Pro:
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- The hardware is very fast for the price. The i7 dual-core processor with up to 3.1GHz is fast enough for most tasks, and 8GB of RAM are also likely to be more than adequate for most users. It starts relatively quickly (that there is no SSD has) and the work goes from liquid hand.
- The integrated nVidia 840M has only DDR3 Ram and a 64-bit Speicherinteface, yet it is but about the same level of a GT 750M and is thus fast enough to play most current games with medium details in 1600x900 liquid.
- The display is sharp enough (is just not full HD), it has strong but not unnatural-looking colors and is sufficiently bright, the black level and contrast is also in order.. Overall for the price a decent display, have seen much better, as well as many much worse.
- Due to the very flat housing and the back with the look of brushed aluminum, the device looks very stylish.
- Usual good DELL Service. This point should not be underestimated. When my Dell, I once had after 2 months a faulty keyboard (one key was no longer). As immediately came a friendly DELL serive staff and has the keyboard replaced in the field. Such a service has by no means all!
Cons:
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- The display reflects quite strong (in this price range, unfortunately, mostly so), and the viewing angles could be better. However, it is still bearable. Already have notebook displays seen (especially for Acer), have clearly still miesere viewing angles. But you can see, especially when viewed from below, rather quickly, how easily upset the contrasts in the top of the display. I also used a Dell Inspiron 17 the previous generation (but a higher price range with matt Full HD display), that is a notch above. It does not reflect, and the viewing angles are much better. Due to the higher resolution, it is also slightly sharper. But there are things in color, black levels and contrasts the displays close to each other.
- The built-in touchpad is .... let's say ... rather modest. The two buttons for the left and right mouse buttons are integrated into the touchpad (not separately), thereby disturbing is the function of the touch pad more often, if you hold a finger always on the left mouse button, as I like to do these things. That you have to unlearn. He also takes me often to click not. However, there is the left mouse click, too easy even tap the touchpad. Also missing is a scroll bar on the right side of the touchpad. Well, it can wipe up and down with two fingers. Overall, I am disappointed with the touchpad, but once you get used to, to get even handle it.
- The inside of the notebook (ie the surface of the keyboard) looks relatively cheap compared to processed from stylish exterior in aluminum look. The matt black plastic with this Wulzt in the upper part, provides for a 700 laptop a bit too cheap looking for my taste.
- Unfortunately, this notebook does not have second hard drive slot. My Dell Inspiron 17 the previous generation did. I was thus able to install an SSD as a system drive and the HDD as a data disk in it let in the second slot. The point of this notebook is not, unfortunately, what I consider to be major shortcoming. If you then want to convert to SSD times, it means that you have to buy a correspondingly large and expensive SSD matter what probably is not worthwhile for a notebook in this price range (at least not today, maybe 1TB SSDs in 1-2 years cheap ). Who eh ago not to retrofit an SSD, for this criticism is, of course, irrelevant.
Tips:
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- Who the trimmed windows bugs 8.1 Start menu, which can install the freeware "Classic Shell". So you get a start menu to Windows 7 and the tile surface you will never get well to face.
- When delivered, the notebook has only one partition (C :). If you want to divide the (what absolutely makes sense), the can with the freeware "EASEUS Partition Master" make comfortable. With the Windows Disk Management you get the C: partition not small enough because the system files are distributed on the plate. With the Partition Master is not a problem, which shifts the system files. Have the C: partition reduced to 171 GB, the new data partition is then 750 GB.
Conclusion:
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For the money you get offered quite a bit with the device. The price line ratio fits. The power is sufficient slack off for all everyday tasks. Even for video editing or games, the device current with minimal drawbacks is absolutely suitable. The hardware should be loose enough for a few years.
Light smears have to make the display (which is unfortunately common in this price range) and the missing second hard drive slot makes SSD friends a spanner in the works. If these points are not as important, who will be very satisfied with this device.
Battery life I have not tested the way. Who as a 17 "unit buys, uses it usually as a desktop replacement and the battery life is not quite as critical. The battery indicator says currently a further 3 hours and 7 minutes time remaining at 85% charge level. Reell expected to battery life, depending of course on the intensity of use, vary between 2 and 3 hours.
