Original Post
Written by
Edited July 5, 2022
at 03:44 PM
by
Dell has the Inspiron 5410 14-inch laptop with quad-core Core i3-1125G4 processor, 8GB upgradable RAM, 256GB SSD for $400. This usually sells for $500.
https://deals.dell.com/en-us/memb...etail/eqxq- Core i3-1125G4, much faster than the more common dual-core 1115G4 and virtually identical performance [cpubenchmark.net] to the i5 and i7
- 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) wide viewing angle display (IPS equivalent, 250 nits, 45% NTSC), matte, non-touch
- 8 GB DDR4 RAM (1 SODIMM in 1 slot, 2nd slot free)
- 256 GB PCIe NVME SSD
- UHD Graphics - but this is not the same iGPU from the 10th gen Comet Lake and earlier CPUs, it's based on Iris Xe architecture with fewer execution units, still ok for light gaming
- Ports: USB-C, 2 USB-A, HDMI, micro SD, audio
- USB-C port supports DisplayPort and Power Delivery (but supplied AC adapter uses its own barrel-type power port)
- Backlit keyboard
- Fingerprint reader (integrated into power button)
- 54 WHr battery
- HD webcam with privacy cover
- Intel 802.11ac Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
- Weight: 3.2 lbs
- Construction: aluminum lid and keyboard deck, plastic bottom panel
67 Comments
Your comment cannot be blank.
Featured Comments
Good build quality - this has similar materials and feels a bit more solid than the 7000-series convertible I just got (7425), which has more keyboard flex
Decent screen for the price - mediocre color coverage, but far better contrast and viewing angles than TN screens you usually see at this price
Good port selection and full-service USB-C
Upgradability with 2 SODIMM slots, 1 of them free
Reliable Intel wifi chip (I can't stand the flaky Realtek chips found on many cheap laptops)
Good battery life thanks to fairly large battery
Good keyboard feel (decent amount of travel and a good balance between cushiness and tactility)
Nice "quality of life" features like backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader built into power button
Quiet fan
The only real downside is that it runs fairly hot on the bottom, so not great for on-lap use. However, Dell's Power Manager (download from Windows Store) has thermal profiles, allowing you to choose more performance, less noise, or less heat.
Dell is also selling the 5410 with the 11300H processor and 512GB SSD for $80 more. However, I do not recommend that model as it's not significantly faster and the H-series processor will certainly run hotter. Also, that one has its 8GB RAM split between 2 SODIMMs, so to upgrade you'll need to toss one or both.
ETA: Here's a YouTube review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1BydFw
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Doesn't check the screen box which is a big box for me, much bigger than fingerprint reader and backlit keyboard. Those are almost gimmick features to me compared to the screen.
ETA: I compared the 5410 with another laptop I have on hand with a 300-nit display and 72% instead of 45% NTSC. The brightness difference was noticeable, but even during the day time indoors, it's not really a usable difference - 250 nits is bright enough. And 300 nits isn't bright enough outdoors anyway. Despite the wider color gamut, the other laptop did not have noticeably better colors for photos and videos. And the two were similar in viewing angles - both very good as they are IPS or equivalent. In short: this display is more than good enough at the price; if you're doing work that demands a better display, you're going to need to pay quite a bit more.
Im not going to search around to find a unit with a better screen, I am simply saying this screen is not any better than the one found in the $300 HP. The build quality and the service of Dell is significantly better IMO and this unit is quality, BUT, at this price, for the low end 250 nit screen, it's not an awesome deal. Ymmv, so bizarre the quick dismissal of a poor quality screen by consumers. I don't get it
Also, the link in the OP is not a direct link, but goes thru a tracker. Here's a direct link:
https://deals.dell.com/en-us/memb...etail/eqxq
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
You're misunderstanding, I think this is a good unit, at $325-$340 good deal, $300 smoking. $400, not so hot... I never said otherwise.
Don't know why u care so much, you are so adamant this is a smoking deal I guess so that's great, I think at 400 I'd keep looking. Thanks for all your perspective.
Never said that. I posted what I thought were the pros and cons of this computer. It's kind of pointless arguing over whether something is a smoking deal or not - if someone needs a computer, they have choices, this may or may not be the right one for them. Anyway, other SD users compared it with other deals available and upvoted it enough times to make it FP.
These things are subjective, your post was was informative comparing the displays among similar laptops. I compared this exact panel in the Dell and the 300 nit option and my subjective assessment was different than yours.
I am happy with my Dell I got dec of '21 with the dual core and better screen except oddly the power LED doesn't work even after a MB swap by a Dell tech, their support seems to not even know what part it needs to fix the issue.
Anyway, we all have our own opinions and subjective value on features. You could do a lot worse than this unit.
If you're super budget conscious this would be tough over the gateway or HP. If you really care about the screen like I do, you're maybe waiting for a Acer swift or a sale on the Dell where it features the better screen.
Re the CPU. I had both and for my, again subjective, primarily media consumption, light computing it's not noticeable, battery life is also potentially better with fewer cores, which is appealing to me.
All good man.. we're all friends here, I think anyway..
It is the weirdest thing, I don't recall if it ever worked but no, no matter the condition, charged, discharging, critical low, power cord in, usb-c charging it literally never lights up. Like the LED itself is literally defective.
The manual describes some white or amber states depending on charging and battery but it's always just been totally out for me... It almost has to be the charging "port" assembly? They already swapped MB once onsite at my kitchen table and we identified the LED on the board.
That is a testament to Dell support, however, the fact they didn't resolve the problem takes away from it a bit, lol.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.