Last Friday I received this brand new Dell Vostro 1310 laptop and it did not disappoint in anyway. I opted for this model, which is released on May 1st instead of XPS in the last minute as this is new model from DELL with completely redesigned to make it thinner and lighter than all its current models.
The laptop came almost fully loaded with the following spec:
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Intel core 2 duo 2.1G -
3G RAM
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160 GB 7200 RPM hard drive
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13.3″ 1280×800 WXGA TrueLife glossy display
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I ordered 6-cell battery, so the weight must be ~4.6LB
The major change in the system (even in DELL product line) includes:
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Sleek and attractive (the first series of Vostro is really bulky and ugly looking)
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Slot loading CD/DVD drive as that of Macbook or Macbook pro
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Touch based Media controls
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Touch based dedicated eject button for CD/DVD
The laptop seems to offer reasonable battery life based on the CNET lab tests (At least when I pulled the power, it shows 4:49 hours left on a fully charged battery).
The only disappoint is the keyboard; with home and end buttons are now controlled in combination with ‘fn’ key. Also, it could have been nice if the laptop had touch based mute button aside volume buttons instead of making it in keyboard (fn+delete). Even though I like normal 14″ laptops as it offers 1440X900 resolution; but DELL seems to be following the foot steps of Apple (13″ and 15″ models).
At least this is a welcome change from Dell concentrating on less expensive sleek and thinner design models in the business line of products which can attract college grades as well as home and business users.
You can find nice reviews about Vostro 1310 model from here:
CNET Review
Glad you like your recent Vostro 1310 purchase. I will definitely pass along your feedback about the keyboard and the touch based mute button to our product group. Thanks for being a Dell customer.
Thanks Kelly. It will be nice if Dell can also include DVI as standard instead of VGA by providing a simple convertor
I will add that to the list when I email them!
Also, if you don’t know about IdeaStorm (www.ideastorm.com), you shoudl check it out. It’s a place where customers can tell Dell what new products or services they’d like to see Dell develop. You can submit an idea, vote other ideas up or down and comment on ideas.
thanks for nice review. i was about to buy XPS but now i will get Vostro 🙂 I hope i am choosing the right one.
Total piece of junk, disc drive has not worked right since day one, changed out disc drive for a new one from a different supplier that Dell supplied and its worse notbetter. When the disc stays in it scratches up the disc during ejection. will not play in various programs, has vidio but no sound from the poor quality mono speaker. I am a road warrior and need a reliable piece of equipment. THIS IS NOT IT!!!!!! DON”T WASTE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY.
My experience is like Richards, my sound driver seems to have packed up again for the second time and I have a CD stuck inside that I can’t remove. The machine seems to perform ok but the key board configuration seems to be different to my last hp machine and I repeatedly hit the wrong buttons when paging up or down
To sum up it is functional for the business work but these little things are anoying to say the least
I am however very impressed with Dels backup…but the spare cartridges for my printer are nothing sort of a rip off