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The time has come: My new notebook has arrived. Finally i decided to take the new Dell Vostro 1510 since it has (A) a sensational price/performance ratio, (B) gets delivered with Windows XP, (C) has the new Dell WXGA+ 1440×900 non-glare display as an configuration option and (D) Dell performed very good at the last service test of one of the leading german computer magazines.
Buy as seen on the internet
The Dell Vostro is small-business notebook and according to a sales-representative sitting in Bratislava, it gets only sold to business customers: That means no return if you don’t like what you got. So i definitly made the jump into the cold water, configured my dream notebook, ordered and now it arrived: my new notebook *g*
Since i didn’t find any review for the Vostro 1510, i’ll now write down my point of view about those few points i had headaches about before the order: The display, the keyboard, the build quality and finally the sound level…
My configuration
[[adsense]]
DELL Vostro 1510
- Intel Core Duo T5870 (2,1 MHz)
- 256 MB nVidia® GeForce™ 8400M GS
- 15,4″ WXGA+ Display (1440 x 900 px), non-glare
- 2 GB Ram
- 320 GB Harddisk
- Windows XP Professional
The display
In short: Very good decision. Very bright: I had to dim the brightness to work with it without headaches. The brightness is fairly enough to work outside – in the shadows. The bright sun itself is definitly nothing for the Vostro.
Angle of view: fairly good: Horizontally, the colors stay neutral, only the brightness goes down – a small viewing range vertically though:
The resolution of 1440×900 px on 15,4″ is ok if you have to take a widescreen – and definitly better than the usual 1280×800 which are rather useless imho.
The keyboard
One of the points i worried about: How’s the typing on the Vostro 1510? I do programming a lot and a good quality keyboard is a must-have. Since Dell doesn’t have an outlet store near Salzburg, i had to buy it on chance and had to hope. Finally the keyboard is OK – i can type very well with my clumsy, big fingers and have good response from the keys. The layout is very mature and well done – But i noticed two things i don’t like so much:
Adjusting the volume
You may adjust the volume in two ways: Either via the cool looking infrared-sensors over the keyboard or via the alternative mapping just over the cursor keys (Have a look at the next image). Although the infrared sensors are very cool you have to touch them x times to get your desired volume. They don’t support just tapping and then holding the finger on the sensor. Additionally, there’s no mute-key which i personally would like to have.
The mapping of the keys over the cursors should be reversed: I tend to assoziate left with “fewer” and right with “more” – The infrared sensors on top are mapped the right way.
Numberblock as alternative mapping
One part of the keyboard has an alternative mapping reachable via the numlock key. That definitly doesn’t sound bad but i’d make the keys reachable over the fn-key also so i don’t always have to search for the tiny numlock key if i want to type some numbers.
That’s nothing!
Those two things mentioned above don’t manage to disturb the very good impression i have from the keyboard: It’s mapping, function and quality are good – I’m very satisfied.
Build quality
Respect. To be honest, i really didn’t await that much with that price – but i was suprised positively. The Vostro 1510 is very sturdy – i don’t fear breaking it easely. Every piece is very buckling resistant. The display doesn’t need a locking mechanism (like the small apple notebook).
Personally i do like that very much since i have big fingers and sometimes had to fret fiddling notebook with small unlocking keys open. Additionally that’s one moving thus breakable part less. The DVD drive is a slot-in-drive which means also: one moving, breakable part less.
CSI Salzburg: Keep your fingers away!
One drawback: The display cover. Polished it looks very impressing but dare to touch it: You see every fingerprint.
Quality Assurance?
My drawback: My Vostro was delivered with a cut on the lower cage. I personally don’t care and hopefully it won’t concern others, but i thing such a part shouldn’t pass the QA at Dell.
Robust, sturdy, feels good
My conclusion: The Vostro haptic appearance is very good – nothing bends, you don’t have to worry touching and carrying it around although you shouldn’t forget to carry a hanky for the display cover ;-)
Sound level
Right now, i do work in my silent living room (Childs are in bed finally ;-) and i barely mention the Vostro 1510. Depending on the cpu load, the fan jumps to live less ore more often – That’s not very loud, but the inconstant short on- and offs are annoying sometimes. But i’m pleased anyway: As i’m mainly programming and surfing, my web server, mysql and browser hardly ever challenge the cpu (Except you have 5 YouTube videos open at the same time – have a look at the task manager then ;-)
Conclusion: Good buy
Except some minor points i’m very, very happy with the Vostro 1510. Thumbs up and i can only recommend that notebook!
