Scratch and Dent

Grumpy_chap

I am looking at a new laptop to replace a netbook so it does not need to be the best and most powerful machine ever.  I would like a bigger screen than the netbook (11") but my wife's 15" laptop is more bulky than I like.

Dell seem to have a good deal on the Inspiron 14"
 - Processor = Intel® Core™ 7 150U (10 cores, up to 5.4 GHz)
 - RAM = 16 GB: 2 x 8 GB, DDR5, 5200 MT/s
 - Hard Drive = 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
 - Display Resolution = FHD+ 1920x1200, 60Hz
 - Price £500

There is also the same machine on Dell Outlet described as "scratch and dent" for £50 less.

Does anyone know what the descriptor "scratch and dent" really means?  I assume that is likely to mean some minor imperfection that I'd be hardly likely to notice on the basis that Dell won't be selling "as new" but really obviously second hand units.

For an in between price, £485, there is "certified refurbished" available but for only £15 less than the fully new version, I might as well have fully new.

I have looked at the information "?" but the pop-up is not a great deal of use.

As a note, this will be my portable device to take to construction sites and supplement my desktop which is used the majority of the time.

HillStreetBlues

S&D should be things the don't affect performance, with a laptop would be the casing or maybe very light marks to the screen that shouldn't be noticed when screen is on

Jon_01

I've had a few S&D over the years, apart from one, which had a very light scratch on the underside. They all looked like new.

Grumpy_chap

I ordered the S&D one.
I think it was a good price for the spec at £454.08.  Considerably cheaper than I could find at Curry's, John Lewis etc.
Says it will arrive by the end of the month.

Grumpy_chap

My laptop arrived today.  It has the very minutest blemish on the case top cover.  In fact I had to search to spot it.

BFBW

Grumpy_chap said:

I am looking at a new laptop to replace a netbook so it does not need to be the best and most powerful machine ever.  I would like a bigger screen than the netbook (11") but my wife's 15" laptop is more bulky than I like.

Dell seem to have a good deal on the Inspiron 14"
 - Processor = Intel® Core™ 7 150U (10 cores, up to 5.4 GHz)
 - RAM = 16 GB: 2 x 8 GB, DDR5, 5200 MT/s
 - Hard Drive = 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
 - Display Resolution = FHD+ 1920x1200, 60Hz
 - Price £500

There is also the same machine on Dell Outlet described as "scratch and dent" for £50 less.

Does anyone know what the descriptor "scratch and dent" really means?  I assume that is likely to mean some minor imperfection that I'd be hardly likely to notice on the basis that Dell won't be selling "as new" but really obviously second hand units.

For an in between price, £485, there is "certified refurbished" available but for only £15 less than the fully new version, I might as well have fully new.

I have looked at the information "?" but the pop-up is not a great deal of use.

As a note, this will be my portable device to take to construction sites and supplement my desktop which is used the majority of the time.

Certified Refurbished for that device was £448.80 yesterday. 

Outlet Price£510.00

£425.00 excluding VAT @20%

Standard ShippingFREE

Extra 12% off: DOSHM12 (expired 24/03/25)

INCLUDED1 Year Onsite Hardware Service

Pre Built Specs

• Dell Outlet Inspiron 14 - 5440 Laptop
  Processor
  Intel Core 7 150U (10 Core, Up to 5.40GHz, 12MB Cache, 15W)
  Memory
  16GB (2X8GB) Up to 5600MT/s DDR5 SoDIMM Non-ECC
  Hard Disk Drive
  512GB PCIe M.2 NVMe QLC Gen 4 Class 25 Solid State Drive
  Windows 11 Home
  14 inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) 16:10 Wide View Angle Anti-Glare 250-nits ComfortView Non-Touch Display
• FHD RGB Camera and Microphone
  Intel Integrated Graphics
  Realtek RTL8852BE Wi-Fi 6 2x2 802.11ax and Bluetooth
  Ice Blue - LCD Metal Back Cover (Non-Touch Screen)
  4-Cell, 54 WHr Lithium Ion Battery
  No Optical Drive

Not that it makes much of a difference, since it was just a matter of a tiny blemish.

LightFlare

Scratch wouldnt bother me as much as dent would 

mksysb

The Inspiron is a nice machine and would be great value for money if the build quality wasn't so poor.  Be careful when you open and close the lid, preferably do it from the middle of the screen as otherwise the hinges will pop out.  Dell won't cover this under warranty as they will claim it was rough handling.

DullGreyGuy

mksysb said:

The Inspiron is a nice machine and would be great value for money if the build quality wasn't so poor.  

It's their basic consumer range, they're built to a price and intended to spend most the life at home with modest use. You can switch to their mid or high range business laptops if you want something more durable and intended to spend a fair amount of its life on the road but you'll pay a reasonable increase in price for the improved durability with the same performance. 

Grumpy_chap

BFBW said:

Certified Refurbished for that device was £448.80 yesterday. 

.

Yeah, I saw that, but it is moot as I had already purchased based on the prices just over a week back.

BFBW

Grumpy_chap said:

BFBW said:

Certified Refurbished for that device was £448.80 yesterday. 

.

Yeah, I saw that, but it is moot as I had already purchased based on the prices just over a week back.

I think the coupon was valid then too.
Either way, as long as you are happy.
I think the Inspiron Plus is better, though a bit more expensive. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/306161495565