Price: $1,909.00
Showing posts with label Dell Laptops. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dell Laptops. Show all posts
Monday, January 25, 2010
Dell Latitude E4200
Description
Dell's upcoming 12.1-inch E4200 starts at 2.2lbs. It packs an LED backlit display; Centrino 2 chipset; Firewire, eSATA, 2x audio, ExpressCard 34, and at least 2x USB ports; integrated UMA graphics; DDR3 800MHz with Intel Turbo Memory 2.0; DisplayPort; and a host of security features to keep corporate IT types happy.
Quick Specs
Latitude E4200 Laptop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 128GB/3GB)
Dell Studio XPS 13
$2,123.00
Description
Blending power with elegance, the Studio XPS 13 is designed to deliver the ultimate mobile laptop experience. The XPS 13 features premium design with genuine leather accents, anodized aluminum, edge-to-edge display and backlit keyboard, the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors for blazing fast performance, optional NVIDIA Hybrid SLI graphics to deliver incredibly lifelike videos, movies and gaming. Click here to see coupon codes for the Studio XPS 13Quick Specs
Studio XPS 13 Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 2.53GHz, DDR3 SDRAM 4MB, 256GB)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Dell Studio XPS 13
$2,298.00
Description
Blending power with elegance, the Studio XPS 13 is designed to deliver the ultimate mobile laptop experience. The XPS 13 features premium design with genuine leather accents, anodized aluminum, edge-to-edge display and backlit keyboard, the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors for blazing fast performance, optional NVIDIA Hybrid SLI graphics to deliver incredibly lifelike videos, movies and gamingQuick Specs
Studio XPS 13 Laptop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo P8800 256GB/6GB)
Dell Latitude E4300
Dell Latitude E4300
dClick here to buy the Dell Latitude E4300 direct from Dell.com
Description
Dell's upcoming 13.3-inch E3200 starts at 3.1lbs. It packs an LED backlit display; Centrino 2 chipset; Firewire, eSATA, 2x audio, ExpressCard 34, and at least 2x USB ports; integrated UMA graphics; DDR3 800MHz with Intel Turbo Memory 2.0; DisplayPort; and a host of security features to keep corporate IT types happy. The E4300 has a WXGA+ resolution, modular optical bay, peppier CPU options, and a choice of beefier hard disk drives instead of the 32GB or 64GB SSD restriction of the E4200.Quick Specs
Latitude E4300 Laptop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo SP9400 128GB/4GB)
Dell Latitude XT2
Detailed Specs
Dell Latitude XT2
$2,509.00 Dell Small Business Systems
| General | |
| 2000 | |
| 12.1 | |
| 3 | |
| Processor | |
| Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile | |
| 1.2 GHz | |
| 3 MB | |
| 800 MHz | |
| Memory | |
| 2 GB | |
| 5 GB | |
| DDR3 | |
| System | |
| Tablet | |
| Keyboard|Pen (Stylus)|Touchpad | |
| Audio - Line In (1/8" Mini)|Audio - Line Out (1/8" Mini)|Ethernet - RJ45|FireWire 400/IEEE 1394 - 4 pin|Serial ATA - 7 pin|USB - Universal Serial Bus 2.0|VGA | |
| Express Card 34|Express Card 54|SD Card | |
| Display | |
| 12.1 in | |
| 16:10 | |
| LCD Display w/ Glossy Screen & LED Backlight | |
| 1280 x 800 | |
| Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 MHD | |
| Storage | |
| CD-RW/DVD-ROM | |
| 128 GB | |
| 1 | |
| Features | |
| Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps)|Wireless Ethernet - IEEE802.11b|Wireless Ethernet - IEEE802.11g | |
| Software | |
| Microsoft Windows Vista Business | |
| Dimensions | |
| 1.1 in | |
| 11.7 in | |
| 8.7 in | |
| 3.78 lbs | |
| Warranty | |
| 3 Year Limited Warranty | |
| More Info | |
| URL | |
| Quick Glance | |
| 12.1 | |
| 2000 | |
| Tablet | |
| Microsoft Windows Vista Business | |
| Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile | |
| 16:10 | |
| Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps)|Wireless Ethernet - IEEE802.11b|Wireless Ethernet - IEEE802.11g | |
| LCD Display w/ Glossy Screen & LED Backlight | |
| Audio - Line In (1/8" Mini)|Audio - Line Out (1/8" Mini)|Ethernet - RJ45|FireWire 400/IEEE 1394 - 4 pin|Serial ATA - 7 pin|USB - Universal Serial Bus 2.0|VGA | |
| CD-RW/DVD-ROM | |
| Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 MHD | |
| 1200 | |
| 60.48 | |
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Dell Latitude E4300
Dell Latitude E4300
The Dell Latitude E4300 is Dell's most powerful ultraportable machine released to date. This 13.3" notebook is powered by low voltage Intel Core 2 Duo processors and boasts an incredible battery life with no compromises in performance.
