Dell Intros Vostro 3000 Series Notebooks Discussion

[Charles P. Jefferies]

Dell has announced its new Vostro 3000 series notebooks. The Vostro series feature the latest Intel processors and screen sizes ranging from 13.3" to 17.3".

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[cy007]

Dell Hong Kong still doesn't have the backslit/spill-resistant keyboard option for the Vostro 3700, and 64-bit OS only for the Core i7 config.

Great laptops, pity Dell laptops aren't widely available in retail stores around these parts.

edit: Anyone knows if these machines use an MXM-slot for its GPU? Possibility of upgrading it myself when new graphics chips come out next year?

[ChristopherAKAO4]

I can't seem to tell from the pictures, do these have a glossy or matte finish? (Not the screens, the chassis.)

[John Ratsey]

I can't seem to tell from the pictures, do these have a glossy or matte finish? (Not the screens, the chassis.)

The photos on the Dell UK site suggest to me that the paintwork is matte, similar to that used on the Latitudes.

John

[ChristopherAKAO4]

The photos on the Dell UK site suggest to me that the paintwork is matte, similar to that used on the Latitudes.

John

Yes, it does not seem to be glossy based on the pictures I have seen. It seems to be a plastic that attempts to give the appearance of a metallic look. The plastic seems to retain a reflective appearance though. I guess you cannot get true dull metallic look without using metal. Still, I am glad to see Dell is returning to the matte finish on its business notebooks. Glossy business notebooks are just a bad idea. (I am really surprised even Lenovo fell for it with their SL line!)

[allfiredup]

Yes, it does not seem to be glossy based on the pictures I have seen. It seems to be a plastic that attempts to give the appearance of a metallic look. The plastic seems to retain a reflective appearance though. I guess you cannot get true dull metallic look without using metal. Still, I am glad to see Dell is returning to the matte finish on its business notebooks. Glossy business notebooks are just a bad idea. (I am really surprised even Lenovo fell for it with their SL line!)

Every time I see a laptop with a glossy finish, I flash back to the 80's! It reminds me of the dreadful black lacquer furniture trend...it was dreadful back then, even worse now! Fingerprints are bad enough, but scratches and scuffs on a business notebook are just tacky, IMO...

Glossy finishes SUCK! We want more matte finishes that don't attract fingerprints and hold up well to constant travel and heavy use!

[Soulsaber]

Wow the 17" is only 5.95 lbs? My old 14" laptop was around that weight lol =(

[Charles P. Jefferies]

Wow the 17" is only 5.95 lbs? My old 14" laptop was around that weight lol =(

I think my 15.4" laptop actually weighs more than that too - ~6 lbs is very light for a 17" laptop.

I like the way these Vostro notebooks look, the previous gen was very generic looking (though decent machines). As business notebooks I question the inclusion of an HDMI port (versus DisplayPort). Also when dressed up in one of the colors they look a bit tacky to me, too consumer notebook-like.

[ChristopherAKAO4]

Glossy finishes SUCK! We want more matte finishes that don't attract fingerprints and hold up well to constant travel and heavy use!

Amen!

As business notebooks I question the inclusion of an HDMI port (versus DisplayPort).

I think HDMI was a good call sense these are being marketed at small businesses instead of large corporations. DisplayPort just isn't widely used yet, especially outside of the business world. Dell is really targeting the Vostro market at people who want a business notebook but with the consumer media rich features. (Like the media touch buttons across the top.) Besides, it gives them a reason to sell you their premium Latitudes.

[TSE]

The Vostro 3300 looks like a very very nice laptop.

This is the first Dell release in awhile where I commend them for a good looking, functional, and reasonable laptop.