Dell Inspiron 14z reviewed

Under the Technology category here is the first review of a new Laptop from Dell.

By Sandeep Hegde

Dell Inspiron 14z (Cherry Red) Specifications:

• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo CULV SU7300 (1.3GHz, 800MHz, 3MB)
• OS: Windows 7 Premium (64-bit)
• Memory: 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
• Storage: 320GB 5400rpm HDD
• Graphics: ATI Radion 512Mb
• Display: 14.0” HD (1366x768) WLED Display and webcam
• Optical Drive: 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD/-RW/R) with Dual-Layer
• Wireless: Intel Wireless 5100n
• Battery: 6-cell LithiumIon battery (48.8 WHr)
• Dimensions: 1.0"-1.5" x 13.3" x 9.4" (H x W x D)
• Weight: 4 lbs, 9.9 oz

Bought from Starnet Computers, Belgaum (http://www.starnetbelgaum.com)

Build and Design
In design and looks; the Inspiron 14z is similar to the Inspiron 14. There are, nevertheless, some differences between the two models. The 14z is more power efficient than the Inspiron 14 due to its CULV processor and WLED display.

The notebook is made of relatively thin plastic, but build quality is good. The display lid, however, does suffer from minor flex: you can create ripples on the screen by pressing the back of the display. Other than that, there are no major problems with the build quality.

The bottom of the notebook provides easy access panels for the hard drive and RAM.

Screen and Speakers
The 14-inch display has 1366x768 pixels. Colors are good but contrast isn’t very impressive. The WLED backlighting is even and provides a wide range of brightness settings. Horizontal viewing angles are pretty good, but vertical viewing angles are average.

The stereo speakers are located beneath the front edge of the notebook palm rests so you will only hear a muffled sound when you put the laptop on your lap. Put the device on a desk and you should be able to hear better audio. Sound quality isn’t particularly good or bad. Audiophiles will definitely find a pair of headphones useful and the headphone jack produces clear, distortion free sound.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard has full-sized keys. It is very firm and shows absolutely no flex at all. The only problem with the keyboard is probably the lack of backlighting.
The touchpad is a Synaptics model using Dell’s proprietary touchpad drivers. It supports multi-touch controls. Sensitivity is good with very little lag.

Ports and Features
Port selection is average for a notebook of this size. There are 3 USB ports, HDMI video out port, VGA, a multi-format memory card reader, Ethernet and a standard 8xCD/DVD burner with dual-layer support. The Inspiron 14z doesn’t have an ExpressCard slot, eSATA or FireWire.

Performance
The Inspiron 14z runs on an Intel Core 2 Duo CULV SU7300 processor with ATI Radeon 512Mb graphics. Performance is good for daily activities such as surfing the web and processing Office documents. You can also make simple edits to your photos or videos.

The CULV processor is highly power efficient but it does affect the overall performance of the notebook. That said, the machine is still good enough to serve your basic needs as a family notebook. But if you want to play the latest 3D games or run high-end photo editing applications, this is not the laptop to buy. The price tag, too, seem a bit odd.

Battery
The Inspiron 14z has a 6-cell 48.8 WHr battery. At around 8 hours, battery life is impressive for a notebook of this size, but still it falls short of Dell’s promise of 66% better battery life.

Heat and Noise
The cooling system does a good job and keeps the heat and noise levels well within normal limits.

Pros:

· Awesome Looks

· Light Weight & Thinner

· Comfortable Keypad

· HDMI Port

· Long Battery Life

· Windows 7, 64 Bit

· WLED Screen

· Less Heat

Cons:

· Average Performance

· No Keyboard Backlight

· Slightly over priced

· Poor Webcam Quality

Considering all these pros and cons, I’m still satisfied with my choice of Dell Inspiron 14z. I don’t say it is the best model available in market, but surely I could say it is a model you can consider for comparison if you are looking for a longer battery life. I hope this article would have provided a user review of Dell Inspiron 14z laptop as well as few tips on choosing a laptop. I would love to receive your comments/queries J

About the Author: Author is a student of engineering and runs Dotcord It Solutions Company. You can read the complete guide to buy a laptop here at his Blog PingSense. The Author is part of the IT Belgaum group.