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(Source: PCMag)

Product: Dell Inspiron E1505
Type: Notebook

Typical Configuration (Worth $999):

* Intel Core Duo T2300 (1.67 GHz) Processor
* 1GB DDR SDRAM (667MHz) [Max. 2GB RAM]
* 100GB hard drive
* 15.4″ WXGA TFT LCD display
* 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon® X1300
* 8x Dual-Layer DVD Burner
* Dell Wireless 1390 (802.11g) Mini Card Wireless
* Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
* 5-in-1 media card reader
* Ports: 4x USB 2.0, 1x FireWire, Modem RJ-11, S-Video, ExpressCard 54 slot
* Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition
* 6-cell (53 WHr) “Smart” Lithium Ion battery
* Dimensions: 1.44″ (H) x 14″ (W) x 10.45″ (D)
* Weight: 6.6 pounds

Reviews:

1. Looking for a 15.4″ dual core-powered notebook on the cheap? Well, look no further. According to PCMag’s review, you won’t find another branded notebook with the same value for money as the Dell Inspiron E1505.

   And at US$999 for a 1.67 GHz dual core processor, 1GB RAM, a DVD burner and an ATI Mobility Radeon X1300, I can see why.

   Anyway, PCMag awards the E1505 a clear-cut 4.5 out of 5 rating, as well as their Editor’s Choice badge. And if the ratings didn’t speak for themselves, the conclusion surely does: “With dual-core mobile processors introduced just this January, it’s encouraging to see a laptop with the Intel Core Duo available for people who appreciate technology, but don’t have a lot to spend on it. Add to that the myriad other features you get, and buying the E1505 becomes a no-brainer. (Don’t forget that E-Value code.)”

2. PC Magazine made it their task to select four of the best Back to School laptops for this year recently, and not surprisingly, the Dell Inspiron E1505 made it on the list.

   After all, when the E1505 was reviewed in May by PCMag, they made sure to emphasize the sheer value-for-money you’d be getting from the 15.4″ laptop. Of course, for sub-US$1000, a 1.67GHz+ dual core processor, 1GB+ RAM, an ATI Mobility Radeon X1300 graphics card and DVD burner would surely look good to any budget-conscious student.

   Anyway, if you wanted to know, the other three notebooks selected were the 13″ Apple Macbook (duh…), the HP Pavilion dv5000t and the Toshiba Satellite M105-S3011.

News:

1. As if the Dell Inspiron E1505 wasn’t cheap enough already, Dell cuts prices even further. PCMag’s recent review of the notebook saw its price at US$999 (after an E-Value coupon), but now, Dell’s selling the dual core-powered notebook at US$699 (from an initial US$1,234). Imagine, comparable notebooks from Toshiba and HP are retailing at US$1,249 and US$1,199, respectively!

   In fact, Dell’s price-slashing isn’t limited to the Inspiron E1505. Their Dimension B110 desktop is selling at a low price of US$349. And if you opt for a CRT instead of the supplied LCD, the B110’s price drops to US$299.

   Anyway, these discounts come in the wake of a previous price-cutting spree a week or two back. Without doubt, Dell is seriously trying to turn around their rather disappointing first quarter results.