Laptop Review - Dell Vostro Series

Gone are the days when the norm was that businessWave software, 128 GB Solid State Drive - Wireless:
could only be done in the office. Dell made this seriesDell Wireless 1397 or 1510 mini card, Intel WiFi Link
of laptops to be able to withstand spills, moisture,5100 or 5300 mini card - Bluetooth: Dell Wireless 355
and falls, to some extent. It has a feature that shutsBluetooth 2.0 - Webcam: Integrated 1.3 MP webcam
off the hard drive as soon as the laptop enters aw/digital mic, optional free video chat software -
state of free fall in order to avoid data loss. The DellBattery: 4-cell, 6-cell, or 9-cell Lithium-Ion battery
Vostro Series laptops are also relatively lightweightVostro 1520
and not as bulky. Wireless capability is long-range andWeighing just 2.5kg and measuring 357 x 258mm x
the laptops come with security software that is38mm, the Vostro 1520 is a very portable device. But
useful for preventing the release of vital information.with a display of 15.4", many working professionals
The screen size is available from 8.9" to 17" and itswill find that the screen size is satisfactory. The
processors range from AMD to Intel Core Duo.Vostro 1520's anti-glare screen is a plus. While it isn't
There is no one choice of laptop that fits everybody.really the most stylish of the lot, it meets most
The buyer would have to consider the specific tasksrequirements of small to mid-sized companies.
that the laptop will have to be able to handle well.Specifications - CPU: Intel Celeron 900, Intel Core 2
The Dell Vostro Series is easily upgradeable so if theDuo T6600, P7550, P8600, P8700, or T9550 - Display:
needs of your business change, then it would be15.4" WXGA Anti-Glare LED, WXGA+ Anti-Glare,
simple to remedy.WXGA+ w/TrueLife - Memory: 2 GB Single Channel
The Dell Vostro Series is preferred by a majority ofDDR2 SDRAM @ 800 MHz, 2, 3, 4, or 8 GB of
businesspersons and working professionals as a resultShared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM @ 800 MHz -
of these features that are mentioned above. TheOptical Drive: 8X DVD+/-RW drive, Blu-ray Disc
consumer laptops would fall short of whatCombo drive - Video Card: Integrated Intel Graphics
entrepreneurs seek to accomplish. However, high-endMedia Accelerator 4500MHD, NVIDIA GeForce 9300M
corporate laptops would be an overkill too. DellGS - Security Hardware: Fingerprint reader w
discovered that there was a niche in between theDigitalPersona software, Wave Encryption software -
two that needed to be filled.Hard Drive: 160 GB SATA @ 5400 RPM, 250 or 320
The laptops provide the ultimate in simplicity andGB @ 7200 RPM w/Freefall Sensor, 250GB Encrypted
sturdiness. The styling is elegant and understated,Hard Drive @ 7200RPM w/Free Fall Sensor &
which is what we think people in business like.Wave software, 128 GB Solid State Drive - Wireless:
Because each of the Dell Vostro Series laptops giveDell Wireless 1397 or 1510 mini card, Intel WiFi Link
a good performance, that fact has taken a toll on5100 or 5300 mini card - Bluetooth: Dell Wireless 355
the battery life, which isn't mediocre by any means,Bluetooth 2.0 - Webcam: Integrated 1.3 MP webcam
but fails in comparison to other companies' strides inw/digital mic, optional free video chat software -
this aspect.Battery: 4-cell, 6-cell, or 9-cell Lithium Ion battery
The Dell Vostro Series has the following notebooksVostro 1720
currently available: the 1220, 1320, 1520, 1720, A90Meant to replace the desktop, the Vostro 1720
and A860. The most recently released is the Vostropacks a lot of power and allows for the user to
1220, which became available on July 1, 2009. Thehandle office applications and even some minor
Vostro 1320, 1520 and 1720 were released on April 2,editing and design work well. The display is topnotch
2009. Meanwhile, the Vostro A860 went on sale onand this makes watching videos and viewing images
Nov. 13, 2008, and the Vostro A90 was released ona delight. With a 17" display, comparing documents
April 15, 2009.and multitasking are made easy. The keyboard is
Vostro 1220comfortable and typing for long periods of time can
The Vostro 1220 is nearly as tiny as a netbook but itbe done with no cramping. Battery life is ample even
has features that only laptops can offer. Its batterywhen it is used heavily.
