It's been a difficult time for computer maker Dell, with a recall of four million laptop batteries doing nothing to help its brand.
The dodgy batteries were provided by Sony, but the backlash is hitting Dell as annoyed customers seek to trade their potentially explosive battery for new ones.
But
when it comes to cheap, reliable computing, Dell is still the market leader. With laptops like the Inspiron 6400, Dell offers some solid mid-grade computer functionality at a price families can afford.
The 6400 is a good example. It's based on Intel's Core-Duo 1.66GHz processor so has enough power to handle all your regular computing activities. The entry-level specifications are reasonable. You get a 60GB hard drive and 512MB of memory, with the base system running Windows XP Home. That will suit the requirements of many users, but I'd recommend an upgrade to 1GB of memory and an 80GB hard drive.
Dell's model of assembling your own deal on the internet accommodates these variations.
As a multimedia device, the Inspiron is highly capable. It has a range of multimedia buttons along its front that control the music and video functions and, like most dual-core machines, the Inspiron will play DVDs and access music and photos without you having to boot up Windows first.
Watching DVDs on the 6400's 39cm screen is a pleasure. It has an impressive 1680 x 1050 resolution which gives your desktop and applications a nice crisp look.
The base 6400 model does not, however, have a dedicated graphics card, instead employing an integrated graphics accelerator from Intel.
Gamers, therefore, will be disappointed with the 6400's graphics performance on even moderately sophisticated games.
An upgrade to the 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon graphics card is on offer and is recommended for those using graphic-intensive programs.
An upgrade of the standard DVD ROM drive to one that's capable of burning DVDs is also a good idea.
Style-wise, the Inspiron doesn't do much for me with its slightly dated silver colour scheme and white trim. I like my laptops in Thinkpad black or charcoal grey. It also weighs a hefty 2.85kg so isn't suitable for travellers.
Battery life is good, topping out at 2 hours on continuous DVD use. Connection options cover all the bases - built-in wi-fi and Bluetooth, a 5-in-1 flash-card reader, four USB ports, S-video and Firewire.
What you can always be assured of with Dell is some extras to be thrown in when you place your order online.
The PC maker operates a direct-selling model so depends on customers coming to it through phone sales and the internet.
Deal sweeteners in the past few weeks have included an upgrade to 1GB of memory and an 80GB hard drive. The current deal offers a free wireless router and an upgrade to the 80GB hard drive. Keep an eye on the website for the deal of the moment.
One caveat with the Inspiron also applies to the Hewlett-Packard Compaq V3000, which I reviewed in last week's Connect.
Both laptops are equipped with the new ExpressCard slots, which are smaller than the current PC card bays for adding wireless data cards and TV tuner cards, but offer much faster transfer speeds.
It's great that these mid-range laptops are future-proofed with the addition of ExpressCard.
The problem is, they don't support the still popular PC Card standard. It means that if you've invested in a Telecom 3G or Vodafone Mobile Connect data card or a Woosh wireless broadband card, they won't work with the Inspiron 6400 or Compaq V3000.
Vodafone and Telecom plan to release ExpressCard versions of their mobile data cards, but even in the US, the cards have been slow to arrive. Some local retailers are selling USB to PC Card adapters but they cost around $400, an outrageous sum.
The Expresscard.org website doesn't inspire confidence with its list of compliant ExpressCard devices.
Only two TV tuner cards are listed and two wireless data cards. If you depend on your mobile data card for internet access or have PC card peripherals you use often, carefully consider your laptop upgrade options.
Dell Inspiron 6400
Pros: Good value for money, multimedia features.
Cons: Heavy, not suited to gaming, no support for PC card peripherals.
Price: From $1549
Herald Rating: 7/10.
Inspiron solid performer at family-friendly price
Dell Inspiron 6400
It's been a difficult time for computer maker Dell, with a recall of four million laptop batteries doing nothing to help its brand.
The dodgy batteries were provided by Sony, but the backlash is hitting Dell as annoyed customers seek to trade their potentially explosive battery for new ones.
But
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