Unfortunately, many manufacturers use this approach instead of integrated flaps to protect the notebook from dust when the slot isn’t in use.īottom side view of Inspiron 1501 ( view large image) It looks cheap, feels cheap and awkward not to mention the plastic piece is begging to be lost if you remove it. One knock against the build is that Dell uses a plastic dummy to fill in the slot for the ExpressCard opening when it’s not in use. Top view of Inspiron 1501 ( view large image) As mentioned before, the screen latch is plastic, but I’d rather have a plastic latch than the magnetic opening mechanism that some manufacturers are using - they’re so invariably hard to open.

The back of the screen is plastic, but very sturdy and a hard push won’t make ripples appear. But the Inspiron 1501 is not flimsy by any means, the only real flex I could find on the casing was at the top just above the keyboard.ĭell Inspiron 1501 front view ( view large image)

It’s not rugged or as well built as many business laptops, such as a ThinkPad or Dell’s own Latitude line - the screen latch is plastic as opposed to metal on a Latitude for instance. The notebook is sturdy enough to feel comfortable lifting it by one corner. Size comparison of Inspiron 1501 to 12.1' screen Lenovo X60 Tablet PC( view large image) The Inspiron 1501 is in fact precisely the same look and build as the Inspiron e1505 - except several media buttons are missing from the 1501, more on that later. Also, as time goes by the current Inspiron design is becoming stale, Dell needs to update their consumer laptop look, and soon. The color scheme is simple and there’s nothing to rave or rant about honestly, I’m not a huge fan of the white trim 'bumpers' though.

The Inspiron 1501 matches much of the Dell lineup clad in painted silver with white trim on top and a black underside.

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition.

ATI Xpress 1150 256MB HyperMemory (Integrated graphics).

The Inspiron 1501 reviewed here is configured as follows: Yes, that’s an AMD logo on a Dell box that you see

Hot CPU Tester Pro 4.4.1 Serial