[New] Vostro V13

Thank you, hope I can get a Latitude 13 with webcam

 

I was thinking of getting the Vostro V13 with the Core 2 Solo.. how is the performance with it?

 

I can't comment on the CD Solo but I can comment on the Celeron ULV in my V13 and it has zero problems running Windows 7. In fact everything feels snappy and quick.

 

Is $440 a good price for a refurb machine? theres a website that is selling the machine and he doesn't list warranty on it, do all dell refurbs come with 1 year?

 

I paid $448 for mine and it came with a 1 year warranty from Dell and it was previously ordered new. All Dell computers come with at least a 1 year warranty and they will remind you when it's about to expire in case you want to extend the warranty.

 

I just bought mine, brand new, 4 days ago, but just tried to use it yesterday, and today I recharged the battery after it completely ran out. Does it normal that the charge time is only 3 hours for the first time? Because I saw that the battery indicator on the front already turned off, so I assumed that the charge time is done.

However, after I unplug it from the outlet power and turned my VostroV13 on, I noticed that the battery was only 97%.
Then I just checked out some program inside, cause I haven't had experience with Linux. I didn't run heavy program, just tried one of the simple games (the slimey/ snake?).

I noticed the battery was running out quickly, before I turned it off it decreased into something around 67% , and just now when I turned it on again, the battery is around 58% left.

Total time from 97% to around 67% is just less than 2 hours.

Also, it heat up quite fast, though I used it in an air-conditioned room.

I paid my vostro V13 for US$ 796 (I guess in my country it's a bit costly than its real price),with this spec:
-Linux/ Ubuntu
-Core2Duo SU 7300
-HDD 500gb
- RAM 2
- Webcam (but can't see the program installed?)

I'm not techie at all, I bought it because I love the model. I didn't even see the spec, and now kinda feel disappointed specially after I realised that its battery is inbuilt.

And with that inbuilt battery, I assume, I couldn't use this laptop on outlet power?

I wish I could return it, and buy a inspiron 13R instead.
Where can I find the user guide for this V13?

Thanks for any help

 

Well I'm back looking at the v13. I originally was looking back in Feb and decided on buying a Lenovo U350 in March- which was stolen about a month later! So, after spending the last month once again considering my options, I'm ready to buy a V13. The problem is - which one?!

I'm in academia, and buying through my premier site and not all configurations are available to them, as essentially its a business laptop. But here is what I can get:

Two windows versions w/ 2GB ram, 320GB 7200 drive, bluetooth, webcam
main diff: SU7300 version with Intel bgn card for $749
versus: SU3500 with Dell bg card for $629

Two Ubuntu versions w/ 2GB ram, bluetooth, webcam, Dell bg card
differences: SU3500 w/ 320GB 7200 drive for $649
versus: Celeron M w/ 250GB 5400 drive for $509

If money was not an option, the top of the line would be the obvious choice.
But right now I'm leaning towards the W7 3500 system for $629. Will I miss not having the 7300 processor? And is the Dell b/g card adequate? (reviews of a v13 with Intel's card give it excellent wireless performance- I suppose I could always switch to this card after the fact)

Of course, what I intend to do on it comes into play- just email, web, not interested in gaming, videos, music, etc. I do want to try to make it a dual boot system, with the second OS being RedHat 5.4 (I have a particular software that runs only on that OS), so the larger drive is preferred, otherwise I'd might give the Ubuntu Celeron choice more weight. I'm itching to sending in my order, so your comments will be appreciated!
Thanks!

 

hi, anyone knows the contrast ratio of the lcd screens of v13 and latitude 13?
i hope dell dont sell them with those super crappy 200:1 screens no more.

 

Well, I opted for the better buy (SU3500, 2GB RAM) and not the most performance and so far, VERY pleased! Paid $649 (included a Bluetooth mouse) with 3 yrs warranty. Certainly seems fast enough, runs very cool and quiet. Don't hear any noise from the 7200 drive mentioned earlier by others. Keyboard and build seem great.

I've already partitioned the drive roughly in half, generating a 160GB slice for RedHat, which loaded fine as a 64-bit OS. Haven't really been concerned too much to see what and what doesn't work in the RH environment, but the bluetooth mouse does works fine. More to learn and play with.....

 

Just curious. How is the webcam? Is the sound clear and image not so grainy? Would you say its the the same webcam as the m11x or Studio?