Entered CNET Catalog: 06/14/2007
SKU: CNETDellInspiron1720
Manufacturer: Dell, Inc.
Content [Hide]
Manufacturer description
Mobile home office or portable entertainment center? Now you don't have to choose. The Inspiron 1720 notebook packs the power you need for work or play, with a large widescreen display for high-definition digital experience, media, photo or video editing, and more. Your Inspiron notebook is all about you. Whether you want to do your banking from a cafe or connect to the world from your favorite city park, this 17" Inspiron allows you to get online virtually anytime and anywhere. Use your notebook to explore, create and play with a fully loaded selection of media features including options such as high-definition UltraSharp displays, or an integrated 2-megapixel webcam.Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 06/26/2007
The Dell Inspiron 1720 series consists of two models. The Inspiron 1720 is built around an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and (in the case of higher-end models) the new Centrino Duo platform, while the Inspiron 1721 trades Intel for an AMD Turion 64 X2 processor and chipset. Aside from processor choices, Dell is also offering color choices with the Inspiron 1720 series: if buyers don't like the traditional white or black case, they can opt for red, blue, green, yellow, brown, or pink. We've seen colorful laptops before--most recently in the Sony VAIO CR series--but we've never seen a colored laptop with as many configuration options as the Dell Inspiron 1720 series offers. While many of the upgrade options--such as integrated WWAN or a Blu-ray drive--will surely push the price well above the $899 baseline, we think the Inspiron 1720 series will nevertheless appeal to home users who want a solid all-around laptop with a high degree of customization.
| Starting price | $899 |
| Processor | AMD Turion 64 X2 up to 2.2GHz or Intel Core 2 Duo up to 2.2GHz |
| Memory | Up to 4GB of 667MHz |
| Hard drive | Up to 500GB (two 250GB) at 5,400rpm |
| Graphics | Integrated: ATI Radeon Xpress X1270 or Mobile Intel GMA X3100 Discrete: Nvidia GeForce Go 8400M GS (128MB) or Nvidia GeForce Go 8600M GT (256MB) |
| Chipset | ATI 690T/600SB or Mobile Intel Express 965PM/GM |
| Operating system | Vista Home Premium |
| Dimensions (WDH) | 15.5x11.5x1.5-1.7 inches |
| Screen size (diagonal) | 17 inches |
| System weight | 7.8 pounds |
| Category | desktop replacement |
Though the Inspiron 1720 series' feature set is largely average for its category, a few key items stand out. For example, the laptop's 17-inch wide-screen display can be configured with a 1,440x900 or 1,920x1,200 native resolution. Users who want always-on connectivity can opt for integrated WWAN from Sprint, Verizon, or AT&T (though you'll have to subscribe to the carriers' data service). And buyers of the Intel-based Inspiron 1720 will have the option to include a Blu-ray drive in their system. Of course, these finer features will drive the Inspiron 1720 series well above the $899 starting price, but many home users will appreciate the option to customize their laptop to fit their needs and lifestyles.
Dell has also borrowed a few handy design features from its other laptop lines and incorporated them into the Inspiron 1720 series. First, media controls along the front edge, similar to those found on the XPS line of laptops, let you easily control disc playback. From the Latitude line, the Inspiron 1720 has adopted a built-in Wi-Fi Catcher, which lets you detect wireless networks even when the laptop's lid is closed or the computer is powered off.
| Dell Inspiron 1720 series | Average for desktop replacement category | |
| Video | VGA-out, S-Video | VGA-out, S-Video, DVI |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks | Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks |
| Data | Four USB 2.0 ports, a mini-FireWire, and a multiformat memory card reader | Four USB 2.0 ports, a mini-FireWire, and a multiformat memory card reader |
| Expansion | PC Card slot | PC Card slot, ExpressCard slot |
| Networking | Modem, Ethernet, 802.11a/g/n Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth, optional WWAN | Modem, Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth |
| Optical drive | CD-RW/DVD-ROM or DVD burner, Blu-ray drive optional on Intel-based models | DVD burner |
As often happens with configurable laptops, the price of the Dell Inspiron 1720 series can vary widely depending on your component and feature choices. The baseline configuration for the Inspiron 1720 is about average for a budget desktop replacement, incorporating a Core 2 Duo T5250 processor (based on Intel's previous-generation architecture), 1GB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, and a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive for $999. Buyers looking for an even lower price can opt for the baseline Inspiron 1721, which trades the Intel processor for an AMD Turion 64 X2 and costs $899. These budget-friendly processors won't outrun the latest-generation components, but they should prove sufficient for most home users' needs.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Still a fantastic laptop
Pros: Video card Nvidea Geforce m8600GT
Speakers comparing to other brands (and well-placed)
Cooling and fans. It is not sucking up dust and it's pretty quiet
Hardware quality
Enough good-placed usb ports
Great keyboard with numpad
Cons: Windows 7 drivers difficult to find (but not impossible :)
Heavy and big, so not really mobile!
Cons: ehm, ehm, ehm, still thinking..
Review: I am working and experimenting a lot with this laptop, and since june 2007 i am very glad to have this one. Xp, Vista, Win7, Ubuntu: all are working smooth with this laptop
No heatproblems but at the least games (Homefront, Crysis 2, etc.) I begin to think about a new laptop or pc. I hate to wait at my computer.
No heatproblems but at the least games (Homefront, Crysis 2, etc.) I begin to think about a new laptop or pc. I hate to wait at my computer.
User Rating:
2.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
its pretty good
Pros: good graphics
Cons: short battery life,battery sticks out,vista is terrible,not a very good wireless card,
Review: ok
User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Great Laptop...still running strong over 3yrs later
Pros: Video card Geforce 8600M over 3yrs ago was a great addition.
Cons: Battery life could be better
Review: Poor reviews about this laptop because of shipping issues is ridiculous. This is why I thought I would add my review here(hopefully balance out the numbers). People complaining about slowness are users who didn't properly customize their computers when they first bought it. If you have the core 2 duo t7500 2.2ghz w/4gb of ram and the nvidia geforce card, then your system should fly.
User Rating:
2.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Not well designed. Will get the job done, though.
Pros: - Full sized keyboard
- Overall it works OK.
Cons: - No loop for cable lock
- A few pixels died on screen
- Not balanced, wobbly when you set on table
- Came with Windows Vista, but apparently not tested with Vista much as it crashed A LOT until I reinstalled Windows XP
Review: Basic laptop, will do the job, but don't expect any frills. Even though Dell gives out big discounts, I wouldn't buy it again.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
3yrs old.. still a champ, Dell did replace failing HDD
Pros: Has held up pretty good going on 3 years now. 4GB RAM and 1900x1200 display with NVIDIA dedicated video rocks for desktop apps, videos/movies and gaming. Has a second HDD bay which allows future expansion (SSD upgrade is in the works!)
Cons: No DVI or HDMI out. However, the VGA connector drives 1080p displays at full resolution with great quality. HDD was failing near the 2 yr mark. Bluetooth has had some difficulty with multiple active devices. Headphone jack needs better shielding.
Review: A word about Dell support. My experience was excellent.
As stated above, the HDD started failing near the 2 year mark, plus a couple other issues that I have to take some blame for. Namely, the LCD panel had a flaw which I was somewhat responsible for plus I had forgotten the BIOS password and was locked out for good. They replaced the HDD, replaced the panel and replaced the entire motherboard (kinda bad design there.. they didn't have any master reset/override ability on the bios password). All covered by the 2yr support plan and repaired onsite at my home.
I have never had significant downtime with this laptop. I have reinstalled windows serveral times without a glitch.
As stated above, the HDD started failing near the 2 year mark, plus a couple other issues that I have to take some blame for. Namely, the LCD panel had a flaw which I was somewhat responsible for plus I had forgotten the BIOS password and was locked out for good. They replaced the HDD, replaced the panel and replaced the entire motherboard (kinda bad design there.. they didn't have any master reset/override ability on the bios password). All covered by the 2yr support plan and repaired onsite at my home.
I have never had significant downtime with this laptop. I have reinstalled windows serveral times without a glitch.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Worth if you are looking for something thats gonna last
Pros: Great desktop replacement, dual hard drive capability
Cons: Video card is ok but not the best, battery life isn't really good, and is a little on the heavy side
Review: I used this as a desktop replacement for over a year. It was awesome. Great for schoolwork, browsing internet, not so much on gaming though.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Best laptop iv ever used!!!
Pros: fast boot time, big screen, can play a lot of games, good design, fast
Cons: gives a lot of heat but its only on the left side so its not a big deal, a little outdated for 2010, a little heavy
Review: iv had this since january 2008 and iv loved it ever since, its fast and simple to use, can play a lot of games and can be upgraded for some parts, its getting to be a little outdated for 2010 but can still run a lot of games and the big screen is perfect for everything and is good for moderate gamers and is just a really good laptop
User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Good overall
Pros: This capable and fast. No problems first two years of ownership.
Cons: Its big as a tank. Motherboard blew up at two year mark.
Review: When does a motherboard ever go out?!
If the motherboard hadn't gone bad, I would say its worth the price of admission. IF!
If the motherboard hadn't gone bad, I would say its worth the price of admission. IF!
User Rating:
0.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Locks up at least 4 times a day.
Pros: ???? I only know when they sold me this Dell they sold me an Apple
Cons: Vista is very difficult to use compared to XP.
The constant locking up.
The service is VERY POOR.
Review: I don't know what else I can say. I do Know I have sold at least 4 Apples among my friends when they use mine for a few minutes. Just now I click on SUBMIT nothing happens.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Good Machine
Pros: I like the product.
Cons: heavy to carry
Review:
User Rating:
2.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Great performance, Sharp image but Heavy as a tank
Pros: Great performance, Sharp image, long-lasting battery life, release heat really well
Cons: Heavy heavy machine to carry around.
Review: After using this laptop for 2 years. This laptop has the performance like no other machines. However it's not meant for carrying around. My back hurts after carrying this laptop around campus or walking to the near by Starbucks. Otherwise, it's a great laptop from performance to the sharp displays. Comparing with the Levono Thinkpad T500, Thinkpad is designed for better balance between portability and performance.
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
ac charger needs redesign
Pros: Like the 17 in. screen good for watching DVDs, like that Dell gave me terms, like that I got speedy delivery.
Cons: Am on my 3rd AC charger in a little over a year it is poorly designed and the marketplace offers no alternative, needs to be 3 pronged/45 degree angle. Often you are plugged in but not charging.,
Review: Finely got it to run pretty well after ditching much of the software that came with it. Loaded Kerpesky security software, never been happier.
User Rating:
0.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
3 Keyboards, two optical drives, new comp...1yr.
Pros: in spite of my repeated problems with this new computer, dell tried to SELL me an extended warranty. Dell will not replace this computer, or extend the warranty. Dell seems to be waiting for the initial warranty to expire so they can get rid of me.
Cons: I spent three hours online with dell support and they destroyed my computer....lol...my touchpad quit scrolling and MS works constantly froze up...thank god for the backup and restore feature...lol Do Not buy a Dell, they will promise, not deliver.
Review: Do not buy a Dell, they do not stand by their product. Dell promises a fix and when repeated fixes do not work,,,they try and sell you an extended warranty, They will not replace a "Lemon" and will not extend a warranty on a flawed product. Dell does not stand by their products.
User Rating:
2.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Good Features, but way too many problems
Pros: There is a lot to like about this computer. It has a large screen with high resolution, it has a core 2 duo 2.4ghz processor, 4gb of ram, it is very fast, and is relatively easy to work with.
