New Technology Reviews!.: Inspiron

Review: Dell Inspiron M5030

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/What%20Laptop/WLT%20148/WLT148.rev1.Dell01_1-200-200.jpg"> While there's nothing specifically wrong with Dell's Inspiron M5030, when compared to the excellent laptops from Lenovo and MSI at this price point it is hard to recommend. Nevertheless, the impressive battery life may be enough to convince those for whom portability is a requirement. General portability is great and, although the 2.6kg chassis is fractionally heavier than the other laptops, the 303-minute battery life is significantly better than the competition – giving you over an hour more power than the nearest rival. This will suit those who spend a lot of time on the move. The M5030 is one of the more attractive laptops, featuring a circular pattern that glints when it catches the light. Build quality is decent enough, but you'll need a laptop bag to ensure the machine's safety on the road. It's also worth noting that this is quite a chunky laptop; the Acer Aspire 5336-T353G32Mnkk is the slimmest at only 35mm. If you plan to carry your new laptop around in a slim sleeve, then the Dell will not be the ideal option for you. <img alt="Dell inspiron m5030" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/What%20Laptop/WLT%20148/WLT148.rev1.Dell02_1-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> Although not as bad as the Acer's, the 15.6-inch screen is still quite disappointing, providing surprisingly washed out images. If you plan to use the laptop for work this is unlikely to be a major problem, but film and multimedia enthusiasts should consider either the MSI CR620-643uk or Lenovo G560 instead, if you want to enjoy the best picture. Rattly keyboard The keyboard is functional but unexceptional. It also rattles as you type, so if you intend to use the laptop when studying or with your family this might put you (or them) off. The lack of a dedicated numeric keypad is also sure to disappoint those who regularly input data. When it comes to performance, the M5030's Intel Celeron processor doesn't prove as capable as the one used in the Acer Aspire 5336-T353G32Mnkk. Office work and web browsing won't be a problem for this laptop, but anything more resource intensive, such as a music editing application, will cause the machine to show significant amounts of lag. However, graphical performance is better than the Acer and some basic photo editing will be easily possible – great if you fancy touching up your holiday snaps. Benchmarks Battery life: 303 minutes MobileMark 2007: 132 3DMark 2003: 2057 The 320GB hard drive also ensures that you have plenty of space to store your multimedia libraries, as well as any work. 802.11n Wi-Fi offers the fastest wireless networking technology available - great when connecting to a hotspot - while three USB ports allow you to connect plenty of peripherals, such as your MP3 player. The Inspiron M5030 isn't a bad laptop, it just can't compete with the MSI CR620-643uk and Lenovo G560. However, the strong battery life could be a deal clincher. <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/TUgxOruAIkA/story01.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Article</A>

Review: Dell Inspiron M5030

While there's nothing specifically wrong with Dell's Inspiron M5030, when compared to the excellent laptops from Lenovo and MSI at t...

Review: Dell Inspiron M5030

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/What%20Laptop/WLT%20148/WLT148.rev1.Dell01_1-200-200.jpg"> While there's nothing specifically wrong with Dell's Inspiron M5030, when compared to the excellent laptops from Lenovo and MSI at this price point it is hard to recommend. Nevertheless, the impressive battery life may be enough to convince those for whom portability is a requirement. General portability is great and, although the 2.6kg chassis is fractionally heavier than the other laptops, the 303-minute battery life is significantly better than the competition – giving you over an hour more power than the nearest rival. This will suit those who spend a lot of time on the move. The M5030 is one of the more attractive laptops, featuring a circular pattern that glints when it catches the light. Build quality is decent enough, but you'll need a laptop bag to ensure the machine's safety on the road. It's also worth noting that this is quite a chunky laptop; the Acer Aspire 5336-T353G32Mnkk is the slimmest at only 35mm. If you plan to carry your new laptop around in a slim sleeve, then the Dell will not be the ideal option for you. <img alt="Dell inspiron m5030" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/What%20Laptop/WLT%20148/WLT148.rev1.Dell02_1-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> Although not as bad as the Acer's, the 15.6-inch screen is still quite disappointing, providing surprisingly washed out images. If you plan to use the laptop for work this is unlikely to be a major problem, but film and multimedia enthusiasts should consider either the MSI CR620-643uk or Lenovo G560 instead, if you want to enjoy the best picture. Rattly keyboard The keyboard is functional but unexceptional. It also rattles as you type, so if you intend to use the laptop when studying or with your family this might put you (or them) off. The lack of a dedicated numeric keypad is also sure to disappoint those who regularly input data. When it comes to performance, the M5030's Intel Celeron processor doesn't prove as capable as the one used in the Acer Aspire 5336-T353G32Mnkk. Office work and web browsing won't be a problem for this laptop, but anything more resource intensive, such as a music editing application, will cause the machine to show significant amounts of lag. However, graphical performance is better than the Acer and some basic photo editing will be easily possible – great if you fancy touching up your holiday snaps. Benchmarks Battery life: 303 minutes MobileMark 2007: 132 3DMark 2003: 2057 The 320GB hard drive also ensures that you have plenty of space to store your multimedia libraries, as well as any work. 802.11n Wi-Fi offers the fastest wireless networking technology available - great when connecting to a hotspot - while three USB ports allow you to connect plenty of peripherals, such as your MP3 player. The Inspiron M5030 isn't a bad laptop, it just can't compete with the MSI CR620-643uk and Lenovo G560. However, the strong battery life could be a deal clincher. <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/-QPVCj_dd0A/story01.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Article</A>

