Dell Vostro V13: It's Got the Features but Where's the Juice?

Dell is one of the powerhouses in the PC industry and has been for quite a long time. So anything that comes from Dell is expected to be the best. For the most part that is true for the new Dell Vostro V13. The Vostro is based on the Intel ULV chipset, which is supposed to bring power to the laptop realm while constricting battery usage; "ULV" stands for Ultra Low Voltage. This is a CULV on of the new onslaught of Consumer Ultra Low Voltage laptops. On that score there is some doubt as to the value of that here, but more on that later. The Vostro is thin, very thin with less than .65 inches. This puts it in a class with the thinnest of the laptop on the market and overall it is one of the better ones.

The Looks

This is a new entry into the Dell line of laptops, which, like the Adamo, are very style oriented. In this case it works. The Vostro is Aluminum clad and thin. Did I mention that it is very thin? This is a very sleek looking laptop; the case is a champagne colored brushed aluminum and it has a very business-like feel to the appearance. The edge is black plastic as is the keyboard deck. This is a budget laptop, the cost-saving move of keeping the sleek aluminum only on the outside is a reasonable one and in this case, it works. It has a very solid, well-build feel to it. A little reminiscent of the feel of a car door when you know it is a good car. From a standpoint of value, it wins on that point.

The Core

The Vostro is driven by a Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo SU7300 1.3GHz in its base configuration with options for the SU3500 or the Celeron 743. There is a single DDR3 memory slot on board. This is a good move as the DDR3 really drives system performance. The display is a 13.3-inch diagonal LED-backlit HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare and performs nicely in the daylight. The graphics are good but nothing to brag about on the quad with a Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 4500MHD but it gets the job done.

The base configuration includes 2GB ram and a 250GB SATA hard drive and comes with Ubuntu Linux version 9.04 installed. As for ports its much like the Adamo with USB, a combo eSATA/USB, Ethernet and VGA on the back edge. The right side makes room for an SD and an ExpressCard/34 slot, but that is all you will find along the slim, flared edges. The front edge is home to its mic and headphone jack. The touchpad is a very nice feature, it is large and easy to use and the gestures are well configured and not at all frustrating to get used to. The base configuration is $449. If you want to stick with Microsoft, Windows 7 is available for pre-installation for an additional $100. It is interesting to note that Dell is one of the few Manufacturers that will pre-install Linux and provide basic support. Considering the price the Vostro, it is a very good over-all value, but...

The Power

This is where the Vostro disappoints more that just a little. Dell claims that you will get a maximum of 5 hours of power out of the six-cell battery. The truth of the matter is with the Vostro or the Adamo, this does not pan out. In normal usage, some have reported the battery as lasting only 2.5 to 3 hours at best. While disappointing from the view of an overall review and less than what one might expect from Dell. However, the quality of its construction features and support, which Dell has a reputation for providing, almost make up for the lack of battery power. When it comes to a buying decision, the Dell Vostro comes up with a satisfactory grade. For general consumer and business use, this is more than enough system to meet your needs. If the battery performance were better, this would be a very exciting addition to the Dell line up. Even considering this is a very good computer and a good value, just not a great value. Better luck next time, Dell.

References & Resources

Dell Adamo
Dell: Vostro V13
Engadget: Dell Vostro V13 Review
CNet Reviews: A Cheaper Adamo: Vostro V13 Hands On