[New] Vostro V13

If you're going to pick at comparisons, is .97" thin enough on the Asus? And do you pay a premium for overall footprint in which the Acer at 12.7 x 9 is smaller than the Dell at 13 x 9. If you're saying 2gb of ram and a 320gb HD is enough well then aren't those size specs above enough for lightweight travel? You're also discounting the larger battery (the thicker portion of the Asus) which equates to more run time. You don't even get that option with Dell as there is no replaceable battery or greater battery option. So you're paying a premium for less versatility.

You're also discounting the processor in the acer, granted it's a nominal upgrade, but if I can get more RAM, bigger hard drive and a faster processor, with more connectivity options and versatility as well as run time off the cord in a slightly (key word) larger overall package for less money than the comparable Dell. When I have multiple programs open, editing some photos and creating presentations while I have about 30 tabs open in firefox, I want as much ram and cpu as my money allows. If I'm already hovering around the inch mark in thickness, shaving a little bit more while maintaining a similar weight doesn't really matter, especially if it's at the expense of capability. If that's the case, and I just need something to be sufficient enough to plug into vga projectors for presentations, I'd get a small 10" thin netbook and be done with it. Business people do a bit more than just presentations on projectors and to want to get the latest and greatest and still have that limitation when the features are found nearly every place else isn't worth the premium.

If I'm going to pay a premium and stick with certain limitations, I'd hop over to the Dell outlet and pick up an E4300 which has a smaller footprint by a longshot (12.2 x 8.6) while being slightly thicker at an inch but still just as light. I have more processing power. I can go SSD and still be cheaper (and even lighter). And I have options for batteries that can keep me off the cord for an entire day of usage if not more, not to mention a dock that adds dvi and display port for even more connectivity options or to make it more versatile when it's used at home.

 

The V13 has still some advantages over the Ul30 and 3810t:
- matte screen (relevant for a portable machine),
- e-sata (more useful than HDMI, to me at least),
- express card 34mm (ok, not that useful today unless you really need it),
- 7200rm HDD with free fall sensor (quite useful for something you toss around),
- It looks better (I had to say it),
- I trust Dell SMB support a lot more than Acer's.

I don't say I would buy the v13 over the UL30 but I see why some would. Sadly, there's no perfect laptop for cheap, you have to place your priorities.

I wouldn't mind the E4300 though

 

Not exactly the intended use of the ExpressCard slot as it is used simply as a holder, but I found this: http://www.lindy.co.uk/expresscard-presenter/51550.html

It fits nicely in the ExpressCard slot (although 5mm of it sticks out over the edge). Great for presentations. First I was frowning that if the USB dongle is removed from the back then the primary button (advance slide) is just on the other side of the dongle's empty slot, but in fact this added tactile information makes it easy to find the advance button in a dark room after using the laser button. If this was an intentional feature then hats off to the designer.

I found a bluetooth one at http://www.quarton.com/laser_presenter_bluetooth_ep1.html (USA market) but the buttons' layout is not to my liking.

Have you found any other useful devices for the 34mm slot?

 

Where can I find your desktop image? I like the drops on the window!


Thanks

 

Adding a serie or a parallel port... ok, it's really a niche market, but it's very useful to program some electronic things or to connect the laptop to legacy hardware. It seems less buggy than some usb to serial adapters.

Adding a firewire port (some pro audio devices need it).

For the rest... no idea

 

Soundcards, TV cards, eSATA extension ports, FW (as mentioned), SSD drives, various network devices. It's alot more useful than most people think.

 

You forgot an integrated GPS!

 

I was looking at the base model for $449 which should run Ubuntu 9.04 fairly good. Is there a way around a lack of a DVD drive? Can one install Ubuntu 9.10 or Windows 7 from a USB?

Although come to think of it the base model would probably choke on Windows 7.

 

You can install Windows 7 from USB using the tool provided by Microsoft: http://store.microsoft.com/Help/ISO-Tool

You can install Ubuntu from USB using Fedora Live USB Creator: https://fedorahosted.org/liveusb-creator/

The base model should run Windows 7 adequately, just not like a rocket ship.

 

Does anyone think the version of this for the MacBook Air would fit the V13?

I have used these for my past two laptops (both Macs) and they have been awesome. Very rugged, and add virtually no weight or size to the machine. They keep the exterior from getting scratched in my bag, in the TSA bins, etc. The MBA isn't exactly the same as the V13, but I'm thinking it may work because the fabric does stretch some. Thoughts?