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Dell Inspiron 1525 (Core Duo T7100 Processor 1.8GHz, 2GB RAM)

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Performance And Battery Life

With 2GB of RAM and a 2.0GHz T7250 CPU, the Dell Inspiron 1525 offered no surprises on the performance front. Dell's upscale XPS version--the XPS M1530--was faster, sporting a better processor and video card (the 1525 is stuck with basic Intel integrated graphics), but similarly configured versions of both systems will offer nearly identical performance, with the XPS premium going for better design and construction.

Multimedia Multitasking test (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)

Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo 13.3inch - 2.2GHz

545

Dell XPS M1530

949

Dell Inspiron 1525

1,069

Adobe Photoshop CS3 image-processing test (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)

Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo 13.3inch - 2.2GHz

144

Dell Inspiron 1525

247

Dell XPS M1530

273

Apple iTunes encoding test (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)

Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo 13.3inch - 2.2GHz

184

Dell XPS M1530

186

Dell Inspiron 1525

207

The Inspiron 1525 ran for 2 hours 41 minutes on our DVD battery drain test, using the included six-cell battery, a decent score for a budget 15-inch laptop. A nine-cell battery is also available, but it's large enough to stick out conspicuously from the back of the system. Our DVD battery drain test is especially grueling, so you can expect longer life from casual Web surfing and office use.

DVD battery drain test (in minutes)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Dell Inspiron 1525

161

Dell XPS M1530

202

Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo 13.3inch - 2.2GHz

270

System configurations:

Dell Inspiron 1525
Windows Vista Home Premium Edition; 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7250; 2,048MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 128MB Mobile Intel 965GM Express; 120GB Saegate Momentus 5,400rpm

Dell XPS M1530
Windows Vista Home Premium Edition; 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7700; 2048MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 256MB Nvidia Geforce 8600M GT; 160GB Hitachi 5,400rpm

Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo - 2.2GHz / 13.3 inch
OS X 10.5.1 Leopard; Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz; 2,048GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 144MB Intel GMA X3100; 160GB Fujitsu 5,400rpm

Service And Support

Dell offers a one-year next business day onsite warranty which covers parts and labor. The company's support Web site contains a knowledge database for basic troubleshooting and downloading of updated drivers. Optional warranty options include extended three-year warranty, HelpDesk, onsite service during nights and weekends, and Plus Phone support can be purchased together with the system. Plus Phone support extends the technical phone support to include Saturdays. HelpDesk coverage provides a 24-hour phone support to an expert who can help with any problems related to Dell hardware and peripherals and even some third-party software from major vendors like Microsoft Office. The full package, which includes all warranty options, will cost S$299.60 (US$200.50).

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