Dell 13z thread
- Thread starter mrk
- Start date
My personal view is it is good overall value for money - good spec, well built. I haven't had a look around the market place since I ordered one for my folks so I can't comment on any new models or if anything is better but if you do go for a 13z you won't be disappointed.
I never tried the nvidia graphics out on my folks 13z however have a read of some 13z reviews as they'll test out the graphics performance Dell 13z Review.I would say that running on low settings it should be ok, especially with dedicated graphics.
The only thing I am having trouble choosing it whether to get the discrete graphics or the integrated one for an extra £40.
Following questions are based on integrated graphics:
1. Which would be better for battery life?
2. Does the integrated one have its own memory?
3. Can it handle 1080p over LAN properly? (some report yes, others report no)
Is it easy to add a SSD or do I have to take the thing apart completely?
Following questions are based on integrated graphics:
1. Which would be better for battery life?
2. Does the integrated one have its own memory?
3. Can it handle 1080p over LAN properly? (some report yes, others report no)
Is it easy to add a SSD or do I have to take the thing apart completely?
1. Which would be better for battery life?
> The X4500MHD graphics has better battery life as it's not as power hungry.
2. Does the integrated one have its own memory?
> It has shared memory but with 4GB RAM this isn't an issue really.
3. Can it handle 1080p over LAN properly? (some report yes, others report no)
> Yes it can, it even handles it over wireless. If people are reporting it can't then they have set there network or 13z up incorrectly. The 13z can handle 1080p on both the onboard screen or to a HDMI connected screen with no frame drops using MPC-HC (DXVA).
> The X4500MHD graphics has better battery life as it's not as power hungry.
2. Does the integrated one have its own memory?
> It has shared memory but with 4GB RAM this isn't an issue really.
3. Can it handle 1080p over LAN properly? (some report yes, others report no)
> Yes it can, it even handles it over wireless. If people are reporting it can't then they have set there network or 13z up incorrectly. The 13z can handle 1080p on both the onboard screen or to a HDMI connected screen with no frame drops using MPC-HC (DXVA).
> The X4500MHD graphics has better battery life as it's not as power hungry.
- Right OK. Based on the fact you have the integrated graphics (correct?). In highsight, would you have gone for the discrete graphics. I use it for work (office documents). Developing in JAVA and Visual Studios, Watching Videos, Music and Web Development (including the occasional Photoshop). I am aiming to run Ubuntu with the visual effects - would this be possible with the integrated graphics.
> It has shared memory but with 4GB RAM this isn't an issue really.
- Fair point.
> Yes it can, it even handles it over wireless. If people are reporting it can't then they have set there network or 13z up incorrectly. The 13z can handle 1080p on both the onboard screen or to a HDMI connected screen with no frame drops using MPC-HC (DXVA).
- Did you use a large video file (strong test) for this result (ie something that you know requires a good PC). Also was this with or without hardware decoding?
EDIT:
How does it handle BBC iPlayer (inc HD) and YouTube (inc HD)?
- Right OK. Based on the fact you have the integrated graphics (correct?). In highsight, would you have gone for the discrete graphics. I use it for work (office documents). Developing in JAVA and Visual Studios, Watching Videos, Music and Web Development (including the occasional Photoshop). I am aiming to run Ubuntu with the visual effects - would this be possible with the integrated graphics.
> It has shared memory but with 4GB RAM this isn't an issue really.
- Fair point.
> Yes it can, it even handles it over wireless. If people are reporting it can't then they have set there network or 13z up incorrectly. The 13z can handle 1080p on both the onboard screen or to a HDMI connected screen with no frame drops using MPC-HC (DXVA).
- Did you use a large video file (strong test) for this result (ie something that you know requires a good PC). Also was this with or without hardware decoding?
EDIT:
How does it handle BBC iPlayer (inc HD) and YouTube (inc HD)?
Last edited:
I had the X450MHD yes, I don't have the 13z anymore as I sold it to get the UL30VT for the up to 12 hours battery life but after having waited it seems that the 11.6" ones are getting equally long lasting in the battery dept so I'm holding off a bit longer.
The built in gfx supports DX10 and is also fully Aero compatible, I don't know much about Ubunto but I don't think its effects are somehow going to be more demanding than Aero
It's also fully supported in Photoshop CS4 for hardware acceleration.
DXVA is hardware decoding, no local 1080p video requires a good PC unless the GFX card doesn't have DXVA support (even a GeForce 7 series has DXVA for example).
My 1080p videos are 7-11GB in size so yes to the large file question.
