According to Nelson Guirado, the newest Dell laptops are the “cheapest-feeling laptops [his] hands have ever hovered over.”

“I don’t know about you, but I consider my notebook computers (less so, my desktops) a core possession like a watch or a car. Just like I’d spend a little more on those items, I’d gladly shell out a few extra bucks to type on a computer that gives me that little rush of pleasure when I open it up. The Dell 1520 elicits “ughs.” The main problem is the low-quality-feeling plastic used all over (no contrasting textures); it just doesn’t feel like superior material.

Although the laptop is quite heavy at 6 1/2 pounds, and it seems strong under the aforementioned plastic, the hinges still creak and the gaps aren’t uniform. The multimedia buttons on the front panel are much worse than the previous generation Inspiron, E1505. Instead of the round, protruding, and easy to find round ones on the E1505, the 1520 has toy-like, recessed buttons on the front that are harder to find and whose click quality varies from button to button.”

Read the rest of the review here