Dell Inspiron i14RN Laptop with Intel Core i5 $499 at Staples
Dell Vostro 3450 Review
The Dell Vostro 3450 is a 14” screen laptop sold via Dell Business. The Vostro 3450 can be purchased in the $500 range and easily fits a small business budget. The 3450 is equipped with the latest Intel Core i5 technology and includes enticing new features such as the latest USB 3.0 port, HD web cam and a backlit keyboard. Because of these features the Vostro 3450 is a laptop that stands out in its price range. Same size and budget laptops that compete with the Vostro 3450 include theLenovo ThinkPad Edge E420 and HP ProBook 4430s. The specs for the Vostro 3450 being reviewed are below:
Screen: 14.0 inch LED Display (1366 x 768), matte finish
Processor: Intel Core i5-2410M processor 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz Vostro
Memory: 4GB (1-DIMM, 1333MHZ, DDR3)
Graphics: Intel HD 3000
Storage: 320GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
Input: Backlit Keyboard with Gesture Touchpad, Finger print reader
OS: Microsoft Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 bit Service Pack 1
Battery: 6-cell Lithium Ion
Optical Drive: 8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+/-R write capability
Color: Aberdeen Silver
Weight: 5.0 lbs
Dimensions: 13.5” x 9.68” x 1.20 – 1.31” (Width x Depth x Thickness)
Ports: Ethernet RJ-45, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 1 USB 2.0 port, 1 USB 2.0/eSATA combo port, Microphone jack, Headphone jack, 34mm ExpressCard slot, HDMI port, VGA Monitor port, 8-in-1 Media card reader
Warranty: 2-year Basic Support: Next Business Day Parts and Labor Onsite Response 1 Year Extended
This Dell Vostro 3450 configuration was purchased for $539 during a great sale on a “Quick Ship” model. It was such a good price and so many people went for it that it caused Dell to run out of inventory and it ended up taking 5-days to receive instead of the promised next day shipping that you’re supposed to get. It wasn’t a big deal for me as I knew the deal was good and Dell updated me each day with an email on the status and there was an option to cancel, no questions asked and no charges incurred. Frankly I was pretty impressed by the way Dell handled the delay, their automated email communication is far superior to the experience I’ve had with other laptop vendors.
Dell XPS 14 Review
Dell is up there as one of the top personal home computers sold in America. This was not always the case, as they beganas company producing desktops for corporations. In 1993, they introduced a line of high end consumer computers named XPS for Xtreme Performance System. It was seen as a very high performing machine that set a new standard in personal computing. The next milestone for XPS came in 2005 when revamped its lineup introducing gaming focused computers that competed directly with extreme high end systems such as Alienware and Falcon Northwest. The other companies typically offered more customization in areas such as lights, fans, and paint jobs. On the otherhand, the Dell XPS line was noticeably less expensive than the rest of the field due to Dell’s superiority in mass producing and shipping. After acquiring Alienware, Dell decided to scale back the XPS line so to not have two direct competing lines of computers. The time of “The XPS” was over. Just like how Porsche stopped making the Cayenne with a V8 and switched to a less powerful V6 in 2006, the XPS stopped being produced with the top of the line specs. Gone are the days of the red pain jobs, liquid cooling, and LED lighting.
Specs
14 inch
NVIDIA GT 420m-higher middle end games
DVD burner
Intel i5 M 460 2.53 GHz
4 GB RAM
Bluetooth
500 GB harddrive
Starting tomorrow (January 8, 2012) Staples will have the Dell Inspiron i14RN-1818DBK laptop for $499 with the following impressive specs:
Processor: Intel Core i5-2430M (2.4GHz, 3MB Cache) processor
Screen: 14.0″ High Definition (720p) WLED Display with TrueLife
OS: Genuine Windows 7 ® Home Premium (64-bit)
Memory: 6GB installed memory
Storage: 640GB hard drive
Optical Drive: 8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Wireless: Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030 with Bluetooth
Ports: (2) USB 3.0, (1) USB 2.0, (1) USB 2.0 with E-SATA & Power Share, HDMI v1.4 Port, VGA Port, Integrated network connector 10/100, LAN (RJ45), AC adapter connector, Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 Mic-in), Media Card Reader
Web Camera: Integrated 1.0MP HD (1280 x 720) webcam
Battery: 6-Cell Lithium Ion Battery (48 WHr)
Dimensions 13.5″W x 1.29″H x 9.68″D (4.89lbs)
Warranty: 1 year warranty
You can see our review of a different configuration of the Dell Inspiron 14R here. Basically, it’s a budget laptop in terms of build but the specs are mid to high end and you’ll have a lot of performance for the dollar with the Intel Core i5-2430m that can overclock to 2.90GHz. The 6GB of RAM is certainly enough for any average work tasks and you’ll have plenty of storage with the 640GB HD.
