What if you took
an original Adamo, shaved a couple pounds off the weight and a grand off the price? You'd end up with something pretty close to the new
Dell Vostro V13. We just got a quick look at the machine, and while some of the cheaper materials Dell is using here certainly came through, the total package is still quite impressive -- and the price unimpeachable. The anodized aluminum exterior is smooth to the touch and gives the frame of the entire laptop a great amount of stiffness; none of that bendy nonsense that can be found in some of the $500ish thin-and-light competition. We were also pleasantly surprised to find a antigloss (not quite matte) display under the hood. Unfortunately, the compromises begin with the keyboard, which is a bit bendy and "clacky" (the bad version of "clicky"), and the 6 volt battery gets 4.75 hours as quoted, so probably around three in real life. We're also a little disappointed
that the $450 base price rips out the SD card and ExpressCard slots, and that you can't get a Windows 7 version for under $600 -- even though the Ubuntu default is mighty tempting. So, there are compromises, just like in
life, but for the most part this is one of the least timid computers we've seen from Dell in a while: not afraid to step on the toes of its brandmates and make a name for itself. Check out a quick video hands-on after the break, and stand by for our review that should hopefully arrive later this month.
Update: We got some bad info, and it turns out that the ExpressCard and SD card slots
do come standard with the laptop -- the mockup we saw didn't have them, but all shipping models will. Phew!
posted December 8th 2009 11:38AM
sweet...
Damn, I want C2D w/Ubuntu, but can't customize enough on Dell page
It looks nice, but I don't have any fond memories about anything from Dell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ijH3cRJ1BY
so why would you get this when you can get an Acer Timeline (which is sexier and has better features) with Win 7 for less?
@willowtwf why would you get a Acer timeline when you can get a Asus ul30vt!
Running down the spec list it appears likely you could Hackintosh this thing, although the Intel 4500 graphics may cause some issues.
Thats bullshit, the cheap model comes with ubuntu, but the model with the decent core2duo doesn't have an ubuntu option. This is why linux has trouble getting ahead, and then pc makers act like it is failing. When its not, if the higher end model came with linux I would buy it right now
I can live with only 2 USB ports, but not having an HDMI port is stupid, hell I would have been happy with a display port. I have only encountered one place in the last year that still only has equipment supporting VGA.
The model with the core 2 duo (SU7300) starts at $799 Cdn. Seems steep compared to what you get with the Asus UL line for a slightly higher price.
While it's unfortunate that Ubuntu is not offered with the Core2duo, I think it is great that Dell is offering a configuration with Ubuntu at a $150 (or more) discount. Some people are on a budget AND they don't really need Windows, so it is quite an attractive design & tempting price.
When will it be in the US?
Delivery not until Jan 11th in US unfortunately
oh, wow. quite a sight to see.
WANT WANT WANT WANT
to me the whole design aesthetics is immediately lost when you open the device. the keyboard, the buttons, and the display just look so plain!
However still a great laptop none the less. Its just that it couldve been a perfect laptop with a great design and an amazing price point.
@wako Agree. The body design is very nice. Thin, crisp, livable compromises for the thinness. They should have done SOMETHING on the inside other than the matte black everywhere. Too dull.
ahhhh
Dell NZ, why do you mess with me.
Why do you not offer the Ubuntu option on this?
The only option is a 1299NZ Core 2 Solo with Win7 pro or XP pro - where the US get Win7 Home premium.
Doing a quick configure, it seems the US version is 669 with Win7Pro. So that equates to exchange of 0.57 US to 1NZ after adjustment for sales tax. Todays exchange rate off my ipod shows 0.70$.
Nice skimming if you can do it...
@balthazar, same in AU., only comes in Windows flavours, but Solo and Duo models. A$999 (Solo, 2gb RAM), A$1099 (2gb RAM) and A$1299 (4gb RAM)
if dell could get the 12hr battery life that asus is claiming for the ul30a out of this then they'd have a buyer in me!! but as it stands, why would you take something with HALF the battery life??
HDMI, 3G and backlight keyboard would also be very nice.
A consumer version with HDMI would be a winner for me... though a Studio 14z is already pretty close to perfect for me, and priced extremely well in the Dell Outlet (even with some good upgrades like C2D, 802.11N, backlit keyboard, and extended battery). I also prefer Geforce 9400m graphics over Intel 4500.
Dell: Why would you give us the option of having 4GB RAM but not the option of getting 64-bit Win7 OS to go with it? Thanks.
@dixon2k
just use your 32-bit key with an x64 oem 7 disk
@chansthename You CAN'T use a 32-bit key with a 64-bit OS. Sorry.
@Fanfoot
I don't know about the OEM versions, but my retail Windows 7 has 32-bit and 64-bit discs and a single license key.
@chansthename
1. That's not a practical answer. Aside from the legality of licenses, where would one get a 64 bit disk if this is the only machine I have from Dell w/ Windows 7?