also lasts considerably longer than netbooks. TheSpecifications - CPU: Intel Celeron 900, Intel Core 2
Vostro 1220 is able to handle daily office tasks well;Duo T6600, P7550, P8600, P8700, or T9550 - Display:
however, the screen is too small to really be able to17" WXGA+ Anti-Glare LED, UltraSharp WUXGA w
effectively do editing. With heavy use, the VostroTrueLife - Memory: 2 GB Single Channel DDR2
1220 could only run for three hours. The keyboardSDRAM @ 800 MHz, 2, 3, 4, or 8 GB of Shared Dual
just feels too cramped and the keys aren't asChannel DDR2 SDRAM @ 800 MHz - Optical Drive: 8X
responsive as we would have liked. Considering that itDVD+/-RW drive, Blu-ray Disc Combo drive - Video
is priced very low, we're not surprised that it doesn'tCard: Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator
impress us.4500MHD, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GS - Security
SpecificationsHardware: Fingerprint reader w/DigitalPersona
- CPU: Intel Celeron 900, Intel Core 2 Duo T6600,software, Wave Encryption software - Hard Drive:
P8600, P8700, or T9550 - Display: 12.1" WXGA w160 GB SATA @ 5400 RPM, 250 or 320 GB @ 7200
TrueLife - Memory: 2 GB Single Channel DDR2RPM w/Freefall Sensor, 250GB Encrypted Hard Drive
SDRAM @ 800 MHz, 2, 3, 4, or 8 GB of Shared Dual@ 7200RPM w/ Free Fall Sensor & Wave
Channel DDR2 SDRAM @ 800 MHz - Optical Drive: 8Xsoftware, 128 GB Solid State Drive - Wireless: Dell
DVD+/-RW drive, Blu-ray Disc Combo drive - VideoWireless 1397 or 1510 mini card, Intel WiFi Link 5100
Card: Integrated Intel Graphics Media Acceleratoror 5300 mini card - Bluetooth: Dell Wireless 355
4500MHD - Security Hardware: Fingerprint reader wBluetooth 2.0 - Battery: 6-cell or 8-cell Lithium Ion
DigitalPersona software, Wave Encryption software -battery
Hard Drive: 160 GB SATA @ 5400 RPM, 250, 320, orVostro A90
500 GB @ 7200 RPM w/Freefall Sensor, 250GBVostro A90 is the rebadged Inspiron Mini 9. Its
Encrypted Hard Drive @ 7200RPM w/Free Fall Sensordisplay measures 8.9" and while most business users
& Wave software, 128 GB Solid State Drive -would probably not pick it up because there is such a
Wireless: Dell Wireless 1397 or 1510 mini card, Intelthing as too small, there will be those who purchase
WiFi Link 5100, WiMAX/WiFi Link 5150, or 5300 miniit simply for that feature. The Vostro A90 provides
card - Bluetooth: Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth 2.0 -images that are sharp and bright. The processing
Webcam: Integrated 1.3 MP webcam w/digital mic,speed is limited though.
optional free video chat software - Battery: 4-cell orSpecifications
6-cell Lithium-Ion battery- CPU: Intel Atom N270 - Display: 8.9" WSVGA -
Vostro 1320Memory: 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM @ 533 MHz - Optical
Lugging the Vostro 1320 around isn't a problem dueDrive: None - Video Card: Integrated Intel Graphics
to its size, weight, and sturdiness. In a mass ofMedia Accelerator 950 - Hard Drive: 16 GB Solid State
mostly black laptops, we welcome itsDrive - Wireless: Wireless 802.11g card - Webcam:
burgundy-colored lid and black base. Opening severalIntegrated 0.3 MP webcam - Battery: 4-cell (35 WHr)
office applications simultaneously was uneventful. TheLithium-Ion battery
Vostro 1320 can deal with the workload well. PhotoVostro A860
and other multimedia editing can also be done with noThe A860 is marketed to be a budget laptop and
hassle too. We don't like that it only has a 2-hourhence, it only has the most basic features. Its
battery life and its keyboard doesn't provide muchappearance is run-of-the-mill and does not hide the
comfort.fact that it is a low-end model. We think that two
Specificationsports is too few and will pose major problems later
- CPU: Intel Celeron 900, Intel Core 2 Duo T6600,on. Since the usb ports are located on the left, a
P7550, P8600, P8700, or T9550 - Display: 13.3"wired mouse used by a right-handed person would
WXGA Anti-Glare, UltraSharp WXGA w/TrueLife -prove to be a problem. Its processor may not be the
Memory: 2 GB Single Channel DDR2 SDRAM @ 800fastest but if your tasks are limited to browsing and
MHz, 2, 3, 4, or 8 GB of Shared Dual Channel DDR2office applications, it should be enough.
SDRAM @ 800 MHz - Optical Drive: 8X DVD+/-RWSpecifications
drive, Blu-ray Disc Combo drive - Video Card:- CPU: Intel Celeron M M560, Intel Core 2 Duo T5870
Integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD, NVIDIA GeForce- Display: 15.6" WXGA - Memory: 1 or 2 GB DDR2
9300M GS - Security Hardware: Fingerprint reader wSDRAM @ 800 MHz - Optical Drive: 8X DVD+/-RW
DigitalPersona software, Wave Encryption software -drive - Video Card: Integrated Intel Graphics Media
Hard Drive: 160 GB SATA @ 5400 RPM, 250 or 320Accelerator X3100 - Hard Drive: 160 or 250 GB SATA
GB @ 7200 RPM w/Freefall Sensor, 250GB Encrypted@ 5400 RPM - Wireless: Wireless 802.
Hard Drive @ 7200RPM w/Free Fall Sensor &