In terms of ports selection, you get the latest USB 3.0 port for fast data transfer along with an eSATA USB combo port for a second alternative to fast data transfer. You also get an HDMI port that allows you to output video to a large screen TV or monitor. This laptop also comes with Intel WiDi technology so you can wirelessly stream video to a TV.
The Inspiron 14R has a switchable lid design, so if you don’t like the black lid this model comes with you can change the design simply by purchasing a different lid for around $30. The Inspiron 14R with Intel Core i5 starts at $649 on Dell.com, so you’re looking at a savings of over $150 with this particular configuration at Staples.
Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook Specs Revealed at CES 2012
The Dell XPS 13 has surfaced at CES 2012, it took awhile for Dell to get into the Ultrabook game but they have arrived in style with this 13-inch screen laptop entry. The XPS 13 Ultrabook weighs 2.99lbs and is a mere 0.71-inches thick and goes all the way down to 0.24-inches at its thinnest point at the front. The chassis is built of carbon fiber, a super light but extremely durable material. The lid is made of aluminum to protect against pressure placed on the laptop when in the closed position. The palm rests use a soft touch material on the surface to provide more comfort for the wrists. However, while your wrists may be comfortable on the palm rests, the front end sure looks sharp, so you might need to keep wrists away from that razor shaped front!
The full specs for the Dell XPS 13 are below:
Screen: 13-inch, 1366 x 768 resolution with Gorilla Glass scratch resistant layer, 300 nits brightness
Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 (Sandy Bridge initially and a refresh with Ivy Bridge later in 2012)
Graphics: Intel HD3000 / HD4000
Storage: 128GB SSD or 256GB SSD
Memory: 4GB RAM base
Ports: USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Mini Display Port, headphone jack
Webcam: 1.3 megapixels
Thickness: 0.71-inches at the back, 0.24-inches thin at the front
Weight: 2.9lbs
Keyboard: backlit chiclet style
Security: TPM
Battery Life:
Wireless: 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0
The price on the Dell XPS 13 will start at $999 when it becomes available in February 2012. It will be sold through both the Dell Home and Dell Business websites as it is considered a laptop that will appeal to both businesses and consumers. To appeal more to business and IT heads Dell has included enterprise type security feature options such as TPM, custom BIOS, and asset tagging. Still, since this has been branded with XPS the assumption is it’s a more consumer targeted device.
Overall the XPS 13 looks like a strong Ultrabook competitor, however the lack of an SD card reader and HDMI port is going to be a deterrent for some people. The high quality materials used and very compact design, it uses a 12-inch size chassis for a 13-inch screen laptop, is definitely unique and a good thing for those that prefer a smaller footprint for their laptop. We’ll know more about the XPS 13 Ultrabook when reviews start to surface with its release next month.
Starting tomorrow (January 8, 2012) Staples will have the Dell Inspiron i14RN-1818DBK laptop for $499 with the following impressive specs:
Processor: Intel Core i5-2430M (2.4GHz, 3MB Cache) processor
Screen: 14.0″ High Definition (720p) WLED Display with TrueLife
OS: Genuine Windows 7 ® Home Premium (64-bit)
Memory: 6GB installed memory
Storage: 640GB hard drive
Optical Drive: 8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Wireless: Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030 with Bluetooth
Ports: (2) USB 3.0, (1) USB 2.0, (1) USB 2.0 with E-SATA & Power Share, HDMI v1.4 Port, VGA Port, Integrated network connector 10/100, LAN (RJ45), AC adapter connector, Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 Mic-in), Media Card Reader
Web Camera: Integrated 1.0MP HD (1280 x 720) webcam
Battery: 6-Cell Lithium Ion Battery (48 WHr)
Dimensions 13.5″W x 1.29″H x 9.68″D (4.89lbs)
Warranty: 1 year warranty
You can see our review of a different configuration of the Dell Inspiron 14R here. Basically, it’s a budget laptop in terms of build but the specs are mid to high end and you’ll have a lot of performance for the dollar with the Intel Core i5-2430m that can overclock to 2.90GHz. The 6GB of RAM is certainly enough for any average work tasks and you’ll have plenty of storage with the 640GB HD.
