Review: Dell Inspiron 13

The Dell Inspiron 13 (1318) specifications:

• Screen: 13.3" WXGA TrueLife Glossy
• Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core T2390 (1.86Ghz, 533FSB, 1MB Cache)
• Memory: 2GB RAM
• Storage: 160GB HDD (5400rpm)
• Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW
• Wireless: 802.11b/g
• Graphics: Intel X3100 Integrated Graphics
• Built-in web camera
• Battery: 11.1V 56Wh
• Dimensions: 12.52" x 9.37" x 1"/1.51"
• Weight: 4lbs 13.5oz
• Retail Price: $698

Performance

This system is by no means a multimedia powerhouse, sporting the base model Intel Pentium Dual Core processor over the more widely used Core 2 Duo. This processor offers a slower 533MHz FSB, and much less system cache. That being the case, it still performed admirably, reaching PCMark05 scores in the 3,600 range, and a wPrime score around 45 seconds. For a computer that will be targeted towards students this provides more than enough power to handle anything form iTunes to Microsoft Word. While gaming is out of the question, that is not what this notebook was intended for.

Battery Life

The Inspiron 13 offers a 56Wh 6-cell battery which gives excellent battery life for a budget oriented notebook. Most of the time with low cost preconfigured systems the manufacturer skimps on the battery size, and you using see 2-3 hours of battery life on a good day. This system was easily peaking over 4 hours of runtime with the balanced setting and screen backlight at 60%. This is well within the range of handling a few classes throughout the school day, or a decent length flight.