Dell has launched its new Vostro V130 which is said to be the offspring of Dell Adamo. This is a 13” screen laptop which is preferred for users who do not use laptops for a great deal of work load. The main aspect which distinguishes the Dell Vostro V130 from other laptops is its thin, sturdy and compact outlook. This is believed to be an upgraded version of the previously released Vostro V13. The initial price of this product is $429, however it goes up till $1,073 based on the configurations you prefer.
When you choose the specifications according to your preference, there are certain factors that remain the same; these include the rock solid aluminum and magnesium frame, the 13” matte screen and the lack of an optical drive. If you choose the product with the best specifications then that would cost you around $918 which has an Intel Core i5 U470 CULV processor, 4GB of Ram and 500GB hard disk. However, the contradiction which arises here is that if you compare it with Toshiba’s Protégé R705 then Toshiba would display better results. Both the brands have almost identical prices however; Toshiba is believed to have a better battery life.
The major concern in Vostro V130 is its battery life. Most users find it as extremely poor and is rated 3/10. The designing is rated 8/10, features 7/10, performance 6/10 and service and support is 7/10. The sales of Vostro V130 would have sparked only if Dell had improved its battery life because in the range of $600, this is the best product in terms of specifications. Below are some of the specifications listed:
| Price as reviewed / starting price | $918 / $429 |
| Processor | 1.33 GHz Intel Core i5 U470 |
| Memory | 4GB, 1,333MHz DDR3 |
| Hard drive | 500GB 7,200rpm |
| Chipset | Intel HM55 |
| Graphics | Intel GMA HD |
| Operating system | Windows 7 Professional (64-bit) |
| Dimensions (WD) | 13.0 x 9 inches |
| Height | 0.6-0.8 inch |
| Screen size (diagonal) | 13.3 inches |
| System weight / Weight with AC adapter | 4.4/3.7 pounds |
| Category | 13-inch |
As we had mentioned earlier, the design of Vostro V130 is sleek, its interior is similar as the ThinkPad and its outlook is said to be similar as the MacBook Air or the Adamo. If you wish to customize the color then you could have the aluminum frame which comes in both attractive steel and metallic red shades. This modification would cost an extra $40.
The design of the keyboard has been retained as to the ones in the Dell Inspirons. There has been criticism that this laptop does not offer dedicated buttons for the volume and brightness. The only button which is available to you is the power button on the top side of the main frame. Below are some other specifications which would help you make a better choice.
| Dell Vostro V130 | Average for category [13-inch] | |
| Video | VGA-out, HDMI | VGA plus HDMI or Display Port |
| Audio | Mono speaker, headphone/microphone jacks | Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks |
| Data | 3 USB 2.0 (1 combo eSATA port), SD card reader | 3 USB 2.0, SD card reader |
| Expansion | None | None |
| Networking | Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, mobile broadband, Bluetooth 3.0 | Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optional mobile broadband |
| Optical drive | None | DVD burner |
Positives: Sleek, sturdy, light weight, spacious keyboard, matte screen, ease to carry it around
The Bad: Extremely poor batter life which is the major criticism, lack of dedicated buttons, becomes expensive if specifications are advanced.
The Bottom Line: For those who have small businesses or for those who do not make much use of laptops, for them it’s an ideal product. However, if you are mass user of a laptop then this product might not suit your needs.