If you are looking for Ultra thin and powerful non-gaming notebook, you may want to consider this new Dell Vostro V131. Highlights:

1. Ultra thin: Height: 16-21mm (MBA is 3-17mm)
2. Full Sandy Bridge i3-2330 CPU: 2.2Ghz
3. Affordable: Starting price at RM2,099
4. Good connectivity: (compare to MBA)
- 2 x USB 3.0 + 1 USB 2.0/eSATA combo
- VGA & HDMI
- RJ45 Ethernet
5. Good battery life: 8 hours battery with Wifi (based on real testing, not what advertised!)
6. Matte screen!
7. CPU runs really cool; Furmark + Prime95 for 30 minutes Max CPU = 81C!

Cons:

1. Screen brightness is just 170 nit, very average.

Notebookcheck review: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-V...ok.60602.0.html
Review: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/laptops/369...ell-vostro-v131
Review: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2390893,00.asp
Review: http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/dell-vostr...txt#reviewPage1
Review: http://www.laptops.co.uk/models/dell/dell-vostro-v131.html
Review: http://apcmag.com/notebookhunter/dell-vost...1-u5208f3au.htm
User review: http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-latit...tml#post7823699
Review: http://www.ringhk.com/news2.php?id=4282

Official Dell website: http://www.dell.com/my/business/p/vostro-v...id=vostro-v131&

Here are some home-made photo and review:

Screen
Although the screen is just 170 nit, by comparison to Acer 3820tg (200nit) screen, it is not bad. In fact, there is no problem looking at the screen all day.
(Left - V131; Right 3820tg)


Keyboard
The keyboard is comfy, but the key actually smaller. Should not be a problem. As you can see, the palm rest is non-glossy as well, less fingerprint and feel quite nice. Really like the full directional keys.


Sound
The speaker is louder than 3820tg, but still it's a notebook speaker so don't expect much. I am now doing furmark+prime95, the fan is being pushed to max and it's quite loud if compare to my 3820tg. I don't have any device to measure this, but according to NBR, it's 46.1 dB (A) in V131 compare to 38.3 dB(A) in 3820tg. The HDD is quiet despite being 7200 RPM. According to NBR the HDD make some noise even in idle, I can't hear it.

Temperature
According to NBR, furmark+prime95 for 1 hour 23 minutes, the max temp is just 77C. Their room temperature is around 23C. I did my own testing, running furmark+prime95 for 30 minutes with an i3 CPU, max CPU is 81C. From what I notice, it is around 77C-78C and stable, not sure why Hardware Monitor recorded 81C, but all in all, for a that kind of stress test, the temperature is low. I will not worry that 'ordinary' user will make the notebook overheat. Compare to my 3820tg max CPU is 94C (with AIDA64 as well). My room temperature is probably 26C (that's what I set in Aircon...) or higher.



Boot time:
Just run Windows Performance Toolkit, without uninstall anything, without disabling / change any services. Boot time is 20.779 seconds!



This post has been edited by cowithgun: Sep 3 2011, 05:36 PM

got your unit already? im hoping for some review

wow its look so sexy =)

Will definitely do some write up once I get my unit. All other reviews are too shallow! Will test how is the temperature in heavy loads in this slim profile. I am especially interested in the so-called Intel hyperbaric cooling system in this notebook.

However, I only got the free backpack today. Notebook will come later.

Macbook Air is much thiner

Fuyoh, can't wait for the review

---

Added on August 16, 2011, 10:21 pm...and is around RM1k dearer (MBA 11)... and weaker... and smaller

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Aug 16 2011, 10:21 PM

LOL!! No one asked

Agree. MBA 11" was my first choice before this come up. Finally go for V131 mainly for price and connectivity (VGA and RJ45).

how u review? not u using also! but ur chicks got repay u bo??

This post has been edited by ngkhanmein: Aug 17 2011, 09:32 AM

i seldom see gals using matted screen ; business class notebook


-____-"

the gal studies MBA so is ok cos no she pay but cow pay & who cares??

but cow not willing play for MBA as well cos MBA sure suit those fella who getting MBA. in the meantime, cow already ate her so is ok de..

That's why there's the need to change

She totally hate glossy screen. She is unique.

@ngkhanmein: notebook not here yet! got the free bag nia!

buy laptop sure got free bag lah.. my mum sell sch bag 1~ u want buy laptop bag with me also can & the supplier is from penang!

13" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Laptop-Apple-Macbo...y/dp/B004X1AMMS

This post has been edited by ngkhanmein: Aug 17 2011, 10:37 AM

^ Not all laptops come with free bags

sure bo?? nowadays all come with free bag lah.. only those mostly free dos come w/o bag but rarely lah!!!

Certain Dell models doesn't come with bags
And almost all netbooks don't have bags, merely sleeves

net-book different story ma.. 13" can called net-book or laptop or notebook so is kinda confusing~

cow: u got tried the game i intro u?? Crazy Chicken Skybotz & Family Farm

i miss old days harvest moon back to nature!!!

The other Vostros e.g. Vostro 1450, 3350, 3450 etc. doesn't come with free backpack anymore...
Still have when I purchased that time

My M14x originally din't come with backpack as well... After I bargain only have

yup. thanks to advise from ngkhanmein, i call back Dell, trying to get a discount, they gave me the bag instead...

@ngkhanmein: i havent test those game ler, been busy like hell...

sure bo?? m14x my friend bought also come with bag leh~ he bought at SG! http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1...9590.1119791165

This post has been edited by ngkhanmein: Aug 17 2011, 11:10 AM

Just curious, you're working already cow?

he worked jor! boss leh~

can i say the angry bird sleeve very ugly ?

---

Added on August 17, 2011, 11:11 amwhat boss ?

This post has been edited by devour: Aug 17 2011, 11:11 AM

Mine also come with backpack what, after bargaining la
The promotions differ from time to time one, sometimes they give bags, sometimes not

---

Added on August 17, 2011, 11:14 amWah boss, faster hire me

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Aug 17 2011, 11:14 AM

the battery life sure is really tempting.

how ur msi bro?? got any bug found?

cow: hacker evolution duality game quite nice!

hey guys. im thinking about getting this notebook too.. is it really as good as it says? im not an IT dude, so can someone tell me about the spec? can it support simple graphic design, or maybe running matlab or autocad?

better buy vostro 3450
if ur budget allow, try hp elite book or ibm x220

better buy with devour!

cow is boss.. ya i heard that many times.. but cant korek any info..

he sukax2 overseas.. big company just that he humble only.. drive honda civic 2.0 type R + other cars

devour is right, if you're planning on running more complicated softwares on your laptop, its better to go for at least the Vostro 3350

+1. all true, especially the humble part.

For those thinking of running AutoCAD with HD 3000 (the integrated GPU in Sandy Bridge), you should check out this:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=96749

The moderator erik has been running these application without problem:

- autodesk inventor 2012
- adobe CS5
- autocad mechanical 2012
- google sketchup 8

Using normal AMD / nVidia card such as HD6470m and GT540m will not allow you to enable the Hardware Acceleration in AutoCAD anyway. Only professional graphic card such as Firepro / Quadro have those option. Check if your card can support it:

http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-graphicscard

Vostro 3350 height is 27.3-29.8mm, compare to V131 16-21mm. That is a lot of difference.

Well, if you dont mind about thinness, you shouldn't look at V131.

^Wah, big boss, then why did you buy the 3820Tg?
Laptop arrived yet?

u told he bought 1 only meh? below it got a lot ppl need take care de...
no so simple as u think

this is outrageous! why boss cannot use 3820tg!!! it's the lightest gaming machine with 2 fan! arrrr... arrrr!

i dun even haf blackberry, only using Samsung Ace... *so sad*

i m so busted.

anyway, notebook not arrive yet...

@PF T.J, What's wrong with 3820TG?

@cowithgun, I don't even have Samsung Ace !

u have iphone!

Where ?

ur sis' iphone = ur iphone!

Well, I thought bosses love the Vaio Z more haha

Oi, I still using my Sony shitbox lo... at least you have Ace

---

Added on August 17, 2011, 5:56 pmThat one is "China" version

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Aug 17 2011, 05:56 PM

That one I use toothpick to type

toothpick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



sorry, i shouldn't laugh at you sifu lee...

Wah.... so scary meh?

My finger keep typo when typing, and no landscape mode....

question: how many words per minutes with toothpick! LMAO!

Don't even have apps to count that...

Aoh, so its better to go for 3350 eh. asked the same queation to one salesperson in sunway, and he gave the same answer. to go for 3350. but i like the thinnest on the v131.... Couldnt find any v131 available in shop there.