In terms of ports selection, you get the latest USB 3.0 port for fast data transfer along with an eSATA USB combo port for a second alternative to fast data transfer. You also get an HDMI port that allows you to output video to a large screen TV or monitor. This laptop also comes with Intel WiDi technology so you can wirelessly stream video to a TV.
The Inspiron 14R has a switchable lid design, so if you don’t like the black lid this model comes with you can change the design simply by purchasing a different lid for around $30. The Inspiron 14R with Intel Core i5 starts at $649 on Dell.com, so you’re looking at a savings of over $150 with this particular configuration at Staples.
Screen: 14.0″ High Definition (720p) WLED Display with TrueLife
OS: Genuine Windows 7 ® Home Premium (64-bit)
Memory: 6GB installed memory
Storage: 640GB hard drive
Optical Drive: 8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Wireless: Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030 with Bluetooth
Ports: (2) USB 3.0, (1) USB 2.0, (1) USB 2.0 with E-SATA & Power Share, HDMI v1.4 Port, VGA Port, Integrated network connector 10/100, LAN (RJ45), AC adapter connector, Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 Mic-in), Media Card Reader
Web Camera: Integrated 1.0MP HD (1280 x 720) webcam
Battery: 6-Cell Lithium Ion Battery (48 WHr)
Dimensions 13.5″W x 1.29″H x 9.68″D (4.89lbs)
Warranty: 1 year warranty
You can see our review of a different configuration of the Dell Inspiron 14R here. Basically, it’s a budget laptop in terms of build but the specs are mid to high end and you’ll have a lot of performance for the dollar with the Intel Core i5-2430m that can overclock to 2.90GHz. The 6GB of RAM is certainly enough for any average work tasks and you’ll have plenty of storage with the 640GB HD.
In terms of ports selection, you get the latest USB 3.0 port for fast data transfer along with an eSATA USB combo port for a second alternative to fast data transfer. You also get an HDMI port that allows you to output video to a large screen TV or monitor. This laptop also comes with Intel WiDi technology so you can wirelessly stream video to a TV.
The Inspiron 14R has a switchable lid design, so if you don’t like the black lid this model comes with you can change the design simply by purchasing a different lid for around $30. The Inspiron 14R with Intel Core i5 starts at $649 on Dell.com, so you’re looking at a savings of over $150 with this particular configuration at Staples.
Screen: 14.0 inch LED Display (1366 x 768), matte finish
Processor: Intel Core i5-2410M processor 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz Vostro
Memory: 4GB (1-DIMM, 1333MHZ, DDR3)
Graphics: Intel HD 3000
Storage: 320GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
Input: Backlit Keyboard with Gesture Touchpad, Finger print reader
OS: Microsoft Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 bit Service Pack 1
Battery: 6-cell Lithium Ion
Optical Drive: 8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+/-R write capability
Color: Aberdeen Silver
Weight: 5.0 lbs
Dimensions: 13.5” x 9.68” x 1.20 – 1.31” (Width x Depth x Thickness)
Ports: Ethernet RJ-45, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 1 USB 2.0 port, 1 USB 2.0/eSATA combo port, Microphone jack, Headphone jack, 34mm ExpressCard slot, HDMI port, VGA Monitor port, 8-in-1 Media card reader
Warranty: 2-year Basic Support: Next Business Day Parts and Labor Onsite Response 1 Year Extended
This Dell Vostro 3450 configuration was purchased for $539 during a great sale on a “Quick Ship” model. It was such a good price and so many people went for it that it caused Dell to run out of inventory and it ended up taking 5-days to receive instead of the promised next day shipping that you’re supposed to get. It wasn’t a big deal for me as I knew the deal was good and Dell updated me each day with an email on the status and there was an option to cancel, no questions asked and no charges incurred. Frankly I was pretty impressed by the way Dell handled the delay, their automated email communication is far superior to the experience I’ve had with other laptop vendors.
Dell is up there as one of the top personal home computers sold in America. This was not always the case, as they beganas company producing desktops for corporations. In 1993, they introduced a line of high end consumer computers named XPS for Xtreme Performance System. It was seen as a very high performing machine that set a new standard in personal computing. The next milestone for XPS came in 2005 when revamped its lineup introducing gaming focused computers that competed directly with extreme high end systems such as Alienware and Falcon Northwest. The other companies typically offered more customization in areas such as lights, fans, and paint jobs. On the otherhand, the Dell XPS line was noticeably less expensive than the rest of the field due to Dell’s superiority in mass producing and shipping. After acquiring Alienware, Dell decided to scale back the XPS line so to not have two direct competing lines of computers. The time of “The XPS” was over. Just like how Porsche stopped making the Cayenne with a V8 and switched to a less powerful V6 in 2006, the XPS stopped being produced with the top of the line specs. Gone are the days of the red pain jobs, liquid cooling, and LED lighting.