Dell Latitude E4300 Specifications:
Intel Core 2 Duo SP9600 (2.53GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP2, with downgrade rights for Windows XP SP3 and upgrade rights to Windows 7 Professional
13.3" LED WXGA LCD Screen (1280x800)
1GB DDR3 1066MHz RAM (upgraded to 4GB)
80GB 7200RPM Western Digital 2.5" Hard Drive
Intel X4500MHD video card
Internal Fixed DVD+/-RW Optical Drive
Intel WiFi Link 5300 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Intel Gigabit Ethernet, WWAN Capable
Backlit Keyboard
6-Cell 60WHr Battery, with 6-Cell 48WHr Battery Slice
3-Year Warranty with On-Site Technical Support
Dell E-Port Docking Station, with Dell Flat Panel Monitor Stand
Dimensions: 12.2" x 8.6" x 1.1"
Measured Weight: ~ 3.7lbs
The Latitude E4300 starts at $1,349, which is fairly average for an ultraportable business machine. However, we all know that the extra options and features always cost more - this notebook as configured will set you back by a staggering $2,054 before taxes.
Dell Studio XPS 16
Dell Studio XPS 16
The Dell Studio XPS 16 is designed for those who want power, cutting-edge features, and style. If you're someone who likes to make a statement with your notebook, the metal and leather looks of the Studio XPS 16 will help you in that area too. Sleek design combined with a 1080p display and powerful components come together to make for an awesome notebook. But is the Studio XPS 16 compelling enough to make shoppers spend some extra cash during tough economic times? Let's take a closer look and find out.
Specifications
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.4GHz)
Memory: 4GB - 2DIMM DDR3
HDD: 320GB 7200rpm
Graphics: ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3670 (512MB)
Display: 16.0" 1080p Full HD RGBLED LCD with 2.0 MP Webcam
Optical Drive: 4X Blu-ray Disc Combo Drive (DVD/CD +/- RW +BD Read)
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64 bit)
Software: 15-month Trend Micro security subscription, Microsoft Works 9
Wireless: Intel Wireless 5100
Mediabay: 8-in-1 Media Card Reader
Battery: 6-cell and 9-cell batteries
Other: Facial Recognition Security; Dell Dock; Dell Video Chat; 2GB Data Safe Online
Dimensions: 0.95"-1.34" x 15.15" x 10.02" with 6-cell battery (H x W x D)
Weight: 6.53 lbs with 6-cell battery
Price as configured: $1,804 (Starting price: $1,199)
Memory: 4GB - 2DIMM DDR3
HDD: 320GB 7200rpm
Graphics: ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3670 (512MB)
Display: 16.0" 1080p Full HD RGBLED LCD with 2.0 MP Webcam
Optical Drive: 4X Blu-ray Disc Combo Drive (DVD/CD +/- RW +BD Read)
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64 bit)
Software: 15-month Trend Micro security subscription, Microsoft Works 9
Wireless: Intel Wireless 5100
Mediabay: 8-in-1 Media Card Reader
Battery: 6-cell and 9-cell batteries
Other: Facial Recognition Security; Dell Dock; Dell Video Chat; 2GB Data Safe Online
Dimensions: 0.95"-1.34" x 15.15" x 10.02" with 6-cell battery (H x W x D)
Weight: 6.53 lbs with 6-cell battery
Price as configured: $1,804 (Starting price: $1,199)
Dell Vostro 1520
Dell Vostro 1520
AT&T has announced the Dell Vostro 1520, a new laptop offering embedded 3G data connectivity marketed to small businesses.
Users should appreciate the extended 8-hour battery life that the Vostro promises. The computer includes a fingerprint reader and encrypted hard drives to make sure that its data is safe. The Vostro 1520 also comes with an embedded video camera and pre-installed software to host video chat conferences.