Comment by Guglielmo
firstly many thanks for you review: thsi is one of the first published by a real owner and not by professional testers, so for me it is more valuable.
I also would change my current laptop HP Nx7410 (Business line notebook) with the new Dell Vostro1510: the main reasons for changing are the screen resolution and type; Actualy I have a glare 1280x800 and this is not the best if you use the laptop for work.
You configuration is exactly what I would choose, apart the HD size which in my case could be even 250GB: like you mentioned, I also was scared about the build quality; Actually I'm using my HP and I'm very satisfied with the Keyborad quality (very sturdy) and the general robustness feeling, therefore I would ask your opinion about how the Vostro 1510 Build quality compares to some business line notebook competitors like HP, Lenovo etc.
Many thanks.
Guglielmo
Comment by Johannes
Compared to an Acer here in my company: I like the keyboard of the acer a little bit more but the build quality of the vostro is better: i can press on different parts of the acer and they may be dented: That's not the case with the vostro 1510.
I think you have to step back a bit from your lenovo or hp keyboard quality but you pay a third to a forth of the price. The case of the vostro itself is *very* sturdy i think.
And the 320GB HDD was a special offer of the austrian dell shop:
Pay for 250 and get 70 for free ;-)
Comment by Char
I'm very interested in buying this laptop (with a little lower configurations, but good enough for usual text processing) and your review was the first user review I could find.
It will mos def help me with my decision.
Gracias!
Char
Comment by Robert from Florida
Thanks for posting your review - Well Done!
I just puchased my 1510 right after checking out this site- configured very similar to yours...
Comment by Johannes
Greets from Salzburg!
Comment by Quazim
last week, i had the greatest regret of my use of this laptop when the slot loading DVD burner stopped reading DVDs but only reads CD. Has anyone had this same problem with this product? if yes how did u go about repairing it, i think it is a hardware problem. Can the slot loading device be replaced?
I am no longer happy with this device.
Thanks
Comment by Johannes
If you owned the vostro for five months you still should have full warranty - Just call them and they will send you a technician who replaces the drive if it can't be solved via telephone.
Comment by MA
Part from noise level which are not distracting and can only be heard when pin drop silence I have no other concern
regards
Comment by UM
Comment by Johannes
Comment by JB
Comment by Johannes
Comment by Np
Comment by nik
btw thank you for this informative review.
bye.
Comment by Johannes
Comment by sidneysyder
Comment by Jennifer
Comment by Johannes
Comment by John
Comment by Johannes
There's a video on youtube (Search for "Vostro 1510") from a guy playing a 2007 game - I do no gaming on it (except tetris) since i've a desktop pc just for that.
And despite the fact that i have the laptop for about 3 Weeks now, still everthing works ;-)
Comment by Chad
Comment by Johannes
One think although: On long terms, the notebook gets warm and the fan jumps on and off often. So if you need a very cool and quiet notebook, the vostro isn't the one for you.
Anything but that: Good, nice, recommendable ;-)
Comment by chunkysaj
I want to get a 1510 with the following specs:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5670 (1.8 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz FSB)
Memory 2048MB (2x1024) 667MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
Video Card 256 MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8400M GS (64 bit)
Hard Drive 160GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
Optical Devices Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive
Wireless Networking Dell™ Wireless 1395 (802.11 b/g)
Cables 1 Meter Power Cord (3 Wire)
I want the 65W power adapter rather than the 90W (because it is smaller and I do a lot of travelling). Dell's configuration page says that the 65W power adapter is not compatible with the dedicated graphics card. If I did choose the 65W power adapter and the dedicated graphics card, would I run into issues??
Thanks
Comment by Johannes
Comment by Alan
Just received new Vostro 1510 this week. Tried using a 65 w adapter from my work Dell, machine worked but did give warning messages on startup re battery charging and performance.
So swapped to the larger 90w. The business Dells normally only need this for docking station usage.
So 1510 does prefer 90w.
Comment by Pete
Thank you for writing your informative review. I'm thinking of purchasing a Vostro system and just wanted to ask you a few questions based on your experiences of the laptop.
1) I intend to use the laptop for a lot of writing.typing. How do you find the keyboard and screen for this use? Is it still bearable after a couple of hours?
