Dell is expanding its line of portable B2B own entry-level Vostro 1540, which has a 15.6 inch, 1366x768 pixel resolution and a matte surface. In addition to the Vostro 3555 and Vostro 3550 laptops, the Dell Vostro 1540 is the third book of this size and should attract buyers especially sensitive to prices.
The starting price is about 369 euros plus value-added taxes (439 euros) and 20 euros less than the new Vostro 3550. Our test unit is the configuration of premium and costs EUR 579 w / o VAT, € 689, respectively, including VAT shipping.
You get an Intel Core i3-370 dual core processor, 4GB DDR3 RAM and 500 GB for your money. Of course, the WLAN standard 802.11n and Bluetooth 3.0 + HS also built in. But you will not find UMTS, USB 3.0 or a docking port. Read this review of how the base price of ticket office laptop - or if you have to invest a few dollars for a unit longer updated components.
Specifications Dell Vostro 1540 :
- Processor : Intel Core i3 370M 2.4 GHz
- Mainboard : Intel HM57
- Memory : 4096 MB, Hyundai Electronics (Hynix), DDR3, 1333 MHz, 2 banks, 8 GB maximum
- Graphics adapter : Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) HD Graphics, 8.15.10.2342
- Display : 15.6 inch 16:9, 1366x768 pixel, LGD02E3, WXGA, HD, LED, diagonal: 40 centimeters (15.6"), glossy: no
- Harddisk : WDC WD3200BPVT-75ZEST0, 320GB 5400rpm HDD, Scorpio Blue
- Soundcard : HD Audio
- Connections : 3 USB 2.0, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: headphone out, microphone in, Card Reader: SD, MMC, MS, RJ-45
- Networking : Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller (10/100/1000MBit), Dell Wireless 1701 802.11b/g/n (bgn), 3.0 +HS Bluetooth
- Optical drive : TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-L633J
- Size : height x width x depth (in mm): 26.5 - 36.8 x 376 x 247.9
- Weight : 2.405 kg Power Supply: 0.245 kg
- Battery : 48 Wh Lithium-Ion, 6 cells, 11.1 volts, model: J1KND
- Price : 579 Euro
- Operating System : Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
- Additional features : Webcam: 1.3 Megapixel, Notebook, 6 cell battery, 65 watt adapter with power cord, recovery and software DVDs, documentation , Adobe Reader X, Microsoft Office 2010 Starter, Windows Live Essentials, CyberLink PowerDVD 9.5, Roxio Creator Starter, Skype, Trend Micro CLient-Server Security Agent (trial version), Dell software, 12 Months Warranty, color: black, warranty includes pick up and return service, two 2 watt stereo speakers
Your 1540 is distinguished from other devices with a silver stripe. This laptop is not the right choice for fans of design objects or products. Screen cover and textured rubber that highlight little. Overall design looks a bit 'too conservative and boring.
But a manufacturer to avoid taking more of a "risk" in this way. Plastic case the feeling is not satisfactory. Silver beading and the frame of the screen to make an impression on the cheap. In turn, a professional firm, and does not reveal the shortcomings obvious that we should have been mentioned in a negative way.
Stability will continue for a mediocre picture. Wrist rest and keyboard returns visibly and clearly a little 'less pressure on the left side. It is interesting to note that the DVD seems to support this case. On the other hand, a strong pressure to cause the opening between the size of the strip and a silver wrist support for change.
The display cover is also very unstable and easily twisted or depressed from the outside. Closely pulled the hinges have been mentioned in a positive way, because they consider the display to the desired position. Negative points in this direction still staggers slightly and that the device can only be opened with both hands.
The fund does not cover maintenance, because banks of RAM and a WLAN module directly below the keyboard. The hard disk and other components are only accessible after removing a few screws on the bottom and the elimination of the palm rest. Basically, this step is so simple and only takes a few minutes.
Connections
The thing is pages contain a standard base interface. In addition to three USB 2.0 ports, HDMI and VGA and a card reader, there are no surprises. Edge ports such as USB 3.0 and eSATA is not installed. In the slightly more expensive Vostro 3550 not only will you get faster hardware, but also several interfaces. But the two units have a docking port.
The positioning of interface is heavy forward and therefore suboptimal. On the right are two of the three USB ports, which interferes with ergonomics in an external mouse is used. Curiously, a second image with a positioning interface on the device right there on the site German product laptop we like better. Generally, the distribution of different ports is nothing unusual, and there will be no problem with space.
