As other opinions state, the Dell Inspiron 7000 is a great computer. Although carrying it around can sometimes feel like participating in a "World's Strongest Man (or Woman)" heat, the screen size, looks and general features make it all worth the effort. The only niggling problems I've found are:

1. Dell has problems with the Inspiron 7000 series supporting Microsoft Intellimouse hardware;

2. Just don't drop/stand/abuse it; the screen won't take it.

Although the first problem can be amended (kind of) by taking a look at the Dell web site (www.dell.com), the second can't be fixed by anything other than a fat wallet. Recently I obviously had some bad karma returned back to me when a fellow commuter managed to stumble, almost right himself, then sprawl full length into my laptop bag. Although it was one of those occasions when you grit your teeth and think "Oh man, I hope the laptop's okay" (it really was a bad fall), you can't exactly take it out, boot it and up and check it when someone's lying on the floor trying to swallow half their teeth, can you?
Anyway, I later found out that the screen was cracked. And this was after being contained in a massive air-padded laptop bag from manufacturer Targus (supposedly some of the best protection money can buy, short of pouring concrete around it).

So apart from that hiccup, if you're considering buying one, go for it. It's got exemplary build quality (no squeaks from this laptop when you lift or twist it), an amazing screen, great features (I like the fact that the CD-ROM and floppy drive are at the front and right above each-other), excellent keyboard (I do alot of writing and have large fingers - I have no problems like hitting three keys at once on the Inspiron 7000) and looks good, to boot. If you've got a bit of cash to spare, don't think twice. Oh and if you see any stumbling commuters, lift your laptop bag up and let him or her use someone else's pride and joy for target practise.





Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): approx. $3,600
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium II
Processor speed: 301-400
Screen Size: 15"
RAM: 128
Internal Storage: CD-ROM
Hard Drive (GB): 4-6