Replaced my Vostro V13 with Vostro 3300

My Vostro V13 had an issue with the plastic melting after a Dell technician did not properly install the laptop for a trackpad replacement. I received a
replacement laptop today which is a Vostro 3300 and not a Vostro V13.

The specs of new laptop are:
Core i3-350M
2GB, DDR3, 1066MHZ
250GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
4-cell Lithium Ion battery

My old specs:
Celeron ULV 743
2GB, 1066MHz, DDR3
250GB 5400RPM

I really bought the Vostro V13 because it is so thin and light. Is this replacement fair? Can I call dell and ask for a Vostro V13 and return this Vostro 3300?

Thanks

 

Spec wise the Vostro 3300 is the better laptop LOL, don't complain.

 

If you like the new machine more keep it, if you really want the thinner one then send it back.

 

Technically, you got an upgrade . But the unique thinness and overall look of the V13 might be just as important to you as the processor, especially if the V13 was powerful enough for your needs.

If they won't give you a V13, ask about the Latitude 13. It's the V13's twin, same chassis, maybe some minor differences. Just make sure they don't downgrade you.

If you took the 3300 out for a spin anyway, what are your impressions of it (all things being equal)? Too bulky? How does it perform? Build quality?

i read up on it when it was on my short list. The negatives were mainly about the sound (apparently it only has one speaker and even that one's not very good), and the short battery life. So check those two issues to make sure you can live with them.

 

First thought - you were getting by with a Celeron processor? I'm not sure if I could live with a single core processor and Windows 7?

Second of all, the Vostro V13 is so different in concept that an exact comparison is difficult. That integrated battery is not renowned for it's output, so the comparison with the 4-cell in the Vostro 3300 is interesting.

Personally, I seriously considered the V13 because of the superior cooling and all-aluminum case design. The Vostro 3000 series looks pretty, but I have my doubts about the plastic-bottomed case. I the Vostro 3300 really all that much better than a Dell Consumer laptop with comparable specs?

I can really see why the V13 is pricier, spec for spec, if only because of the unconventional thin case and single stick of RAM. I guess the real question is whether you were happy with the Celeron processor in your original V13?

 

I own a V13 with a Celeron ULV and it came with W7 Premium. It runs W7 very well.

 

My vosto v13 with Celeron ran windows 7 very well. I have a studio xps 16 as well and I mostly use the vosto for web surfing and taking it to school for notes and writing papers. It did the job well. I called dell and they are going send me a vosto v13. I like the 3300 a lot and its quite powerful with an i3 but it is tthicker and heavier and so was little less portable. I am hoping that they upgrade my processor to core 2 ulv on my new v13.

 

Any battery life complaints? Is it manageable, and is it hard to replace?

 

I get around 4+ hours of surfing. I bought the Dell V13 SU3500. Upgraded the RAM to 4gb and installed a SSD. The thing is pretty fast but the fan made too much noise. It’s been 3 days now since I opened up the computer and unplugged the fan. It runs around 44-49C and when I watch a video for a while it runs at 50-55C. I’m not an expert but I think that’s a safe temperature. Am I wrong?

 

Battery life isn't fantastic for the V13/Latitude 13/V130. It uses a very thin 6 cell 30 WHr battery. Mine has the SU7300, a traditional 5400rpm HDD. The full review is in my sig.