| secreter | | Administrateur | | 16 messages postés |
|  Posté le 10-12-2012 à 07:33:54   
| Review Dell Vostro 2520 Notebook
Dell provides the Vostro 2520 range for frugal business customers. The models of this range cost less than the Vostro 3560 series laptops. The least expensive model of the 2520 range was available for 309 Euros (~$400) at the time of this review. However, it did not include a Windows operating system. Dell sells a pre-configured version over the known internet shops or it can be customized in Dell's online shop. We tested a pre-configured model. The device we were provided with sports Intel's dual Core i3-2328M processor and its integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 takes care of the graphics output. The system can fall back on 4 GB of working memory. Data is stored on a 500 GB hard drive. A DVD burner is also installed.
[b]DELL Vostro 3360 adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL Vostro 3460 adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL Vostro 3560 adapter , [/b]
We used HP's 650 (Intel Pentium B970, Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)) and Asus' Pro P53E-SO102X (Intel Core i3-2330M, Intel HD Graphics 3000) to classify the laptop.
Case
The Vostro 2520's casing is mainly made of plastic. Only the base unit's top is metal and gives the laptop a much higher quality look. HP's 650 and Asus' Pro P53E-SO102X do not sport any metal parts. The Vostro 2520's casing features a dark, matte gray color, which Dell has dubbed "London Slate". The silver-gray plastic bezel that surrounds the base unit supplies a color contrast. Regrettably, Dell has decided to not completely rely on matte surfaces. The keyboard's bezel and the gaps between the keys are glossy and downright attract fingerprints.
[b]DELL Latitude E5430 adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL Latitude E5530 adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL Latitude E6430 adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL Latitude E6430s adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL Latitude E6430 ATG adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL Latitude E6430 XFR adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL Latitude E6530 adapter , [/b]
The base unit makes a robust impression. It only dents marginally under pressure. It yields more intensely when the casing is pressed in the keyboard's lower left area. The casing's stiffness is also acceptable in view of the price. It can only be warped slightly when held at its two front corners and produces a noise in that case. The Vostro 2520 does not have to fear a comparison with the Vostro 3560's casing. Nevertheless, the latter exhibits an overall more stable build.
The lid's back is coated with a ribbed, rubber layer that protects the back from bumps and scratches. The lid is quite easily warped and its back can be dented without much effort. The hinges keep the lid firmly in position. It's not possible to open the lid with only one hand because the hinges are pulled too tight.
Performance
[b]DELL XPS 13 adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL XPS 13-L321X adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL XPS 13-L322X adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL XPS L321X adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL XPS L322X adapter , [/b]
Dell supplies a range of affordable office devices for business customers and private users with the Vostro 2520 series. Our test device provides more than enough power for routine computer use, i.e. word processing, internet communication, video rendering.
At the time of this review, our test device was listed at 399 Euros (~$517). The low-end device was price-tagged with 309 Euros (~$400) and was powered by Intel's Celeron B820 processor, featured 2 GB of working memory and a 320 GB hard drive. If you buy the laptop in Dell's online shop, you can also opt for Windows 7 or 8 and Intel's Core i5-3210M processor.
[b]Dell Precision M4600 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell Precision M6600 adapter , [/b]
[b] [/b]
[b]DELL Vostro V131 adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL Vostro V131D adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL Vostro V131R adapter , [/b]
Processor
Our test device is powered by Intel's Core i3-2328M processor. It is a new CPU that comes from Intel's previous Sandy Bridge processor generation. The CPU clocks with 2.2 GHz. The Core i3 does not feature Turbo. The Core i3-2328M is identical to the Core i3-2330M with one difference: the Core i3-2328M does not support Intel's Small Business Advantage Tools. That is a collection of utilities from Intel for the business field and, for example, enables locking the computer's USB ports.
The CPU finished our stress test (Prime95 and Furmark run simultaneously) at full speed (2.2 GHz) in AC mode. The GPU mostly clocked at its maximum of 1100 MHz. It was sometimes downclocked to 1050 MHz. The CPU also clocks at full speed on battery power, but the GPU's clock is reduced to 650 MHz.
[b]DELL Vostro 1440 adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL Vostro 1450 adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL Vostro 1540 adapter , [/b]
[b]DELL Vostro 1550 adapter , [/b]
The Cinebench tests were also completed at full speed. The test scores are on the expected level. The Pentium B970 in HP's 650 is clearly surpassed. Asus' Pro P53E-SO102X (Intel Core i3-2330M, Intel HD Graphics 3000) is the clear winner of Cinebench 10's GL tests. Surprisingly, it is clearly defeated by the Vostro 2520 in Cinebench R11.5's GL test. We presume that it is due to the newer driver of Dell's laptop.
