Test: Dell Inspiron 9400

Konklusion

Dell har i Inspiron 9400 leveret en utrolig lækker og teknisk konkurrencedygtig bærbar. Den yder godt i både multimedie og spil, og den har en dejlig stor skærm med et flot og skarpt billede, samt en høj opløsning.

Jeg mener ikke at der er nogen tvivl om at denne bærbar må klassificeres som en desktop-replacement. Den er hurtig og veludstyret, men dette har krævet kompromiser på områder som vægt og batterilevetid. Batterilevetiden er rimelig, men dog set bedre på mindre og ydelsesmæssigt svagere bærbare. Den er ideel til at stå fremme i stedet for den stationære computer eller f.eks. lagt ned i en skuffe når den ikke er i brug. Sidstnævnte ville dog være en smule ærgerligt, da den er lækker at se på, og helt sikkert giver et visuelt pift opad i en moderne stue eller kontor. Derudover er det en rigtig god løsning til LAN-events. Den er trods alt ikke tungere end at man problemfrit kan tage den med, hvor som helst. Desuden er den veludstyret, og vil være i stand til at spille et hvilket som helst spil på markedet i en rimelig høj opsætning.

Selve software-installationen ved levering kunne være bedre - i hvert fald hvis man er entusiast. Maskinen er fuld af forskellig software som f.eks. Intel's applikation for håndtering af det trådløse netværk - hvilket dukkede op hvert andet øjeblik med et meget lidt elegant vindue, for at informerer mig om trådløse netværk i nærheden. Microsoft leverer et udmærket værktøj til samme, så jeg skyndte mig at afinstallerer softwaren. Ligesom jeg skyndte mig at fjerne en masse andet software.

Core duo processoren imponerer med den hurtige SuperPI tid. GeForce 7800Go er et rimelig stærk grafikkort i en bærbar computer, hvilket 3Dmark scoren viser. Harddisken leverer en middelmådig men særdeles lydsvag oplevelse. Skærmen er super lækker. Alt i alt en dejlig bærbar i en flot indpakning.

Det har været en fornøjelse at teste Dell's Inspiron 9400. Jeg kommer til at savne en bærbar computer der kan alt hvad min stationære kan, endda i en højere opløsning.

Innovation:
Der er som sådan ikke noget nyskabende i bærbaren, men der er opfylder helt sikkert status quo for en moderne performance-orienteret bærbar. Jeg giver giver den 4 point.

Bundle:
Det medfølgende bundle er ret begrænset. Hvad der følger med har man dog en vis indflydelse på når man bestiller en Dell bærbar. For en merpris selvfølgelig. Jeg giver 3 point.

Design:
Personligt kan jeg godt lide designet. Den er stor, men det må forventes med en 17" widescreen-skærm. Linjerne er strømlinede og farvesammensætningen giver den et ungdommeligt udseende. 4 point i denne kategori.

Software:
Installationen indeholder en del software i prøveudgaver. Desuden er der div. applikationer som Works, Cyberlink PowerDVD osv. Jeg syntes dog det er for rodet. I mange tilfælde er der software installeret til at klare opgaver som Windows selv håndterer uden problemer, som f.eks. modem-forbindelser og trådløst netværk. Jeg giver 3 point.

Ydelse:
Dell Inspiron 9400 yder rigtig godt. Af de game-sessions jeg har haft på den, har den performet upåklageligt. 4 point.

Pris:
Prisen på en Inspiron 9400 afhænger af den hardware, software og det tilbehør man vælger ved bestilling. Den bærbar jeg har testet ville koste fra omkring 17.000 kr. Man får dog en lækker bærbar med en fantastisk skærm, stor harddisklager, 2GB RAM, den nyeste teknologi og en rigtig god ydelse. En score på 4 må være fortjent.

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UK Summary

With the Inspiron 9400, Dell has achieved a genuinely fabulous and technically competitive notebook. Performance in both multimedia and gaming is excellent. The display is not only big; it is capable of very high resolutions, delivering very sharp images.

Personally I would classify the notebook as a desktop-replacement. It is fast and well-equipped, but at the cost of weight and battery-life. The battery-performance is fair, but is definitely bested by notebooks meant to be truly portable. The Inspiron 9400 is ideal for taking the place of your desktop computer, or hiding in a drawer when not being used. The latter could be considered a shame, as the stylish laptop would look nice in any modern living-room or office. The notebook is an excellent choice for LAN-party arrangements. It is light enough for easy transportation. Furthermore, the unit has excellent specifications and is able at playing any current-generation games at fairly high settings.

The factory-default software installation could have been a bit cleaner, especially if you're an enthusiast. The notebook is full of all sorts of software, for instance Intel's WLAN application - reminding me every two minutes that there are wireless LAN's available. Microsofts integrated solution for handling such connections is more than adequate and definitely more streamlined, so I quickly removed Intel's WLAN software. I quickly removed a lot of software.

The Core Duo processor impresses with its excellent SuperPI-time. The GeForce 7800 go is a fairly powerful video card for a notebook, which the 3Dmark score cements. The hard drive delivers mediocre performance, but thankfully is very low-noise during operation. The display is fantastic. To sum things up, this is a terrific notebook in an appealing outfit.

It has been a pleasure reviewing the Dell Inspiron 9400. I am definitely going to miss a notebook that can do whatever my desktop computer can, and at higher resolutions to boot.

Innovation:
There are no true innovations featured on the Inspiron 9400, but it definately fulfils the status quo of a modern, performance oriented notebook. A score of 4.

Bundle:
The enclosed bundle is fairly limited. The accessories is something you have quite a bit of influence upon, as you define the purchase yourself. All at an added cost, of course. A score of 3 is earned.

Design:
The design will always be subjective. I however, like the design. It is large, but that is to be expected as the notebook packs a 17 inch widescreen display. The notebook is streamlined and the mix of colors gives it a youthful apperance. 4 points in this category.

Software:
The software installation contains quite a bit of trial-software. There is fully licensed software bundled as well, such as Microsoft Works, Cyberlink PowerDVD etc. I find the installation somewhat messy though. The software installed often carry out tasks that Windows can perform easily. Examples could be creating modem-connections and WLAN. 3 Points.

Performance:
The Dell Inspiron 9400 is an excellent performer. From the gaming-sessions I have had, it has always performed top-notch. 4 points.

Price:
The price of the Inspiron 9400 depends on the hardware, software and accessories you choose when you order the notebook. The notebook that I have reviewed would cost you approximately 17.000 DKK. For that price you receive a very nice notebook with a fantastic display, excellent harddisk-capacity, 2GB of RAM, the newest in notebook technology and very good performance. A score of 4 is well deserved.