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For your daily needs [New Straits Time (Malaysia)](New Straits Time (Malaysia) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) It may be light, but this ultrabook has all the essentials, says Ana Korg. THE ultrabook addresses the weight issue which annoys laptop users, especially those who are always on the go. The Inspiron 11 3000 Series by Dell has joined laptop manufacturers in providing an option in this category. A portable ultrabook that lets you bring your work with you. Simple is the best way to describe the design. Maybe not too stylish but the matte silver body makes it a smart-looking ultrabook. Weighing 1.43kg, you can easily pick it up with one hand and it fits nicely in a medium or big bag. Due to the soft touch paint coating, I noticed I have a better grip on the ultrabook than my netbook. I like how the hinge closes the lid firmly but at the same time flexes open easily for immediate use. The Inspiron 11 uses Windows 8 operating system that compliments the 11.6 inch display touchscreen. Although there is already integration of touchscreen in notebooks, this is the first time I feel that a touchscreen is similar to the high end smartphones screen. Scrolling is effortless and easy to control with the tip of your finger. The smaller icon is a bit tough to register so it needs extra pressure to get it to work. The keyboard is the best I have typed on and the perfect positioning of the wrist rest makes it comfortable to type for a long period. The keys hardly make any sound so you won't have to worry about irritating those around you when you pound away at the keys. The quietest keyboard so far, the keys are positioned lower so your hands won't tire easily due to lifting your fingers too high. A spacious touchpad located between the wrist rest further contributes to the overall minimal design. A bit stiff for my liking, it is a contrast to the fluid touchscreen. I need to drag my fingers a little to get the cursor going where I want it and it takes a while to get used to the right spot to press the left and right tabs. With a noise-cancelling dual digital array mic, you can now have a clearer conversation while making a video call and talk in your normal tone. It also isolates background noise so you don't have to be in a private room just to make that call. But the visual does not go hand in hand with the improved audio as the webcam is only passable. Maintaining a healthy laptop now is easier with the My Dell feature that keeps you informed of issues that need to be addressed and tools to fix it with. You can also arrange for automated backup for that peace of mind. It also links you to Dell Support with regard to your warranty information and services. The Inspiron 11 performs daily tasks with ease, from checking emails to surfing the net. Video streaming is fine with a good enough sound system for your enjoyment. For connection, it has two USB 2.0 ports, a 3.0 USB port, HDMI and Ethernet ports, an SD card slot and a headset input. I imagine this model will benefit professionals who need to bring their work with them all the time. I did not get to try stretching the battery life up to eight hours as Dell claims, but I am glad to see the battery indicator did not budge after a full hour of surfing online. With a price tag that is affordable, this would be a good one to consider for your first laptop. Inspiron 11 3000 Pros: Comfortable keyboard. Good touchscreen. Cons: Webcam does not complement the improved mic performance. Clicking the touchpad needs practice. Specification Thickness: 21.2 mm Weight: 1.43kg Display: 11.6 LED Backlit Touch Display Memory: 4GB Operating System: Windows 8 Video Card: Intel HD Graphics RAM: 2 GB Hard Drive: Up to 5,000 GB SATA hard drive Price: RM 1,399 Our verdict: ****1/2 Physical design: ****1/2 Documentation: ***1/2 User-friendliness: ****1/2 Features: ***1/2 Performance: ***1/2 Value for money: ****1/2 Bottom line: Inspiron 11 3000 has a good package for an entry level laptop. (c) 2013 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |