember, BD can give 50 gb storage, which some people might really need!
Jim Bob @ Mar 28th 2008 12:17PM
Without a burner, it gets hard to supplement the crappy hard drive space with BD media no?
y3k.nik @ Mar 28th 2008 12:35PM
You do have an option of adding on the burner for an extra 200$.
I am just trying to figure out the reasons behind Dell putting a BD drive on a laptop, that cannot play BD movies!
Mark @ Mar 28th 2008 12:46PM
prices still need to come down.
25gb discs need to be around $4-5.
DonatoM3 @ Mar 28th 2008 12:56PM
Why are you assuming playback is going to be crappy? You think all these home blu ray players are running the top of the line Nvidia or ATI graphics chipsets? This intel chipset was designed with the ability to playback 1080p in mind.
Jim Bob @ Mar 28th 2008 1:41PM
For about 200$ more, I'd rather get a larger hard drive or external. In terms of storage space, it would be a better purchase, which is why I made my comment in the first place :P
kenjix @ Mar 28th 2008 12:13PM
Blu-ray going mainstream against all odds keep it up :)
phanbouy @ Mar 28th 2008 1:33PM
let me know how many frames your 1525 drops then get back to me. k? thanks a bunch.
ethana2 @ Mar 28th 2008 3:38PM
Well, when you rip the disk image to hard drive and decrypt it, then accelerate decoding with a gallium backend that runs partially on the GPU...
...wait, are we talking /legally/?
retro77 @ Mar 28th 2008 12:17PM
Holy moly thats cheap!
I like Dell. I don't like apples.
Andrew Campbell @ Mar 28th 2008 2:06PM
That;s odd, because I like apples, and dislike Dell. Let's see who gets voted down first!