Laptops > Dell Laptops > below $800

Advantages: Widescreen and great warranty!
Disadvantages: A little bulky to carry and Vistas software causes freezeups

The Dell 1501 is a good starter laptop. It comes with wi-fi which activates once the computer is started. It picks up wireless networks instantly. I love the fact that the screen large and in charge, great for viewing movies. The bad is the Vistas software which will have it moments when it freezes the computer. Not good especially when you are in the middle of something important. You will definitely want to to buy the Microsoft office software ...
...a free trial but will find that you need the whole sha banga bang. Volume differs so buy a set of ear phones for improved sound. When watching movies the sound is just not good enough, good external speakers are also recommended. Dell's warranty is great because I cracked my monitor and they fixed it no cost to me. And they can be expensive. ... Read review

Advantages: Easy to type on, nice glossy screen, choice of colors, lightweight
Disadvantages: Horrid speakers, sound card, dell wireless card

...purchased not 1 but 2 Dell Inspiron 1525 laptops. The price was right! My daughter got the bright green case and I got the blossom. Thier nice looking laptops, good size 15" screens, true color glossy. The keyboards seem to be much easier to type on then my old 9300 Dell laptop. Speed is good, and applications load quickly on boot up. Although this laptop is a great deal for the price, there are some downsides to it. 1. The speakers are horrid unless ...
...to a better sound card. Dell boo boo on that one. The 1525 has Dell brand built in wireless, with xtra built in antennas for better connections. Ummmmm...Dell has some work to do on their wireless cards. My old 9300 has Intel wireless built in and I can pick up free wifi just about everywhere I go. Using the 1525 in the same places, I am unable to connect to the same wifi I get with my 9300. I should have upgraded to Intel wireless (kicked myself ... Read review

Advantages: Little size, high performance
Disadvantages: No optical drive

I need a small, portable and high performance laptop that I could carry around with me without feeling like I was toting around a small baby. My job is book editor, and I got so tired of jotting notes down on whatever scrap of paper was around.... And I am overjoyed that I found this little gadget. The size is that I need, as I can just toss it into my purse and go! No hassle. As most reviewers and user have said, the key pad is tine...but I ...
...it got.....I still make mistakes but I do that anyway! I feel comfort with the keyboard that match with my little finger. The are I'm in does not have a solid wireless access point for internet.....but it does indeed work. Again, I had it in my purse when I went shopping and it connected like a breeze! I am thoroughly enjoying my thought out purchase! I love this product! ... Read review

Advantages: Stylish, fast, portable, light
Disadvantages: Gets dirty easily, could use a longer battery life

I've had my MacBook since December of 2006 and it's still works great. It's a lot faster than my HP PC desktop at work (which stresses me out it's so slow sometimes) and it just looks and feels cooler. I also love its ability to look up any wireless signal and connect, without having to go into any control panels or setup wizards. Graphics are great - really easy to watch DVDs, videos, etc. I also love the programs it came with like Garage Band and ...
...of dirty easily. iChat is also really cool because MacBook comes with a built-in web cam that allows you to see your friends while you're chatting... Overall, I love it and couldn't live without it! Oh and it was super cheap (like $900) because I was a student when I bought it and Mac gives a $100 discounts (or something like that) for students. ... Read review

Advantages: Lightweight, fast
Disadvantages: too many programs and gadgets installed

I purchased this Dell Inspiron 1521 for my daughter to go to college in Oct of 2007. As soon as I received it, the DVD drive did not work at all. I spent almost 2 hours with tech assistance trying to fix the problem. I had to send it back, and send my daughter off to college without it. When I got it back, it worked fine until April of 2008. Then it started having pixlelated screen, no audio, blue screens, text would jump behind to the beginning ... Read review