Cons: VISTA VISTA VISTA VISTA!!! This computer is held back immensely by the trials and tribulations of a troubled operating system. I have had nothing but problems with this computer since I got it. Vista uses way too much of my RAM and slows it down.
Review: As soon as I opened the box and turned on the computer I have had problems with it. The first day I had it I was having errors with Windows Explorer! That is a program that you should never experience problems with. I have had this computer since June '08 and it has been a nightmare. The two usb ports on the right side didn't work and the audio jack broke soon after. After two months the battery died permanently and had to be replaced. I also had to have a Dell service tech come to my house and put in a new motherboard. Windows Vista is holding this computer back tremendously because it eats up all the memory. I frequently have problems running mozilla firefox and itunes and certain games that I play. I am somewhat of a gamer and I play Left 4 Dead and Call of Duty Five on this computer because I thought it was a really fast and updated machine. Every single time I play either of these games I get video hardware errors and I have to return to the desktop and go back in to the game. (I usually end up dying!) And other games I have, which are well within the system requirements, don't even run on the computer. The video does not playback well with the audio and is choppy. Almost anything I do with this computer fails. I recently wanted to hook up a monitor to it, JUST A MONITOR, and that didn't even work at all. I get the dreaded blue screen once in awhile and you know how that goes. I recently tried to put XP on it but the computer somehow knew I was trying to do that and would not let me. It said Windows XP is not compatible. IT IS A DELL, OF COURSE XP IS COMPATIBLE!!! So just yesterday I formatted my hard drive and put Vista back on it to start with a clean slate and I still have some of the same problems. It is a shame this computer is so ridiculous because Dells are usually great machines. So Im going to blame this all on vista because that seems to be the root of all there problems. One thing I am very happy with is Dell's customer service. I called them on a Monday night, and by the next morning, I had the parts I needed. This computer could be very great. It is a powerful machine, but if you choose it, beware of VISTA and the other problems I have mentioned.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
My first computer!
Pros: Well for being my first computer, I cannot say anything bad about this computer. In fact it's awesome! IF you are in the market for a 17" inch Notebook look no farther than the Dell 1720, You won't be disappointed!
Cons: I have had the inspiron 1720 for several months, and have no complaints!
Review:
User Rating:
2.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
4 OS rebuilds, new HD, keyboard & motherboard in 1 YEAR
Pros: Screen size and sharpness
Keyboard, typing is comfortable
Dell Customer Service
Cons: Weight
Vista stinks - Microsoft better get on the ball before they sunset XP
Some hardware problems
Review: PROS 1: Screen size is fantastic. It's a little on the dim side, but sharp and wide.
PROS 2: The full keyboard and 10-key layout is comfortable. The wrist rests are wide with plenty of room.
PROS 3: Customer service was actually very good, despite the multiple and complicated problems I've had. I purchased through and Employee Purchase Plan, so my call queue went into their Small Business Center. The reps were all EXCELLENT. The follow-up communication was good, and the Dell On-Call Technician service that came THREE times was efficient and good.
Also, the Dell Connect service where they connect to your computer for troubleshooting worked REALLY well this time. I had tried it before with another PC and the service was not reliable, or extra slow over my Wild Blue Satellite Internet service. This time, connection was smooth and stable. Even thought I was on the phone w/ a tell tech for over 2 hours on several occasions, I was able to put the phone on speaker and walk away while they worked my PC.
----------------------------------------
CONS 1: Heavy, especially w/ extended life battery that sticks out the back.
CONS 2: Hardware Failures - I don't know if I got a lemon or what ... at time the problems were due to Vista, but HD and MB failures in first year puzzle me.
CONS 3: Vista is a problem. After all this time I've gotten a few key things about Vista figured out:
1. Don't let Windows automatically push its own updates (they corrupt their own system w/ their own updates and will blow up your OS.
2. Keep it to a minimum! It's worth it to disable many of the flashy new features of Vista that you might really be excited about enjoying. However, IMHO, the less stress you put on Vista, the more stable
3. BACK UP BACK UP BACK UP BACK UP - Really. Believe someone who has paid the price for not having a good back-up.
PROS 2: The full keyboard and 10-key layout is comfortable. The wrist rests are wide with plenty of room.
PROS 3: Customer service was actually very good, despite the multiple and complicated problems I've had. I purchased through and Employee Purchase Plan, so my call queue went into their Small Business Center. The reps were all EXCELLENT. The follow-up communication was good, and the Dell On-Call Technician service that came THREE times was efficient and good.
Also, the Dell Connect service where they connect to your computer for troubleshooting worked REALLY well this time. I had tried it before with another PC and the service was not reliable, or extra slow over my Wild Blue Satellite Internet service. This time, connection was smooth and stable. Even thought I was on the phone w/ a tell tech for over 2 hours on several occasions, I was able to put the phone on speaker and walk away while they worked my PC.
----------------------------------------
CONS 1: Heavy, especially w/ extended life battery that sticks out the back.
CONS 2: Hardware Failures - I don't know if I got a lemon or what ... at time the problems were due to Vista, but HD and MB failures in first year puzzle me.
CONS 3: Vista is a problem. After all this time I've gotten a few key things about Vista figured out:
1. Don't let Windows automatically push its own updates (they corrupt their own system w/ their own updates and will blow up your OS.
2. Keep it to a minimum! It's worth it to disable many of the flashy new features of Vista that you might really be excited about enjoying. However, IMHO, the less stress you put on Vista, the more stable
3. BACK UP BACK UP BACK UP BACK UP - Really. Believe someone who has paid the price for not having a good back-up.
User Rating:
1.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
NOT WORTH THE MONEY
Pros: I'll just make a quick list of the pros:
1) Nice picture
2) Good ability to customize when ordering
Cons: Now the bad list (I don't think I have enough space here):
1) Dell service sucks
2) Mouse pad sucks
3) WiFi catcher sucks
4) Already had one HD crash
5) Don't get me started on Vista
6) Did I mention customer service sucks?
Review: The bottom line on this product is that it is no good and I have had nothing but problems with it since I got it. When I looked into buying this computer and started designing it, it looked to be an incredibly powerful laptop that would be able to handle anything I threw at it (I have the 1720 loaded with the Intel Centrino Duo Core, 4 GB of RAM, and 350 GB of Hard Disk space). So far my mouse pad does not work, my WiFi will sometimes drop the signal when I am sitting a whole 12 feet from the wireless router, and I have had to replace one hard drive. I thought the issues were done but now I am having more problems and customer service at Dell is a joke, something about outsourcing customer service is not a good idea when the customer service reps need to speak english fluently and they don't. If you want to waste $1,500 don't do it through Dell.
User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
A Heavyduty Workhorse
Pros: Solid, Dependable, Decent price
Cons: Weight, Size
Review: I've been my 1720 for about 2 years now and I think production has now stopped for this model but this review might help someone who is interested in buying a used one.
I'm a University student who commutes everyday and have gone through a few laptops just because their construction was so poor that the slightest bump or rattle would damage the casing (Notably the cheap plastic that Toshiba and Acer use in their casings). I have put the Inspiron 1720 through some damage that would probably have voided my warranty but it came out unscathed. I have yet to see casing this solid in any other laptop. The Inspiron has undergone severe shakes and rattles along with severe temperature changes and have yet to witness any problems. I'm sure no one would put their computer in the situations that I have to on a daily basis so this laptop is definitely a dependable and reliable workhorse.
I have had no system crashes or overheating problems. In fact this laptop is the quietest laptop I've had, the cooling fans are barely noticeable and I have the 256MB video card that definitely heats the computer during gaming.
The speakers are far superior to any other laptop speakers on the market today.
The only downside to this laptop is the size and weight, both of which are large. I suppose it is to be expected when purchasing a desktop replacement and it is 17 inches but other than that, this laptop is simply amazing. I've owned Sony, Toshiba, HP and Acer; this is the only one that lasts through my rough daily grind.
Although they don't make this laptop anymore, if I had to buy a used laptop, it would be the inspiron.
I'm a University student who commutes everyday and have gone through a few laptops just because their construction was so poor that the slightest bump or rattle would damage the casing (Notably the cheap plastic that Toshiba and Acer use in their casings). I have put the Inspiron 1720 through some damage that would probably have voided my warranty but it came out unscathed. I have yet to see casing this solid in any other laptop. The Inspiron has undergone severe shakes and rattles along with severe temperature changes and have yet to witness any problems. I'm sure no one would put their computer in the situations that I have to on a daily basis so this laptop is definitely a dependable and reliable workhorse.
I have had no system crashes or overheating problems. In fact this laptop is the quietest laptop I've had, the cooling fans are barely noticeable and I have the 256MB video card that definitely heats the computer during gaming.
The speakers are far superior to any other laptop speakers on the market today.
The only downside to this laptop is the size and weight, both of which are large. I suppose it is to be expected when purchasing a desktop replacement and it is 17 inches but other than that, this laptop is simply amazing. I've owned Sony, Toshiba, HP and Acer; this is the only one that lasts through my rough daily grind.
Although they don't make this laptop anymore, if I had to buy a used laptop, it would be the inspiron.
User Rating:
0.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
The worst computer I have ever owned... BAR NONE!
Pros: Large Screen and Ten Key
Cons: The service, the blue screen from Hades, Vista and Dell are oil and water apparently... Dell makes a good paper weight or door stop... anything beyond that and you're in trouble!
Review: To give you and idea... this is the fourth time I've tried to write this review! It keeps going to the home screen for no apparent reason. When I first got it, it blue screened... no problem right? These things happen, just new programming. As a middle-aged college student, I do not have time to be bothered with a few inconveniences. Three months later, while taking notes, it became inconvenient. The program I was in shut down and it said it needed to update. It never restarted. 45 minutes on hold and three hours with a rep. who didn't understand English (at ALL)... I was told that I would have to reinstall everything. Three months of projects, term papers, etc... gone! After reinstalling it three times (it kept blue screening), it finally took. I reloaded what had been backed up and the next day... you guessed it... it died again. You get the picture... in total, I have spoken with a customer service rep 28 times... it's kind of a game now... and the blue screen continues two to three times a day... I've had to reinstall the software nine times now... and I make sure EVERYTHING is put on disk or memory stick simply because it crashes on average every sixty days. I have had nothing but trouble from this computer and be rest assured that Dell will never have me for a customer again. I feel the need that I am NOT a negative person. I tend to take things in stride and not get worked up... ask anyone. This computer has literally driven me to punching a wall at times!! I've been transferred, put on hold, given the wrong numbers, basically been told they would not take it back (why should they right? They got their money!) and finally gave up! I am saving money right now and when I get another computer, it will be a happy day when I can take a sledge hammer to this one and mail it back to them... I have considered giving it away but to give this heap of junk to another person would be nothing short of cruel. The evil must be sent back to it's Maker or the chain of destruction will continue! LOL Jokes aside, please, please, PLEASE take this review to heart. This computer is a piece of junk. My last computer was a Sony Vaio. It's eight years old now... I gave it to my mother and she is still using it daily... and it's NEVER crashed... should have stayed with a brand I know I can trust. The only reason I bought this one was because I wanted to save some money... the age-old saying that you get what you pay for certainly applies here!
