Customer Reviews

Dell Inspiron 9400/E1705 Laptop w/Vista Home Premium, 17" Widescreen UltraSharp Display, Intel Core 2 Duo 2.16 GHs, 2GB RAM, CD/DVD Burner, Radeon 128MB Video Card(Display Model)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this computer new (with the Nvidia card included) several years ago for just over $2000. This is a good computer, yes. But it's hardly worth $1999 these days.

I have this laptop, and it came with the nVidia video card, which has been replaced twice now. nVidia is being sued as part of a class-action lawsuit for these defective video cards. Dell has been non-responsive to me and will only offer to send me the exact, refurbed video card (and pay for it!). Knowing the card WILL fail again, why would I want this? Also, the laptop is NOT upgradeable, so now I have a very expensive, silver-colored brick. Thanks a lot Dell.

When I had this computer, I loved it. There's one fatal flaw: the unit equipped with the high-end video adapters tend to burn up. The video goes bad, and Dell knows this, since they're replacing the ones under warranty with different models. The units with the standard motherboard video don't have this problem.

Was surprised this had so many USB ports (6) to plug all my goodies into. I also like the DVD burner although it burns slow at 8X depending on what brand of blank DVD's I use but I don't care. What I do like about this is the fact I can convert a DVD file to a burnable file with a software program I have AVS4U in about 1/5th the time my Gateway PC converts it. I can also download more dvd files at the same time AND surf the net. Before with my PC I could only do two things vs 3 things at once. If you are looking for one of these used I would highly suggest you buy a cooling mat or cooling table to go along with it as the bottom of this unit heats up. So far mine has been kept cool with a good cooling table with no shut downs due to overheating problem. I think that most of the other reviewers had overheating problems due to the non use of cooling mats. I also noted that the bottom of the screen where it says DELL tends to get warm but I have a USB powered fan aimed directly at that area and that keeps it cool.

When I got this (used) off a competitor's site I inadvertently had to reformat the entire machine as I loaded an old version of GoBack which this machine did not like. I did find that I had to order a basic drivers disc in order to get onto the net and download the specific drivers for my machine. No big deal. What I did like about the fact that this is a Dell, that the Windows O/S didn't bug me to enter a code to make the program work. Didn't know that about Dell. Great feature.

I do like the fact that this puppy has stood up to all the abuse I have given it over a 2 month period and still keeps on ticking like a good Timex. I am actually looking for another one to give to my son as he complains that the 2002 Gateway PC that cost me $2K in 2002 is now SLOW. Wonder why? And at the time that was the most souped up Gateway I could buy.

And I used to think that laptops were "toys"....boy, was I ever wrong about that!!! Now, I'm as happy as a clam on my laptop.

Compared to the other models out there I like the 6 USB ports and the dvd burner and other ports already there. I use the memory stick port for my digital camera to download pictures and video. Easy. I use a 5 button corded mouse as I don't like the touchpad thingy. The keyboard is quick and responsive.

Most everything I plug into the USB ports are almost instantly recognized by this laptop. Good feature.
The only thing I don't like about this is the warm area of the DELL under the screen.

The look of this laptop may not be the sexiest but the feel is the best. Fast, Durable, and Reliable - you will love this laptop like it was one of your own. You'll treat it better than your diamond jewelry. The only minus is it's not for gamers - unless you upgrade to a NVidia 7900 graphics card.

BUT it is the BEST for Office/Business use. Awesome picture and WIFI/Web surfing experience. It jumps from page to page before you can finish the mouse click.

A 1TB HDD is also recommended (only $100 these days)