Reminds me of my old HTC Touch 2. But at least never use toothpick.

The V131 is too new haha, so you'd probably still won't find it anywhere at the moment...
The V131 might have heat problems based on the initial preview by notebookcheck...
If you really want to go for it, its better that you only take the i3 variant, and perhaps if budget permits in the future, swap to SSD

y dont have slim but poweful notebook one? lol

^Vaio Z2 ?

sifu lee got fb? din add me also?

Y U no recommend LG P330 in your siggy (Don't think we cannot see yo) ?

---

Added on August 18, 2011, 10:12 amYa, faster for lee what sifu to join our spam thread

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Aug 18 2011, 10:12 AM

LG P330 is not slim..

Looks pretty slim to me
Since I'm basically using a brick at the moment XD

Prefer to carry F60 or M14x?

Easy answer, of course the M14x... the size is the same as all other standard 14" laptops
15.6" laptops are way too big

@cowithgun, laptop received?

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2390893,00.asp

15.6" small lah.. tan ji u fitter than me xkan can carry 15.6" lappy wat..

cow lappy not yet arrived but his soul arrived at the gal there liau..

15.6'' is big...

The M14x is heavier than most 15.6" yo
Its the size of 15" that I dun like...

lol, no wonder no signs of cow

he now testing 11.8 WHQL if no mistake.. he eager to show us the score..

aoh, really? deng. same answers from 3 different people proves that i should look into other brands and models.

i really need help with buying a notebook now. lol...

here is my situation,
i will only use it for work, a lil bit designing, and auto cad,
i travel a lot, so weight is important..
i never play games on my notebook..

any recommendation?

this job let tan ji help u.. devour will come in also to promote as well..

tan ji specialist on price list + weight (i dunno y he so care weight)

but this vostro v131 quite suit u!

Budget bro?
Well... for 13 inchers, you usually get what you pay for... the relatively good ones are more expensive

---

Added on August 18, 2011, 11:14 am
After reading so much of my comments you still miss my point...
Its SIZE that matters, not weight... if weight is the deciding factor, I wouldn't get the m14x already

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Aug 18 2011, 11:14 AM

paiseh cos 15.6" really not heavy + size also quite small for me lah..

ah, forgot about the budget... around 2.5k i guess...lesser is always better.. im thinking about buying macbook air, the 3099 price, but yeah.. like i said, lesser is always better... lol

Not much options there haha, Vostro 3350 would still be the best pick
Review of the unit here: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-V...ok.54680.0.html

my v131 is not here yet! a few points to consider when choosing MacBook Air:

1. Connectivity - it doesn't have VGA and ethernet, so you need to buy connectors and carry with you when you travel.
2. Since you use AutoCAD, you may need to install BootCamp to boot into Windows to continue using your old AutoCAD

If you are OK with those, MBA is definitely a good choice!

@[PF] T.J.: About potential heat problem in V131, I have different opinion. If you check the preview of V131 (i5), the max temp at the bottom of notebook is 42.3C. The room temperature is 23C. That is actually cooler than most notebook; including m11x, m14x, 3820tg, MBA 11", MBA 13" and many others. (Make sure check room temperature) It still not as cool as Vostro 3350, but that does not mean it has heat problem, right?

Well said bro
But 42.3C at 23C is quite high lo
Should compare the V131 to cooler models I think haha, cannot compare with gaming models
Actually my definition of "heat problems" = get hot, not to the extend of auto shutdown

Oh... well, i guess vostro 3350 should be the best for me at the moment. using macbook air might be a problem for me who doesnt actually understand what a "bootcamp" is.. but the design.... phew.. thats mac for you... anyway.. thanks for the big help guys.. really appeeciate it. you guys saved me from spending almost 2k recklessly. ppphhhheeeewwwwwww.

I've used the Vostro 3450 before... its a very nice laptop apart from the speakers
The 3350 has mono-speakers only iinm, which are even crappier haha, so don't expect too much from "it"
Also, you might want to open/close the lid slowly because it might tend to become loosened with time

@cow, same to your girlfriend, might want to be softer with the lid to prevent it from wobbling

Cant go wrong with [PF] T.J. recommendation.