User Rating:
1.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Worst experience ever
Pros: Keyboard setup, large screen display
Cons: Customer service, tech support
Review: This computer has had problems from day 1. Tech support has said it is a software problem with Vista, but they have failed to solve the problem after at least 24 hours either on line or on the phone with them. We have gone through the "blue screen of death" to having it run, but it refuses to download certain updates, and it continues to flash a black screen at random times. We have reinstalled the operating system and all drivers at the direction of tech support 3 times now and it still does not work properly. I have asked repeatedly for them to take the computer back and fix it because I am tired of sitting on hold for hours waiting for help and not getting anything fixed. They continue to refuse, and I just get sent to another technician who wants to do the same series of 'fixes' again. Dell has the worst customer support I have ever seen. I think they hope that eventually a customer will just give up and stop calling. I will never buy another Dell product and I would certainly not recommend Dell to anyone.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Great buying experience
Pros: you get what you want without a bunch of "stuff" that you don't need
Cons: none so far
Review: When my old computer died, I started the search for a new one around town. After a near buy at Circuit City, which I walked out of when they insisted on an additional $40 to "optimize" the system. I looked to Dell. Wow! I got to pick what I wanted and needed. The computer didn't need to be "optimized" because they didn't have any unnecessary software to slow down the works. There was no sales person to talk me into more or less than I wanted. (I Had a brief on-line chat to ask a few questions.) Granted I had to wait a week for delivery, and internet withdrawal is ugly. However, it came exactly when they promised. (And may I add our local DHL delivery went above and beyond meeting me after I missed the drop off.) The computer itself is basic, which is what I wanted, but I could have gotten much more with a click of the mouse. Once it arrived, I turned it on, and it started just like an old friend. I managed to transfer everything I needed from the old hard drive with no issues. I've only had this computer for a short time, but so far this computer buying experience is the best I've had.
User Rating:
2.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Needs Some Work
Pros: Big Display, Number pad on side of keyboard,
Cons: Bulky, battery sticks out, Dell Support(specifcally Accidental Damage Care), Speakers, touchpad, Front Media Buttons, Only will come with Windows VISTA
Review: I got this unit refurbished when the LCD screen on my Dell E1705 computer broke(best computer i have owned). The Dell Support was TERRIBLE HERE. After they decided that they did not want to fix my old computer, they sent me this, which i did not want, but they did not care. This computer is not terrible, but it could have been built much better. The computer itself is very large (the battery sticks out of the back). It has the Tough Dell look(rubber bumpers all over, large clips to close the lid, thick casing...). The speakers on the unit are poorly misplaced at the front of the unit aimed toward the ground. If you plan on using this computer on your lap, get headphones for sound. The speakers themselves are also not high quality, they screech when you get the volume about 75% up. the touchpad on this system is terrible, it freezes, then races(partly windows Vista!). the front media buttons work, but will freeze up on occasion. When you press them they wont activate right away, then a minute later will blast loud. Windows VISTA looks nice, but as far as reliability goes, it needs work. it can be slow, produce error(especially with sidebar)...
If you want a sleek computer, with an operating system that runs very smooth, and has better support, then you might want to look at an Apple macbook/Pro.
If you want a sleek computer, with an operating system that runs very smooth, and has better support, then you might want to look at an Apple macbook/Pro.
User Rating:
2.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Truelife's Glossy Screen Nightmare
Pros: For anyone in the computer Graphic Industry, The Truelife Glossy screens are a Nightmare, If you are working in a zone with a Bright Background or Seeing some Darker Images, The Screen literally becomes a Glaring Mirror in such conditions.
Cons: But for the Screen, the Kind of options that we get to customize on Dell machines are really Cool, and Especially the option to choose from multiple colors makes it Unique.
Review: For anyone in the computer Graphic Industry, The Truelife Glossy screens are a Nightmare, If you are working in a zone with a Bright Background or Seeing some Darker Images, The Screen literally becomes a Glaring Mirror in such conditions. I tried replacing the Glossy screen with a Matte Screen, but it is available only with a Resolution of 1440X900 in which some of my Applications are not supported, Unless and until High resolution Matte screens with a Res 1920X1200 are available for the inspiron models I think i will be living with my system with a Compromise on the LCD screen
User Rating:
1.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Fine in every respect except Charging Cord
Pros: Fast, decent battery life, nice screen
Cons: POWER CORD IS OVERPRICED TRASH
Review: It is a fantastic unit if you can get past constantly buying power supplues, I have ruined 2 and am well into the 3rd in 2 years in spite of fabricating my own strain relievers. They use a proprietary power socket on the computer which you can only get from Dell for a very high price. It is matched by a terribly built plug which is nearly impossible to fix. In spite of light careful use they all fray at the cheap strain reliever quite early on. New ones can be had on Ebay for around $60 rather than directly from Dell for $100. You will notice that the cord is molded into the supply unit itself so you are forced to buy the whole supply to replace the extremely poor quality part. Strange since the wall plug end is well made and yet is replaceable. There is simply no excuse for such shoddy equipment. Other than this one thing the computer is fantastic. I rate this as a 2 just so that people will notice and complain about this Holy Grail Of Planned _Obsolescence.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
The Dell Inspiron 1720 an ultimate entertainment powerhouse for home and work!
Pros: Offers 17" Full HD worth of LCD Screen, Offers NVidia 8600M GT Graphics Card, Great Sound, Great Graphics and Colors Galore!
Cons: A 17" is of course bulky, do not bring it for international travel and 9-cell stick out of course.
Review: In my opinion this 17" Dell Inspiron is a great notebook, offers great value, offers mid-gaming graphics and have Full HD. If you are a hard-core gamer but also consider value, this notebook is right for you. Dell has less pre-installed crapware and stuff. It is very reliable, easy to use and won't crap you out. But as you know if you travel a lot, you won't want any 17"ers and battery life is also short for 17"ers, hit the 9-cell but it'll stick out and also take space but it still deserves my Editor's Choice! 
!
~AWWang!!
P.S. If you are a frequent travler, go for the Dell XPS M1530 which also offers Full HD and equivalent options (except colors).
!~AWWang!
!P.S. If you are a frequent travler, go for the Dell XPS M1530 which also offers Full HD and equivalent options (except colors).
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Great computer-horrible cutsomer service
Pros: Great computer, many customizations available
Cons: HORRIBLE customer service
Review: I'm glad I finally got my laptop and didn't have to deal with the dream team of customer service. The first time I called, I was put on hold and finally got to speak to a real person only to learn that the computers were down and they couldn't help me. I called back a second time and even with the ocmputers up they weren't much help. I just hope I don't have to call them anymore.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
great performance for the price, nice chassis
Pros: great specs at lower price, quick build+shipping, rigid and durable frame, room for 2 hdds, great cust service
Cons: no win xp option, no RAID option, 2nd interposer only included with 2nd hdd purchase, no 7200rpm option (though this may not be a huge problem, see below)
Review: Dell's Inspiron laptops continue to improve. I've previously owned an Inspiron 8500 (about 5 years ago) and an Inspiron e1705 (about 1 year ago; stolen so I bought this). This is the best of the 3 by far.
First, in terms of the basic purchase details, you can't do better than Dell. They will generally have the best specs for the lowest price, and the Inspiron line often builds and ships within 3 days of payment if the model has been out for some time (mine took 2 days from when I bought it online until when it was handed off to USPS. I had overnight shipping so I bought at noon on Monday and got it Thursday morning.). While people like to complain about Dell Support, the reality is you will almost always find somebody to chat with within 5-10 minutes, if not sooner, and if you work with them you can usually get a quick (and generous) resolution. They even gave me my e1705 for free when they couldn't fix my 8500. Most other companies I've interacted with have FAR worse support.
On to the 1720 build: Dell is primarily responsible for assembly, not manufacturing the component electronics, so let's discuss the chassis. The 1720 chassis is impressively durable: it doesn't creak or bend when you move it around, and the screen-to-base connection is very rigid, no wobbling. The combination of your custom colored top with the silver chassis and pitch black sides and bottom is flattering. The top is also rubberized, which is a nice touch, literally. The lights on the side are a sharp and attractive blue. The screen closes snugly, and the battery clicks in nicely.
Some have complained that the battery sticks out the back, but that is only for the longer-lasting battery option. If you don't want this, you can buy the smaller battery and sacrifice some battery life. Plus-sized batteries that stick out the back are fairly common on laptops; it's not a unique feature of this one. However, you might notice it more because the chassis is already so large, being 17 inch.
The keyboard feels GREAT compared with other keyboards I have used - the keys feel solid and not cheap, have just the right resistance, and appear durable. With this computer, you will get a number pad on the side, because it is so big. This was a bit off-putting at first (the Page-Up, Page Dn, Home, End, Insert, and Delete layout of Dell's other keyboards is more convenient), but some may prefer it, and it has grown on me.
Direct access to the Hard Drive and RAM is provided through specific hatches, so you don't have to take apart the computer to get to them (as you did with the HDD in the e1705). This is helpful, although it appears the fan is not as accessible. This is a negative because you should clean your fan every 6 months or so.
On to specifications:
This computer is seriously underrated in terms of computing power. People sometimes talk about Inspirons as if they are significantly stripped down, but honestly, unless you want the top specs in everything, you can get 85% of the way there with an Inspiron (at least, a 17 inch Inspiron).
I got a build with a 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, a 3 year warranty/accidental damage protection, a 1920x1200 resolution, and nVidia 8600M GT for roughly than the base starting price of XPS systems with way worse specs. Unless you are going to max out the specs on an XPS or Alienware, you should go with an Inspiron 17 inch instead.
The only area where Inspirons lag significantly is in terms of top graphics cards and RAID setups. XPS and Alienware also offer Intel processors up to 2.8 GHz Extreme (X9000) instead of maxing out at 2.5 GHz for the 1720. Again, unless you're building a gaming rig (and therefore need a top graphics processor), or want the absolute fastest HDD/CPU setup you can buy, you should go with an Inspiron.
The fan is very large and powerful and quiet. It spits air out the side, which might not be good for your lemonade, but can help you keep the airways clear while you are working. The bottom of the laptop stays pretty cool.
The computer is heavy, but I think you can handle it. Remember, it's 17 inches.
Complaints: First in my mind is the lack of an XP option. If you want a 17 inch XP laptop from Dell, you have to go with an XPS, which is much more expensive. Fortunately, Dell provides the drivers you need for XP on the Inspiron 1720 on its website, but you're on your own installing it, which took me a few days and required me to slipstream an SATA driver into my XP installation disk first. You also should search DellCommunity.com for instructions (especially in terms of the recommended driver installation order), because they Dell doesn't provide them directly. You'll also have to closely compare the drivers with your machine specs, because they are not clearly labeled and no computer needs all of them. I was able to get my 1720 to run XP after 2 nights of work.
The 1720 is blazing on XP (fast but not blazing on Vista), and I think Dell should be more attentive to users who want to stick with XP, given the many reasons one might want to continue to do so.
Another annoyance was the lack of a 7200RPM HDD option. At first I was taken aback, but it's not quite as bad as it sounds, since the increased density of the newest 5400RPM drives means that they can (allegedly) approximate the performance of a new 7200RPM drive. Still, they should offer the option. I bought a 7200RPM OEM drive separately and used that to create my XP installation instead.
I wouldn't go with SSD yet if I were you. This is newer technology and there are some kinks, most notably with write performance (causing headaches for Outlook users, among others - see this: http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_harddrive&thread.id=69786). For a database server, ok, think about SSD, but for a laptop, wait 1-2 years and let the technology sort itself out. Your SSD you buy now will be seriously obsolete in 2 years anyway, given the faster rate at which this technology is progressing, and will offer less storage space in the meantime.
