Dell Vostro 3300 Review

By Darius Chang, CNET Asia
Apr 2, 2010

Though the Lenovo G range, HP 500 series and Dell Vostro target small and medium business users, this category also appeals to the budget consumer as well. Designed to quickly and inexpensively equipped a small workforce, SMB machines may not sport entertainment features, but they do offer decent specifications at a price point even lower than some entry-level consumer portables. The Vostro 3300 is Dell's latest addition which comes with an attractive chassis and runs off Intel's latest Core i5 chip at an affordable price.

Upside: With a starting price of S$1,599 (US$1,143.20), the Vostro 3300's design is surprisingly attractive. Not only does it come in a choice of silver, red or bronze, it's also wrapped in an aluminum case that used to be found only on premium notebooks. The Vostro is also one of the cheapest Core i5 laptops in the market even against consumer models. Despite the fact that the thickest part of the machine is only 28.6mm, this unit sports an internal DVD writer and tips the scales at under 2kg. Barely a year ago, such a machine would have easily cost S$1,000 (US$714.95) more.

While the 13.3-inch LED-backlit display with 1,366 x 768-pixel resolution has become the norm for thin-and-lights, we're glad to see the Vostro 3300 sports an anti-glare layer instead of the more common reflective type. While the later may be more desirable for movie viewing, the Vostro 3300's panel is be more usable in bright conditions and even outdoors under shade. The entry-level model uses Intel's integrated graphics chipset, which can be upgraded to a discrete Nvidia GeForce 310M for S$74.90 (US$53.55).

Dell does not skimp when it comes to features, offering a complete port selection which includes USB, USB/eSATA combo, a 5-in-1 memory card reader and a 34mm ExpressCard slot. The keyboard is water-resistant and can be upgraded with LED backlights in some markets. The touchpad is multitouch-enabled and capable of recognizing gestures such as pinch to zoom and two-finger scrolling. Top it off with a fingerprint sensor for data security, and you have one of the most complete business machines at this price range.

Downside: With a Core i5 processor and a four-cell battery, we do not expect this thin-and-light to have stellar battery life since most portables in this class sport a six-cell pack at least. Fortunately, an eight-cell option is available in some markets, though it does add to the weight of the machine and protrudes from the sleek profile.

Outlook: With an appealing metal chassis and full feature set, the Vostro is a very compelling offering, especially given the affordable price tag. Just be aware that the default battery would probably disappoint if you like to work out of the office often.


Source: CNet Asia