Communication
Communication is not a problem on your 1540. Supports Bluetooth 3.0 + HS, as well as Gigabit Ethernet and wireless LAN 802.11 b / g / n In addition to the integrated 3G UMTS module, which would go beyond the price range of all that is in compliance with a state-of-the-art has been installed. UMTS dongle with a prepaid SIM card would be an affordable option for a built-in module.
Supplies
Delivery is not very wide from the factory. In addition, a laptop, a 65-watt power supply (cable length: 175 + 80 cm / 68.9 "+ 31.5"), 6-cell battery, a little 'documentation and the use of software and two DVD. So, there are no extras included, and should be purchased in addition. Compared to a real device, B2C (end user), this step is a logical business units.
In return, pre-installed software is much more cumbersome, but the motto of "quality rather than quantity" should be focused on here. In addition, Office 2010, Adobe Reader, and Starter, X, trial versions of the usual trial version of antivirus software is installed. A new installation of Windows is not only likely to be pleased with us.
Warranty
The warranty period also varies with the dealer in this business unit. 12 months warranty and Next Business Day service is offered directly from the factory. Extended to a maximum of 36 months is available, but it is important to note that the right to return to this offer does not apply to B2B. Other online stores sell a laptop with a standard warranty of 24 months including the right of return.
Input Devices
The input devices are not modified. Dell uses the familiar Chiclet keyboard and touchpad similar but somewhat more closely with the multi-touch support in the 1540th Vostro Here, for example, Dell Vostro 3550 also serves as its quintessence. In contrast to this unit are backlit keyboard and touch of chrome bezel is not in the Vostro 1540, however. The adjustment of the keyboard on the ground loose and smooth surface is critical in our sample.
Display
Dell offers a basic standard of evidence. 15.6-inch display screen with a typical business matte finish. LG Display (model: LGD02E3) with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels 16:9, it is not surprising that a user today. There is no alternative to higher-quality equipment is intended for this phone. With HDMI and VGA out, the external monitor can be used without problems. Functional Test 1920x1080 pixels (full HD, 1080p), confirms it.
As usual, we start with the measures the brightness of the screen. We measure this Gossen Mayo Monitor. The current display is the midfield with an average maximum of 225 cd/m2 and 200 cd/m2. Illumination of the surface can be described as a "good" is 84%. The brightness decreases to the right is not observed in routine use. The focus is fine, but the colors are very pale and weak on this laptop.
Other prices on the display confirms the previous mediocre performance. Black and the value is too high and makes the black looks pretty gray and the contrast of 134:1 to collapse at the end. View pictures of the last holiday does not have any fun in this screen.
Of course, the issue reproducible color space business laptop turns up. Often used in the profile sRGB is covered only a part of our sample. So, for professional use, you can not with it. Amateur photographers and home users can skip this gap.
Your 1540 are good for outdoor use because of an acceptable screen brightness and matte finish. However, poor contrast ratio proves to be an obstacle for a test drive. The work is still easily possible, indoors or in a shady place. On the other hand, the image fades in sunlight or light intensity, and you have to find another location. Overall, the results of the screen a lot better than most of the glare-type screens are in this price range, though.
Angle of view of stability is the standard screen, low cost TN. Horizontal angles of vision remains stable until about 150 degrees. But only a small vertical offset of about 10 degrees is enough to make the reference image or to reverse lit. In addition, we observed a fairly rapid drop in brightness in both directions of negative movement.
Performance
Dell currently offers two different processors, the Dell Inspiron 1540. In addition, the Intel Celeron processor P4600, you can choose between Intel Core i3-370 dual-core CPU family in recent years Arrandale. This CPU is the entry level solution, which includes the clock speed of Intel chipsets HM57-2x 2.4 GHz, 3 MB L3 cache and Hyper Threading.
Today has been replaced by more modern Core i3-2310 m Sandy Bridge processor, a chip that contains the HM65. 1540 uses the Intel GMA HD built-in as the graphics department. And 'specially designed for office applications. The new processor, the graphics will make a stronger impression, and also feels good in the world of multimedia, including 1080p rendering.
Intel Core i3-370 reaches 7536 points Cinebench R10 (64 bit) multi-threaded processing, and has the same level as the latest Intel Core i3-2310 m. Acer Aspire 3750 or Sony Vaio VPC-EH1M1E / W, for example, in the immediate vicinity. All in all, it seems a good computer performance, that performance is important. But more than that in the course of this review.
