We wouldn't bother with Blu-ray on this laptop -- its 1,440x900-pixel screen resolution won't take full advantage of high-definition 1080p flicks and its analogue video output means you can't play copy-protected Blu-ray movies on an external display. Dell offers a higher resolution 1,680x1,050-pixel panel but even that's not quite good enough. While we're on the subject, don't bother paying the extra £11 required to get Dell's glossy 'TrueLife' screen finish -- it renders the laptop virtually useless outdoors.
Despite the analogue-only video output, the 1520 has pretty good graphics capabilities. Its Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics card is, generally speaking, among the fastest you can get on a non-gaming laptop. It'll let you play the odd game, as long as you're willing to sacrifice some image detail, and it won't shy away from playing full screen video either.
As it's a Centrino laptop, the Inspiron 1520 comes with plenty of wireless connectivity. There's Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi and for £12 extra, 802.11n. Better still, it's possible to buy it with Dell's built-in 3G/HSDPA adaptor -- a £105 option. This lets you surf the Web pretty much anywhere you can find a 3G signal but be warned -- you have to pay Vodafone £25 per month for the privilege.
Software includes Windows Vista Home Premium edition and Microsoft Works 8. You might want to buy yourself some antivirus software to go with it -- or download a free package from our Downloads channel. Dell offers a one-year collect and return warranty.
Performance
The Inspiron 1520 feels fairly nippy during everyday use. The 1.8GHz CPU on our review sample helped it rack up a pretty decent 4,815 in PCMark 2005, which is more than the 3,725 achieved by the similarly equipped Sony Vaio CR11Z. 3D performance was pretty good, too -- certainly above that of most laptops of this ilk. It racked up a 3DMark 2006 total of 3,196, so it's more than capable of running most 3D games.
Battery life was about average for a laptop of this size and specification. It lasted 132 minutes in our Battery Eater test, which is more than long enough to watch an average-length movie and play a few tunes once the credits roll.
Conclusion
The Inspiron 1520 is a very good laptop. The splash of paint on the lid doesn't quite do enough to make it as stylish as the Sony Vaio CR11Z but it has a larger screen, is less expensive and is a good all-rounder.
Edited by Jason Jenkins
Additional editing by Shannon Doubleday
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Finley Fumblemore Dale 26 December 2011
Good: Awfully Cheap, functional.
Bad: Slow 1.8ghz processor, keyboard feels cheap, poor build quality, small 80Gb hard drive.
Comment: To put in perspective how slow how awfully slow this computer is, it could barely run a game made in 2000 called Hogs of War, when it was new a few years ago.
I would not recommend this computer at all, as what it can do "well" is general internet browsing. If you want to get this, DON'T. Get a netbook instead.
cher 27 April 2009
Good: easy 2 use
Bad: bit bulky
Comment: the first lap top i have had & it is really easy 2 use. i used 2 use a dell when i was working as far as rating this product the dell inspiron 1520 i think it is good value 4 money, design good ,performance 4 me is every thing i need
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