The laptop is powered by a 2.66GHz Intel core 2 Duo CPU, up to 8GB of DDR2 SDRAM, a Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator, a 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9300M graphics chip, and more. It is customizable through Dell, as are several other Dell laptops that include 3G data connectivity provided by AT&T.
The Vostro follows several other AT&T netbook offerings, like the mobile computers it announced in July: the Acer Aspire One, the Dell Inspiron Mini 10, and the Lenovo S10, as we reported.
The Dell Vostro 1520 is available now through AT&T's small business channels and can be purchased for $633 with a two-year customer agreement with AT&T's DataConnect 5GB service plan.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Most Popular Tablet PCs
Welcome to the July 2009 Most Popular Tablet PCs list. This report is made using the total page-views each product page receives in one month; so each time someone clicks one of the product links, they are submitting a vote in our monthly rankings. This list doesn’t always show which models are the best selling, but instead the models that readers want to research the most.
The HP Pavilion tx2500z still holds the #1 spot with no indication of slowing down. This month we also saw a lot of activity with some tablets shuffling around, like the HP Pavilion tx2000 and Fujitsu LifeBook T5010 swapping the #4 and #5 positions. A new comer to the list is the Fujitsu LifeBook P1620, which squeezed into the #10 position.
TabletKiosk Launches 3 Atom-Based Tablets
TabletKiosk Launches 3 Atom-Based Tablets
BY: Kevin O'Brien, TabletPCReview.com EditorPUBLISHED: 9/23/2009
TabletKiosk launches three new Intel Atom-based Tablet PC models. The new Tablets include the 7-inch eo a7330D, 7-inch eo TufTab a7230XD, and 12.1-inch Sahara NetSlate a230T. The 7-inch models take advantage of the Intel Atom Z530P, while the larger a230T gets the N270. All models will include options for Windows XP, Vista, and upgrades to Windows 7.
Sahara NetSlate a230T Features:
* 1.6GHz Intel® AtomTM N270 Processor
* 1GB RAM (upgradable to 2.0 GB) and a
* 120GB HDD standard (64GB or larger SSD drive optional)
* WEPOS, Windows® XP or Windows Vista® (with FREE upgrade to Windows® 7)
* Built-in Dual-Band Wi-Fi® 802.11 a/b/g/n (Draft 2.0 certified), Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR and optional 3G/3.5G WWAN
* Built on the same 12.1-inch form factor, the a230T is compatible with all accessories for the Sahara Slate PC® i400 series Tablet PCs.
* Single-Chip Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for added data security
Friday, October 30, 2009
Dell Laptops - Studio 14z
Studio 14z
The computer market realizes that their biggest investors are students who need them for their daily chores; hence the Dell Studio has come up with a student friendly netbook that gives a lot of facilities on a budget pricing. This student friendly netbook series is Brand (Dell Studio) Model: Studio 14z.
The best thing about Studio 14z is its designs. These Dell Studio models come in attractive designs and color combinations to suit the tastes of the trendy college goers. Hence, these models are available in such colors as pink, green, blue, plum, ruby red and black. Thus, a person can choose any of the Dell model according to his or her personality.
Another attractive thing about Dell is its ultra light weight. This Studio 14z model weighs just 4.3 pounds. Hence, it can easily be transported anywhere with you. Therefore, they are the best netbooks for daily coming and going to the college. The Brand Dell Studio realizes the need for social networking for the young people. Hence, it is incorporated with a lot of features to make it a truly social zone. It gives easy networking facility to go online and connect instantly. Hence, a person can come in contact with his or her friends whenever the need arises.
Young people love to hear different kinds of music. In this respect Dell has inscribed its netbook with great audio system and one can hear truly amazing music through it. Hence, if you are a student and want a netbook to help you in your studies as well as to stay connected with your friends then the Dell Studio Model Studio 14z is just the laptop for you.
Specifications
Processor Intel Core2 DuoMemory Up to 5GB 1067MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium x64 Edition
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit Edition
Display 14.0" High Definition (720p) LED Display with TrueLife
System Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
Hard Disk Drive Up to 500GB 7200RPM hard drive
Optical Drive Optional external Slot-load DVD+/-RW or Blu-ray DiscTM Combo (Read BD, Burn CD/DVD) Drive
Web Cam 1.3 MP
Wi-Fi Dell 1397 Wireless G Mini-Card
Bluetooth
Dimensions 3.23" x 0.79/1.22" x 9.02"
Weight 4.3 lbs
I/O Ports (2) USB 2.0 compliant ports
Display Port
HDMI Port
Audio jacks
Optional 8-in-1 Media Card Reade
Battery 6 cell 56 WHr Li-Ion Battery
Dell Laptops - Studio 17
If you have been a great admirer of products launched by Dell, here is yet another laptop product to keep your faith alive. Dell Studio 17 is the widescreen computer notebook having all good ingredients installed in it to form a strong customer base in the market. The array of features includes the presence of Intel 1.86 GHz processor and 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM. Apart from these, there are other outstanding features finding place in this wonderful device.
