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The Dell Inspiron 17R delivers strong graphics performance and audio for a good price, along with fun switchable lids.
Can you really get a good big-screen multimedia laptop for
under a grand? Yes, and the Dell Inspiron 17R is exhibit A. This 17-inch
notebook combines a vibrant 1600 x 900 screen with a second-generation Intel
Core i5-2410M CPU, an Nvidia GeForce GT525M graphics card, and a Blu-ray
player--all for $899. Not only that, but users can swap out the lid for a color
or design of their choosing.
Design
Though not as elegant as the Dell XPS 17, the Inspiron 17R
is an attractive and well-built laptop with an interesting twist. Our system
featured a glossy black plastic lid with a brushed-metal motif and a chrome
Dell logo in the center. Don't like the color? A small button near the hinge
allows users to detach the lid and switch it out with another of Dell's new SWITCH
by Design Studio lids.
Currently, only three solid colors are available for the 17R
(Fire Red, Lotus Pink, and Peacock Blue) for $34 each, but we expect that there
will soon be a greater variety of patterns and designs. While the lids are
bright and eye-catching, their glossiness makes them fingerprint magnets.
The 16.5 x 11.3 x 1.2-inch laptop weighs in at 7.2 pounds
(7.6 pounds with a nine-cell battery). We found it easy to transport the
Inspiron 17R from room to room.
The black plastic deck has a brushed-metal motif, but with a
more smudge-proof presentation. Chrome accents surround the matte island-style
keyboard and the integrated webcam. As with the last generation of Inspiron
notebooks, the rear of the laptop sticks out approximately 0.3 inches past the
lid, allowing users to bend the display back further.
Keyboard/Touchpad
The 17R has a spacious island-style keyboard with a full
number pad. The large keys provided solid tactile feedback. Three buttons
located in the top right corner above the keyboard gave us quick access to Dell
Support Center, projection mode, and Windows Mobility.
The 4 x 2.2-inch touchpad is smooth and supports multitouch
gestures. Pinch-to-zoom and two-finger and circular scrolling gestures were
easy to use. The mouse keys felt sturdy and responsive.
Display and Audio
The 17.3-inch glossy TrueLife LCD display on the 17R has a
native resolution of 1600 x 900 pixels. Whether we were watching a Blu-ray
movie or video on YouTube, images were crisp and clear with bold color. The
1080p trailer for X-Men: First Class was crystal clear, as was the
Blu-ray edition of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Viewing angles are nice
and wide, with colors washing out around 120 degrees.
Because the Inspiron 17R has Intel's second-gen Core
processor, it's equipped with Intel Wireless Display 2.0. That means users can
stream 1080p video wirelessly--including DVDs and Blu-rays--to their HDTV.
However, consumers will need to purchase the $79 Netgear Push2TV Adapter.
It may not have the large JBL speakers found on the XPS 17,
but the 17R delivered rich, clear sound via the two speakers located under the
laptop's front lip. Using SRS Premium audio to bolster the audio experience, we
enjoyed robust while playing videos and games and listening to music. While listening
to Lupe Fiasco's "Words I Never Said," we heard clear vocals and rich
bass.
Ports and Webcam
The rear of the Inspiron 17R features a VGA port, Ethernet,
and a Kensington lock slot. The right side houses a USB 2.0 port, two USB 3.0
ports, and a tray-loading Blu-ray player. Remaining ports on the left include a
USB/eSATA combo, an 8-in-1 card reader, a microphone jack, and a headphone
jack.
Inspiron 17R Specs:
Processor: Intel Core i5-450M
Processor Specs: 2.40GHz, Turbo Boost up to 3.06GHz, 3MB Cache
Memory: 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)
