Dell Launches Inspiron 11z

yup...its a better processor overall...but its not for the clock speed. The atom has more clock speed and its worse than the celeron 723...

The architecture is really similar...the SU have more cache and lower power consumption, but both use the same socket...

Islander...if you would consider a dell 11z and are just waiting for color options, you should consider the acer...

color options are usually expensive...

but again...if you decide to go with the 11z you would have a good computer regardless and it will be better than all the netbooks with the atom processor

 

Yeah, I think this might be a case of you get what you pay for. Though the Studio 11z is $399, I just spoke to Kevin and he asked me if we can come up with a new category of "Worst notebook of the year". Apparently the 11z has quite a few issues in regards to performance and a buggy touchpad, a review should be forthcoming on Monday.

 

Oh my god, my 11z just showed up.

WORST TOUCHPAD I HAVE EVER USED

The integral buttons make the experience almost unusable unless you plug in an external mouse. If you are the type of person that uses one finger to move the cursor and another to click the button when you reach an area, you will find the cursor either jerking to a stop, or flying somewhere across the screen. Precise movement is out of the question, it is horrible. Removing the ElanTech drivers seem to make things better, but then it cant control any of the dual inputs while clicking the left/right buttons.

Speed on the X/Y axis is also off no matter what drivers we have tried. When trying to draw circles, it goes wider than it goes tall.

Performance related it is slower than the N270 and N280. Hulu is hilarious to watch. Try to scroll in IE while an SD clip is being played and it continues to jerk up and down for 5-10 seconds like some ghost is working the controls.

Performance related stuff I can handle, build quality is great, screen is nice, keyboard is excellent, but wow... touchpad is something else.

 

the touchpad was made to be used with one hand...
have you use a unibody mac touchpad ?
Same concept...
i have 0 problems with it...
if you try to use two hands that were you see the issues...but, oh well...i dont like touchpad anyways...it is not a deal breaker...

i really, really, really find hard to believe that a 64 bit processor with 800 mhz FSB and a better video car will perform worse than a Atom processor...
its like saying a P4 with HT 3 Ghz will perform better than a Core 2 Duo...

i have watch hulu...0 problems...
watching 720 video it jerks a little but its because of the video driver en windows 7...

maybe you need to change to W7 and stop using IE...its the worst web browser right now...
try chrome or firefox 3.5...you are welcome...

 

What LCD panel does it use? You can check it with Everest.

The only 11.6" panel I've seen sofar is the AUOptronics AUO205C.

 

i'm not a fan of the trackpad either......

Performance wise though that's not what I'm seeing. It's easily faster at almost everything than the two netbooks I have right here (dell mini 10v and toshiba Nb205)

It is slow to boot but that has more to do with Vista than anything.

W7 is pretty good on this as well.

And join this century and dump IE for a real browser (chrome or Firefox )

 

not sure...
doesnt show in w7

 

everest reports it as AUO105C which I'm assuming is an Auptronics

it also say the picture aspect ratio is 17:9
manufacture date week 1-2009

it also reports running the memory bus at 399.0 mhz

Everest is a pretty slick app

 

I have used all of the clicker style MacBook touchpads, none of them have this problem. They can tell the difference between a static finger and other fingers moving around. The touchpad on the 11z seems to freak out when you click, be it with a finger from the same hand, or a finger from your other hand.

We installed chrome during the Divx codec pack since it was included. Chrome was a bit smoother in scrolling, but still couldnt handle Hulu.

Speed wise how are you comparing it to your other netbooks? In my initial HD video tests it is showing higher processor usage than other Atom based netbooks. Right now the Dell Dock, Dell Backup, AV, etc are all removed so the system is pretty clean.

 

i can agree that its not the best but is not the worst!

 

Loading our aventail VPN, running office 2007 specifically our access database and our company powerpoint presentation

Playing back assorted H.264 video in VLC and itunes. Running our application

measured with a stopwatch

W7 seems to be faster on some tasks (office) and slower on others (video) than Vista. Both builds are using Norton 2009. The unit came with Mcafee and I could not get that off there fast enough. I also killed the dell dock

PS: the fan runs more under W7

 

are you using RC or the real macoy?

 

using the rtm release 32 bit version

 

thats the final version right?

i bet the video problems are because of the drivers...