The only significant oversight for which I would truly fault Dell is the lack of a 2nd SATA carrier+interposer in the chassis if you don't buy a 2nd hard drive at the time of purchase. In English: The 1720 is set up so that it needs a special connector and casing to connect your hard drive to the motherboard - you can't directly connect as with previous models. You don't need to worry about this, except that it means you need one of these parts if you ever want to add a 2nd hard drive to your laptop. It is not an expensive part, and Dell could even pass that cost along to single hard drive buyers who want to preserve the 2nd HDD option, but instead they silently omit this relatively obscure component. If you want it later, you'll need to buy it from Dell Spare Parts or ask their tech support for one. I think they should simply always include this, as it's an integral part of the chassis.
On the screen size issue, I think 17 inches is awesome if you work on your computer a lot. It makes the computer tougher to carry around in a backpack, but it's worth it when you are working. Once you start using 17 inch laptops, you may not want to go back. The size also means this laptop probably offers better specs than its 15-inch counterpart.
Bottom line, I'd recommend this to anybody. If you are buying a laptop for school in August/September, you might want to wait until mid-June because the successor to this laptop, the Inspiron 1735, is rumored to be coming out then. Given Dell's history, I assume that it will be equal to or better than this laptop. Alternatively, buy this laptop in late May and you might get a real bargain because prices will be lowest.
First, in terms of the basic purchase details, you can't do better than Dell. They will generally have the best specs for the lowest price, and the Inspiron line often builds and ships within 3 days of payment if the model has been out for some time (mine took 2 days from when I bought it online until when it was handed off to USPS. I had overnight shipping so I bought at noon on Monday and got it Thursday morning.). While people like to complain about Dell Support, the reality is you will almost always find somebody to chat with within 5-10 minutes, if not sooner, and if you work with them you can usually get a quick (and generous) resolution. They even gave me my e1705 for free when they couldn't fix my 8500. Most other companies I've interacted with have FAR worse support.
On to the 1720 build: Dell is primarily responsible for assembly, not manufacturing the component electronics, so let's discuss the chassis. The 1720 chassis is impressively durable: it doesn't creak or bend when you move it around, and the screen-to-base connection is very rigid, no wobbling. The combination of your custom colored top with the silver chassis and pitch black sides and bottom is flattering. The top is also rubberized, which is a nice touch, literally. The lights on the side are a sharp and attractive blue. The screen closes snugly, and the battery clicks in nicely.
Some have complained that the battery sticks out the back, but that is only for the longer-lasting battery option. If you don't want this, you can buy the smaller battery and sacrifice some battery life. Plus-sized batteries that stick out the back are fairly common on laptops; it's not a unique feature of this one. However, you might notice it more because the chassis is already so large, being 17 inch.
The keyboard feels GREAT compared with other keyboards I have used - the keys feel solid and not cheap, have just the right resistance, and appear durable. With this computer, you will get a number pad on the side, because it is so big. This was a bit off-putting at first (the Page-Up, Page Dn, Home, End, Insert, and Delete layout of Dell's other keyboards is more convenient), but some may prefer it, and it has grown on me.
Direct access to the Hard Drive and RAM is provided through specific hatches, so you don't have to take apart the computer to get to them (as you did with the HDD in the e1705). This is helpful, although it appears the fan is not as accessible. This is a negative because you should clean your fan every 6 months or so.
On to specifications:
This computer is seriously underrated in terms of computing power. People sometimes talk about Inspirons as if they are significantly stripped down, but honestly, unless you want the top specs in everything, you can get 85% of the way there with an Inspiron (at least, a 17 inch Inspiron).
I got a build with a 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, a 3 year warranty/accidental damage protection, a 1920x1200 resolution, and nVidia 8600M GT for roughly than the base starting price of XPS systems with way worse specs. Unless you are going to max out the specs on an XPS or Alienware, you should go with an Inspiron 17 inch instead.
The only area where Inspirons lag significantly is in terms of top graphics cards and RAID setups. XPS and Alienware also offer Intel processors up to 2.8 GHz Extreme (X9000) instead of maxing out at 2.5 GHz for the 1720. Again, unless you're building a gaming rig (and therefore need a top graphics processor), or want the absolute fastest HDD/CPU setup you can buy, you should go with an Inspiron.
The fan is very large and powerful and quiet. It spits air out the side, which might not be good for your lemonade, but can help you keep the airways clear while you are working. The bottom of the laptop stays pretty cool.
The computer is heavy, but I think you can handle it. Remember, it's 17 inches.
Complaints: First in my mind is the lack of an XP option. If you want a 17 inch XP laptop from Dell, you have to go with an XPS, which is much more expensive. Fortunately, Dell provides the drivers you need for XP on the Inspiron 1720 on its website, but you're on your own installing it, which took me a few days and required me to slipstream an SATA driver into my XP installation disk first. You also should search DellCommunity.com for instructions (especially in terms of the recommended driver installation order), because they Dell doesn't provide them directly. You'll also have to closely compare the drivers with your machine specs, because they are not clearly labeled and no computer needs all of them. I was able to get my 1720 to run XP after 2 nights of work.
The 1720 is blazing on XP (fast but not blazing on Vista), and I think Dell should be more attentive to users who want to stick with XP, given the many reasons one might want to continue to do so.
Another annoyance was the lack of a 7200RPM HDD option. At first I was taken aback, but it's not quite as bad as it sounds, since the increased density of the newest 5400RPM drives means that they can (allegedly) approximate the performance of a new 7200RPM drive. Still, they should offer the option. I bought a 7200RPM OEM drive separately and used that to create my XP installation instead.
I wouldn't go with SSD yet if I were you. This is newer technology and there are some kinks, most notably with write performance (causing headaches for Outlook users, among others - see this: http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_harddrive&thread.id=69786). For a database server, ok, think about SSD, but for a laptop, wait 1-2 years and let the technology sort itself out. Your SSD you buy now will be seriously obsolete in 2 years anyway, given the faster rate at which this technology is progressing, and will offer less storage space in the meantime.
The only significant oversight for which I would truly fault Dell is the lack of a 2nd SATA carrier+interposer in the chassis if you don't buy a 2nd hard drive at the time of purchase. In English: The 1720 is set up so that it needs a special connector and casing to connect your hard drive to the motherboard - you can't directly connect as with previous models. You don't need to worry about this, except that it means you need one of these parts if you ever want to add a 2nd hard drive to your laptop. It is not an expensive part, and Dell could even pass that cost along to single hard drive buyers who want to preserve the 2nd HDD option, but instead they silently omit this relatively obscure component. If you want it later, you'll need to buy it from Dell Spare Parts or ask their tech support for one. I think they should simply always include this, as it's an integral part of the chassis.
On the screen size issue, I think 17 inches is awesome if you work on your computer a lot. It makes the computer tougher to carry around in a backpack, but it's worth it when you are working. Once you start using 17 inch laptops, you may not want to go back. The size also means this laptop probably offers better specs than its 15-inch counterpart.
Bottom line, I'd recommend this to anybody. If you are buying a laptop for school in August/September, you might want to wait until mid-June because the successor to this laptop, the Inspiron 1735, is rumored to be coming out then. Given Dell's history, I assume that it will be equal to or better than this laptop. Alternatively, buy this laptop in late May and you might get a real bargain because prices will be lowest.
User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
great do it all desktop replacement
Pros: good sound, nice configuration options
Cons: microhpone noise, keyboard & touchpad, 2nd hd
Review: with all the available configuration options, i was able to choose 2.2ghz duo, 2gb ram, nvidia 8600m gt, wuxga1920x1200.
and later, i added 4gb ram and a 7200rpm hard drive, computer runs pretty fast, can do multi tasking web browsing, listening music with itune, playing game at the same time w/o slowing down.
ofc, just like any dell system, it has a few flaws too.
one, even though there are 2 hard drive compartments avaible, but w/o hard drive sled and connector, u cant add 2nd hd on ur own, has to call dells spare part department to buy them. and the touchpad is a bit slow, there is apparent delay .
keyboard feels too thick, cant type as fast as u like. and more, there is static noise from microphone, exactly same problem as dell 700m had couple of years ago.
wuxga is kinda to high resolution, which makes text to small to read, must change to 120 dpi setting to make text readable.
overall, its good, and the price, especially outlet price, is much lower than competitors.
and later, i added 4gb ram and a 7200rpm hard drive, computer runs pretty fast, can do multi tasking web browsing, listening music with itune, playing game at the same time w/o slowing down.
ofc, just like any dell system, it has a few flaws too.
one, even though there are 2 hard drive compartments avaible, but w/o hard drive sled and connector, u cant add 2nd hd on ur own, has to call dells spare part department to buy them. and the touchpad is a bit slow, there is apparent delay .
keyboard feels too thick, cant type as fast as u like. and more, there is static noise from microphone, exactly same problem as dell 700m had couple of years ago.
wuxga is kinda to high resolution, which makes text to small to read, must change to 120 dpi setting to make text readable.
overall, its good, and the price, especially outlet price, is much lower than competitors.
User Rating:
0.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
disapointed
Pros: never had a chance to use yet
Cons: does not turn on
Review: I got my inspirion 1720 and after two days the power would not turn on, had two technicians come and put in two motherboards two seperate times and no luck, then dell was supposed to send a box for me to send the laptop to a depot to get it examined, low and behold it's been 3 weeks and no box, i 've even called dell on three seperate occasions and they said each week that it would definitely be here in 3 days...still nothing, very disapointed in dell.
User Rating:
0.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Dell Customer Service Was a DISASTER
Pros: Good Website
Cons: Lost Order - Horrible Customer Service
Review: Dell sent an acknowledgment but no confirmation. Chatted, Emailed and Called them but my order "does not exist" until confirmed. I was told "it is in collections" (used a credit card) then "configuration must be wrong" and all I did was attempt to buy a computer. I even called and spoke to a supervisor - what a DISASTER. And I was trying to but a 1720 computer - I cannot imagine if I actually got one and it had problems!
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Nice laptop
Pros: Nice 17" HD display, Good graphics,
Cons: It is too big for people on the go.
Review: This laptop is quite big and thus is the best for desktop replacement. If you are a person on the go or want a compact laptop better go for Inspoiron 1520.
The resolution 1920x1200 is great for gaming. But while general purpose use like word processing, internet I will change the resolution to 1440x900.The graphics is good. The speakers are amazing. The 17" monitor is good for widescreen or HD videos.
Conclusion:
DELL Inspiron 1720 is very big so this is not recommended for people on the go. But Inspiron 1520 does the job for people on the go.If you want a performance computer get high cpnfiguration like clock speed (2.0 or more), 4GB RAM, 8600M GT with 256 MB dedicated RAM.
The resolution 1920x1200 is great for gaming. But while general purpose use like word processing, internet I will change the resolution to 1440x900.The graphics is good. The speakers are amazing. The 17" monitor is good for widescreen or HD videos.
Conclusion:
DELL Inspiron 1720 is very big so this is not recommended for people on the go. But Inspiron 1520 does the job for people on the go.If you want a performance computer get high cpnfiguration like clock speed (2.0 or more), 4GB RAM, 8600M GT with 256 MB dedicated RAM.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
great desktop replacement
Pros: big screen and fast
Cons: not very portable, wireless keeps failing
Review: This is a great laptop for replacing your desktop. We are very happy with Vista (boo to all you nay sayers!). The machine is pretty and its faaaast! (duo core!)
I guess the price COULD be 950 (or whatever cnet lists it for) if you got the bare bare bare bones model, but by the time I kicked it up to what I would find usable for my family (so NOT a multimedia machine) it was $2k.
We originally had a terrible (and I mean terrible) time with the wireless connection getting lost, but, that turns out to mostly be a Vista thing. I think I've resolved those, so, so far so great!