Without hardware decoding (DXVA) the Core2Duo (SU7300) is also perfectly capable of handling 1080p on its own as well as Flash HD (Youtube, iPlayer etc) - The CPU usage jumps between 60 and 90% when playing HD videos and Flash HD but it's smooth and does not stutter. With hardware decoding CPU usage is between 7 and 15% on average.
I don't know how the Celeron CPU handles these though if you choose the Celeron CPU but I'd stick with the C2D ULV chips all the time.
The built in gfx supports DX10 and is also fully Aero compatible, I don't know much about Ubunto but I don't think its effects are somehow going to be more demanding than Aero
It's also fully supported in Photoshop CS4 for hardware acceleration.
DXVA is hardware decoding, no local 1080p video requires a good PC unless the GFX card doesn't have DXVA support (even a GeForce 7 series has DXVA for example).
My 1080p videos are 7-11GB in size so yes to the large file question.
Without hardware decoding (DXVA) the Core2Duo (SU7300) is also perfectly capable of handling 1080p on its own as well as Flash HD (Youtube, iPlayer etc) - The CPU usage jumps between 60 and 90% when playing HD videos and Flash HD but it's smooth and does not stutter. With hardware decoding CPU usage is between 7 and 15% on average.
I don't know how the Celeron CPU handles these though if you choose the Celeron CPU but I'd stick with the C2D ULV chips all the time.
Last edited:
I've decided to take the plunge and get one:
- Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor ULV SU7300 (1.3GHz, 800MHz, 3MB) UMA GFX
- 13.3" WLED High Definition ( 1366 x 768 ) TFT Display with TrueLife™
- 4096MB 1067MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x2048]
- 320GB (7,200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
- DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
- Intel WiFi Link 5100 (802.11 a/b/g/n 1X2) 1/2 MiniCard
- Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth Module
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500MHD
- 8 cell battery (even though it sticks out :/)
- Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor ULV SU7300 (1.3GHz, 800MHz, 3MB) UMA GFX
- 13.3" WLED High Definition ( 1366 x 768 ) TFT Display with TrueLife™
- 4096MB 1067MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x2048]
- 320GB (7,200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
- DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
- Intel WiFi Link 5100 (802.11 a/b/g/n 1X2) 1/2 MiniCard
- Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth Module
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500MHD
- 8 cell battery (even though it sticks out :/)
I may switch to the 4 cell.
I get about 5 hours surfing on my Macbook, so if I can get that (or thereabouts) on the 4cell I would be happy. You claimed to get around 5 hours right? (was that surfing or idle and what brightness?)
I'm also hoping I can stick a SSD in there with relative ease.
I get about 5 hours surfing on my Macbook, so if I can get that (or thereabouts) on the 4cell I would be happy. You claimed to get around 5 hours right? (was that surfing or idle and what brightness?)
I'm also hoping I can stick a SSD in there with relative ease.
Last edited:
What did you get and how much?
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor ULV SU7300 (1.3GHz, 800MHz, 3MB) UMA GFX
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
13.3" WLED High Definition (1366 x 768) TFT Display with TrueLife™
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500MHD
3072MB 1067MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [1x1024 + 1x2048]
320GB (7,200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
1 year of coverage included with your PC
McAfee® Security Centre - 15 Month Protection - English
All for £479 - quite happy with that
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
13.3" WLED High Definition (1366 x 768) TFT Display with TrueLife™
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500MHD
3072MB 1067MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [1x1024 + 1x2048]
320GB (7,200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
1 year of coverage included with your PC
McAfee® Security Centre - 15 Month Protection - English
All for £479 - quite happy with that
overclocking the 13z
i know little to nothing about overclocking, but i bought a 13z before xmas, having read mrk's thoughts, and i love it. The only thing for me is the processor speed is a little slow is there any way of boosting it by overclocking it?
i know little to nothing about overclocking, but i bought a 13z before xmas, having read mrk's thoughts, and i love it. The only thing for me is the processor speed is a little slow is there any way of boosting it by overclocking it?
Likely NOT due to Dell's BIOS software.
What is it that you find the processor slow at?
Got my delivered today and it is lovely?
Just about to install Windows 7 Pro to it (fresh install). Anyone got a list of the drivers I need to get.
Also, is any of the Dell software actually useful for this machine (ie Battery life/performance)....or is the Windows 7 management adequate for things like that?
Just about to install Windows 7 Pro to it (fresh install). Anyone got a list of the drivers I need to get.
Also, is any of the Dell software actually useful for this machine (ie Battery life/performance)....or is the Windows 7 management adequate for things like that?