Dell Inspiron 8500

The other compromise you make is size and weight, and you need a substantial chassis to accommodate a 2.4GHz Pentium 4-M and 15.4in screen. Weighing in at 3.5kg, you certainly won't forget that you're carrying the Inspiron 8500 around, and it's a hefty beast too.

If you want a lighter package, the £1,299 NEC Versa S900 (see p62) offers faster performance and longer battery life. However, there are still relatively few widescreen PC laptops around, and this is a more powerful one. The cheaper Hi-Grade Notino W6700 (see issue 102, p64), for example, doesn't offer anywhere near the same high resolution and is slower.

While the Inspiron 8500 isn't madly expensive, you have to account for the minimal one-year, collect-and-return warranty and mandatory £49 delivery charge. It all adds up to £1,549 (E-Value code 200-i75REV) but, to be fair, the Inspiron still delivers the performance and connectivity you'd expect for this price. Add in the fantastic widescreen display and this is an ideal desktop replacement, but it's ultimately let down by uninspiring build quality.

Author: Ross Burridge