The 250 GB storage capacity needs a special mention, apart from the support offered by optical storage in the form of CD and DVD burner. The glossy and widescreen 17 inch display, which offers screen resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels, is another advantageous feature of this Dell laptop device. Another exciting feature included in the design is that of Bluetooth, to offer connectivity to different external devices.
The manufacturer has installed Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition operating system to keep the working of this laptop smooth. You may also count Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 support for graphic enhancement as a great feature for this device.
There are many other useful components contained in this device to provide convenience to the users. For instance, fingerprint reader and Express Card slot are amongst most valuable components. Also, there is provision for 5 USB ports and HDMI port in this wonderful product.
Dell Studio 17 also boasts of providing an integrated web cam and numeric pad keyboard. With such variety of features, one may consider it as a significant product for making investment.
Specifications
Processor Up to Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.5GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
Memory Up to 4GB Dual Channel 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate
Display High resolution, glossy widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440x900)
High resolution, glossy widescreen 17.0 inch display (1920x1200)
System Graphics Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Discrete Graphic Card: 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
Hard Disk Drive Up to 320GB configured with a single 5400 RPM SATA hard drive
Up to 640GB configured with a dual 5400 RPM SATA hard drives
Optical Drive 8X Slot Load CD/DVD Writer (DVD+/-RW)
6X Slot Load Blu-ray/CD/DVD Combo Drive
Web Cam Built-in 2MP webcam
Wi-Fi Dell Wireless 1397 802.11b/g Half Mini Card
Dell Wireless 1510 802.11n Half Mini-Card
Bluetooth Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Internal (2.0) mini-card
Dimensions 15.46 x 11.36 x 1.18 - 1.69 inches
Weight Starting weight of 7.87 lbs (3.57 kg)
Color Options
Power 90 watt power supply
6-cell 56WHr Li-Ion Battery
9-cell 85WHr Li-Ion Battery
I/O Ports 4 USB 2.0 compliant 4-pin ports
HDMI connector
15-pin VGA video connector
Integrated network connector 10/100/1000 LAN (RJ45)
AC adapter connector
Audio jacks (1 line-in, 1-line out, 1 Mic-in)
4-pin IEEE 1394 port
4 mm ExpressCard slot
Consumer IR
Dell Laptops - Studio 15
Dell Studio 15 Laptop
Dell has further enhanced its capability in offering most competent computer products by launching Dell Studio 15 notebook in the second quarter of this year. This thin stylish notebook is a magnificent experience for all types of users, who consider style accompanied by substance. This laptop targets game lovers by providing an array of aspects like high definition graphics and audio-video controls.
The laptop is shelled into most admirable physical configuration, as it is packed in the dimensions of 14 x 10.16 x 1.48 inch, which renders a compact shape and size to this device. Also, it weighs only 4-6 lbs and thus, is capable of being carried by you to different places. The 15.4 inch TFT active matrix display is also included in the design to offer most appreciable views to the users.
The graphical capacity of this device is enhanced by the provision of Mobility ATI Radeon HD 3450 graphic cards. The 250 GB hard disk drive is another exciting feature of this Dell laptop, which again proves the essence of this laptop. Apart from this, the laptop also features optical storage drive in the form of DVD burner. The operating system support is offered by Microsoft Windows Vista Premium Edition to make this device a spectacular device for users belonging to different classes.
The availability of Intel Core 2 Duo Processor is another remarkable feature of this laptop device. Thus, this Studio 15 laptop is one of the best purchases you can make to add new dimensions to your computer device usage.
Dell has further enhanced its capability in offering most competent computer products by launching Dell Studio 15 notebook in the second quarter of this year. This thin stylish notebook is a magnificent experience for all types of users, who consider style accompanied by substance. This laptop targets game lovers by providing an array of aspects like high definition graphics and audio-video controls.
