Dell Inspiron 1501 specification is wrong

Question

On the manual it says it can support upto 2GB of RAM max. However this is not the case, it can take 4GB of RAM (haven't tried more) If possible could you update the manual and add Windows 7 drivers? If not, who do I contact so this can be done. Major mistake on your behalf.

Philip_Yip · Accepted Answer

Yes the system will work with 4 GB of RAM but at the time of release 4 GB of RAM cost more than the entire laptop so Dell did not test it. Also it was only ever sold with a 32 bit OS despite being 64 bit capable. Dell did not want users to spend a fortune to install 4 GB of RAM and complain that could only use 3.5 GB of it for instance.

In actual fact it will work with 8 GB of RAM according to Wikipedia but the cost of 8 GB of RAM (2× 4 GB) in my opinion is not worth it for this model http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_Inspiron#Inspiron_1501

The part number for 4 GB is here: http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT2KIT25664AC667

The part number for the 8 GB kit is here: http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT2KIT51264AC667

You would be better to spend the money on a Solid State Drive where you will see noticeable performance increase.

The part number for the m4 128 GB Solid State Drive is here: http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=80559D53A5CA7304

The part number for the m4 256 GB Solid State Drive is here: http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=77B99826A5CA7304

Dell will not release Windows 7 64 bit or 32 bit drivers for this model although the following unofficial drivers should work fine:

Windows 7 64 bit:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/w/laptop/4263.inspiron-1501-windows-7-64-bit.aspx

Windows 7 32 bit:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/w/laptop/4262.inspiron-1501-windows-7-32-bit.aspx

Some are Vista and some are 7 drivers, Vista drivers usually work with 7 of the same bit. If you want to install Windows 7 64 bit you should use these drivers and refer to Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows 7:

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/

Note installation of Windows 7 and upgrading your RAM beyond the maximum stated is at your own discretion and Dell technical support will not support Windows 7 on this model although it works better than Vista.

However before upgrading parts, work out the cost of the parts you want to buy... The price of the Solid State Drive, the Operating System and the Memory can get quite high. It may be worth saving this money towards a newer system.

DELL-Sujatha K · Answer

Hi mboora,

The maximum memory the system support is 2GB DDR2-533MHz memory. Dell has tested this system only with 2GB of memory. You may try to add more memory; it may or may not work to its fullest.

Dell has not tested Windows 7 Operating system on this model. Hence there are no drivers available. You may try installing Windows 7 Operating system and install the Windows Vista drivers available in the support website in compatibility mode and check

mboora · Answer

Hi well could Dell test it with Windows 7? Or who else should I contact to add Windows 7 drivers?

DELL-Sujatha K · Answer

Hi mboora, I apologize for the inconvenience. Windows 7 drivers will not be released for this model.

mboora · Answer

Why?

DELL-Sujatha K · Answer

Hi mboora, Dell does not test new software on older systems as they will be tested on new models. Sometimes even the hardware may not compatible with the newer version of software.

KevinAu · Answer

try windows 8 upgrade, run very well with 64bits

KevinAu · Answer

is a 7200rpm hard disk still a good choice about the heat dissipated?: I found my 5400 one goes up 60c but it is supposed dying after 5 years. thanks

Philip_Yip · Answer

The 7200 RPM drive is faster than the 5400 RPM drive and likely has increased mechanical movement so will probably be hotter.

KevinAu · Answer

It looks the hottest part in 1501 is the hard disk. How about any video card or cpu? Will they be hot enough to make the hot weather inside the laptop?

KevinAu · Answer

Hi, Anyone running SSD and how hot it typically in laptop? Thanks

mboora · Answer

Any ideas on this? en.community.dell.com/.../19494523.aspx

mboora · Answer

WOW. What a great post so helpful I don't know what to say... Erm thank you?

Philip_Yip · Answer

I put an Intel 4965 in one for a friend when the model was new. It was an improvement over the Dell Wireless Card. There were spaces for 3 antennas but I only had 2 cables. It worked fine though. You should be able to get the card for fairly cheap on eBay.

http://www.intel.com/products/wireless/wireless_n/overview.htm

There will be newer ones on Intel's website however you will need to make sure that they are " PCIe* Mini Card network adapter card" and not half height.

NickLo · Answer

Hi, How high the link speed and transfer rate(in task manager) in Mb/s you can reach for your case, say 802.11n?

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