[b]Dell 312-1163 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell 312-1242 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell 86HGX HCJWT adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell KJ321 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell M5Y0X NHXVW adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell PRRRF adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell T54F3 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell T54FJ adapter , [/b]
System Performance
The laptop runs quickly and smoothly on Windows 7, Windows 8 and Ubuntu Linux. The PCMark test results are on the expected level. Both HP's 650 (Intel Pentium B970, Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)) and Asus' Pro P53E-SO102X (Intel Core i3-2330, Intel HD Graphics 3000) are defeated. We believe this is due to the Vostro 2520's swifter hard drive.
Gaming Performance
The Vostro 2520 is not designed for professional computer gamers. The hardware is at most enough for low resolutions and low quality settings. However undemanding games, such as the FIFA series, still run smoothly even in higher quality levels on Dell's laptop.
Battery Life
Power Consumption
[b]Dell 312-1163 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell 312-1242 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell HCJWT adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell KJ321 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell M5Y0X adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell NHXVW PRRRF adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell T54F3 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell T54FJ adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell X57F1 adapter , [/b]
The Vostro 2520 consumed 6.8 to 13.2 watts in idle mode. Dell clearly undercuts Asus' Pro P53E-SO102X (10.2 to 15.3 watts) with these rates. HP's 650 is defeated marginally in the minimum power consumption (9.3 watts). Surprisingly, the Vostro proved to be much power hungrier than Asus' laptop during the stress test (Prime95 and Furmark run simultaneously). Although both laptops are virtually identical technically, Dell's device consumes 52 watts, a whole 10 watts more than Asus' laptop. The power consumption of HP's 650 ranges between the two other laptops with 47.5 watts. It does not look much better for the Vostro 2520 in medium load (3DMark 06). With a power consumption of 40 watts, it consumes 5.9 watts less than Asus' device. HP's 650 (31.6 watts) outdoes both contenders.
[b]Dell Y9N00 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell 0TN1K5 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell FV993 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell PG6RC adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell R7PND adapter , [/b]
Battery Runtime
The Vostro 2520 achieved a runtime of 8:27 h in idle (HP 650: 6:32 h; Asus: 8:55 h). We use Battery Eater's Reader's test to simulate idle mode, i.e. the screen is set to minimum brightness, the energy savings profile is enabled and the Wi-Fi modules (WLAN, Bluetooth) are off. The Vostro managed a runtime of 1:33 h in load (HP 650: 1:17 h; Asus: 1:49 h). Battery Eater's Classic test is used for the load test. For this, we set the screen to maximum brightness, enable the high-performance profile and wireless modules.
Dell's notebook lasted for 5:24 h in the Wi-Fi test (HP 650: 4:44 h; Asus: 4:12 h). Websites are automatically opened every 40 seconds by a script in this test. Energy saving mode is enabled and the screen's brightness is set to approximately 150 cd/m². If you are looking for a laptop to regularly watch DVDs, the Vostro 2520 will not disappoint you. One battery charge was enough for playing DVDs for 5:10 h (HP: 4:01; Asus: 4:05 h). The screen is set to maximum brightness, energy savings mode or a higher profile (should the DVD not run smoothly) is used and the wireless modules are off.
[b]Dell 268X5 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell 312-1257 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell 312-1258 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell H2XW1 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell H7XW1 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell JD41Y adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell N2DN5 adapter , [/b]
Dell has to be praised for the battery runtimes. The company extracts much longer times from the Vostro 2520 in the realistic Wi-Fi and DVD tests than Asus or HP do. Particularly since Asus's laptop sports a higher capacity battery (Asus: 56 Wh, Dell 48 Wh, HP 47 Wh).
Verdict
The advantages of Dell's Vostro 2520 are found in the good battery life, decent application performance, 24 month warranty and matte screen. The screen's contrast, black value and brightness are more than acceptable for the laptop's price range. The device can easily cope with routine application scenarios and provides more than enough power for most computer users. Regrettably, Dell has not placed much value on good maintenance. The entire laptop has to be disassembled to exchange the hard drive or clean the fan. The Vostro 2520 could also be a touch less noisy. It is an office laptop and you would want a quiet surrounding here.
[b]Dell 04YRJH adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell 312-0233 adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell 312-0234 383CW adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell 4T7JN adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell 9T48V J1KND adapter , [/b]
[b]Dell W7H3N adapter , [/b]
Users who put value on low noise development should look closer at HP's 650. It produces less noise over the entire load range. The advantage of Asus' P53E-SO102X over the Vostro 2520 is the superior keyboard including number pad.
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