I've never been a fan of Macs. PCs have always been my thing -mostly because I understand them, and they're affordable- and my very first laptop was a Dell. It was a dependable laptop that lasted me over two years, but it just became much too big to lug around for work, so I got a smaller sized Samsung Q45. It was red, light, and just lovely. Every once and a while I'd turn on my old Dell to grab a file or a few photographs, and it would faithfully boot back up.
Since then I've used various other Samsungs and ASUS netbooks. The last Dell I encountered was the Mini 10 - a smallish netbook that was lightweight and colorful. As much as I wanted to like the Mini 10,I just didn't get on with it. It felt clunky, and seemed to run very sluggishly.
However, despite this, I've always been a fan of Dell. They always come across as being consumer focused and dependable, even if they're not as sexy as a Macbook or as easy to tote around as a Eee PC.
And then Dell introduced the world to the Dell Vostro V130...and everything changed.
The closest thing I've seen to a PC version of a Macbook Air, the Vostro V130 is one of the thinnest and lightest 13" laptops on the market, and it's certainly the swishest I've seen. In a lovely matte silver or a deep candy red, the Vostro has a full size keyboard as well as a 13.3-inch High Definition WLED display - which basically means it's big, it's crisp, and it's HD.
Dell say they designed the Vostro VI30 with entrepreneurs and on-the-go business people in mind, which is evident in how light the Vostro is (it starts at 3.5lbs), and how swift and quick it is to boot up after hibernation, thanks to its 64bit Intel Core ULV processor.The Vostro is also constructed from aluminum, which is responsible for how light it is and why it can take being jostled around in your bag during your commute to and from work.
Even better, it's made from some crazy thing called Hyperbaric Cooling, an Intel® Advanced Cooling Technology, which means that the hard drive won't wake up your partner when you're staying up late watching a DVD in bed on your own. This also means it won't get as hot on your lap or even your wrists like other laptops do when you use them for hours at a time, which is a big plus for me.
Is the Vostro the Laptop for You?
Bits and cooling technology aside, this laptop will be for you if...
- You don't like hunching over small, slow netbooks. (The 13.3" screen and full sized keyboard are fantastic.)
- You need to do more than just use Word or check Facebook at the same time. (If you're constantly using five or more programs at once, the Vostro is your best friend. It is quick and fast to boot up and can multitask like a, well, a woman. It's perfect for when you're doing a bit of work on the train, plane, or in between meetings.)
- You carry your laptop around with you all the time. (It's seriously light. And thin. While it's wider than most netbooks, it's thinner and lighter than a lot of them.)
- You like the look of a Macbook Air but you can't afford it. (Who the hell can afford a Macbook Air?! The Dell Vostro V130 starts at just $429.)
The Techy Bits
While things like USB ports aren't exactly reason enough to or not to buy a laptop, those are still the sorts of things you should be looking at when buying a laptop. So, here are a few techy bits with the Vostro V130:
- There are 2 USB ports.
- It has Bluetooth 3.0.
- There is NOT a CD drive, like the Macbook Air, because it is so thin.
- It has a multitouch track pad.
- It has a built-in SD card reader on the side.
- It has a port to connect it to a monitor, as well as an HDMI port.
- It runs on Windows 7.
- It has a built-in webcam.
What's Wrong With It?
My one and only complaint about this laptop would be the battery life. Running on standard settings, the 6-cell Lithium Ion sealed battery will only last around two hours. A price to pay for the thinness, lightness and power, yes. And also, I must admit that I've never tried out the "Power Saver" option that the Vostro V130 gives you - so hopefully this will give you a bit more juice. Otherwise, it would be a good idea to memorize where all the plugs are in your favorite café.
The Dell Vostro V130 is an amazing laptop to use. And I mean that. (I'm typing this review on it.) I much prefer it to using a smaller netbook, and it's refreshing to carry around a laptop that's as powerful as it is light. In short, I highly recommend it.
If you're an entrepreneur or business-owner, why not check out Dell's Trade Secrets on Facebook where folks (and me!) have posted information on how to make a good first impression!