Specs
14 inch
NVIDIA GT 420m-higher middle end games
DVD burner
Intel i5 M 460 2.53 GHz
4 GB RAM
Bluetooth
500 GB harddrive
Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook Specs Revealed at CES 2012
The Dell XPS 13 has surfaced at CES 2012, it took awhile for Dell to get into the Ultrabook game but they have arrived in style with this 13-inch screen laptop entry. The XPS 13 Ultrabook weighs 2.99lbs and is a mere 0.71-inches thick and goes all the way down to 0.24-inches at its thinnest point at the front. The chassis is built of carbon fiber, a super light but extremely durable material. The lid is made of aluminum to protect against pressure placed on the laptop when in the closed position. The palm rests use a soft touch material on the surface to provide more comfort for the wrists. However, while your wrists may be comfortable on the palm rests, the front end sure looks sharp, so you might need to keep wrists away from that razor shaped front!
The full specs for the Dell XPS 13 are below:
Screen: 13-inch, 1366 x 768 resolution with Gorilla Glass scratch resistant layer, 300 nits brightness
Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 (Sandy Bridge initially and a refresh with Ivy Bridge later in 2012)
Graphics: Intel HD3000 / HD4000
Storage: 128GB SSD or 256GB SSD
Memory: 4GB RAM base
Ports: USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Mini Display Port, headphone jack
Webcam: 1.3 megapixels
Thickness: 0.71-inches at the back, 0.24-inches thin at the front
Weight: 2.9lbs
Keyboard: backlit chiclet style
Security: TPM
Battery Life:
Wireless: 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0
The price on the Dell XPS 13 will start at $999 when it becomes available in February 2012. It will be sold through both the Dell Home and Dell Business websites as it is considered a laptop that will appeal to both businesses and consumers. To appeal more to business and IT heads Dell has included enterprise type security feature options such as TPM, custom BIOS, and asset tagging. Still, since this has been branded with XPS the assumption is it’s a more consumer targeted device.
Overall the XPS 13 looks like a strong Ultrabook competitor, however the lack of an SD card reader and HDMI port is going to be a deterrent for some people. The high quality materials used and very compact design, it uses a 12-inch size chassis for a 13-inch screen laptop, is definitely unique and a good thing for those that prefer a smaller footprint for their laptop. We’ll know more about the XPS 13 Ultrabook when reviews start to surface with its release next month.
Dell Inspiron i14RN Laptop with Intel Core i5 $499 at Staples
The Dell XPS 13 has surfaced at CES 2012, it took awhile for Dell to get into the Ultrabook game but they have arrived in style with this 13-inch screen laptop entry. The XPS 13 Ultrabook weighs 2.99lbs and is a mere 0.71-inches thick and goes all the way down to 0.24-inches at its thinnest point at the front. The chassis is built of carbon fiber, a super light but extremely durable material. The lid is made of aluminum to protect against pressure placed on the laptop when in the closed position. The palm rests use a soft touch material on the surface to provide more comfort for the wrists. However, while your wrists may be comfortable on the palm rests, the front end sure looks sharp, so you might need to keep wrists away from that razor shaped front!
The full specs for the Dell XPS 13 are below:
Screen: 13-inch, 1366 x 768 resolution with Gorilla Glass scratch resistant layer, 300 nits brightness
Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 (Sandy Bridge initially and a refresh with Ivy Bridge later in 2012)
Graphics: Intel HD3000 / HD4000
Storage: 128GB SSD or 256GB SSD
Memory: 4GB RAM base
Ports: USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Mini Display Port, headphone jack
Webcam: 1.3 megapixels
Thickness: 0.71-inches at the back, 0.24-inches thin at the front
Weight: 2.9lbs
Keyboard: backlit chiclet style
Security: TPM
Battery Life:
Wireless: 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0
Overall the XPS 13 looks like a strong Ultrabook competitor, however the lack of an SD card reader and HDMI port is going to be a deterrent for some people. The high quality materials used and very compact design, it uses a 12-inch size chassis for a 13-inch screen laptop, is definitely unique and a good thing for those that prefer a smaller footprint for their laptop. We’ll know more about the XPS 13 Ultrabook when reviews start to surface with its release next month.