@[PF] T.J.: Any equivalent model to compare with?

cow tested new 11.8?? damn dulan with barcelona & real madrid match..
ozil wanna stop the match but villa slap him. villa said foul words on higuan but marcelo bad tackle on fabgraes. dunno y mourinho went to pinch tito.
the fight will never end.. real play harsh but barca fake a lot.. dramatic!

this heat won't lost to vostro unit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNajyNeem3w

This post has been edited by ngkhanmein: Aug 18 2011, 12:36 PM

-edited-

Well, I think it'd be nice to compare it (i5 variant) to the i5 variants of the Asus U36Sd, Toshiba Portege R830, Acer TimelineX 3830T and Sony Vaio (VPCSB26FG)
But then there's still not much reviews on them yet... (so just ignore me)

Since we don't have any data on the internal CPU temperature on V131, I will just try to compare the surface / bottom temperature against other similar spec:

V131 (Intel Core i5 2410M 2.3 GHz):


Toshiba Portege R830-110 (Intel Core i3 2310M 2.1 GHz):


Asus U36JC (Intel Core i5 480M 2.666 GHz):


IdeaPad z370 (Intel Core i5 2410M 2.3 GHz):


MacBook Air 13 (Intel Core i3 2357M 1.3 GHz ULV):


Sony VPC-SB1Z9EB (Intel Core i5 2520M 2.5 GHz + AMD Radeon HD 6470M):


Thinkpad X220 (Intel Core i5 2410M 2.3 GHz):


If taking the room temperature into consideration, the temperature of V131 is mostly cooler all those model. With these data, I have reason to believe the internal cooling of V131, despite its super slim 21mm, is better than most notebook. I will definitely test the CPU in max load when I get a hand on this machine.

Choices choices choices.. this is giving me headache. lol. its hard to go to a shop and to ask for a certain model.. they will beat down your choice, and promote another model.... and i'll be like..... whatttt, really???, you sure??,,,.. lol..

but u bought i3 so will be lot cooler than i5.. cow when will ur laptop arrived? y so slow de?

cow the vostro gal got cun than this >> http://forum.lowyat.net/user/442223

This post has been edited by ngkhanmein: Aug 18 2011, 02:13 PM

Nice effort there bro
But there's too many non-constant variables here i.e. different specs, different size haha, of course I know reviews are not easy to find...
Can't wait for your review... I also hope that the temps would be fine, especially for the i5 variant so that I noneed to spend too much on the R830 in the future

tan ji u wan buy this lappy for ur gf is it??

Neh, if I do buy, its definitely going to be an MBA.... girls just go crazy over them.. and since they know virtually nothing about specs... it doesn't matter anyway haha~
Its just sad that the M500 she has now is problematic
If not I'd just sell it and get something else haihss....

How about you bro? Anything you targeting?

SSD + external HDD for storage + headphones + android phone + a gal

This post has been edited by ngkhanmein: Aug 18 2011, 03:07 PM

I thought you already have a lot of ext. HDDs?
Anyway, nice picks

problem is not enough liau..

^ Nice things, must share

post at lowyat mobile computing folding!

This post has been edited by ngkhanmein: Aug 18 2011, 03:39 PM

Total how many TB now?

never count i burned to dvd.. i stop dl-ing liau.. cos now i dl normal movie only. 1 movie around 1GB.. got kang xi, kuo bang, ni chai, drama, games really not enough..

hehehe.. how tall is Robin Hood? got 165cm or not? 'vostro gal' is just as cute but should be taller than Robin... i like tall gal

Thanks. That's the closest spec I can find. All 13" notebook, except Thinkpad X220 (12"). All Sandy Bridge CPU except Asus U36JC (1st gen Core). I am comparing some SB i3 and even ULV SB with the i5 in V131. Even then, look like V131 still has lower temperature. With the i3 V131, I am expecting an even lower CPU temperature.

Here is a comparison between i3 and i5 (1st gen core), i3 operating at lower temp: http://www.goldfries.com/hardware-reviews/...ocessor-review/

Now, where is that V131! Why is it still not here!

my x all taller than me.. all 170 above.. i not sure with robin hood.

test new 11.8 WHQL?? now i install it~ my x quite tall also wor..

Just finish downloading, will install now. above 170 for a gal! intro your ex to me... may be they will have better luck with me

she at kuantan if no mistake.. a lot bf 1~ if u dun mind!

she quite skinny always on diet~