The laptop is shelled into most admirable physical configuration, as it is packed in the dimensions of 14 x 10.16 x 1.48 inch, which renders a compact shape and size to this device. Also, it weighs only 4-6 lbs and thus, is capable of being carried by you to different places. The 15.4 inch TFT active matrix display is also included in the design to offer most appreciable views to the users.
The graphical capacity of this device is enhanced by the provision of Mobility ATI Radeon HD 3450 graphic cards. The 250 GB hard disk drive is another exciting feature of this Dell laptop, which again proves the essence of this laptop. Apart from this, the laptop also features optical storage drive in the form of DVD burner. The operating system support is offered by Microsoft Windows Vista Premium Edition to make this device a spectacular device for users belonging to different classes.
The availability of Intel Core 2 Duo Processor is another remarkable feature of this laptop device. Thus, this Studio 15 laptop is one of the best purchases you can make to add new dimensions to your computer device usage.
SpecificationsProcessor Up to Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.5GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
Memory Up to 4GB Dual Channel 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate
Display Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
High resolution, glossy LED widescreen 15.4 inch display (1440x900)
High resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1920x1200)
System Graphics Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Discrete Graphic Card: 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450
Hard Disk Drive Up to 320GB configured with a 5400 RPM SATA hard drive
Optical Drive 8X Slot Load CD/DVD Writer (DVD+/-RW)
6X Slot Load Blu-ray/CD/DVD Combo Drive
Web Cam Built-in 2MP webcam
Wi-Fi Dell Wireless 1397 802.11b/g Half Mini Card
Dell Wireless 1510 802.11n Half Mini-Card
Bluetooth Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Internal (2.0) mini-card
Dimensions 14.0 x 10.3 x 1.0 - 1.3 inches
Weight Starting weight of 6.11 lbs (2.77 kg)
Color Options
Power 6-cell 56WHr Li-Ion Battery
9-cell 85WHr Li-Ion Battery
I/O Ports 4 USB 2.0 compliant 4-pin ports
HDMI connector
15-pin VGA video connector
Integrated network connector 10/100/1000 LAN (RJ45)
AC adapter connector
Audio jacks (1 line-in, 1-line out, 1 Mic-in)
4-pin IEEE 1394 port
4 mm ExpressCard slot
Consumer IR
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Dell Inspiron 11z
The Inspiron 11z is a new netbook from Dell, hoping to change the way we think of the ultra-portable segment. Instead of using the long-favored Intel Atom processor, Dell decided to use the new ultra-low voltage Celeron 723 and the GS45 chipset. On paper the processor has more grunt, and when paired with X4500 integrated graphics, it has a huge advantage over Atom machines. In this review we take an in-depth look at the new 11z, to see if it is the netbook we have all been waiting for.
BUY the Dell Inspiron 11z Laptop Computer (Intel Celeron Empty_option_attribute_value_description 250GB/2GB)
- Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1, 32-bit)
- Intel Celeron 723 (1.2GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB Cache)
- Intel GS45 + ISH9M chipset
- 11.6" WXGA LED-backlit display at 1366x768
- Intel X4500 Integrated Graphics
- Dell 1397 ABG Wireless
- 2GB DDR2-800 SDRAM (1 Slot)
- 250GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
- 65W (19.5V x 3.34A) 100-240V AC Adapter
- 3-cell 28Wh 11.1v 2420mAh
Lithium Ion battery - Dimensions (WxDxH): 11.5" x 8.43" x 0.92-1.02"
- Weight: 3.05lbs
- 1-year limited warranty
- Price when purchased: $399 (Currently $449)
The Dell Inspiron 11z has a very simple design, with a plain black glossy screen cover, matte black chassis, and a silver painted palmrest. When closed the shell is nearly flat, with few items sticking out the bottom cover, making it easy to slide into a slipcase or backpack. Inside the 11z has no superfluous features, just the touchpad, keyboard, power button, and power indicator. There are no media buttons outside of function keys on the keyboard, and there aren't even activity lights or touchpad buttons. Dell really tried to take out unneeded or cluttering features to make this netbook as clean and easy to use as possible.