Dell Inspiron i14RN Laptop with Intel Core i5 $499 at Staples
Starting tomorrow (January 8, 2012) Staples will have the Dell Inspiron i14RN-1818DBK laptop for $499 with the following impressive specs:
Processor: Intel Core i5-2430M (2.4GHz, 3MB Cache) processor
Screen: 14.0″ High Definition (720p) WLED Display with TrueLife
OS: Genuine Windows 7 ® Home Premium (64-bit)
Memory: 6GB installed memory
Storage: 640GB hard drive
Optical Drive: 8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Wireless: Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030 with Bluetooth
Ports: (2) USB 3.0, (1) USB 2.0, (1) USB 2.0 with E-SATA & Power Share, HDMI v1.4 Port, VGA Port, Integrated network connector 10/100, LAN (RJ45), AC adapter connector, Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 Mic-in), Media Card Reader
Web Camera: Integrated 1.0MP HD (1280 x 720) webcam
Battery: 6-Cell Lithium Ion Battery (48 WHr)
Dimensions 13.5″W x 1.29″H x 9.68″D (4.89lbs)
Warranty: 1 year warranty
You can see our review of a different configuration of the Dell Inspiron 14R here. Basically, it’s a budget laptop in terms of build but the specs are mid to high end and you’ll have a lot of performance for the dollar with the Intel Core i5-2430m that can overclock to 2.90GHz. The 6GB of RAM is certainly enough for any average work tasks and you’ll have plenty of storage with the 640GB HD.
In terms of ports selection, you get the latest USB 3.0 port for fast data transfer along with an eSATA USB combo port for a second alternative to fast data transfer. You also get an HDMI port that allows you to output video to a large screen TV or monitor. This laptop also comes with Intel WiDi technology so you can wirelessly stream video to a TV.
The Inspiron 14R has a switchable lid design, so if you don’t like the black lid this model comes with you can change the design simply by purchasing a different lid for around $30. The Inspiron 14R with Intel Core i5 starts at $649 on Dell.com, so you’re looking at a savings of over $150 with this particular configuration at Staples.
Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook Specs Revealed at CES 2012
The Dell XPS 13 has surfaced at CES 2012, it took awhile for Dell to get into the Ultrabook game but they have arrived in style with this 13-inch screen laptop entry. The XPS 13 Ultrabook weighs 2.99lbs and is a mere 0.71-inches thick and goes all the way down to 0.24-inches at its thinnest point at the front. The chassis is built of carbon fiber, a super light but extremely durable material. The lid is made of aluminum to protect against pressure placed on the laptop when in the closed position. The palm rests use a soft touch material on the surface to provide more comfort for the wrists. However, while your wrists may be comfortable on the palm rests, the front end sure looks sharp, so you might need to keep wrists away from that razor shaped front!
The full specs for the Dell XPS 13 are below:
Screen: 13-inch, 1366 x 768 resolution with Gorilla Glass scratch resistant layer, 300 nits brightness
Processor: Intel Core i5 or i7 (Sandy Bridge initially and a refresh with Ivy Bridge later in 2012)
Graphics: Intel HD3000 / HD4000
Storage: 128GB SSD or 256GB SSD
Memory: 4GB RAM base
Ports: USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Mini Display Port, headphone jack
Webcam: 1.3 megapixels
Thickness: 0.71-inches at the back, 0.24-inches thin at the front
Weight: 2.9lbs
Keyboard: backlit chiclet style
Security: TPM
Battery Life:
Wireless: 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0
The price on the Dell XPS 13 will start at $999 when it becomes available in February 2012. It will be sold through both the Dell Home and Dell Business websites as it is considered a laptop that will appeal to both businesses and consumers. To appeal more to business and IT heads Dell has included enterprise type security feature options such as TPM, custom BIOS, and asset tagging. Still, since this has been branded with XPS the assumption is it’s a more consumer targeted device.
Overall the XPS 13 looks like a strong Ultrabook competitor, however the lack of an SD card reader and HDMI port is going to be a deterrent for some people. The high quality materials used and very compact design, it uses a 12-inch size chassis for a 13-inch screen laptop, is definitely unique and a good thing for those that prefer a smaller footprint for their laptop. We’ll know more about the XPS 13 Ultrabook when reviews start to surface with its release next month.
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