Dell Inspiron M501R-1748MRB

Dell Inspiron M501R-1748MRB

Budget laptops are almost always about sacrifice, be it in the form of low-end components, skimpy features, or both. The Dell Inspiron M501R-1748MRB ($649.99 at Best Buy) definitely falls into the former category; its AMD processor will save you money at the register but you'll pay for it in terms of performance. On the plus side it's equipped with a Blu-ray drive, a rarity in this price range, and it has a bright 720p display and a sizeable hard drive. The M501R-1748MRB is identical to the Intel-based Inspiron 15R-2728MRB ($749.99 list, 3.5 stars). They both have the same 15-inch chassis and sport the same shiny Mars Black lid with a chrome Dell logo in the center. And, they both use a hinge-forward mechanism to attach the lid to the base, giving the laptop a solid feel and a streamlined look. As with its Intel-based twin, the M501R-1748MRB weighs 5.7 pounds, which is fairly average for laptop with a 15.6-inch screen. The keyboard deck has a faux brushed metal finish that compliments the black, full size keyboard. Number crunchers will appreciate the dedicated number pad on the right, although it's a bit cramped. The keyboard has a traditional layout rather than the chiclet-style one, as seen on the HP Pavilion dv6-6013cl ($649.99 list, 4.5 stars), and is easy to type on.