Build quality is average, with a few minor annoyances we noticed out of the box. With most computers you don't see chassis flaws right out of the box. What you do notice are cosmetic flaws, which even if they are minor are still depressing to see on a brand new machine. Our 11z came with a battery preinstalled that looked like it had been tumbled around in a box with other batteries up until the assembly stage. It was scuffed and marred all over, which was easily noticed since it has a fine matte finish. The rubber bumpers on the screen were also incorrectly installed. They are square pieces of rubber designed to fit in square holes, but installed crooked like diamonds. In the entire scheme of things these are minor problems that don't affect the durability of the notebook, but needless to say don't instill confidence in the end-user.
The chassis felt durable with strong internal support under most structures. The palmrest and keyboard showed very few signs of flex under strong pressure, which is a must for a good typing experience. Outside of the marred battery, the screen cover and chassis resisted scratching and other wear. The screen hinges felt durable, and kept the screen securely shut even when held in a vertical position.
Internally the design of the 11z is very friendly for users wanting to upgrade or replace components. At first you might notice there is no bottom access to components, with a solid panel covering the bottom. Instead Dell put all user-accessible components underneath the keyboard, which can be removed by three screws. With the keyboard off you have access to an open WWAN slot, the system memory, hard drive, and heatsink assembly. The WWAN slot was functional, recognizing the Verizon card borrowed from my D630; but it lacked antennas to allow the card to send and receive data.
 |  |
The 11.6" screen on the 11z was an excellent change from the common 1024x600 netbook screen. With a resolution of 1366x768 you have as much screen space as full-size notebooks, meaning that menus and other items that need more vertical space are no longer a problem. The panel looks great, with good color reproduction and very even lighting thanks to the LED-backlighting. Contrast was average, and varied depending on the vertical viewing angle. The viewing sweet spot didn't allow for an entirely black screen to be viewed, instead you either had some shift at the top or some at the bottom. Brighter colors didn't have this problem, and looked fantastic in everything from viewing images to just browsing the web.
 |  |
 |  |
The speakers sounded slightly better than average when compared to other netbooks. Instead of no bass and midrange, you could hear a hint of lower tones that might be completely passed over on smaller netbooks. Peak volume was fine for watching a movie or listening to music. For a larger room or to enjoy movies to their fullest potential, HDMI out is the best option. It can pass both video and digital audio to your home theater system, which even the worst stereo will sound better than most notebooks.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard on the 11z is basically full-size and very comfortable to type on. The layout is easy to follow, taking no time at all to transition to and start typing at full speed. The key design is flat, similar to Chiclet style keyboards, but without an inner bezel dividing the keys. Individual key action is smooth, giving off a soft click when pressed. One odd feature Dell has been transitioning to on newer models is the reversed function key layout. If you want to adjust brightness, you press the correct button and the brightness changes. To hit F5 to refresh a page, you now need to hit FN+F5. Thankfully this feature can be disabled for more advanced users.
The touchpad on the 11z is the first one that I absolutely can't stand to use. Some notebooks have laggy touchpads which might be annoying, but they are still usable. This is not the case with the all-in-one touchpad on the 11z. Dell decided to copy Apple by going with integral buttons under the touchpad surface, but didn't design the hardware or driver support correctly. On a MacBook if you have a finger resting on the touchpad surface to trigger the button while selecting text or moving around objects, it can tell the difference. It knows that finger shouldn't be recognized as a variable in the multi-touch movements or standard movements; the Elan touchpad can't.
If you hold one finger on the touchpad over the left or right button and try to move around the screen a few things might happen. Either the cursor will pop into a corner, usually the start menu corner without warning, or sometimes the top right. Another problem is unwanted zooming, which now controls the size of icons on the desktop, viewing size of documents, and even the size of webpages. We experienced everything except the zooming of documents roughly 10 minutes after turning the 11z on for the first time. The last problem which isn't as important, but still annoying, is the speed of the X and Y axis input. Moving your finger side to side makes the cursor move more than if you travel the same distance up and down. A simple test is drawing a circle on the screen with your finger, where the 11z makes wide ovals instead.
For the majority of the reviewing process we had to resort to using an external mouse exclusively. While the average user could easily do this, it takes away from the portability of a netbook and really shouldn't be required.
Ports and Features
Port selection is average for most netbooks, with the exception of HDMI in place of an older VGA port. Dell included three USB ports, audio jacks, an SDHC-card slot, and LAN connector. Users might also notice that Dell went with a full-size power connection on the 11z, the same shared with every other Dell notebook. The power adapter is another change over most netbooks, as Dell included a 65w thin power brick with this model. On one hand it is nice to get a high quality power adapter that will probably hold up better over time than most netbooks' adapters, but on the flip side it is pretty big.