I guess the price COULD be 950 (or whatever cnet lists it for) if you got the bare bare bare bones model, but by the time I kicked it up to what I would find usable for my family (so NOT a multimedia machine) it was $2k.
We originally had a terrible (and I mean terrible) time with the wireless connection getting lost, but, that turns out to mostly be a Vista thing. I think I've resolved those, so, so far so great!
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Great Computer, but Order 2 Hard Drives
Pros: Excellent screen, good processing speed, outstanding keyboard with 10 key
Cons: Dell Customer Service
Review: I have a 1720 and love the computer. I am a CPA and love the fact that I can get a 10 key keypac internal to my laptop computer. This is one less thing to lug around and possibly loose.
Overall, the computer is a good solid performer and I purchased the upgraded screen to do photo editing. The comptuer excells at this function and I have maxed out the memory to help support this work.
If it were not for the following issue, I would have given this computer a 9 on the rating scale. The Dell computer has proved to be a good computer, but Dell's customer service is a royal pain in the rear to deal with. Coupled with erroneous info from the sales person, the overall Dell experience has been frustrating. If you will EVER need 2 hard drives, buy them up front.
When I purchased the computer I was told by the sales person that I could go the the computer store and add a second SATA hard drive at any time. This was, at best, bad advice.
The 1720 requires additional hardware to mount a second drive. This hardware consists of 1) a drive carrier for $10.99, 2) a drive interposer for $10,99 and 3) seven screws, 3 of one type and 4 of another for $10.99 EACH. With shipping & tax this is $98.91 per Dell's quote and does NOT include the drive itself. You can, however, buy a secondary drive from Dell with all the hardware for about the same if you want a 120Gb drive.
I would like to mount a 250Gb drive, but in the end, I may buy the 120Gb drive with hardware and sell the drive as this may be the least expensive way to go.
To me, Dell's approach of requiring you to purchase additional hardware at ridiculous prices to mount a hard drive is absurd and will result in the loss of customers. There is no reaon that this hardware should not be included with the computer.
Other than this one issue, I have really enjoyed the computer and plan to use it for quite some time. When it is time to replace any of the 4 Dell computers in my house, however, I will probably look at other suppliers. Dell makes a good computer, but dealing with their customer service WILL raise your blood pressure.
Overall, the computer is a good solid performer and I purchased the upgraded screen to do photo editing. The comptuer excells at this function and I have maxed out the memory to help support this work.
If it were not for the following issue, I would have given this computer a 9 on the rating scale. The Dell computer has proved to be a good computer, but Dell's customer service is a royal pain in the rear to deal with. Coupled with erroneous info from the sales person, the overall Dell experience has been frustrating. If you will EVER need 2 hard drives, buy them up front.
When I purchased the computer I was told by the sales person that I could go the the computer store and add a second SATA hard drive at any time. This was, at best, bad advice.
The 1720 requires additional hardware to mount a second drive. This hardware consists of 1) a drive carrier for $10.99, 2) a drive interposer for $10,99 and 3) seven screws, 3 of one type and 4 of another for $10.99 EACH. With shipping & tax this is $98.91 per Dell's quote and does NOT include the drive itself. You can, however, buy a secondary drive from Dell with all the hardware for about the same if you want a 120Gb drive.
I would like to mount a 250Gb drive, but in the end, I may buy the 120Gb drive with hardware and sell the drive as this may be the least expensive way to go.
To me, Dell's approach of requiring you to purchase additional hardware at ridiculous prices to mount a hard drive is absurd and will result in the loss of customers. There is no reaon that this hardware should not be included with the computer.
Other than this one issue, I have really enjoyed the computer and plan to use it for quite some time. When it is time to replace any of the 4 Dell computers in my house, however, I will probably look at other suppliers. Dell makes a good computer, but dealing with their customer service WILL raise your blood pressure.
User Rating:
1.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Trash, save your money.
Pros: Screen and keyboard layout
Cons: Slow, runs very hot.
Review: A poor excuse for a computer. Really sorry I wasted my money with this purchase.
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Get at least 2GB of memory
Pros: Widescreen, value, appearance, sound
Cons: Keyboard, 1 GB RAM insufficient, screen quality
Review: Not bad, its a good value machine, and the widescreen makes work and casual browsing, etc easier and more enjoyable. I'm comparing it to my old Sony VAIO, and the VAIO had a much nicer keyboard. This feels tinny and weak in comparison. The VAIO also had better screen quality. However the sound and the volume from the Dell is superb. I'm upgrading my 1GB ram, because it seems to run almost continuously at nearly full capacity memory and tends to freeze, while the CPU's are hardly taxed at all. So if you want to listen to sounds, manage your ipood or watch videos, I recommend a small upgrade. But overall, I'm quite happy with it.
User Rating:
1.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
What happened to Dell?
Pros: comes in colors
Cons: quality, support
Review: We wanted to replace our 4 yr old Dell D800 that has been a great PC.
The first laptop they sent had a defective display and the replacement had a defective dvd drive and a bad display! The second one also had a refurbished hard drive and we purchased new , nor refurb. When asked
if laptop was refurbished Dell would not answer the question. We have spent at least 3 hours in the last month on the phone with tech support and countless emails. It seems like they just want you to wear down and go away. We have spoken with many different support people and have been asked the same questions countless times. I can no longer recommend Dell products to anyone ! Rating poor.
The first laptop they sent had a defective display and the replacement had a defective dvd drive and a bad display! The second one also had a refurbished hard drive and we purchased new , nor refurb. When asked
if laptop was refurbished Dell would not answer the question. We have spent at least 3 hours in the last month on the phone with tech support and countless emails. It seems like they just want you to wear down and go away. We have spoken with many different support people and have been asked the same questions countless times. I can no longer recommend Dell products to anyone ! Rating poor.
Updated
Just got back our laptop from Dell. They were suppose to replace hi res display and dvd player. Instead they worked on system board and removed 2 of the 4 gig's of ram that were in the machine and REFUSE to replace the ram they took out!! There was nothing wrong with the ram. It still has the poor display and the dvd drive they said needed to be repaired or replaced! Consumer Protection should investigate these people !! What a nightmare !
Just got back our laptop from Dell. They were suppose to replace hi res display and dvd player. Instead they worked on system board and removed 2 of the 4 gig's of ram that were in the machine and REFUSE to replace the ram they took out!! There was nothing wrong with the ram. It still has the poor display and the dvd drive they said needed to be repaired or replaced! Consumer Protection should investigate these people !! What a nightmare !
User Rating:
0.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Nice machine HORRIBLE company and service
Pros: The machine appears to work well.
Cons: Terrible Dell experience
Review: I ordered a laptop on 12/12/2007 as a christmas present for my visiting daughter. I was told it would ship no later than 12/17/2007. On 12/19/2007 it still wasn't showing as shipped so I called customer service and changed my shipping method to overnight. On 12/20/2007 I get an email saying that my order has been delayed and won't ship until 1/2/2008. I sent approximately 10 email or web form requests and didn't receive a single response. On 12/28/2007 I'm notified that my order shipped. On 1/8/2008 I try customer support again and am told that my order shows it was delivered on 12/17/2007 to someone in Florida (I'm in Ohio)! Now I have to have a replacement order. I then opened a Better Business Bureau complaint. On 1/17/2008 I get a bill for the computer that still hasn't come--two calls to customer support finally get that straightened out. On 1/18/2008 I finally get a call in reponse to my BBB complaint. I'm told that a replacement is being expedited. I check the order and see that the replacement is missing a Gigabyte of RAM. The replacement is then replaced. On 1/22/2007 I get home and find my new laptop was signed for by a stranger and left on a cold damp porch for over 6 hours unattended.
I bought 2 Hewlett Packard laptops in the past year and had great service and great machines. I should've used them again. I will never do business with Dell again.
I bought 2 Hewlett Packard laptops in the past year and had great service and great machines. I should've used them again. I will never do business with Dell again.
User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
what you pay is what you get
Pros: it got numpad on its keyboard!
Cons: they got so much space left, why don't they put both of ram slotes in the same place at the bottom?
Review: i see some people complain about it weight, well..
if you want to get a 17" laptop, you mush know that it will be big and heavy.
ibook don't have numpad on its keyboard.
this guy can go up to 4G of ram, and i took advance of that. it fantastic.
i am willing to invest my money on vdo-card, ram and processor nothing more, and dell let me do that.
again as for the money i pay, i pretty happy with it.
if you want to get a 17" laptop, you mush know that it will be big and heavy.
ibook don't have numpad on its keyboard.
this guy can go up to 4G of ram, and i took advance of that. it fantastic.
i am willing to invest my money on vdo-card, ram and processor nothing more, and dell let me do that.
again as for the money i pay, i pretty happy with it.
User Rating:
1.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
No DVI - Designers Should Be Lined Up and Shot!
Pros: Beautiful Device, Great Keyboard.
Cons: No DVI - Disastrous
Review: I really looked forward to this purchase. However I already have a Dell 24 inch LCD plugged into my current Dell 7400. Now I never imagined a top of the line notebook would come without. Hold the NIC, the USB, even use an external CD rom but no DVI. Are you just plain stupid? Blue-ray with no DVI? Idiots! I am so upset and probably lose $300 or more in restocking this lemon.
User Rating:
1.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Fine computer; Dell could care less about their customers
Pros: The computer works
Cons: The computer didn't come with the DVD burner I paid for.
Review: I have never seen a company who cares as little about their customers as Dell does! From useless exorbitant tech support to being charged $49 for the DVD burner ("a real bargain down from $119")that showed up on my receipt as paid for but that was instead mistakenly replaced by a CD player, I have a strong disliking for Dell.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Great Laptop
Pros: Love that I could customize my computer, excellent customer service, love midnight blue!
Cons: Price was a little steep, took over a month to get.
Review: Love this computer in many ways. I liked that I could add options to my computer and customize the way I wanted, and loved that I could choose from several colors. The computers speakers are incredible and nicely hidden with great media controls on the front. I have come up with some problems with Windows Vista but they are usually minor and will not persuade me to switch back to XP. Absolutely great in many ways.
I have come up with some problems, like all computers, but Dells terrific customer service is always there, and in many ways to communicate including chat.
As for the over month long is a flaw but they did offer to expedite the shipping and I certainly have no regrets as the computer itself made up for this really long delay.
I have come up with some problems, like all computers, but Dells terrific customer service is always there, and in many ways to communicate including chat.
As for the over month long is a flaw but they did offer to expedite the shipping and I certainly have no regrets as the computer itself made up for this really long delay.
User Rating:
1.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH AFTER 5 DAYS!
Pros: Nice size, cute pink color, big screen, pretty fast
Cons: Blue screen of death, cursor slow & gets stuck, screen goes black/flashes
Review: In Aug I bought a gateway and to my surprise after 16 weeks it died....100% dead! Sent it back they want to send refurbished laptop. HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE so I bought this Dell as a repeat Dell customer. Seemed to be OK for a day or so but the cursor gets hung up and takes a bit to come back to life. I just sit and wait. I've tried to change the setting but nothing changes performance. I got blue screen of death first week. (same with the gateway and it finally died after 16 weeks) which scares me because at gateway they couldn't even fix my laptop and refused to give me a new one or my money back. I'm so scared that if I keep this dell past the 30 day return policy that I'll again be stuck with a $1500 pc of crap! ugh! I can't recommend this laptop. I wish I could. The one this I am certain about is that I'd pick this Dell over the Gateway in a heartbeat.