 

well the W7 could be the drivers. I know many owns of various laptops with the intel 4500hd have said the same thing about the 4500hd and W7, with me being one of them. I think once the drivers get better video and other video related tasks should improve.

 

Joel, I think I've decided that color is not worth the extra money- Thank You for reminding me that it's going to up the price. Did your 11z come with a sleeve or a case? Also- being from Texas I'm a Yahoo girl- how do you think that will run on it?

 

no it did not...but this thing is small enough for a big purse or even a small backpack...

 

What about these wireless cards. Dell is avertising that they have an Intel wireless card that will pick up twice as far away- Is that a real benefit? Worth the extra money?:confused2: :confused2:

 

And, what about the 6 cell verses the 9 cell battery- is it alot heavier If I get a 9 cell, and is it really worth the extra money to get the 9 cell?

 

right now you cant customize anything on the laptop...

The network seems to work fine with the default card (Dell 1397).

i don't think they will ever sell a 9 cell for this kind of laptop. 6 cell is big enough.

 

At joel: How does the Celeron 723 perform?

 

Well, Dell has me looking at the Inspirion 14 and these Items are upgrades available for that unit.

 

guess its good enough for the usage i'll give it...
it play HD video, but doesnt play games...
so i cant complain...

 

well, it all depends on what you will use this for...
the 11z is not as fast a a laptop or a desktop pc...
if you are a student i would suggest a desktop + a netbook...
you can buy a decent desktop for 600$ and a decent netbook for 400...

that would be the price for a not that heavy laptop...

 

Well, unfortunately I already have a heavy laptop- a Toshiba 17 L355D S7815, & it is too heavy to be carrying around school. I would get this Inspirion mainly to use while I'm at school & at home to do my online quizes & homework on. I can't make myself sit at a desk- so I don't think a desktop will be good for me.

 

in that case, i would suggest the smallest netbook your budget would allow...
i would avoid the Atom, and would try to get a CULV cpu...

there are starting to come out...

i would suggest the Lenovo s12, Dell 11z, Acer 1810T, gateway LT3100 and such...
you have couple of options...
each have advantages and disadvantages...



i did lots and lots of research...and i was a few days away of buying the s12 with via processor when the 11z came out and i jumped (same price for a smaller computer)

 

Islander, how long can you wait until you need a new notebook? I think if you wait just a month, you'll see at least a couple new competitors to the Inspiron 11z, the Acer 1410 is already available for ordering here in the U.S and HP is set to release their own 11" ultraportable soon.

 

Ok I'll keep researching- I'ts just that Dell's sale is over tomorrow.

 

Island girl Im inclined to agree with Rahul, if you can wait, there are some nice systems coming.

Coincidentally we were talking to our Dell rep today and they asked us what we thought about the 11z and so on. I relayed that after a couple of kinks that we were overall impressed. I did say that the trackpad was an acquired taste and that it should ship with a 6 cell battery but overall it's a nice unit.

He then went on to tell us how this unit was going to be a better value than HPs new unit "for the price". I took that to infer that they are concerned about the HP as well.

FWIW anyway, I think many would be happy with this system and it surely is a step above the atom systems out there. And the screen is superb

 

Well, Dell has me looking at the Inspiron 14 & I'm trying to decide on that

 

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Not sure If I should go with IntelJWiFi Link 5100 802.11agn Half Mini-Card or standard Dell card, also not sure what 9 cell battery weighs verses 6 cell.

 

Standard Dell card with n will do fine.

My guesstimates for batteries:
3 cell 200 grams
6 cell 300 grams
9 cell 400 grams

Hehe that's every week

My tip: Acer 1410 for $449. Better CPU, large 6 cell battery, Synaptics multi touchpad and two RAM slots.

 

Thank You for the Info Phil

 

Islander- Sorry I called you "Island Girl" I guess it was the avatar that through me off. Just out of curiosity, you also made mention of being from Texas. Is Islander a reference to South Padre island? If it is I'm so envious. I have been there several times and its a beautiful place.

Anyway the boss has told me to get a hold of the Acer 1410 unit and the new Asus with the 11.6 screen and evaluate them as well. Fun stuff for me. I'll write back with how I think they compare

 

Could be 450 grams for the 9 cell, 150 grams more than the 6 cell.

 

if you have the 449 go with Acer...
if you want to save some $ (dont be a fool like me and use the EPP ) or just if the acer is over your budget go with the 11z...

regardless of what you get, both are good systems and the prices are comparable (for what you get)...

try to avoid all over 14" if you are concern with weight...

