S$2098
Product Summary
6.4
out of 10View score
The bad: Lacks multimedia controls and features; includes some previous-generation internal components; some undersized keys.
The bottom line: The Dell Inspiron 710m delivers what basic users need in an eminently portable package, but other systems deliver better features or performance for the same price.
Read full review of the Dell Inspiron 710m »
Average User Rating
from 4 users
6.5
out of 10CNET Asia Review
Aside from a new color scheme, the Dell Inspiron 710m is an exact replica of its thin-and-light predecessor, the Inspiron 700m. An eminently portable laptop, the 710m is conveniently compact and stocked with a high-capacity cell; our test unit delivered more than 5 hours of battery life. Dell has not updated the system's components, however, and its competitors offer more features for the money. Students, small-business people, and home users looking for a thin-and-light should check out the Sony Vaio S series.
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The only difference is in the color scheme. |
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Almost everything about the Inspiron 710m's design is a holdover from the prior generation's, except that the lid and keyboard are now rimmed in a more sophisticated silver instead of white, and the formerly black keyboard is now gray, which will better show off accumulated dirt. The case still measures 297 x 216 x 38.1mm; with the extended battery, our evaluation unit stretched to 234mm deep. The big battery also added to its weight, but at 2.04kg, the system is still quite lightweight. The Sony Vaio S series weighs 1.95kg. The Inspiron 710m's AC adapter adds a typical 0.4kg.
Dell does a generally good job with the Inspiron 710m's design, though the company could have pushed the envelope in a few areas. While most of the keys are big enough, the often-used comma and period keys are extra small. The touch pad is exceptionally big for a system this size, and the two mouse buttons are of decent proportions. The Inspiron 710m lacks the multimedia controls found on most other Dell systems, such as the Inspiron 6000. The 710m's 12.1-inch widescreen display, featuring a fine 1,280 x 800-pixel native resolution and a light-reflective coating, looks bright and crisp, but the Vaio S series offers a larger 13.3-inch (though not wide-aspect) display for the same price.
 The location of the ports remain unchanged from its predecessor. |
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The Inspiron 710m has enough ports, jacks, and slots to get by. You get VGA, 56Kbps modem, Ethernet, S-Video out, four-pin FireWire, headphone, microphone, and one Type II PC Card slot. The system offers only two USB 2.0 ports, whereas most thin-and-lights include three. The onboard memory-card reader supports only the Secure Digital format.
The Windows XP Home operating system came preloaded on our Inspiron 710m. The system lacked a full productivity suite but included a standard package of disc-viewing and disc-burning programs.
For S$2,212.35 (US$1,575.07), we expected more high-end features than what our Inspiron 710m test unit delivered. Its 2GHz Pentium M Dothan processor and Intel 855 chipset are a generation behind the latest Intel 915 chipset, and its 512MB of memory runs at a slow 333MHz (the current max is 533MHz). Its more modern components include a double-layer DVD burner and a large 80GB hard drive spinning at a respectable 5,400rpm.
Performance And Battery Life
Due to its outmoded parts, the Inspiron 710m finished CNET Labs' tests just 6 percent ahead of the Sony Vaio VGN-S46GP with a slower 1.73GHz processor. It was on par with the Toshiba Portege S100, which incorporated a similiar 2.0GHz chip. This was surprising as the latter is based on the faster Sonoma platform with a dedicated graphics processor. You'll have no problem working with multiple windows, watching DVDs, or running standard productivity apps on the Inspiron 710m, though we don't recommend it for graphics-intensive work or gaming.
| BAPCo MobileMark2002 performance rating (longer bars indicate faster performance) |
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The Inspiron 710m did a superb job in our Labs' battery-drain tests, thanks to its high-capacity eight-cell battery (a S$53.55 (US$38.12) option). The system lasted for a long 307 minutes compared to the Sony Vaio S series' 169 minutes and the Toshiba Portege S100's 188 minutes.
| BAPCo MobileMark2002 battery life in minutes (longer bars indicate longer battery life) |
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Service And Support
Dell offers a one-year next business day onsite warranty which covers parts and labor. The company's support Web site contains a knowledge database for basic troubleshooting and downloading of updated drivers. Optional warranty options include extended three-year warranty, HelpDesk, onsite service during nights and weekends, and Plus Phone support can be purchased together with the system. Plus Phone support extends the technical phone support to include Saturdays. HelpDesk coverage provides a 24-hour phone support to an expert who can help with any problems related to Dell hardware and peripherals and even some third-party software from major vendors like Microsoft Office. The full package, which includes all the optional warranty options, will cost S$292.95 (US$208.56). If only three-year warranty with night and weekend onsite service is required, the additional costs is only S$63 (US$44.85).
Rate It Now
User Reviews
Suitable for students and professionals who travel much with PCs.
Sep 12, 2006Rating: 7 out of 10 (Very good)
Pros: Good processor, lightweight
Cons: No bluetooth, infrared and integrated camera
Opinion:
This is a good notebook PC to own for travellers. The processor gives users some speed when using softwares. There is integrated disk drive which allows media playing.
A very average notebook.
Jan 3, 2006Rating: 6 out of 10 (Good)
Pros: Speedy processor
Cons: Tad too heavy to carry around
Opinion:
Best priced cool look Truelife 12.1 wide screen notebook.
Jan 2, 2006Rating: 8 out of 10 (Excellent)
Pros: Light, good price, very nice 12.1 wide screen,
Cons: Older motherboard, no bluetooth.
Opinion:
At 1.8kg with batt is really kind to the shoulder when you the 710m to travel with you. A bit surprised that the batt took shorter time to re-charge. Good hinge coupled to the Truelife 12.1 widescreen provide best CG, either on desk or user lap, product design met all portable demands.
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