Dell Inspiron 1720 (or 1721)

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fryc86

New Member
I need to get a new laptop. I can't spend a whole heck of a lot and am interested in the Dell Inspiron 1720. I don't do any gaming to speak of. I would like a webcam and to be able to watch dvd's and listen to music and other such media activities. Other than that it would be used primarily for internet and college coursework. Is there any reason NOT to get this laptop? I have heard that Vista is a problem for many people. Is it serious? I've heard that it might be possible to install Windows XP on there instead of Vista. Is there anything that makes this a bad machine and what would you recommend instead? Color and design aren't crucial but it makes for a good tie-breaker and I definitely like the way these look. Someone recommended I get the 1721 because the specs looked better than the 1720. Can you confirm or deny that, or is it just personal preference. I'm also aware that many people don't like Dell because of horrible customer service. I can't imagine though that it could be all that much worse than gateway's which is what I have now (until it broke down.) thanks, Colin
 
Can't find 1721...
The major issue with Vista is it usually require a better spec to run it smooth. Usually 2 GB RAM.
And with normal application, like surfing web, music, video, MS office, Vista should not be a problem.

Have a look with this Acer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115450

Dell end up with approx $980 with similar spec. I do agree Dell laptop is better than Acer,
But with paying of $1000, I will rather go for Toshiba
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114439

By the way, is it necessary to looking for 17"? If you get 15.4", You'd found better spec within you price range.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...2E16834146368,N82E16834117598,N82E16834114432
 
I have purchased over a dozen Dell computers, including an i9300 and I just snagged an i1720 and a fantastic bargain right at 35% off. The 1721 is discontinued.

You can blow that Acer away if you can spend another $120... using the 30% Off coupon...

Dell Inspiron 1720
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
Midnight Blue (Any color you want... I just picked one)
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
Glossy, high contrast, widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440 x 900)
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS
160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1
CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
High Definition Audio 2.0
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
8 in 1 Media Card
Microsoft Works
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor,24x7 Phone Support
Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)
Dell Bluetooth Travel Mouse
Premium Deep Navy Blue with Soft Touch LCD back color w/ 2.0M pixel Camera
Included 3 GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Yr

$1314.00
-$394.20 30% Discount using coupon code 5MP61X32?QBKL2
$919.80

This is one very nice computer at a very good price.

The only reason I tossed Bluetooth in there was to get the price up to $1290+ so you can use the coupon. You may want to rearrange a few things as you so desire.


If you absolutely must stay at $800 or below... you can still best the Acer by a long shot. Here are a couple more options for you...


Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5550 (1.83GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
Midnight Blue
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
Glossy, high contrast, widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440 x 900)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
120GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1
CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
High Definition Audio 2.0
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
8 in 1 Media Card
Microsoft Works
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service
Premium Deep Navy Blue with Soft Touch LCD back color w/ 2.0M pixel Camera
Included 3 GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Yr

$999.00
-$249.75 25% Discount using coupon code KMQ?ZLS2RVWJ2K
$749.25

If you need more hard drive space... the 160GB HDD jumps the price to $786.75 and the 250GB HDD jumps it to $843.00.

You can tinker with the configuration and coupons to come up with a bargain.
 
The Dell Outlet has Inspiron 1720/1721 Laptops, but from experience I will tell you that you want the 1720. The 1721's are AMD and the Turion I owned got very hot... too hot to sit in my lap for extended periods. I think the Intel's are outperform the AMD's in laptops anyway, but others may know more than I do on the comparisons.

Right now you can call 1-866-492-6721 and get 15% off all refurbished Inspiron 1720 laptops!

There are bunches of 1720's that are loaded up at less than $800 and you get the 15% off to boot.
 
thanks well I ended up getting the 1721. Here are the specs:

AMD*Athlon 64x2*TK-55 CPU 1.8GHz w/512KB Cache
17"*Wide Screen WXGA+ Truelife Glossy Display*with 1440*900 resolution with 2MP WebCam
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 RAM at 677MHz*
ATI®*Radeon Xpress 1270 256MB HyperMemory**
8x Dual Mode DVD+/-RW Burner with Software
160GB*5400RPM SATA HD
Microsoft Windows Vista Home*Premium Edition
Dell®*1505n Internal (Wireless 802.11 a/g/n)
Integrated 10/100 NIC, Modem, 6Cell Battery 90w A/C adaptor
15 Month Mcafee Internet Security with Antivirus protection
1 Year Limited Parts / Labor*warranty,
24x7 Technical Support**




all in all 739.98
*
 
I noticed that it comes with an internal wireless setup. Does that meant its good to go anyplace that has a wireless connection, or is there something else I need to do/get first? thanks
 
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