User Rating:
0.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
A total nightmare experience
Pros: semi-decent computer
Cons: terrible service, does not live up to expectations
Review: I spent $1,980 on this laptop. I ordered it with the AMD 64 x 2 with 2.2GHz processor and the full 4GB of ram. I expected this system to fairly fly with this configuration. It also had a webcam and a few other minor upgrades. About a month after ordering I got a shipping notice and went to check it out, it was only the wireless mouse I had ordered. At this time I noticed some oddities with my system. Apparently when I placed the order and I called in due to the websites inability to process my order the customer service rep took it upon himself to change my whole computer so that he could get me the 3yr service contract. Problem being the only thing he mentioned to me was the addition of the contract for a mere $40 more. Special pricing I could get over the phone... ugh. When I call in to get this fixed I am notified they have to cancel my order and put a new one in to fix it. So basically thanks to their screw up I have to wait another whole month. oh.. and they're running out of several components I ordered so it will be back ordered unless I change what I want. So I lose my webcam, settle for a different color and the Core 2 2GHz processor and they take $400 of the price to match it to my original price (gee thanks..) They also promise to expidite my order (gains me a whole 3 days.. whoop-t-do) and free next day shipping. I was also supposed to get PC-Cillin on this as I abhor McAfee and Norton. A fact I confirmed with the customer service manage that "fixed" my order. So another month goes by and computer finally ships. Guess what.. no free next day as I was guaranteed. I am truly irate at this point so I call to complain some more. They offer up a free printer (nope have 2 already) a free digital cam (what kind of crap were they offering for $100?) or $100 credit back to my Dell account. Needless to say I took the credit. Computer arrives and all looks well. I start to set it up and it has McAfee on it.. so I call in.. they no longer contract with PC-Cillin. The "manager" should have told me that so I have to live with it. They give me $100 gift certificate to Dell.. cause you know at this point I'm just DYING to shop with them again.
I've had the computer a few months now and it is nice. Vista is.. well.. disturbing. It eats nearly 500mb of my 4GB of RAM and this laptop runs at half the speed of my 2GHz 1GB RAM desktop that runs on XP. While I'm okay with it's performance it is certainly NOT the desktop replacement I was ordering. It's freaks out at a moments notice and I got the "blue screen of death" within 4 hours of owning it.
All in all.. it's not worth the hassle and the price.. I've always had good luck with Dell, but in the future I think I will look elsewhere. They gave something for each complaint, but they did not actually "fix" anything once.
I've had the computer a few months now and it is nice. Vista is.. well.. disturbing. It eats nearly 500mb of my 4GB of RAM and this laptop runs at half the speed of my 2GHz 1GB RAM desktop that runs on XP. While I'm okay with it's performance it is certainly NOT the desktop replacement I was ordering. It's freaks out at a moments notice and I got the "blue screen of death" within 4 hours of owning it.
All in all.. it's not worth the hassle and the price.. I've always had good luck with Dell, but in the future I think I will look elsewhere. They gave something for each complaint, but they did not actually "fix" anything once.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Terrific computer.
Pros: Keypad, Software, Resolution, Selection, Style
Cons: Driver Issues
Review: This is a terrific computer and a great value. I was a consumer who chose to upgrade my laptop - I have chosen several different options. The biggest choice was to get a 500GB hard drive - I don't regret that choice at all. The keypad on the right side of the laptop is a great feature for those going into the accounting/finance field. It really comes in handy. I have really enjoyed the style of the laptop - it is terrific. I would recommend this laptop for anyone who is going into the Accounting/Finance field - it will prove to be a good investment. The programs work magnificently.
Updated
Sorry guys - I forgot to mention the driver issues in my last post. I have only experienced one issue with drivers - that was with my printer. If you are purchasing this computer, it may be helpful if you have do some research first. Perhaps you could visit your printer/scanner site beforehand. I was able to download a new driver from my printer Web site, and there were no issues after that. It's a terrific buy that I will not regret.
Sorry guys - I forgot to mention the driver issues in my last post. I have only experienced one issue with drivers - that was with my printer. If you are purchasing this computer, it may be helpful if you have do some research first. Perhaps you could visit your printer/scanner site beforehand. I was able to download a new driver from my printer Web site, and there were no issues after that. It's a terrific buy that I will not regret.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Great performace + usability + excelent resolution and graphics.
Pros: Big screen, nice keyboard very soft, numeric page awsome
Cons: Comes with Vista. No windows xp drivers in dell's webiste.
Review: I got this baby and upgraded to 4GB of memory. Works great used it for software development.
Deleted the crappy Vista and installed Windows XP Pro. Will recommend. I wrote a blog at perezj.blogspot.com
Dell does not have the drivers for Windows Xp. So you have to search the internet.
Deleted the crappy Vista and installed Windows XP Pro. Will recommend. I wrote a blog at perezj.blogspot.com
Dell does not have the drivers for Windows Xp. So you have to search the internet.
User Rating:
2.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
good for business users, bad for students.
Pros: color choices
Cons: bulky and heavy to carry, mouse lags and is too small, screen resloution not up to par.
Review: I do not like this laptop very much. The mouse touch pad lags all the time and the mouse buttons are too small. not worth your money at all if you are a student. maybe if i was a business man and used large spreadsheets this would be perfect, but for a student like myself this just doesn't fly. So my advice...if you are a student and really want this computer get the inspiron 1520 or 1521. the extra numerical keys on the side are just clutter because we don't need to use them being students!
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Very happy so far
Pros: Color choice, speed, configuration
Cons: Bulky with a capital B
Review: About Us: We bought this computer mainly for my wife. She wanted to configure it in her color (pink) and only a couple manufacturers offer the option. Dell was the only one that had the color options along with the configuration options she wanted. (Looking at your poor configuration options Sony)
Our Configuration: We configured it with a 2.0 ghz Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2 gig ram, 250 gig hard drive, and geforce 8600 running on Vista. We also chose the larger 9 cell battery. The reviews I had read about this machine all mentioned the high price but our configuration only came in at $1200 thanks to an online coupon code. We think this was very reasonable since we upgraded most of the options from the “base” configuration.
First Impressions: The computer shipped quickly and, other than poor DHL tracking, arrived without problems. The paint job on the laptop is of very high quality and has a rubberized texture to it. Documentation was very good and the laptop powered on without problems. After the basic setup we were up and running.
Performance: Speed is fantastic for a laptop and rivals my mid ranged dell xps 410 desktop. Boot and shut down times are quite low. I have loaded Half Life 2 and HL2 Episode 1 onto it and they run flawlessly at max detail with hdr and AA at 1280 resolution. I know it’s not an ultra high stress game anymore but it is a common benchmark.
Misc Features: Sound is good but not great but it has easy access volume controls on the front of the laptop. Battery life so far has been really impressive even with power saving turned off (I have it off all the time). On a 2+ hour flight from Miami to Memphis I watched DVD’s non stop and still had 30% battery left upon arrival. DVD drive works fine but placement and opening it seems awkward to me. I love the full sized keyboard with number pad.
The Bad: It’s a big machine. Most reviews mention this but it really is a large laptop. Don’t buy this to haul to class every day. But it does have a 1440 x 900 17” display and the full sized keyboard I mentioned above. I didn’t find it that heavy though, just awkward. For instance it doesn’t fit well in a coach class airline seat but fits fine in business class. The display is quite dim with power saving measures turned on. The screen is also very reflective. It’s untra crisp when you are out of the sun but in the sun and with power saving on it is almost unreadable. If battery life is important to you and you are outdoors a lot, go with the non glare screen they offer as an option.
Our Configuration: We configured it with a 2.0 ghz Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2 gig ram, 250 gig hard drive, and geforce 8600 running on Vista. We also chose the larger 9 cell battery. The reviews I had read about this machine all mentioned the high price but our configuration only came in at $1200 thanks to an online coupon code. We think this was very reasonable since we upgraded most of the options from the “base” configuration.
First Impressions: The computer shipped quickly and, other than poor DHL tracking, arrived without problems. The paint job on the laptop is of very high quality and has a rubberized texture to it. Documentation was very good and the laptop powered on without problems. After the basic setup we were up and running.
Performance: Speed is fantastic for a laptop and rivals my mid ranged dell xps 410 desktop. Boot and shut down times are quite low. I have loaded Half Life 2 and HL2 Episode 1 onto it and they run flawlessly at max detail with hdr and AA at 1280 resolution. I know it’s not an ultra high stress game anymore but it is a common benchmark.
Misc Features: Sound is good but not great but it has easy access volume controls on the front of the laptop. Battery life so far has been really impressive even with power saving turned off (I have it off all the time). On a 2+ hour flight from Miami to Memphis I watched DVD’s non stop and still had 30% battery left upon arrival. DVD drive works fine but placement and opening it seems awkward to me. I love the full sized keyboard with number pad.
The Bad: It’s a big machine. Most reviews mention this but it really is a large laptop. Don’t buy this to haul to class every day. But it does have a 1440 x 900 17” display and the full sized keyboard I mentioned above. I didn’t find it that heavy though, just awkward. For instance it doesn’t fit well in a coach class airline seat but fits fine in business class. The display is quite dim with power saving measures turned on. The screen is also very reflective. It’s untra crisp when you are out of the sun but in the sun and with power saving on it is almost unreadable. If battery life is important to you and you are outdoors a lot, go with the non glare screen they offer as an option.
User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
A 10 all the way around
Pros: sleek, powerful and well laid out
Cons: can't think of any
Review: I am not one to easily praise companies for there service as I find the generally wanting. Dell has always bent over backwards for me, to help or correct a problem. In one case I had bought and outlet laptop that had a loose cd tray and they sent me a brand new laptop with similar features as a replacement!
As far as the laptop is concerned, it seems the popularity of the laptop is slowing down orders, especially for those that order the colored versions. That is certainly a concern for Dell unable to keep up with demand.
I am a thrift shopper and am most happy to by through Dell's outlet. I just purchased a loaded 1720 complete with camera/2gig/2.0mhz/4mbcache or the 7300 procesor/UXGA screen and the Nvideo card/9cell battery (by the way, those that complain that the battery sticks out, get the 6 cell and you won't have that problem! Anyway pulled off all that for $869...now tell me that's not a great laptop for the price.
It purrs like a 68 mustang fastback GT...now there can be no better compliment than that!
As far as the laptop is concerned, it seems the popularity of the laptop is slowing down orders, especially for those that order the colored versions. That is certainly a concern for Dell unable to keep up with demand.
I am a thrift shopper and am most happy to by through Dell's outlet. I just purchased a loaded 1720 complete with camera/2gig/2.0mhz/4mbcache or the 7300 procesor/UXGA screen and the Nvideo card/9cell battery (by the way, those that complain that the battery sticks out, get the 6 cell and you won't have that problem! Anyway pulled off all that for $869...now tell me that's not a great laptop for the price.
It purrs like a 68 mustang fastback GT...now there can be no better compliment than that!
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Fantastic Power / Cost ratio
Pros: Fast, Quiet, amazing quality screen
Cons: Poor build quality
Review: I bought my Inspiron as a desktop replacement / games machine with the following specifications:
T7500 2.2GHz processor
2Gb RAM
Nvidia 8600m GT graphics
17" 1920 x 1400 screen
At the time of writing it cost £1053 including VAT and delivery, the best cost for a machine with this spec I've seen. I payed extra as the graphics card and 17" screen were important to me for games.
The delivery speed was actually 2 weeks EARLY as the dell website told me I would have to wait 4 weeks, but I actually recieved it after 2.