Review: Dell Inspiron M5030

While there's nothing specifically wrong with Dell's Inspiron M5030, when compared to the excellent laptops from Lenovo and MSI at t...

How to Troubleshoot the Dell Inspiron 700m

Hold down the "Fn" key and press the up arrow repeatedly to increase the brightness of the screen. Press the down arrow to make the screen dimmer.Move any speakers or subwoofers plugged into your laptop farther away and see if that has any impact on the clarity of your screen.Unplug the laptop from the power outlet. Plug the laptop directly into other power outlets to see if the problem persists or the screen becomes clearer; do not plug the laptop into a power strip. Purchase a new power cable if you continue to experience the problem.Turn the laptop off and unplug the external keyboard. Plug the external keyboard back in and turn on the computer. Proceed to Step 2 if the external keyboard is still not recognized.Turn the laptop off and unplug the external keyboard. Unplug any USB extensions you may use to connect the keyboard to the laptop (see Tips). Wait one minute, then plug the external keyboard back in and turn on the computer. Proceed to Step 3 if the external keyboard is still not recognized.Turn off the computer and unplug the external keyboard. Turn the computer back on. Click "Start," "Accessories" then "Notepad." Type some characters using the built-in keyboard on the laptop. Replace your external keyboard if characters appear. Replace the laptop's system board if no characters appear.Save and close any projects or files on which you are working. Reopen the file or project and continue working. If you still receive the error message, proceed to Step 2.Shut the laptop down, unplug any cables and turn the laptop upside down with the back of the laptop closest to you.Move the battery-release latch--above the left side of the battery--to the left and hold it with one hand. Remove the battery.Remove the two screws on the left side of the memory module cover, located above the left side of the battery bay. Remove the cover.Spread the retaining clips on the short edges of the memory module to tilt it upward. Carefully remove the module from the computer, then re-insert. Push the module firmly into the slot and down. Repeat with the other memory module.Replace the memory module cover and tighten the screws. Re-insert the battery and turn the laptop right-side up. Replace the memory modules if you still receive the error message.

How to Troubleshoot the Dell Inspiron 700m

Hold down the "Fn" key and press the up arrow repeatedly to increase the brightness of the screen. Press the down arrow to make t...

How to Replace a DC Jack on an Inspiron 5150

Place the motherboard on a durable surface. Molten solder is extremely hot and will damage heat-sensitive surfaces and cause a fire hazard, so use a metal or solid wood surface. Turn the motherboard over onto its back.Plug the soldering iron in and allow it a few minutes to heat up. A hot soldering iron is much easier to use than one that hasn't reached its peak temperature. While the iron is heating up, inspect the connection points of the jack to familiarize yourself with what you will desolder.Place the soldering iron in one hand and the copper braid or desoldering pump in the other. Use the iron to melt the solder and suck it up with the pump or the braid. Hot solder may drip through to the other side of the motherboard, so make sure your hands are clear of that area. When you have removed as much solder as you can, continue to Step 4.Replace the pump or braid with the needle-nose pliers. Use the iron to heat any residual solder and gently pull the jack free with the pliers. Do not rush or try to force the jack. You may damage the delicate electrical trace, which will require further, extensive repair.Place the old jack aside. Use caution; it may be hot. Use the toothbrush and alcohol to clean the area. This will help keep the new solder clean and facilitate a stronger bond to the board. Leave the board to sit and dry. The alcohol will evaporate by itself.Use the rosin-core solder and the iron to lightly coat the connection points on the motherboard where the new jack will sit. Install the new jack and apply some more solder to the connectors. When the area has cooled, plug in the power adapter and look for any lights indicating that the motherboard is receiving power. Reassemble the laptop.

How to Replace a DC Jack on an Inspiron 5150

Place the motherboard on a durable surface. Molten solder is extremely hot and will damage heat-sensitive surfaces and cause a fire hazard,...

