Dell inspiron i15RV-954BLK Laptop Intel Pentium 2127U (1.90 GHz) 4 GB Memory 500 GB HDD Intel HD Graphics 15.6" Windows 8.1 Black Matte with Textured Finish [Discontinued By Manufacturer]

I did a lot of research before I settled on this laptop. I really don't require a lot out of my mobile computing. I mainly need it as a step up from my tablet that is more mobile than my desktop.My primary concerns were word processing, accessing websites, and viewing videos. I didn't have a lot of money to spend and didn't need a 'pocket rocket'. This model seemed to be the best bang for its buck in that price range. It has a nice keyboard with included number keypad, which I needed. The screen suffers from wash-out quite a bit when at anything but a near-perfect angle. Depending on the angle of the lid, the top of the screen will often be noticeably lighter or darker than the alternate. If I am trying to view something dark the details can get lost on the screen. Turning up the brightness just washes the whole picture out.This is definitely not a high-end laptop, with metal casing and rock-solid construction. If you will put your laptop through some rough use I would suggest going with something more sturdy. For me, I just need it as a literal lap-top or set on a table, and when it's not in use I put it in the carrying case I purchased. I would NEVER let it be used by children as it is far too easily breakable. For my purposes, though, this is fine. I don't need something rugged, high-end, or with crazy processing power. I definitely fell on the inexpensive range on preferences, and I am entirely satisfied with my purchase.Depending on your brightness the battery can drain rather quickly, so I am sure to always bring the charging adapter with me. The sound from the speakers definitely suffers from small speaker syndrome, sounding tinny and echoed. It's crystal clear when listened to on headphones, however.Overall, I'd say this is the best laptop out there right now for this price range. If you're looking for an inexpensive, 'just get the job done' type laptop that won't see much hard use then it is your match. If you're wanting something with higher processing power and more durability you'd be better saving up some additional money and looking in a higher price bracket.

"Fair is fair", so the saying goes I did get an awful lot of questions answered by reading other's reviews. I figure I better take a few minutes and write up my impression of this purchase. I'm a previous business user of computers using MS software using the XP OS so I wanted faster, faster, fast, and of course, cheaper, cheaper, cheap. The two don't always go together, in fact rarely do. I wanted to spend more to get the touchscreen and there are times when I wish I had but after you get used to just the touch pad and QWERTY keyboard Win 8.1 can be navigated. I was told that a single core processor with 2M cache would be plenty fast enough. Well, I'm glad to say that it is!!! So for the price ($350.00 ish) I'd say I'm a satisfied customer. My model does not have a back-lit keyboard and sometimes I have difficulty seeing the keys so that might have been worth paying extra for. But, if I just turn on an overhead light it's fine. Screen Resolution is not rated the highest HD but I wouldn't know it if it wasn't written as lower in the specs. You will have to get your own MS Office suite you desire, that's extra, but Amazon had a good price on that as well. I do hope MS is paying attention to poor reviews Win 8 is receiving in general; I'm sure they are and I stay updated on that subject. So, if you are looking for quality at this price point, this is a good little laptop. Buy it and patiently get used to it. That's the price you have to pay for not spending $1,000.00 more.

I have had this laptop for about 2 1/2 weeks and so far I love it. I spent several weeks/months? looking for a new laptop that I could afford. My main 'wants' were a 500 GB HD, optic drive, and a bunch of USB ports. Got the 500 GB, the optic drive, & 2-USB 2.0 & 2-USB 3.0 ports. My old laptop is also a Dell and I have had very little trouble with it so I did look mainly at the Dell machines. I will say that Windows 8.1 is NOT horrible. I got the Windows 8.1 for Dummies and the book has answered a lot of questions I had as I am learning to use the program. I also have a smart phone and the experience with that has helped me understand how 8.1 works. I also want to thank the folks who have asked and answered the couple of hundred questions about this laptop. jaguarxt & others has posted a lot of good information & I have printed it out and am using it. I dislike touchpads so I am using a mouse, & as a former 'bean counter' I am thrilled to have a 10-key number pad on my laptop. I am not a computer expert so I will not offer any comments about the technical stuff, but for this 72 year old Grandma this laptop is doing fine for my facebook, email, genealogy stuff and the occasional word processing and financial documents. I also have downloaded Libre Office and am happy with it.

I've had this computer for a year. Aside from the obnoxious Windows 7 operating system, it is great! So much faster and lighter than my last great laptop which was a 2007 Dell Inspiron. I chose this model, because it is affordable and does NOT have a touch screen: dirty fingers all over a screen = disgusting!/bad for viewing/banging on screen=bad for life of screen. Plus, WHY? do you need a touch screen?! Isn't the touch screen on your cell phone bad enough?I pretty much only use my new Inspiron for word processing, everything internet, photo sharing, listening to music, etc. Sometimes I have to Google search on my phone how to turn off sticky keys, what keys to press to get my keyboard to work like a keyboard again - how to turn off odd features that Windows 7 has - which I must have accidentally turned on by hitting the wrong keys. Windows 7 is Not at all user friendly - it makes a 30 year old who has been using computers since age 5 feel really old - like I need to start taking computer classes. Overall though, I have adapted and this is a great ugly black laptop for the price!