Review Dell Vostro 3350 Subnotebook

Mobility. The smallest device of Dell's Vostro refresh,Sony VGP-BPS9/S battery the Dell Vostro 3350, has come in for review. Thanks to a big 8 cell battery, an illuminated keyboard and the latest hardware from Intel and AMD hardware, the mite with a 13.3 inch screen doesn't have any reason to hide.Sony VGP-BPS9 battery

Introducing the four new Vostro 3000 series laptops, Dell bids current hardware,Sony VGP-BPS9A/B battery a new design and practical features. Beside the devices Vostro 3450, Vostro 3550 and the big Vostro 3750 with a 17.3 inch screen, there is also a compact subnotebook with 13.3 inch display (1366x768, matt) in the range. It is especially aimed at small and medium businesses, abbreviated SMBs. However, even private users could find delight in it. The case's design is identical in all device sizes and only the dimensions and weight deviates.Sony VGP-BPS9A/S battery

Besides the comprehensive online configurator in direct sale, the Dell Vostro 3350 is also available at select retailersSony VGP-BPS13A/B battery However, only pre-configured models are offered here. Our test device moves in the upper range in terms of optional equipment with an Intel Core i5-2410M, the dedicated AMD Radeon HD 6470M and a 4 GB DDR3 RAM. There are also less expensive models, as well as more expensive models available depending on taste and application field.Sony VGP-BPS13 battery

The smallest entry model alternative of the new Vostro notebooks starts at 489 euros,Sony VGP-BPS13A/Q battery not including added value tax. The laptops with a 15.6 and 17.3 inch screen are a bit cheaper in their base price in comparison. Our test device is available for 789 euro including added value tax and with a 24 month onsite service.Sony VGP-BPS13/B battery

Alike the larger devices the stability isn't perfect. A clear yielding is noticed when stronger pressure is applied.Sony VGP-BPS13B/B battery The area above the DVD drive on the left is particularly striking. A slight movement of the surface is noticed when typing on the keyboard. Moreover, the display lid is very pliable and can be evidently twisted and dented, despite the aluminum layer. The screen is kept in place by two metal hinges that bid a fairly good hold. Nevertheless, Dell could have basically worked out the grip and teetering better.Sony VGP-BPS13B/Q battery

All in all, an elegant case with smaller flaws in manufacturing details and stability. Once again,Sony VGP-BPS13A/S battery the built-in drive represents the weak point here. Now a look at the case's bottom: Both the RAM and the 2.5 inch hard disk can be replaced via a large maintenance cover. Additionally, the optical drive can be removed by a screw and replaced with a BluRay drive or another memory medium.Sony VGP-BPS13/Q battery

The Dell Vostro 3350 bids an adequate connectivity despite its compact case.Sony VGP-BPS8 batteryStarting on the case's left, you'll find the DVD drive, the RJ45 network socket and two fast USB 3.0 ports, which can be identified due to their blue color and the printed "SS" for SuperSpeed. Furthermore, a HDMI out (1.4a) and a practical eSATA/USB 2.0 combination for connecting an external hard disk, for example, are located on the right. The front and rear are void of any other interfaces, with exception of a cardreader. There wouldn't have been any room on the rear because of the big battery anyway.Sony VGP-BPS8A battery

Dell has done a good job with the interface distribution and they are concentrated more towards the rear. Sony VGP-BPS10 battery The use of an external mouse isn't impaired and the given supply doesn't provide reason for complaint in this array. Dell, however, omits a docking port in the Vostro notebooks, thus excluding other interface options and expansions.Sony VGP-BPS2 battery

No needs are left open in terms of communication options. Beside gigabit Ethernet via a controller from Realtek,Sony VGP-BPS2A battery there is also an Intel Centrino Wireless N 1030 adapter installed. In addition to WLAN standard 802.11 b/g/n, it supports transmissions via Bluetooth 3.0 + HS. Our test device doesn't have a UMTS module, but it is also available for a surcharge. Thus, all communication options would be covered.Sony VGP-BPS2B battery