Review: Dell Inspiron Mini 1018

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/What%20Laptop/WLT%20144/WLT144.rev1.dell_1-200-200.jpg"> Dell's Inspiron Mini range has grown over the years from tiny nine-inch models to larger 12-inch ultraportables and finally settled on the 10-inch Inspiron Mini 1018. A well-made and highly usable netbook, it's easy to recommend, but it lacks the flair of some of its rivals. While the default model is black, a choice of pink or red colour schemes are available for an extra £19. The chassis is by far one of the most rugged around and feels extremely tough. As such, it lacks the svelte style of the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/asus-eee-pc-seashell-1015pe-910541/review">Asus Eee PC Seashell 1015PE</A>, making it a hardy but slightly bland choice. The rock-solid build quality continues to the user interface, with the keyboard being one of the best we have used. Avoiding the use of the isolation style design seen on the Asus, all keys feel larger and more accessible with the smooth typing action proving flawless. Unfortunately, the tiny touchpad doesn't fare quite as well. Measuring 65 x 30mm, it feels too wide and not nearly deep enough, making it awkward to scroll smoothly across the screen in a single motion. Thankfully, the mouse buttons are large enough to be used more comfortably. <img alt="Dell inspiron mini 1018" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/What%20Laptop/WLT%20144/WLT144.rev1.builddell_1-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> The 10.1-inch Super-TFT screen is far more pleasing. One of the brightest panels on a netbook, images pop from the screen and colours are vivid. The screen only folds back 45 degrees from vertical, however, so it can be tricky to get a comfortable viewing angle. Part of the reason for this is that Dell has indented the screen's hinge by 19mm to make room for a strip of textured plastic on the rear. It's an unusual design choice, but does make the Dell more comfortable to carry. When combined with the 427 minutes of use we managed to get from the battery, this is a great choice for mobile workers and for school children. However, a lot of other netbooks provide much longer battery lives. Ample storage Where the Dell excels is its storage. The 250GB hard drive matches the Asus, providing 90GB more storage than both the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/acer-aspire-one-d260-910532/review">Acer Aspire One D260</A> and Packard Bell Dot S. This will easily hold large multimedia collections. Also, the inclusion of Microsoft Office Starter 2010 software is a real bonus at this price and is a rarity in the netbook market. Providing stripped-down versions of Microsoft's word processing and spreadsheet tools, it provides a great way to get to work straight from the box. On its own, the Inspiron Mini 1018 is a great netbook, and ideal for first-time buyers. It's beaten slightly by the improved battery life and usability of the Acer and Packard Bell, but its rock-solid build quality makes it a superb choice for kids to use.

Review: Dell Inspiron Mini 1018

Dell's Inspiron Mini range has grown over the years from tiny nine-inch models to larger 12-inch ultraportables and finally settled on t...

How to Map Function Keys on a Dell Inspiron Mini 9

How to Map Function Keys on a Dell Inspiron Mini 9

Open "Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator." Its link can be found in the start menu, from the "Program Files" folder of t...

Inspiron 700M Specs

The Dell Inspiron 700m is a lightweight notebook <a class="StrongLink" href="http://www.ehow.com/computers/">computer</A> that has been discontinued. It features a sharp, bright widescreen monitor, wireless capability and Microsoft Windows XP Home. LAPTOP Magazine called the 700m a fast, classy, ultraportable notebook offering "a solid multimedia experience." The magazine was also impressed by the notebook's natural-feeling keyboard and built-in memory card reader.GeneralThe Inspiron 700m is 11.7 inches wide, 8.5 inches deep and 1.5 inches in height, and is fairly lightweight at 4.2 pounds. The 700m runs an Intel Pentium M 725 / 2.0 GHz processor with a data bus speed of 400 MHz.DisplayThe 700m's display is a 12.1-inch TFT active matrix screen with a maximum resolution of 1280 by 800. Unlike many laptop LCD screens, which have a matte finish, the 700m features a polished display, which results in a brighter picture but also an increased susceptibility to glare.Audio and VideoThe 700m uses an Intel Extreme Graphics 2 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 2.0 graphics processor along with 64 MB of video memory, which make it great for watching DVDs on the included DVD+RW drive. The notebook features headphone, microphone and FireWire jacks, as well as S-Video output, but it has no manual volume control.NetworkingThe 700m has a built-in network adapter and is IEEE 802.11b-capable. The wireless network interface card (NIC) is a Intel PRO/Wireless 2100.PowerThe Inspiron 700M can run on A/C with the included power cable or on its lithium ion battery. The stated battery life is up to 2.45 hours. LAPTOP Magazine tested the 8-cell battery and found that it still had 25 percent charge remaining after 2 hours and 20 minutes of DVD playback. References <a href="http://archive.laptopmag.com/Review/Dell-Inspiron-700m.as" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LAPTOP Magazine: Dell Inspiron 700m</A> <a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/dell-inspiron-700m/4507-3121_7-30975241.html?tag=mncolBtm;rnav" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CNET Reviews: Dell Inspiron 700m Specs</A>

Inspiron 700M Specs

The Dell Inspiron 700m is a lightweight notebook computer that has been discontinued. It features a sharp, bright widescreen monitor, wirel...