2) What ports are on the Laptop? How many USB etc?
3) How do you find the screen, i believe you have the upgraded version...one down from the best?
Thank you
Pete
Comment by Vicente
I'd like to see more pictures though, a detail of the chasis would be great.
Greetings from Chile!
Comment by Josh
Excellent review, thanks very much. I've looked for customer reviews everywhere but this is the first one I’ve come across.
I'm planning on getting a Vostro 1510/1710, but I was wondering if you could clarify something for me. You say in your review (and indeed in the responses to questions) that there is an issue with the noise level with regards to the fan. I was wondering how frequently these on/off cycles would occur, and how loud the fan would be?
Thanks, regards -
Josh
Comment by Johannes
Comment by Ed
thanks review. Am wondering whether to get the Vostro 1510.
The only thing that bothers me is whether there is flex in the keyboard. I.e. does it feel solid like the rest of the casing?
Cheers, Ed.
Comment by sekony
Comment by Johannes
For prices of the cam and wifi go to the dell homepage and just configure them...
Comment by Ann
i have the same laptop Vostro 1510. it comes with preinstalled vista home. when im about to install xp, it said it cannot find the harddisk. seems that this vostro has the latest SATA on it. how can i solve this problem? how did you install your XP on your Vostro 1510?
please email me about your feedback.
thanks!
ann
Comment by Johannes
I'd call dell and just ask them where you can get the drivers and what has to be done to get XP installed. Think they will probably help you if you ask politely.
Comment by Will
Did you ever find the answer to this question?
I expect something needs to be changed in the bios.
Cheers
Comment by Zac
Comment by Abineet
Comment by Zac
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R192324&SystemID=VOS_N_1510&servicetag=220GRG1&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=17544&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=4&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=1&fileid=264166
Comment by harshil
i am buying a vostro 1510 aswell this will be my first laptop ever,
i wanted ur advice on my config and
was worried about some issues mentioned by other vostro owners like
the fan noise and the installation of xp as Os, screen glare problems.
And any other flaws according to your views.
my config is
1]2.5GHz-6mb L2 cache, 800 FSB
2]15.4" WXGA+1440x900 display
3]4GB 667 MHz DDR2 RAM
4]256 MB NVIDIA Graphic card
5]6-cell battery lithium
6]90w AC Adapter
7]250 SATA Hard Disk
My purpose for a laptop is GAMES, MOVIES & MUSIC-95% of the time.
PLS Give me your Advice and view as it would help me in taking a right decesion
or stop me from making a wrong one.
Harshil Doshi-India
harshil2386@gmail.com
Comment by Abineet
Comment by John Curran
You are very kind to go to such trouble to help others select this PC. I teach English in Japan and my wife, who struggles with with PCs, want to buy a laptop. This looks the right one. She wants XP because she is somewhat familiar with the system. If we order over the internet what should we specify for the most basic unit?
Many thanks again,
John
Comment by vinit
what do you recommend i should buy?
XPS 1510
T5750 2.0 GHZ 2 MB CACHE
4 GB RAM
256 MB NVIDIA 8600 GT
OR
VISTRO 15
T9300, 2.5 GHZ 6MB CACHE
4 GB RAM
256 MB NVIDIA 8400 GS
PRICE OF BOTH CONFIGURATION IS ALMOST SAME.
THANKS
VINIT
Comment by Wolf
I´m about to buy a Dell Vostro 1510 with Windows Vista for my mother. Now when you have tested the laptop for a while, are there any annoying/bad things you have discovered lately, or is it still a "keeper"?
Comment by Johannes
Comment by Wolf
Comment by Wolf
I don´t care about fingerprints on the glossy lid. The lid & chassie feels stable. The only bad thing is the crappy speakers. But with headphones the sound is just fine.
Comment by Claudio
Great review. I had read that the cover would get fingerprints on it easily, but thats way over what I expected haha! Nothing that a piece of cloth don't solve, I hope.
I'm looking forward for my Vostro to arrive!
Greets from Brazil!
Tschüss!
Comment by glenn
Can you please comment on the screen hinges? Is it stiff? Does the screen wobble?
Thanks in advance!
Comment by Robert
bob from maryland
Comment by Julie
Please let me know if from the info I have given, you can tell me whether the 1510 might be sufficient for my needs. I appreciate your review - very informative.
~julie (NY)