Front: Power/Sleep indicator
Rear: Battery
Left: LAN, HDMI, one USB
Right: SDHC-slot, Audio jacks, two USB, AC Power, Kensington lock slot
Dell Inspiron 14z (Cherry Red) Specifications:
* Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo CULV SU7300 (1.3GHz, 800MHz, 3MB)
* OS: Windows 7 Premium (64-bit)
* Memory: 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
* Storage: 250GB 5400rpm HDD
* Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD
* Display: 14.0” HD (1366x768) WLED Display and webcam
* Optical Drive: 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD/-RW/R) with Dual-Layer
* Wireless: Intel Wireless 5100n
* Battery: 6-cell Lithium Ion battery (48.8 WHr)
* Dimensions: 1.0"-1.5" x 13.3" x 9.4" (H x W x D)
* Weight: 4 lbs, 9.9 oz
* Retail Price as configured: $839
Build and Design
The design of the Inspiron 14z looks virtually identical to the Inspiron 14. The chief differences here are that the Inspiron 14z uses an Intel CULV processor, 6-cell battery and WLED display ... all of which are intended to extend battery life. At first glance, the Inspiron 14z looks like an average budget notebook with a 14-inch display. The plastic construction, average screen resolution, and lack of a backlit keyboard certainly don't give this laptop the same premium look and feel as the Dell Studio 14z.
The Inspiron 14z feels pretty durable despite the fact that the notebook chassis is constructed from relatively thin plastics. The only areas that suffered from flex were just above the keyboard next to the battery and the back of the display lid. If you press on the lid with your fingers you will create screen distortions, and you'll hear some minor plastic creaking if you press down next to the battery. There is some minimal flex on the top of the right palmrest next to the optical drive, but you have to press pretty hard to make that happen.
When closed the Inspiron 14z looks thin compared to budget laptops from several years ago, but the weight of the 6-cell battery makes this system a bit too heavy to quality for the "thin and light" category today. The "Cherry Red" screen lid gives the Inspiron a nice candy-covered look, but Dell charges a $40 premium for the privilege of selecting red instead of black. Usually I don't complain about that type of surcharge from the Dell Design Studio which offers your choice of more than 100 different designs by various artisits, but charging $40 to stick a chuck of red plastic on a notebook is a little excessive
The bottom of the notebook features the battery and access plates for the hard drive and RAM. There isn't much to talk about here other than to briefly mention the location of the two speakers on the bottom of the front edge (more on that later).
Screen and Speakers
The 14-inch high-definition (1366 x 768) panel on the Dell Inspiron 14z isn't quite as nice as the vibrant 1600 x 900 screen used on our review unit of the Studio 14z. The colors on this screen are generally good but contrast wasn't as impressive. The WLED backlighting in our review unit is pretty even and offers a range of brightness settings. Yes, it is a 16:9 screen ratio, but that's the new standard ... we all have to live with it. Horizontal viewing angles are extremely good, so you won't have any trouble sharing a movie with the person sitting next to you on a plane. Vertical viewing angles are average or below average with colors quickly washing out when viewed from above and colors begining to distort and invert as you move the screen back.
 |  |
 |  |
Bottom line, the speakers aren't horrible ... but the location isn't helping matters. You'll probably want to use a good set of headphones with this notebook, and the headphone jack produces clear, distortion-free sound.
Keyboard and Touch-pad
The keyboard on our review unit has full-sized keys with acceptable key spacing and an excellent depth to the key throw. Each key has a textured black finish and a relatively flat surface. The keyboard is extremely firm so you won't have to worry about keyboard flex while typing. There is a hint of flex in the keys on the right side of the keyboard directly above the optical drive, but you have to press down very hard to create flex in this area. My only minor aggravation is that the keyboard isn't available with optional backlighting ... making it harder to type in a dark classroom or dorm room.
The multi-touch, gesture-based touchpad is pretty average for a 14-inch notebook and the dual touchpad buttons have deep feedback with quiet clicks. The touchpad itself is an Synaptics model that uses Dell proprietary touchpad drivers, though I found the standard Synaptics drivers work as well. The touchpad was reasonably responsive with good sensitivity and very little lag. Touchpad accuracy was a bit off at times, but that may be correctable by tweaking the drivers.
