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

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.

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

She totally hate glossy screen. She is unique.

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

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...

+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.

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...

u have iphone!

ur sis' iphone = ur iphone!

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



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

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

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?

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

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

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.

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!

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

skinny is a +1. like V131! but if many bf... i'd have no chance... nvm...

I woke up this morning hoping to get a visit by Dell... it's been 1 week I order it... still no news...

1st post updated with another review for V131 from cnet

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/dell-vostr...txt#reviewPage1

(i m still reading!)

Call up the gal that help me take the order, she told me it's still IN PRODUCTION. she'll call me back next Tuesday to confirm on delivery date!

+ Full directional keys!

"there are many laptop in that price range, but there aren't many is this thin..." -Scott Stein (Senior Editor - CNet)



This post has been edited by cowithgun: Aug 19 2011, 11:39 AM