The present total package is assessed in PCMark Vantage's comprehensive component test. Sony VGP-BPS2C battery The Dell Vostro 3350 secures itself a place in the upper midfield with the latest hardware and a conventional hard disk. For example, the current Apple MacBook Pro 15 with an AMD Radeon HD 6750M with Boot Camp Windows or the slim Samsung 900X3A are in its immediate vicinity. Swift gaming notebooks and systems with a solid state drive hold the top positions.Sony VGP-BPS22 battery

BenchmarkDell bids various solutions for the main hard disk. However,Sony VGP-BPS22A battery a modern solid state drive doesn't belong to them. The installed Seagate Momentus Thin supplies a capacity of 320 GB and works with fast 7200 revolutions per minute. A feature is the low construction height of only 7 millimeters. The cage inside the notebook however also bids the possibility of installing conventional hard disks with a height of 9 millimeters.Sony VGP-BPS13AS battery

The maximum read transfer rates fluctuates between 105 and 116 MB per second depending on the benchmark and is thus on a good level. The access rates aren't particularly good,Sony VGP-BPS13S battery but are on average for this genre. The aforementioned solid state drives would allow a performance increase. SATA III SSDs and Intel's SSD Serie 510 or OCZ Vertex 3 is also supported due to the HM67 chipset. The HDD noise level, which was also noted in the user review of the Vostro 3350 in our German language forum, would also disappear with that.Sony VGP-BPS13/S battery

The noise development is one of the most important purchase criteria for many buyers.Sony VGP-BPS13B/S battery The Vostro 3350 is equipped with a fan including heatpipes, which are located in the right rear area. The device convinces with a basically inactive fan in idle and office mode. We measured a noise level of only 30.6 dB(A). Even the hard disk stays discreetly in the background. However, we can hear a quiet whirr emitted from the 7200 revolutions per minute.Sony VGP-BPS10/B battery

The level slowly increases when a DVD is inserted and reaches an audible level of 35.3 dB(A) that is still acceptable. The Vostro 3350 attracts attention when AMD's dedicated graphics is enabled and the system is put under load. We could determine a clearly audible 46.2 dB(A) at the peak. The fan's deep pitched noise and its really fast deceleration after finished work has to be rated positivelySony VGP-BPS10A battery

The case's exterior stays fairly cool in idle and office mode. The temperature development of a maximum of 29.1 degrees is however within the usual range for the selected materials.Sony VGP-BPS10A/B battery

The installed speaker system presents itself as disappointing, but that was to be expected. Sony VGP-BPS10/S battery There is only one little speaker on the case's bottom that supplies the usual poor sound. With exception of Dell's larger Vostro 3750 with a 2.1 system, the devices with a 14 and 15 inch screen aren't convincing either in a comparison. External solutions that can be connected to the 3.5 mm stereo jack or via the HDMI out bid a better quality.Sony VGP-BPS21A/B battery

Classic TestDell equips the Vostro 3350 with a large 8 cell lithium ion battery,Sony VGP-BPS21 battery which is supposed to also make a whole work day possible remote from a power outlet. This power supply is really anything but compact with 80 watt hours. Moreover, the device is lifted by 21 millimeters. A nice side effect. The protruding battery lip can be used well as a handle, provided the battery is locked in properly and you're not worried about your laptop.Sony VGP-BPS21A battery

The system's consumption rates correlate to the given runtimes. Sony VGP-BPS21/S battery In idle, the components consume a maximum of 10.7 and thus work very efficiently on a par with many netbooks. The consumption increases during load and reaches a peak of acceptable 53.6 watts. The included power adapter can supply up to 90 watts and appears to be slightly subchallenged and has reserves. The power consumption in standby and turned off state is without finding.Sony VGP-BPS21/B battery