Ports and Features
The port selection on the Inspiron 14z is retty average for a budget 14-inch notebook with one or two exceptions. Dell included three USB ports, VGA and HDMI video out ports, Ethernet, and a multi-format memory card reader. Unlike the Studio 14z, which sacrifices an optical drive for the sake of portability, the Inspiron 14z includes a standard 8x CD/DVD burner with dual-layer support. The Inspiron 14z lacks an ExpressCard slot, FireWire, and eSATA, so if those ports are important to you then you'll need to look elsewhere.
Front: Microphone and headphone jacks
Rear: Screen hinges and battery
Left: Kensington Lock slot, heat vent, VGA, HDMI, Ethernet, USB, and memory card reader
Right: Two USB ports, optical drive, and power jack
Performance
The performance of the Inspiron 14z with an Intel Core 2 Duo CULV SU7300 processor and Intel X4500HD integrated graphics is good enough for typical daily activities (browsing the web, typing documents in Microsoft Office, or making simple edits to your digital photos or videos) but this laptop certainly won't win any awards for performance.
As previously mentioned, the Inspiron 14z gets its "z" designation from the use of the Intel CULV processors ... in this case, the 1.3GHz SU7300. This gives the Inspiron 14z the advantage of better battery life at the expense of overall performance. In fact, the Inspiron 14z falls somewhere between a budget netbook with an Intel Atom processor and a typical full-featured notebook using a standard Intel Core 2 Duo processor. In other words, the Inspiron 14z has enough power to serve your basic needs as a family PC, but don't expect to play the newest 3D games or run the latest photo and video editing applications at extremely fast speeds. The only thing that might seem a little odd about this level of performance is the price.
In fact, the $799 starting price for the Inspiron 14z exceeds the $699 starting price of the Studio 14z. Considering that the Studio 14z provides superior performance it's hard to justify the price tag of this Inspiron. You can buy a netbook that has better battery life for less money! True, the Inspiron 14z offers better performance than your average netbook, but it's downright odd that Dell is trying to sell this for more than the cost of a superior laptop.
wPrime processor comparison results (lower scores mean better performance):
PCMark05 measures overall system performance (higher scores mean better performance):
3DMark06 measures video and gaming performance (higher scores mean better performance):
All of the 3DMark06 scores for all of the systems listed above were run at 1280 x 800 resolution (for 16:10 ratio screens) or 1280 x 768 resolution (for 16:9 ratio screens).
HDTune storage drive performance results:
Battery
The 6-cell 48.8 WHr battery does a pretty good job overall. With the screen brightness set to 70%, wireless active, and the Windows 7 power profile set to "Balanced" the Inspiron 14z stayed on for 5 hours and 54 minutes. For use in the classroom or on your lap in front of the TV this amount of battery life was fine, but it isn't quite as impressive as we expected based on Dell's marketing of "66% better battery life." That said, it's worth mentioning that the default "balanced" power profile under Windows 7 will automatically dim the screen after a short period of inactivity ... which will extend the battery life even more compared to keeping the screen set to 70% brightness.
Heat and Noise
The cooling system does a reasonably impressive job keeping the external temperatures down. After extended periods of use the keyboard and touchpad areas get warm, but temperatures remain well below 100 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. The temperature readings below were taken after stressing the system with performance benchmarks and web browsing for 60 minutes.
 |  |
Noise levels are fairly quiet when running on battery as the fan produces a constant weak "hum" as hot air is pushed out. The fan gets louder when the laptop is stressed running benchmarks and plugged into the AC adapter, but the fan should only be noticeable by others in a very, VERY quiet room.
BUY the Dell Inspiron 14z (Intel Pentium Dual Core SU4100 160GB/2GB)
see all pricing for the Dell Inspiron 14z (Intel Pentium Dual Core SU4100 160GB/2GB)
Conclusion The fact that the Inspiron 14z includes an optical drive while many CULV-equipped laptops do not provides some justification for buying this notebook. However, if performance is more important to you than battery life then the Inspiron 14z probably shouldn't be at the top of your shopping list. Still, if you want a notebook with more power than a netbook and better battery life than the average notebook then the Inspiron 14z is worth a look. Pros: Cons:
The Dell Inspiron 14z is a basic 14-inch notebook that delivers good battery life at the expense of performace. If your child or your family is looking for a convenient laptop for general use then the Inspiron 14z can handle daily tasks with ease. That said, the overall price/performance ratio is a little hard to justify when the Dell Studio 14z offers better performance at a lower price.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