 

I'm back from School. What is Draft-N WiFi?

 

Islander is What we are called at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, because the University is on it's own Island. Near Mustang Island.
What is that Intel Wi Fi card useful for?

 

Draft N is the newest tech in wireless. Faster and more robust (like less interference prone) than older wireless like G and B. Supposedly it's a bit more power efficient as well.

Real world it may not be that important as for most people myself included their DSL or cable connection will be the limiting factor on speed.

Corps Christi is a nice place to though I've never been to the campus

 

Well, I put in the order for the Inspiron 14. I hope I made the right choice. It was $683 with Tax. Shipping was free. Here are the Specs:
Inspiron 14 Notebook (Inspiron 1440)
1 317-1426 Intel Pentium Dual Core T4200 2.0GHz, 800, 1M
1 317-1437 4GB, DDR2, 800MHZ, 2 DIMM
1 320-0811 900P Hi Resolution, Bright, Glossy, widescreen 14.0 inch WLED display
1 320-0812 Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
1 341-0357 320G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
1 313-7932 PROMISE PINK IMR
1 468-2467 $5 Donation to Susan G. Komen Foundation
1 421-0239 Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 Home Premium Edition, English
1 330-4218 DELL RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP,1440
1 420-9100 Dell Dock Consumer
1 463-2282 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
1 420-6436 Vista, PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 421-0323 Windows Live Search,Multiple User Interface
1 310-8628 You have chosen a Windows Vista Premium System
1 421-0187 Dell Support Center Software 64 Bit 2.0
1 420-7938 Dell Connect 2.1
1 421-1193 Download Store Links
1 410-1883 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
1 313-7915 8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive
1 421-0542 Cyberlink Power DVD 8.2 Playback
1 420-8183 Roxio Creator DE 10
1 313-4783 Integrated High Definition Audio 2.2
1 430-2929 Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini Card
1 313-7933 Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam
1 421-0463 Creative Camera SW
1 420-8223 Dell Video Chat
1 410-2185 McAfee Sapphire MUI, 15-Month
1 312-0136 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
1 420-8051 Microsoft Works 9.0, English For Inspiron
1 994-8417 Dell Hardware Warranty Plus Return To Depot, Initial Year
1 990-7989 1 Year Limited Warranty and Mail-In Service,Notebook
1 950-9057 No Warranty, Year 2 and 3
1 994-5000 Mail-InService, 24x7 TechnicalSupport, Initial Year
1 960-2780 Warranty Support,Initial Year
1 988-7707 2GB DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 FOR SDO/DIM/INS/XPS
1 420-9518 DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 2GB
1 988-0099 To activate your online backupaccount, go to Start, Programs, DataSafe Online
1 330-5126 Intel Pentium Label

 

Fyi, check the dell website. The Inspiron 11z is over $500 now, I don't see it for $399. Wow.

 

not bad...
not too heavy so you should be ok...
around the same weight of a unibody macbook...

i would have gone with the 14z with the 6 cell battery...
with epp should have been the same price and it is much better looking...

with that computer i would get rid of the 17" and would get a nice 21" monitor...

 

wow...
i'm glad i got it when i did...uther wise i would never bought it...

399 was a perfect price...
529 is a ripoff...for that i would rather have the Acer! with 4 gigs of ram!

 

Yeah this definitely came out of nowhere. Makes no sense to get this over the Acer Aspire 1410.

 

well..
dell doesnt like to be second on pc sales...
but when you get prices like this you have to wonder why the hell are they thinking!

 

now down to 449...

the question is...
why would i buy this over the Acer...acer have a better processor, you can put 4 gigs cheaper (4 gigs of 800 in 2 stick is $50, 4 gigs on 1 stick is 3x that!), the screen is the same...

Dell should have left the 11z on 399 i think that was the sweet spot to compete against the acer...guess they are not that smart!

 

Acer also has the better touchpad (Synaptics Multi Touch) and a larger battery (6 cell).

 

yup...
dell remove the only way it could compete against that one...
*sigh* oh well...

 

What??? Started at $399, went to $529 and now $449. Hmm, I think this is a typo. They are good at that, however if this is correct I damn sure won't be buying one.... $449 without any options? No can do!!

 

It's probably not a typo as Dell usually changes it's prices frequently.