Released in late 2006, the Dell Inspiron 1501 is among Dell’s mainstream models. It belongs to such category mainly because of its consumer friendly price. Although it has been roughly four years, this model is still popular since the computer parts and specifications are on the higher end.

The Processor Breakthrough

The Dell Inspiron 1501 is Dell’s very first model to use only AMD as its processor. All its predecessors used Intel, therefore putting the 1501 on breakthrough. This model can run using AMD Turion, AMD Athlon 64 X2, or AMD Sempron processor. These processor options have shifted people’s attention from solely Intel computers to AMD.

Parts and Features

Dell Inspiron 1501 has 15.4 inches widescreen size, which belongs to the mid-size category. Its widescreen feature enables users to set the screen resolution up to 1280 × 800. Its memory starts from 512 megabytes and can be expanded up to 2 gigabytes DDR2. The hard disk space is 60 gigabytes and can also be expanded to 320 gigabytes. The graphics processor and chipset is an Integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 1150. With these computer parts and specifications, the 1501 can be used for gaming, but only limited to games in 2006 which require fewer specifications. Nonetheless, with a graphics processor such as the Radeon Xpress, and the widescreen feature, the 1501 is suitable to run heavy and demanding graphics.

Other features include DVD-reader and CD writer, 802.11 mini card for Wi-Fi, 6 cell battery (can be expanded up to 12 cell), and input/output devices such as 4 USB ports, 1 56k modem, 1 fast Ethernet port, 3 in 1 memory card reader, express card slot, and the usual VGA output, headphone jack, microphone jack and power adapter port.

The Appearance

The Dell Inspiron 1501 looks sleek in silver, white and black color, enabling it to veer away from the plain looking laptops. The corners are curved which adds to its study appearance. The screen latch and the back of the screen are plastic but are still sturdy and light. Plus, plastic does not conduct heat brought by the power.

The Price

The starting price of the 1501 is $549, which is pretty low for its features. This affordable model enabled many users to purchase it. It is among Dell’s low priced units which opened doors to the more consumer friendly market.

Overall, since innovation in laptop models are rapid, and the Dell Inspiron 1501 may sound obsolete, its computer parts, features and specifications say the otherwise. With its low price and good specifications it was among the most popular models of its time. Its ability for hardware expansion implies its versatility to every user’s demands.