Dell Inspiron 1764

A 17-inch notebook offers good value for money

What is this Dell Inspiron 1764, sold 649 euros, which runs on an Intel Platform Core i5?

The Dell Inspiron 1764 is a portable 17 inch good finish and designed on a platform Intel Core i5 – 430M.

The expectations before test

We tested the new Dell laptop with a screen of 17 inches and less than 656 proposed euro (plus shipping). Affordable and therefore there is not much of a recycling machine, because this Inspiron is built around the Intel Platform Core i5. What can we expect from such a machine? The finish is she to go? Here is our verdict.

The reality

The Inspiron 1764 that we received for our tests is probably the best model “Girly” by the manufacturer. The cap pink glitter – or metallic finish – is surely the fairer sex. But let it be said, there are also blue, red or black.
The interior, clean up – the speakers are also located in front and under the machine – is much more sober. Too bad it’s so messy. Nothing to say, however, as to matte black keyboard that is comfortable and classic. For cons, the palm rest is covered with a layer of varnish very well keeping fingerprints.

Inspiron 17: laptop cozy

The keyboard, we said, offers a good comfort and a great hitting surface. No complaints about the touch pad that responds very well. No criticism of either side of the connector. Not only this Inspiron offers four USB connectors – which is a good thing – but they are more evenly distributed on both sides. Small regret, however, taken the side of the microphone and headphones. Located on the right, these are all son who will stand between the laptop and your hand holding – possibly – a mouse connected to USB. HDMI video output is also available.

Slab quality

On the screen, there are two advantages. Firstly, the 17-inch slab displays a definition of 1600 x 900 pixels. Not enough to compete with slabs Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), but given the price of the machine, we can not reasonably ask for more. Moreover, this resolution is enough to work comfortably with, occasionally, two documents open side by side.
Another argument, not least, the quality of the slab. If it visually seems conventional 17-inch, we were surprised by the measurements taken. The contrast ratio is 011:1 and 1 average brightness of 272.5 cd / m². Regrettably, so just brilliant treatment of the slab, which is therefore also acts as a mirror.

A Core i5 platform constrained by the circuit graph

Equipped with an Intel Core i5-430M (2.26 GHz), 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive, the Inspiron 1764 is versatile. Yet he segregate for desktop use in a broad sense. Clearly, a little multimedia, but no big plays: its integrated graphics did not allow this fantasy. With a score of 1931 points in 3DMark 06, only a few games really bit lovers can operate (with a minimum of graphic detail).
However, when watching a movie, this 17-inch offers a powerful but its average quality. This avoids having systematically uses a helmet. Moreover, for this type of use, it is again pleasantly surprised by the battery. With Wi-Fi enabled (maximum performance mode) and screen brightness at maximum, the Inspiron 1764 will be held 2 to 5 min.

A processor Gourmet

If the CPU is powerful, it is also delicious when it is under strain. At full load, Wi-Fi enabled and screen brightness at 100%, we measured a power consumption of 56 watts (17 watts in standby cons). This is also feeling the heat from the machine that heats up to reach 38.7 ° C on the palm rest, and 44.3 ° c and the chassis. Pity, because with 2.8 kg “only” one imagined working quite well with this portable lap. Another drawback to cool electronics, a blower is set in motion to meet in the worst case a peak of about 38.8 dB (at 60 cm from the machine) against 34.2 dB desktop use .

The test and review conclusions

The Dell Inspiron 1764 laptop is finally affordable and very well equipped for office. The slab is quality and nice finish, though a little too messy. Anyone knowing disregard this disadvantage might find his account. Finally, note that to find the configuration that we tested on the Dell website, you must enter the code DMFR5-N026407.