Processor Intel GMA integrated graphics HD is limited by the synthesis parameters of the games. The mobile moves in the lower third of our database with a score of 1559 points in 3DMark 06. Current portable bridge of sand with advanced Intel GMA 3000 HD counted twice and averaged. Lenovo ThinkPad E320 3098 managed edge points and offer a yield advantage of 199%. Both solutions are not suitable for players. However, especially multimedia applications, it is possible for the fastest GPU.
Benchmarks of the system of the Red component, PCMark Vantage PCMark and 7, lower image confirms the midfield performances that lack of power reserves. However, performance data is more than enough for simple office applications.
Dell has three different alternative storage medium for this period. In addition to a hard drive with 250 and 500 GBS, there is also Midway with 320 GB that we tested. Installing Western Digital Scorpio Blue model WD3200BPVT-75ZEST0, working with 5400 rpm and is connected via a SATA-II.
Performance is nothing special, with an average access rate and a maximum transfer rate of 83.9 MB / s (disk crystal field). But the value is correct in this series. Replacing the hard drive is quickly resolved - but to remove the palm rest is not as convenient as an on-site coverage of merits of the case would be.
Emissions
The system noise
The built-in fan case, storage media and DVD players are the makers of the noise potential in the 1540th Vostro noise level conforms to 30.5 dB (A) in standby mode when the fan is idle. Just the hard drive is noted in this scenario of 31.2 dB (A).
Basically, a satisfactory result, you would expect in an office laptop. The unit draws attention under load, and when the DVD is used. It is very acoustic, with a maximum of 39.1 dB (A). The fan is fairly rapid decrease in speed after the work is positive.
Temperature
The evolution of the outer casing temperature is acceptable for this setting. The case is still in a good variety, with a maximum of 30.7 ° C in office mode. Subjectively, these rates are perceived as hot. Of course, the component temperature to rise during charging.
We measured the peak of 38.5 ° C at the bottom, the fan area. This may be uncomfortable for later use in the first round. Inside, the keyboard, it heats up very little of standby. The criticism is not appropriate here.
Speakers
Two stereo speakers are located next to the display hinges. They provide the poor and one-sided vote. Repeated three and the greatest strength is adequate. There are small airports and low, though. But this is not materially adverse to the portable office, because the outer solutions can be used as an HDMI output and a 3.5mm stereo jack.
Battery Life
For old models are made not only in terms of performance, because the efficiency of components has been greatly improved with the launch of Intel's Sandy Bridge. We are a comparison with the HP 4530s Intel Core ProBook i3 m-2310 is integrated graphics. Dell Inspiron 1540 with Intel Core i3-370 consumes between 9 and 17.2 watts in standby mode.
So, the laptop is about the same level as the current multimedia notebook with the performance of a most significant. Example of this would be the Medion Akoya P6631 notebook division. The above comparison, the configuration consumes more than 12.6 watts for the office, which leads to the difference of 26.7%.
The pace of our test device and HP laptops have the same charge (from 51.6 to 51.2 watts). However, we note that the average is much lower in the new EliteBook and still offers a performance advantage. While the Vostro 1540 hardware was the state of the art a year ago, this energy is not acceptable and most likely potential buyers will opt for the latest hardware and not necessarily more expensive.
The battery, along with 6-cell battery, suffer less than the rates of consumption. Overall, results in a low range between 4 hours and 40 minutes in standby mode (test BatteryEater Reader) and 82 minutes during the loading and the maximum brightness of the screen (the classic test).
Evaluation of "Surfing the Wireless LAN", to represent a realistic average. But the result of the battery lasts 3 hours and 27 minutes not really satisfactory, either. HP ProBook 4530s, the latest Intel hardware, the battery reaches about 8 hours, while there are formations that succeed up to 10 hours.
Verdict
The Dell Vostro 1540 is a portable desktop for users without high expectations. The design of the case is moot and the feeling is not luxury. The range of interfaces, communication options and 15.6-inch matte screen is acceptable but nothing special.
The cutting-edge hardware is an Intel Core i3-370M, but processor performance can continue the Intel Core i3-2310M. However, the performance of graphics and multimedia, is too short. The biggest disadvantage is likely that the relatively poor performance of the CPU and short battery life.
In this context, the usual short warranty period of only 12 months (B2B) and not directly accessible on the hard drive only minor points less. Overall, this is not a special notebook is ready to take € 369 plus VAT. And that brings us to the next big problem: Dell Vostro 3550 with Intel and Sandy Bridge at a cost of designing more attractive than 20 euros more.
The new Vostro 3555 with AMD Llano APU even cost less than € 40 with prices starting at € 329. In light of this, we find the Vostro 1540 too expensive. In our opinion it should be before the price for HP 635 to about 299 €.