2. Even if Dell was willing to give me one, it seems impractical for most other people to wipe their HD and install 64 bit OS the minute they get their new computer.
3. No 64-bit drivers on Dell site for this machine. 64 bit Win OSs need signed 64 bit drivers.
Looks really nice. Good budget laptop. Still, I don't regret purchasing my Asus UL30vt. Pricing out comparable parts and accidental warranty puts the Dell at $1000, which doesn't include an overclocked processor or switchable Nvidia graphics...or nearly the battery life.
Should give good competition to the general thin and light field though.
None of the engadget galleries seem to be working. Nothing happens when you click the next button. Here is one of the links.
http://www.engadget.com/photos/dell-vostro-v13-hands-on/#2516626
Can it run games lilke Team Fortress 2 ? Can the UL30(t) ?
@Tib0o the ul30vt can, it cal also run crysis in low settings.
This is not $450!!!!
The cheapest configuration is the Vostro 13 N-series (Ubuntu/celeron version) for $668. What a rip off. An Asus UL30 would be much better.
Engadget...what's with the wrong news, and hype!?
@Jayson tf² runs in good quality ?
@Jayson Uh... I'm on Dell's site right now and the cheapest model is $449. Just like Engadget said.
@Fanfoot Yesterday it wasn't....I was trying to buy it and it was telling me $668. Thanks for the reply...they must have changed it. :)
Also, the UL30VT is now $999 on amazon, not the $799 pre-order price anymore. So I am happy to hear that I can now get an ultra thin for xmas (too bad the ship date is 1/13).
PS: Amazon also has a $75/$100 gift card giveaway when ordering through amazon right now...that I found on their site, but not for the UL30VT that I was looking into buying. http://www.discoverul.com/
@Jayson Oops, I meant Asus has a giftcard promo through Amazon.
Looks great, but I'd rather have a regular dual core processor in there instead of these underpowered 1.3 ghz culv's.
@JakeInDC Yeah, but then it wouldn't be either as thin or light or cheap or quiet as it is.
If you don't want a thin 'n light, e.g. CULV laptop, then don't buy one. There are lots and lots of laptops with the usual high end CPUs in them. Pick one of those. A few of us like the new trend of cheaper acceptable performance thin 'n lights with great battery life, little fan noise, etc.
If this had the innards of the Asus UL30 i'd be all over it. At the same price point ($650), the Asus gives 4GB RAM as opposed to 2GB on the Dell, 500GB as opposed to 320GB, and I think i'd be safe to say the Asus will have a higher battery life.
Only thing is the Dell is much thinner. I wish the Asus were that thin!
@Eraser Oh yeah forgot to add that the Asus has HDMI as opposed to VGA. Come on.. it's almost 2010, VGA?
Does anyone know if this would stream hulu type flash sites without "hiccups". I bought a netbook for my little sister that wasn't able to do this kind of process without struggling.
I'm really considering buying the ubuntu version if it is able to easily steam video content off the internet. $450 is a steal.
Is it just me, or is the whole point of this to be portable kinda ruined when it manages (real-world) 3 hours, and you can't change the battery?
I seriously was considering buying this today, but instead went with something else with the same spec that I can change the battery on!
Looks really nice... though where are we getting it's thinner and "a couple pounds"
According to the websites they are the same thickness, and this is only .5lbs lighter.
If only it offered a SSD & a better processor I'd be all over this. I need a ultra-portable and want the fastest I can get... for roughly $2,500 and the Adamo still seems to be in the lead with the fastest 2.1ghz ULV.
Did she point at the HDMI port and call it a second usb port?
@Nutsy It's an eSATA port that doubles as a USB as well.
No connector for a desktop dock?
Ubuntu-Ooboontoo
I Ordered this product, it came this week December 29th, is great!! the only down size to it, that does not comes with a cd rom, you has to place the order, I did but still waiting for it, so had to go to the local store and get a cheap cd drive, not a big deal.
You also can not ordered it with win7 x64, just with the basic, so the first thing I did, was clean the system, and load win7 x64 it runs it, without problems, I'm runing vegas movie studio, dvd creator, photoshop, office 2k7
and absolutebly no problems.
I also do my own buning time, on every system, this one is been on now for two days, and it just runs, I have not tested the battery yet, since have been loading my software.
is great, and keep in mind that I do own a mac book pro, which is my main system, this one is just for or to go anywhere, and with the stability of windows 7 I think this might just give the others a run for their money, and at this price, well what is there to argue about it.
you can get the basic for 450 I think but I went with the full upgrade, it came to 1000 bucks, next I just need to update to a solid state drive, but that would be later.
so far no complains, it is just a sexy machine.
So if you are like me a tech person
I recommend, buying the upgrade of win7 x64, or the full version if you don't want to be doing two installation "I mean, if you buy the upgrade you would has to load vista x64, then upgrade to win7"
Once it arrives clean it, erase it and customize it to your liken, also buy diskeeper and anti virus, and you are set.
enjoy!!