The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.

New Vostro Lineup (3350, 3450..)

Discussion in 'Dell Latitude, Vostro, and Precision' started by Cocozebra, Mar 17, 2011.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 24 of 35
  1. saturnotaku

    saturnotaku Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,874
    Messages:
    8,920
    Likes Received:
    4,693
    Trophy Points:
    431
    After playing around with my HP Envy 14 for a couple days now, I'm sending it back in exchange for a refurb Vostro 3550. The glossy screen makes the system virtually worthless for working outside, and I absolutely despite the trackpad (or clickpad or whatever HP calls it).

    The Vostro has similar specs to the HP (i5 2410, Radeon 6630, backlit keyboard) and an upgraded OS (Win 7 Professional vs Home Premium). The Vostro has less hard drive space (500 GB vs the Envy's 750), but I've never come close to filling 500 GB in the past. The Dell will be easier to upgrade to an SSD/HDD combo down the line, and the matte screen will make a big difference for usability.

    My bank account is also happier because the Vostro with 3-year ProSupport/NBD on-site was about $150 less than the Envy with the current 20% off coupon.

    I know the switchable graphics are an issue, but Dell is allegedly working on a fix. Hopefully it will be a BIOS update similar to that of HP where you can choose between the current dynamic (automatic) and fixed (manual) modes.
     
    saturnotaku, Aug 19, 2011
    #231
  2. Lexxon

    Lexxon Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I'm sure this has already been mentioned, but I work in IT for a school district that has been purchasing these Vostros. We only physically have the 3450s in and will not be purchasing any more due to the insane placement of the hard drive. All signs point to both the 3350 and 3550 being just fine, so we're diverting orders to those, and if anyone REALLY wants a 14", they'll get a ThinkPad T420, which is arguably a better build quality anyways, for a similar price due to EDU discounts.
     
    Lexxon, Aug 19, 2011
    #232
  3. saturnotaku

    saturnotaku Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,874
    Messages:
    8,920
    Likes Received:
    4,693
    Trophy Points:
    431
    On the page right before this one, actually:

     
    saturnotaku, Aug 19, 2011
    #233
  4. saturnotaku

    saturnotaku Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,874
    Messages:
    8,920
    Likes Received:
    4,693
    Trophy Points:
    431
    I would encourage users to register, promote, and post in this thread on Dell's IdeaStorm website so the company will get the message that they need to implement a fixed graphic switching solution a la HP.
     
    saturnotaku, Aug 20, 2011
    #234
  5. mkj

    mkj Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    180
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yes, Dell definitely needs to do something, because from what I've read, the current solution is crap and simply does not work as expected. Some users can't get their dedicated GPU to shut down, while others can't get it work with OpenGL applications. Not to mention the limited performance due to odd clock settings and OCing disabled in BIOS (or whatever other way).

    Fortunately I'm not affected with these issues as I only have an integrated GPU. (I play games... oops, work with 3D graphics ;) on my XPS with NVIDIA chip and wonderful Optimus.)
     
    mkj, Aug 20, 2011
    #235
  6. saturnotaku

    saturnotaku Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,874
    Messages:
    8,920
    Likes Received:
    4,693
    Trophy Points:
    431
    The OpenGL issue is a problem with all notebooks that use AMD's automatic graphic switching so you can't lay that one at Dell's feet (not saying you specifically were). At least Dell has acknowledged the problem and hopefully a solution can be worked out sooner rather than later.
     
    saturnotaku, Aug 20, 2011
    #236
  7. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    4,127
    Messages:
    7,860
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    0
    User Retired 2, Aug 21, 2011
    #237
  8. kaupo8

    kaupo8 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    But I don't need to open whole laptop to place a ssd in the caddy? Right?
     
    kaupo8, Aug 21, 2011
    #238
  9. saturnotaku

    saturnotaku Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,874
    Messages:
    8,920
    Likes Received:
    4,693
    Trophy Points:
    431
    Correct. Look at the part of the manual for removing the optical drive. It's fairly straightforward.
     
    saturnotaku, Aug 21, 2011
    #239
  10. kaupo8

    kaupo8 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Yea I already did and came with that conclusion.
    Sorry for this questions, but ssd speed won't be limited? Because i read that in 3350 it is little bit limited few pages before
    Thanks for answers!
     
    kaupo8, Aug 21, 2011
    #240
Page 24 of 35
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page