Dell Inspiron E1720 Desktop Replacement

The Bottom Line

Dell really brings some life into their desktop replacement notebook with the new Inspiron E1720 design. Users have th choice between eight different colors for the external case and can even purchase color coordinated peripherals. Underneath the colorful exterior, the E1720 offers a solid selection of components based on its Centrino Duo design that give it good performance.

Pros

• Eight Different Color Case Designs to Choose From
• Decent Dedicated Direct X 10 Graphics Processor
• Optional Mobile Cellular Broadband via AT&T, Sprint or Verizon

Cons

• Sound Blaster Audigy Software Upgrade Not Worth Cost
• Glossy Screen Options Great For Video But Poor For Daylight Usage
• Could Benefit From Faster Memory To Match CPU

Description

• Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 Dual Core Mobile Processor
• 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
• 160GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
• 8x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
• 17" WXGA+ (1440x900) Widescreen LCD with 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
• NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600M GT Graphics with 256MB
• v.92 56Kbps Modem, 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless and Bluetooth 2.0
• Five USB 2.0, One FireWire, ExpressCard/54 Slot and 8-in-1 Media Reader
• 15.5" x 11.5" x 1.7" @ 7.6 lbs.
• Vista Home Premium, McAfee Security Center and MS Works 8

Guide Review - Dell Inspiron E1720 Desktop Replacement

Dell's Inspiron E1720 is the first desktop replacement notebook from the company to be based on the new Intel Centrino Duo chipset. This means that users have a choice of one of the four new T7000 series Core 2 Duo processors with the 800MHz bus speed. The problem is that Dell chose to use more prevalent PC2-5300 DDR2 that runs at 667MHz bus speeds instead of PC2-6400 memory. Hopefully Dell will correct this in future versions.

Storage is quite good for the Dell Inspiron E1720 notebook. The base configuration is a single 160GB 5400rpm hard drive that provides a good amount of space. Users can upgrade this to a larger 250GB hard drive. Of course, if this still isn't enough space, the chassis has space for a second drive to be installed with a maximum space size of 500GB. A DVD burner comes standard, but for those want high definition video support, a BluRay drive with DVD burner support is also offered.

For those wanting to use the BluRay drive in the system, you will be required to get the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor to support the high resolution display. Of course, the 8600M GT is also a decent 3D graphics processor with Direct X 10 support. The BluRay option also really requires the upgraded 1920x1200 display with glossy coating. The standard configuration comes with a 1440x900 display but an optional glossy coated display with the same resolution is also possible. The glossy coatings improve color and clarity for video, but decrease the system usability in sunlight.

Connectivity is great with the draft-802.11n wireless and Bluetooth 2.0 support. For those needing even more coverage, Dell offers optional integrated cellular modems for AT&T, Spring or Verizon data services.