Mobility. The smallest device of Dell's Vostro refresh, the Dell Vostro 3350, has come in for review. Thanks to a big 8 cell battery, an illuminated keyboard and the latest hardware from Intel and AMD hardware, the mite with a 13.3 inch screen doesn't have any reason to hide.
Introducing the four new Vostro 3000 series laptops, Dell bids current hardware, a new design and practical features. Beside the devices Vostro 3450, Vostro 3550 and the big Vostro 3750 with a 17.3 inch screen, there is also a compact subnotebook with 13.3 inch display (1366x768, matt) in the range. It is especially aimed at small and medium businesses, abbreviated SMBs. However, even private users could find delight in it. The case's design is identical in all device sizes and only the dimensions and weight deviates.
Besides the comprehensive online configurator in direct sale, the Dell Vostro 3350 is also available at select retailers. However, only pre-configured models are offered here. Our test device moves in the upper range in terms of optional equipment with an Intel Core i5-2410M, the dedicated AMD Radeon HD 6470M and a 4 GB DDR3 RAM. There are also less expensive models, as well as more expensive models available depending on taste and application field.
The smallest entry model alternative of the new Vostro notebooks starts at 489 euros, not including added value tax. The laptops with a 15.6 and 17.3 inch screen are a bit cheaper in their base price in comparison. Our test device is available for 789 euro including added value tax and with a 24 month onsite service.
Connectivity
The Dell Vostro 3350 bids an adequate connectivity despite its compact case. Starting on the case's left, you'll find the DVD drive, the RJ45 network socket and two fast USB 3.0 ports, which can be identified due to their blue color and the printed "SS" for SuperSpeed. Furthermore, a HDMI out (1.4a) and a practical eSATA/USB 2.0 combination for connecting an external hard disk, for example, are located on the right. The front and rear are void of any other interfaces, with exception of a cardreader. There wouldn't have been any room on the rear because of the big battery anyway.
Dell has done a good job with the interface distribution and they are concentrated more towards the rear. The use of an external mouse isn't impaired and the given supply doesn't provide reason for complaint in this array. Dell, however, omits a docking port in the Vostro notebooks, thus excluding other interface options and expansions.
Communication
No needs are left open in terms of communication options. Beside gigabit Ethernet via a controller from Realtek, there is also an Intel Centrino Wireless N 1030 adapter installed. In addition to WLAN standard 802.11 b/g/n, it supports transmissions via Bluetooth 3.0 + HS. Our test device doesn't have a UMTS module, but it is also available for a surcharge. Thus, all communication options would be covered.
Supplies
The scope of supplies ex-factory is also fairly scanty in the smallest representative and equals the previously reviewed devices, Dell Vostro 3550 and Vostro 3750. A small bonus is the number of various DVDs included for programs and drivers, and a recovery medium. Additional accessories can be ordered for a surcharge and aren't included. The pre-installed Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64 bit) is also similar and the numerous freeware programs wouldn't have been necessary. Merely Office 2010 Starter and the software package from CyberLink prove to be feasible.
Warranty
Dell grants a warranty of 12 months for its business devices ex-factory (ProSupport and onsite service for the next business day). Its period and the given service can be extended for an additional charge. There are also special offers for businesses available that wouldn't be of much interest for private users.
Performance
The Dell Vostro 3350's current innards present themselves as small and fast. However, the configuration variety via the online configurator is fairly large. In addition to the Intel Core i5-2410M mainstream solution that we reviewed, there is also the less expensive entry CPU, Intel Core i3-2310M (2.1 GHz -60 euros) and the dual core top model, Intel Core i7-2620M (2.7 – 3.3 GHz) available. With a surcharge of 260 euros, not including added value tax, the upgrade isn't exactly cheap. Back to our sample: The processor works with a base clock rate of 2.3 GHz and a 3 MB L3 cache. The clock rate can achieve 800 to 2900 MHz via the Turbo Boost technology depending on the requirement. In contrast to automatic overclocking, that not all CPUs can serve with, all Sandy Bridge CPUs support the Hyper Threading technology. It accelerates multi-tasking (2 cores, 4 threads or 4 cores, 8 threads in quad core processors).
The portable typewriter turns into a multimedia device with small gaming reserves together with the installed AMD Radeon HD 6470M. Dell specifies this GPU with 512 MB GDDR5 RAM, whereas various tools don't permit a clear conclusion about the memory or the core speed (700 or 750 MHz). It could also probably be a slower DDR3 VRAM, whereas the available memory is addressed via a slower 64 bit memory bus. You shouldn't allow yourself to be deceived by the specification of a built-in AMD Radeon HD 6490M. A new feature that is also used in this device is the automatic graphics switching, Switchable Graphics by AMD, which can be controlled via the Catalyst Control Center (driver: 8.811.1.4000). Only few programs were directly addressed with the according graphics in our test and the settings usually had to be set manually. At the same time, we missed a setting that appoints one of the two graphics for general use, like it's possible via Nvidia Optimus technology's system control.
The Intel Core i5-2410M can convince us with a score of 9625 in CineBench R10 Multi-Thread Rendering (64bit) and finds itself among comparable configurations. In contrast to that, the equally available processors, Intel Core i3-2310M (7538 points, Acer Aspire 3750) and Intel Core i7-2620M are slower by 21.7 percent, respectively faster by 14.7 percent (11279 points, Schenker XMG A501) in this test. The predecessor, Dell Vostro 3300 with an Intel Core i5-430M and 7755 points, is on a par with the latest Core i3. This adds up to difference of 19.4 percent to our test sample.