I'm impressed with the games performance considering it is a laptop. Some examples are:
Stalker can run at 1024 x 768 full detail 2 x AA and 8x AF at an average 25 fps.
Oblivion can run at 1280 x 1024 full detail 2 x AA at average of 25 fps outdoor, 40 fps indoor.
Not ground breaking, I know but it is satisfactory.
My one gripe is the build quality is slightly below par, the lid catch feels like it could break easily and apart from the 4kg + weight it doesnt feel very solid.
Overall, if you are in a similar situation to me and want to use it as a games laptop, I would recommend it - but personally, I'd be interested to wait a couple of months to see if nvidia release a mobile version of the 8800GT card as I think this would be a better choice.
If you are not using it for games, then you will be blown away by the performance. It will meet the needs of most mobile video editing or multitasking application. I installed two programs at once whilst downloading a patch and listening to music at the same time on this thing last night, and the processors only hit 70% load, not slowing down that much it's great.
T7500 2.2GHz processor
2Gb RAM
Nvidia 8600m GT graphics
17" 1920 x 1400 screen
At the time of writing it cost £1053 including VAT and delivery, the best cost for a machine with this spec I've seen. I payed extra as the graphics card and 17" screen were important to me for games.
The delivery speed was actually 2 weeks EARLY as the dell website told me I would have to wait 4 weeks, but I actually recieved it after 2.
I'm impressed with the games performance considering it is a laptop. Some examples are:
Stalker can run at 1024 x 768 full detail 2 x AA and 8x AF at an average 25 fps.
Oblivion can run at 1280 x 1024 full detail 2 x AA at average of 25 fps outdoor, 40 fps indoor.
Not ground breaking, I know but it is satisfactory.
My one gripe is the build quality is slightly below par, the lid catch feels like it could break easily and apart from the 4kg + weight it doesnt feel very solid.
Overall, if you are in a similar situation to me and want to use it as a games laptop, I would recommend it - but personally, I'd be interested to wait a couple of months to see if nvidia release a mobile version of the 8800GT card as I think this would be a better choice.
If you are not using it for games, then you will be blown away by the performance. It will meet the needs of most mobile video editing or multitasking application. I installed two programs at once whilst downloading a patch and listening to music at the same time on this thing last night, and the processors only hit 70% load, not slowing down that much
it's great. User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Superb & huge laptop...not for the meek of heart
Pros: Custom-made computer with BIG & clear display
Cons: It's loaded with Microsoft OS. Otherwise, it's excellent
Review: When Dell takes your order over the Internet, they don't make mistakes. My custom-made 17" Inspiron was delivered with every specification I requested, and everything is perfect: 2 Ghz, 2.0mb 8600 video card, 2mb web cam, bluetooth, and Vista Premium for Home & MS Office. No mistakes made by Dell. Perfect delivery (albeit over 21-days in coming), but hey, it's a perfectly made machine. I purchased this machine strictly to run MS Flight Simulator X and MS Flt. Sim 2004, and a few other aviation training software programs. While some of the older "legacy" programs simply do not work (but did on XP), I honestly cannot complain. This is a very professionally made computer, and Dell does a great job producing a piece of hardware. The screen on this machine rivals some flat-screen television sets I've seen at department stores, and the slick-version display is extremely clear at nearly any angle; perhaps a security issue on an airplane - unless you're watching a movie via the embedded DVD that you want everyone to watch within several rows of your airplane seat. This is certainly a great replacement for any desktop computer. Multiple connections: SD card, MC card, PCMCIA slot (with slug plug cover), manual Internet disconnect switch (to physically turn off the Internet), Ethernet plug, IEEE plug, 5 USB ports, headset & mic plug-ins, and front controls for audio volume control: play, advance, retreat, and stop. This is a very robust machine. I've been on the phone a few times, and every time have been met with very friendly customer-friendly representatives. And while I am no fan of Microsoft based computers, I've got to say that this machine is excellent in every way. I would buy it again. Only recommendation is to consider some kind of "Pelican" hard-shell case due to the possibility of damaging this unit while in transport; a backpack or computer case would work, but the unit is so large, that it would take an oversized pack or case to prevent damage. A pelican case would keep it safest. Cheers. Recommended purchase.
Updated
As I continue to use this custom-made Dell Inspiron 1720 (2.0ghz, 2mb 8600 video card machine), I am forced to compare Dell's hardware construction to my 2002 Apple G4 PowerBook. There is no comparison in quality. And that is very unfortunate. The 2002 Apple G4 is as solid as a rock, and the brand-new Dell Inspiron 1720 feels as flimsy and loose as a goose. Likewise, the Dell 1720's construction is tall (very high profile), and the front-designed DVD/CD control keys get in the way of your hands - when using the keyboard. On top of that, the plastic that the Dell is made of has very cheep feeling paint (silver) that feels and looks like it is rubbing off (after only 5-10 hours of use).
Very unfortunate. On the one hand, I need the Dell 1720 to run Aviation-related training software - where my Apple does not run MS Windows. But...the lack of quality - or "strength" of build in the Dell Inspiron 1720 is something that rubs the user the wrong-way, day by day.
Dell's team does in fact build a perfect contruction of what you order. And their representatives on the telephone & online have been very professional. I'm just not sure that this machine is going to hold-up to any level of mobile use. Perhaps that was not its intent.
I like the machine, but it's lack of strength, and loose build, is surprising - as I make note of its construction, and compare its quality to my Apple G4 PowerBook.
As I continue to use this custom-made Dell Inspiron 1720 (2.0ghz, 2mb 8600 video card machine), I am forced to compare Dell's hardware construction to my 2002 Apple G4 PowerBook. There is no comparison in quality. And that is very unfortunate. The 2002 Apple G4 is as solid as a rock, and the brand-new Dell Inspiron 1720 feels as flimsy and loose as a goose. Likewise, the Dell 1720's construction is tall (very high profile), and the front-designed DVD/CD control keys get in the way of your hands - when using the keyboard. On top of that, the plastic that the Dell is made of has very cheep feeling paint (silver) that feels and looks like it is rubbing off (after only 5-10 hours of use).
Very unfortunate. On the one hand, I need the Dell 1720 to run Aviation-related training software - where my Apple does not run MS Windows. But...the lack of quality - or "strength" of build in the Dell Inspiron 1720 is something that rubs the user the wrong-way, day by day.
Dell's team does in fact build a perfect contruction of what you order. And their representatives on the telephone & online have been very professional. I'm just not sure that this machine is going to hold-up to any level of mobile use. Perhaps that was not its intent.
I like the machine, but it's lack of strength, and loose build, is surprising - as I make note of its construction, and compare its quality to my Apple G4 PowerBook.
User Rating:
2.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
THANKYOU BAD SERVICE
Pros: NEVER DELIVERED
Cons: Had to wait a month before having to wait another one.
Review: Originally I was very excited to get this computer and waited patiently for one month to recieve it. I recieved the case and mouse in the mail even though they were suposed to come after the computer. But luckily the computer did not come on time and I canceled because I needed one for college. In the end I bought a Mac Pro with a student discount which ended being about as much as the Dell and I could not be happier wth my choice.
User Rating:
1.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Still waiting for it!!!!!
Pros: none yet!!!!!
Cons: none yet!!!!!
Review: I ordered mine on 24th of July, and till this day it hasn't even been shipped yet! they delayed the order 4 times already now... that's the worst thing any company can do..... make me wait for something i paid for already!and i still have till the 12 of september to wait on them to ship it for me! pffff some service dell has!
User Rating:
2.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
What Happened to Dell's Customer Service?
Pros: Only product that has all of the features I desired for under $2500
Cons: Customer Service and Dell-ay Time
Review: I ordered my first Dell back in the late 90s and another in 2002. I remember after ordering it from the website, I was assigned a personal customer service rep who would send me little e-mail messages keeping me abreast of the progress of my computer. I always had faith in my product being delivered and thought the service was a bit of an overkill. My experience then was like a shoe salesman that slipped your shoe on for you and laced it up. But after my experience this summer, I now feel like I'm shopping at a self-service store finding nothing but mismatched shoes in unmarked boxes.
I first ordered my Dell Inspiron 1720 on July 20th and was given a preliminary shipping date of August 7th. I would seldomly check in to the website to view the order status but only saw that the unit was "In Production". August 7th rolls around and I get an e-mail stating that my order would be delayed until August 28th (a full three more weeks). I was given the option to cancel via e-mail or a phone number. I opted to first make the phone call which kept me on hold for over two hours. I finally get through to talk with an agent who said that the reason for the delay was the color (midnight blue) of the unit I had chosen. She said that if I had chosen black, the unit would probably have been delivered on time. This is something that my personal agent would have kept me abreast of back in the "good ole days" long before the estimated shipping date had come and gone.
I saw that I could configure a black model with similar features that would have been delivered a week prior to August 28th, so I decided to cancel my order by e-mail because I didn't want to wait on hold for another two hours. I wanted to be sure the order was canceled before I ordered another one because I didn't want to be charged for two units. Two days had passed and my order still said it was active. By this time, the black model I had built online now had an estimated ship time for the middle of September. I was fuming so I decided to call the phone number back and waited on hold for another hour. I talked to a rep and told them of my situation. I requested to rescind my e-mail cancellation request and proceed with my original order if possible. I was told that the order was still active and that she would provide documention to proceed with the order.
Later that day I received an e-mail stating that my order had been canceled "per my request". I wrote back to the e-mail stating that I had verbally rescinded the cancellation, but I received an e-mail back stating that I would have to reorder the product and was given a different phone number.
I talked to a gentleman there who was able to get the same deal I had originally ordered (because Dell had since placed a $50 premium on ordering blue). Unfortunately, the August 28th shipping date that I was trying to avoid in the first place was not even in the picture. The new date that I've been given is September 19th. By this time the price of the Blu-Ray drive will probably have fallen to a reasonable level. It started as a $600 upgrade on my original order, but as of time of this post is only a $510 upgrade.
I first ordered my Dell Inspiron 1720 on July 20th and was given a preliminary shipping date of August 7th. I would seldomly check in to the website to view the order status but only saw that the unit was "In Production". August 7th rolls around and I get an e-mail stating that my order would be delayed until August 28th (a full three more weeks). I was given the option to cancel via e-mail or a phone number. I opted to first make the phone call which kept me on hold for over two hours. I finally get through to talk with an agent who said that the reason for the delay was the color (midnight blue) of the unit I had chosen. She said that if I had chosen black, the unit would probably have been delivered on time. This is something that my personal agent would have kept me abreast of back in the "good ole days" long before the estimated shipping date had come and gone.
I saw that I could configure a black model with similar features that would have been delivered a week prior to August 28th, so I decided to cancel my order by e-mail because I didn't want to wait on hold for another two hours. I wanted to be sure the order was canceled before I ordered another one because I didn't want to be charged for two units. Two days had passed and my order still said it was active. By this time, the black model I had built online now had an estimated ship time for the middle of September. I was fuming so I decided to call the phone number back and waited on hold for another hour. I talked to a rep and told them of my situation. I requested to rescind my e-mail cancellation request and proceed with my original order if possible. I was told that the order was still active and that she would provide documention to proceed with the order.
Later that day I received an e-mail stating that my order had been canceled "per my request". I wrote back to the e-mail stating that I had verbally rescinded the cancellation, but I received an e-mail back stating that I would have to reorder the product and was given a different phone number.
