Dell Vostro 3500 Notebook PC Review

Dell recently updated their Vostro range with the 3000 Series, a collection of notebooks and laptops designed with small to medium businesses in mind. There are a variety of models to choose from the range – the Vostro 3300 measures up at 13.3″; the 3400 is 14″ across; the 3500 is 15.6″ and the 3700 is 17.3″ – and, as usual for Dell, each model can be customized to your liking.

We’ve grabbed the 15.6″ Vostro 3500 for this review to put it through its paces. Depending on your preferred specs, there’s a wide range of pricing, starting from around £510 for a basic model and then up to over £870 for the all-singing, all-dancing version. We’ve selected a mid-range model priced at under £688 which should give a rough guide to performance levels.

The high performance Core i5 processor could be the culprit for the short charge. Dell does offer a 9-cell DELL Vostro 3500 battery option, but this is a very bulky way to go about improving battery life.

To deliver performance in a small package Dell has used Intel’s Core i5 processors and high speed DDR3 memory. To add to this, Dell has included a 7200RMP drive that allows for fast boots and data access. Coming with 320GB you have adequate space for your files.

Dell Vostro 3500 Laptop Specification:

• Genuine Windows 7 Professional
• 15.6” inch (1366×768 pixels) Widescreen LED Anti-Glare Display
• Intel Core i5-520M processor (2.40GHz, 3MB Cache, Turbo Boost 2.93 GHz)
• NVIDIA Geforce 310M Graphics
• 4GB DDR3-1066MHz SDRAM
• 500GB Hard Disk
• 8X DVD+/-RW Drive-Silver
• Wi-FI 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth v2.1
• Webcamera with Microphone
• Palmrest with Finger Print Reader
• 90W AC Adapter
• 6-cell Lithium Ion Battery

Dell's Vostro 3500 does exactly what it says on the tin. The laptop is a value-for-money mid-range system for small business customers. Although it has few frills, this Vostro meets all a customer's basic requirements, and looks a bit more stylish than the original Vostro models. However, adding to the basic features soon bumps up the price.

Pros: Good performance; good keyboard; relatively low cost

Cons: Windows 7 Home Premium; relatively low battery life

At 2.5kg this isn't the lightest business machine you can buy, but is portable enough for use on shorter journeys. Its smooth metal case lets it slip easily into a carry case. The 277-minute battery life is also satisfactory and lets you work for half a day when away from mains power.

A frequent strength of Dell laptops are their excellent keyboards and this machine doesn't disappoint. The wide board features large, firmly attached keys that respond smoothly and quietly at all times. Even over prolonged periods of use we found it consistently comfortable.

Despite its slimmed-down size you can still have a back-lit keyboard as an option, ExpressCard slot, FireWire, new ports including a combo eSata/USB and a HDMI port on the 3500. As for graphics option it supports a 512Mb NVIDIA 310M.

The 3500 laptop comes with an Intel Core i3 processor as standard but can be upgraded to hold the i5 chip. Each model has its perks and the 3500 comes with a 3G module and will be introduced with touch-screen capabilities.

Additionally, the systems also come with four to nine cell battery sizes. The latter claims to proffer usage time of around 8hrs from only one charge in a 14in Vostro 3400 system.

Now as to its connectivity options, these systems brag of Bluetooth 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet, Wireless N, while as to the Vostro range, the 3000 line comes built-in with extra security attributes, like; a Strike Zone shock absorber, an alternative fingerprint reader, free-fall-sensor hard drive, a spill-proof keyboard and a complete alternative of business-service support options.

Dell’s new laptop starts at 5.3 pounds with the standard 6-cell Vostro 3500 battery and is available in three colors: silver, red, and bronze.

The Vostro 3500 runs Windows 7 Home or Professional Edition OS. It can be purchased via Dell online store at the starting price of $649.

Operating System: Windows 7 RAM: up to 8GB supported, 1066MHz DDR3, 2 DIMM slots Hard Disk: 500GB Display:15.6? High Definition Wide LED Anti-Glare Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD/Nvidia GeforceTM 310M, 512MB Graphics Optical Drives: 8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+/-R write capability Speakers :2 integrated stereo speakers (4 ohm 2W x 2) Web Camera: Integrated 2.0 MP Webcam with digital array microphones Gigabit Ethernet network or External USB Modem Wireless: Wi-Fi LAN: 802.11b/g/n, Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth 2.1 Card Reader: 8-in-1 card reader Other Features: Network connector (RJ45), USB 2.0 (3), USB 2.0/eSATA combo (1), HDMI connector, Headphone/speaker out, Microphone jack, Full size, spill-resistant keyboard, 15-pin VGA video connector, 34 mm ExpressCard Standard Gesture Multi-Touchpad Weight: 2.40 kilo grams

There are three USB 2.0 expansion ports, including one type combo with e-SATA, also for connecting a skirt is a HDMI or VGA more dated. The keyboard is not isolated elements too if the construction seem strong enough and without bending.

Tests on the quality of the display showed the average values: the maximum brightness is not a record, the white point is accurate even if some components are slightly saturated. (Video gamut).

In terms of hardware performance we found values aligned to products with similar features: the Intel Core i3 running at 2.13 GHz in combination with an integrated graphics subsystem provide a level of performance on average. From a laptop like you do not have to wait exaggerated performance in multimedia but not the typical limits of a netbook.

PC manufacturers like Dell have been responding to Apple with laptops that incorporate more and more of the sorts of features you see in PCs designed for the home laptop market. Yet many small business owner-managers probably only want one machine - and the Vostro 300 appears to be tailored specifically for them.

The test laptop was powered by an i3 processor running at 2.13GHz and equipped with 3GB of RAM and a 300GB hard disk.

All 3000 Vostro laptops are equipped with a webcam and microphone, essential if you are using collaboration software and video-conference. Dell 3500 battery also has the option of an NVIDIA GeForce 310M with 512MB of memory, so as to enable the best viewing experience possible. Thanks to the HDMI port, finally, you can make powerful presentations. Regarding the connectivity, the new Dell notebooks are equipped with 3G modem, Bluetooth and WiFi.

The new Dell Vostro laptops are accompanied by a special service package and a team dedicated to SMEs, a first in a field where the media is often very limited. This series is scheduled for Dell Online Self Dispatch that allows to obtain some configurations prepared in just 48 hours of ordering, making immediate buying a new laptop. Dell Vostro 3300, 3400, 3500 and 3700 will be available from 16 March with a starting price of 419 Euro (VAT and transport excluded).