The newer CineBench R11.5 reports a similar, comparable result. The Intel Core i5-2410M has a good 22.8 percent lead on the Core i3-2310M (2.0 points) with 2.59 points and lags behind the i7-2620M in the Schenker XMG A501 (2.9 points) by 10.7 percent. The mainstream dual core convinces with a good performance and the steep surcharge for the Intel Core i7-2620M in the online configurator is not justified. A sensible investment at the same price would be a modern solid state drive (SSD).
The AMD Radeon HD 6470M from the entry level midrange has to prove itself in the synthetic benchmarks. The current Nvidia counterpart is called GeForce GT 520M and had to stand ground in the review of the Asus U30SD-XA1. In the somewhat older 3DMark06, the 6470M scores a satisfactory 4839 points and takes the lead on the GT 520M in Asus' subnotebook by only a tight 1.8 percent (4754 points). In contrast to that, the GT 310M in the predecessor, Vostro 3300, only achieved 1535 points and clearly lags behind with a difference of 68.3 percent.
In the newer 3DMark11, especially designed for GPUs with DirectX 11 support, a similar behavior can be recorded. However, the GT 310M falls through the cracks because of the too outdated technology. The Asus U30SD, with a GeForce GT 520M, with 504 points is again behind the 6470M with 547 points. The difference in this test is 7.9 percent. The Nvidia GeForce GT 540M, as a good midrange GPU, achieve good 889 points in the Dell XPS 15 and secures itself a lead of 38.5 percent.
System Performance
The present total package is assessed in PCMark Vantage's comprehensive component test. The Dell Vostro 3350 secures itself a place in the upper midfield with the latest hardware and a conventional hard disk. For example, the current Apple MacBook Pro 15 with an AMD Radeon HD 6750M with Boot Camp Windows or the slim Samsung 900X3A are in its immediate vicinity. Swift gaming notebooks and systems with a solid state drive hold the top positions.
Dell bids various solutions for the main hard disk. However, a modern solid state drive doesn't belong to them. The installed Seagate Momentus Thin supplies a capacity of 320 GB and works with fast 7200 revolutions per minute. A feature is the low construction height of only 7 millimeters. The cage inside the notebook however also bids the possibility of installing conventional hard disks with a height of 9 millimeters.
The maximum read transfer rates fluctuates between 105 and 116 MB per second depending on the benchmark and is thus on a good level. The access rates aren't particularly good, but are on average for this genre. The aforementioned solid state drives would allow a performance increase. SATA III SSDs and Intel's SSD Serie 510 or OCZ Vertex 3 is also supported due to the HM67 chipset. The HDD noise level, which was also noted in the user review of the Vostro 3350 in our German language forum, would also disappear with that.
Gaming Verdict
The AMD Radeon HD 6470M positions itself in the entry midrange with 160 stream processors, DirectX 11 support and a 512 MB memory. Thus, the pure gaming performance comes too short and the GPU is maybe just only aimed at casual gamers. Most of the games in our database only run smoothly in a minimum setting, which also deters gaming fun. Simple games, such as World of Warcraft or FIFA 11, still run well in higher settings, though. But this is also the limit and the focus is clearly placed on the multimedia sector. The Nvidia GeForce GT 540M, as an affordable all-rounder, in combination with Intel's latest Sandy Bridge CPUs would be recommended for higher requirements, before the gaming GPUs start. Our review of the Schenker XMG A501 notebook contains more information.
Temperature
The case's exterior stays fairly cool in idle and office mode. The temperature development of a maximum of 29.1 degrees is however within the usual range for the selected materials.
The waste heat increases during load and the exteriors absorb a part. The important wrist-rest heats up on the right with 28.5 degrees Celsius and there is a discernable difference to the left. A look at the larger Dell Vostro 3550 shows big differences and the smallest representative of the series can score. In contrast, the components inside have a cool temper and even our stress test (Prime95 + Furmark) couldn't make the rates climb up to critical levels. Downclocking of the processor or graphics card (thermal throttling) couldn't be determined even after executing this test for several hours.
Battery Life
The range between the single assessments is fairly big due to the use of two graphic solutions. The system uses the dedicated AMD Radeon HD 6470M during load(BatteryEater Classic Test), and consequently increases the power consumption. In addition, the display's brightness is set to maximum, the WLAN module is enabled and the energy saving functions are disabled. A whole battery charge is drained after short 117 minutes and a power outlet is needed. In contrast to that, an impressive 13 hours and 25 minutes are possible in idle (Reader's Test) with the processor's graphics and opposite settings. The assessment "surfing via WLAN" can be considered as arealistic average rate. The subnotebook convinces with 7 hours and 29 minutesand there's no reason for complaint.
Battery runtime
| Idle (without WLAN, min brightness) | 13h 25min |      |
| Surfing with WLAN | 7h 29min | |
| DVD | 6h 42min | |
| Load (maximum brightness) | 1h 57min | |
The system's consumption rates correlate to the given runtimes. In idle, the components consume a maximum of 10.7 and thus work very efficiently on a par with many netbooks. The consumption increases during load and reaches a peak of acceptable 53.6 watts. The included power adapter can supply up to 90 watts and appears to be slightly subchallenged and has reserves. The power consumption in standby and turned off state is without finding.
Current consumption
| Off / Standby |   0.1 / 0.7 Watt |
| Idle |  8.3 / 10.2 / 10.7 Watt |
| Load | 32.5 / 53.6 Watt |
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Key: min: , med: , max: Voltcraft VC-960 | |
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