I talked to a gentleman there who was able to get the same deal I had originally ordered (because Dell had since placed a $50 premium on ordering blue). Unfortunately, the August 28th shipping date that I was trying to avoid in the first place was not even in the picture. The new date that I've been given is September 19th. By this time the price of the Blu-Ray drive will probably have fallen to a reasonable level. It started as a $600 upgrade on my original order, but as of time of this post is only a $510 upgrade.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Fantastic machine BUT
Pros: Everthing about it
Cons: Tech Support
Review: Everything about this machine is great - its weight, size, and design. I ordered it at a Dell Kiosk in a local mall and was able to have the Rep answer my questions concerning building the machine for the usual uses but especially photography. Order the machine on a Saturday and had it on the following friday.
Worked great out of the box. Setting up a wireless router (Netgear 'n' router) caused some minor problems but after calling netgear tech support who were wonderful, everything was a go. Getting used to Windows Vist takes a little getting used to and still at times is a little frustrating. Contacted Dell Tech Support concerning things Vista was and wasn't doing and this is what created an ill feeling. In neither situation was teck support able to assist me; infact their response was sometingt to the effect of "that is the way Vista acts or displays things". Hogwash I thought and through research and reading a magazine on Vista I was able to correct the problems on my own. I informed Dell of the responses and the corrective measures needed to fix the problem but they did not seem to enthused.
All in all the Laptop is GREAT but Tech Support is lacking in their knowledge.
Worked great out of the box. Setting up a wireless router (Netgear 'n' router) caused some minor problems but after calling netgear tech support who were wonderful, everything was a go. Getting used to Windows Vist takes a little getting used to and still at times is a little frustrating. Contacted Dell Tech Support concerning things Vista was and wasn't doing and this is what created an ill feeling. In neither situation was teck support able to assist me; infact their response was sometingt to the effect of "that is the way Vista acts or displays things". Hogwash I thought and through research and reading a magazine on Vista I was able to correct the problems on my own. I informed Dell of the responses and the corrective measures needed to fix the problem but they did not seem to enthused.
All in all the Laptop is GREAT but Tech Support is lacking in their knowledge.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
awsome laptop. AMD processor is better and cheaper then intel
Pros: AMD available
Cons: intel is more expensive less performance
Review: Why pay more for less value?? Go for the AMD processor. Its faster, less power use = longer battery life, better performance for less money. I have spent a lot of time testing out many different laptops and now I decided to post some of my opinions online. This is one of the best laptops out there. If you are looking for an average size/weight, long battery life with one of the best processors out there then stop wasting your time searching, this is it!! At first I was a bit skeptical about the AMD processor but WOW, I am impressed!
User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Great video card but no DVI and battery sticks out
Pros: Geforce 8600m GT, 802.11n, number pad, webcam, great screen, turbocash
Cons: only vga out, size is larger than advertized, feels cheap
Review: The internals of this laptop are great. It has a top end video card, which can run all the latest 3D applications and decode high-end video. The CPU is dual core, so multiple applications run smoothly without interrupting each other. The memory (up to four GB) also comes with a flash buffer (also called turbo cache) that eases the communication between RAM and the hard drive. It also comes with the newest wireless standard, 802.11n, for fast wifi now and faster wifi in the future.
Unfortunately, Dell made some unusual design decisions that reduce the quality of this laptop. At nearly two inches thick, it is not very dense, so it has a cheap feel. In spite of this laptop's large size the included battery sticks out by inch in the back. Note that the pictures on the website do not show this problem. Dell also made a very poor decision to leave out a DVI video port. With only VGA and S-Video outputs, connect to a high-end monitor or HDTV is not possible. While this feature may not be necessary on a lower-cost laptop, the Inspiron 1720’s high-end video card and the Blu-Ray option should mandate a high quality video output.
The front face of the laptop also includes some media buttons to control volume and media playback. This would be a good feature, but the paint on these buttons comes off easily.
Unfortunately, Dell made some unusual design decisions that reduce the quality of this laptop. At nearly two inches thick, it is not very dense, so it has a cheap feel. In spite of this laptop's large size the included battery sticks out by inch in the back. Note that the pictures on the website do not show this problem. Dell also made a very poor decision to leave out a DVI video port. With only VGA and S-Video outputs, connect to a high-end monitor or HDTV is not possible. While this feature may not be necessary on a lower-cost laptop, the Inspiron 1720’s high-end video card and the Blu-Ray option should mandate a high quality video output.
The front face of the laptop also includes some media buttons to control volume and media playback. This would be a good feature, but the paint on these buttons comes off easily.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
I love this laptop, it is so smooth
Pros: Very nice screen, very fast, great price
Cons: took forever to get to me
Review: I ordered the laptop july 9th as part of the "back to school" deal. It took forever to get it built and finally shipped July 24th. It really did take forever to build it but not nearly as long as the others. My guess is it is a very popular laptop.
After it shipped everything was great! It shipped July 24th and I recieved it the next day, with free 3-5 day shipping. I was very happy.
The laptop is wonderful. There are many customizable options on the laptop including a blu-ray writer although at a very expensive cost. The WUXGA screen looks beautiful. I watched a few movie trailers with it in full HD and it looked amazing. The Draft-N card is a must have, easily.
Another thing I was amaze at is that with the 8600M graphics card and the 2.0 ghz t7300, everything ran exceptionally smoothly. The keys feel very smooth to the touch as well. The full size keyboard with the number pad is very nice as well. I was always disappointed that dell never had put a number pad into their old 17in. laptops.
Many of connections as well and with the dongle which you can order from dell you can connect to a surround sound receiver for 5.1 sound as well as up to 1080i through the component dongle. The only thing this laptop is longer for is a Dvi or an HDMI port so it could act as a full HD Blu-ray player for your tv.
The configuration I had came up to a 4.5 base score, and overall I am very happy to be going off to college with this laptop.
After it shipped everything was great! It shipped July 24th and I recieved it the next day, with free 3-5 day shipping. I was very happy.
The laptop is wonderful. There are many customizable options on the laptop including a blu-ray writer although at a very expensive cost. The WUXGA screen looks beautiful. I watched a few movie trailers with it in full HD and it looked amazing. The Draft-N card is a must have, easily.
Another thing I was amaze at is that with the 8600M graphics card and the 2.0 ghz t7300, everything ran exceptionally smoothly. The keys feel very smooth to the touch as well. The full size keyboard with the number pad is very nice as well. I was always disappointed that dell never had put a number pad into their old 17in. laptops.
Many of connections as well and with the dongle which you can order from dell you can connect to a surround sound receiver for 5.1 sound as well as up to 1080i through the component dongle. The only thing this laptop is longer for is a Dvi or an HDMI port so it could act as a full HD Blu-ray player for your tv.
The configuration I had came up to a 4.5 base score, and overall I am very happy to be going off to college with this laptop.
User Rating:
1.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
Buy Dell laptop today, recieve it somewhere in 2010
Pros: Great laptop in every single way
Cons: Misadvertised by Dell - they sell what they don't have
Review: I love everything about this laptop from its price to options, which are not available from anyone else. Using "back to school" pricing I went ahead and purchased it on Aug 2, 2007.
Judging by my previous experiences, I should have received it by August 20-25, just before the school starts.
In a week I received an email from Dell that informed me about a possible delay in building my laptop. I called up customer care just to find out that it will be assembled only by the end of September, at the best, possibly longer. That is more than two month from the time of purchase. The reason is simple - the new color cases. Apparently in its wisdom Dell decided to begin selling laptops without having parts to build them. Great idea! They advertise everything as "back to school", creating an impression that customers will have it before their graduation, knowing in advance they wouldn't be able to deliver anything before "back to school". Although it is not fraud but it is clearly misleading and disappointing; at no point Dell warned me about "possible 2 month, or even longer, delays".
Personally, I feel that Dell simply cheated many customers. I do understand the need to snatch a part of the "back to school" sales, it is vital for the company. But it should be prepared to either deliver everything timely or compensate those who purchased hardware that cannot be delivered any time soon. Dell did neither. All they could do is apologize.
I feel like tricking them too. I am not going to cancel my order. Instead, I will buy an HP or Toshiba, and patiently wait for a Dell to arrive. Then I'll play with it for a few days and send it back to Dell, using their "30 day money back guarantee" program, stating that I am unhappy with the way the purchase went. If my example is followed by others, it will teach Dell not to sell none-existing products without compensating those who suffered from Dell's marketing trickery.
Judging by my previous experiences, I should have received it by August 20-25, just before the school starts.
In a week I received an email from Dell that informed me about a possible delay in building my laptop. I called up customer care just to find out that it will be assembled only by the end of September, at the best, possibly longer. That is more than two month from the time of purchase. The reason is simple - the new color cases. Apparently in its wisdom Dell decided to begin selling laptops without having parts to build them. Great idea! They advertise everything as "back to school", creating an impression that customers will have it before their graduation, knowing in advance they wouldn't be able to deliver anything before "back to school". Although it is not fraud but it is clearly misleading and disappointing; at no point Dell warned me about "possible 2 month, or even longer, delays".
Personally, I feel that Dell simply cheated many customers. I do understand the need to snatch a part of the "back to school" sales, it is vital for the company. But it should be prepared to either deliver everything timely or compensate those who purchased hardware that cannot be delivered any time soon. Dell did neither. All they could do is apologize.
I feel like tricking them too. I am not going to cancel my order. Instead, I will buy an HP or Toshiba, and patiently wait for a Dell to arrive. Then I'll play with it for a few days and send it back to Dell, using their "30 day money back guarantee" program, stating that I am unhappy with the way the purchase went. If my example is followed by others, it will teach Dell not to sell none-existing products without compensating those who suffered from Dell's marketing trickery.
User Rating:
2.5 stars
out of 61 user reviews
If only they would send it to me!
Pros: Looks like a great machine...
Cons: Back ordered to death...
Review: I can't wait to write a review of this computer, but it continues to be back ordered, and according to several blogs I've read, I'm not alone.
To make matters worse, I've received dozens of emails and several mail promotions advertising this model. Most of the ads seemed to be aimed at the "back to school" crowd. I find it hard to believe that someone going off to college will receive their computer before their first day at this rate.
Wish me luck... I hope to sign in soon from my new 1720, to let you know how great it is. Unfortunately, I'm afraid it's not going to happen.
To make matters worse, I've received dozens of emails and several mail promotions advertising this model. Most of the ads seemed to be aimed at the "back to school" crowd. I find it hard to believe that someone going off to college will receive their computer before their first day at this rate.
Wish me luck... I hope to sign in soon from my new 1720, to let you know how great it is. Unfortunately, I'm afraid it's not going to happen.
User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
great feature with nice syle and good price
Pros: nice panel, good WWAN singal, bluray support, nice keyboard, 2M camera
Cons: with HDMI is better
Review: nice color option, Media Direct AP is good, nice price.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 61 user reviews
where are the speakers?
Pros: looks nice(r)... but hp's still got a better desing.. pity because dell had more time to beat them. integrated webcam and mics. full size keyboard.
Cons: hp's 17 incher is thinner, perhaps not so solid but thinner anyway. where did Dell leave the LED backlit dislpay?
Review: can anyone tell where the speakers are? it all looks flat... id like to know if they are on the front (which definately doesnt look like) or they will be above the keyboard, which would pretty much suck because when closed sound would muffle and would be stupid because dell was praised for having the speakers in the front and avoiding that annoyance... anyway.. any info would be appreciated.
they also dont talk about the roadready feature, which they bragged about on dell's last 1705...
how thinner is it than the previous model, and lighter?
they also dont talk about the roadready feature, which they bragged about on dell's last 1705...
how thinner is it than the previous model, and lighter?