How to Put OS X on a Dell Inspiron E1505

Download and install VMWare Workstation. Launch the program and select "New Virtual Machine," then select "Next." Choose "Typical" then click "Next."Choose "Other" in the Guest Operating System field as well as "Other" in the Version pull-down menu. Click "Next."Name your virtual machine "OS X" and select the location where you want to store your virtual machine. Click "Next." Choose "Use host-only networking" then click "Next."Allocate the disk capacity of your virtual machine drive and then click "Finish." Wait a few moments for a window to emerge that says the virtual machine was created successfully. Click "Close." Your virtual drive "OS X" will now appear as its own tab in VMWare Workstation.Click on "Edit Virtual Machine settings." Adjust the RAM you want to allocate to the drive (minimum 2,048 megabytes) and click "OK." Click on "Start this Virtual Machine." Click onto the VMWare screen and tap "F2" on your keyboard to launch your BIOS.Disable the Legacy Diskette A in the BIOS. Go to the Advanced settings and find your I/O Device Configuration and disable serial ports A and B, Parallel Port and Floppy Disk Controller. Press "F10" to save your settings and click "Yes."Insert your OS X installation CD. Reboot your VMWare drive. Wait a few moments until VMWare prompts you to "Press any key to install Mac OS X." Press any key and wait a few moments.Select your desired language from the selection screen. Click on the Utilities menu and then select "Disk Utility." Click on the "Partition" tab and select "1 Partition" from the Volume Scheme pull-down menu. Name your hard drive and click "Partition." Wait for the drive to finish partitioning and exit the window.Click "Continue" and select the drive you just partitioned as your destination volume when prompted. From there, follow the simple on-screen instructions to install and customize OS X to your liking. You are now running OS X on your Dell Inspiron.Open the VMWare Workstation to launch your Mac OS X virtual machine on your Inspiron whenever you want to access it.

How to Put OS X on a Dell Inspiron E1505

Download and install VMWare Workstation. Launch the program and select "New Virtual Machine," then select "Next." Choos...

How do I Improve the 1.60 Ghz Speed on a Dell Inspiron 1525?

Click "Start" and then click "Control Panel." Type "troubleshooter" and then click "Troubleshooting."Click "Check for performance issues" under "System and Security". The performance screen opens.Click "Advanced," check "Apply repairs automatically" and click "Next." The Performance Troubleshooter will now scan the settings on your computer for problems. When the scan is finished, the problems found on your computer will be listed on the screen, along with what was done to fix them. The "Troubleshooting has completed" message shows on the screen.Click "Save" to save the settings, then click "Close." The "Troubleshooting has completed" message shows on the screen.Click the "Start" button and click "Control Panel."Type "Performance Information and Tools" in the search box. In the list of results, click "Performance Information and Tools."Click "Adjust visual effects." If you are prompted for confirmation, enter the administrator password.Click the "Visual Effects" tab," click "Adjust for best performance" and then click "OK." You also have the option to choose "Let Windows choose what's best for my computer." You can choose which visual effects to turn off or allow Windows to choose for you. There are over 20 visual effects you can turn off, such as transparent glass look, whether shadows are displayed or the way menus open and close.Click "Start" and "Control Panel."Click "Programs" and then click "Programs and Features."Select a program you no longer use and click "Uninstall." Uninstall all programs you no longer use to save disk space.

How do I Improve the 1.60 Ghz Speed on a Dell Inspiron 1525?

Click "Start" and then click "Control Panel." Type "troubleshooter" and then click "Troubleshooting....

How to Remove an Inspiron 8500 Password

Turn the Inspiron 1100 off and position the computer in front of you with the screen closed, all cables removed and the bottom of the computer facing up.Push the plastic tab on the edge of the battery, and use it to remove the battery from its compartment in the corner of the Inspiron 1100. In the corner of the empty battery compartment, you should see a small rectangular cover. This cover protects the compartment for the reserve battery that retains the computer's power-on password.Push the tab on the edge of the reserve battery cover, and remove it from the compartment.Disconnect the white plug on the end of the reserve battery cable.Turn the Inspiron 1100 over, open the screen and connect the computer to a power outlet.Turn the Inspiron 1100 on. As the computer starts, it does not prompt for the power-on password. Shut the Inspiron 1100 down after the operating system loads fully.Reconnect the reserve battery, and return the battery to its compartment. Replace the panel in the corner of the compartment for the primary battery.Replace the primary battery.

How to Remove an Inspiron 8500 Password

Turn the Inspiron 1100 off and position the computer in front of you with the screen closed, all cables removed and the bottom of the compu...