Laptop reviews: Dell Inspiron i14R-2265MRB and the Toshiba Satellite A665-S6050

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Today we'll look at two performance laptops aimed at different customers: the Dell Inspiron i14R-2265MRB and the Toshiba Satellite A665-S6050. The Dell, as you'd expect, is all business, while the Toshiba boasts more entertainment-oriented features. Keep reading to see how they stack up.

The Dell Inspiron i14R-2265MRB is a fixed configuration retail laptop geared towards business professionals.  With impressive performance, a host of features, and connectivity options galore, it makes an attractive pitch to potential buyers.  The i14R-2265MRB is available for $749.99 and comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

The Inspiron i14R-2265MRB comes with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5-450M processor with 3 MB of cache. The multi-core i5 processor gives the laptop speedy performance, so it compares favorably in this department with other competing laptops. You can run multiple applications simultaneously without having to worry about performance lag. Common tasks such as instant messaging, Internet browsing, casual gaming, and more can be handled without issues. There is also 4 GB of DDR3 SDRAM to help with multitasking.

Graphics are supported by an Intel HD Graphics card. For storage, there is a 500 GB hard drive that should suffice for most users. The included six-cell battery is said to give around five hours of usage when fully charged. That's not bad, especially for a laptop of standard size. As an attempt to appeal to professional clientele, Dell included Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Edition 64-bit as the operating system.

Beyond the basics, the i14R-2265MRB comes with plenty of added features. It has a DVD drive for watching movies and listening to CDs. It also can entertain via a 1.3-megapixel webcam and microphone that will work with video chats through programs such as Skype. A 7-in-1 media reader is on board to allow for quick data transfers with other digital devices. The media reader can support formats such as SD cards, Memory Sticks, and more. Bluetooth is another plus, and you also have integrated 802.11n Wi-Fi. Last, but not least, is a built-in WiMAX antenna for added Internet connectivity.
 
The i14R-2265MRB's design is not flashy, but it is attractive. Professionals will probably enjoy its  color scheme, which combines black, brushed metal, and a grayish color throughout its body. The laptop is portable and not too bulky, measuring 13.5 inches wide by 9.9 inches deep by 1.2 inches thick and weighing 4.9 pounds. The 14-inch display has a HD resolution of 1,366 x 768. It produces vibrant graphics and makes the laptop a viable device for entertainment and other related tasks. The integrated speakers are also loud and clear enough so that you do not necessarily need to plug in headphones.

The i14R-2265MRB's keyboard is spacious. Its flat keys are easy to type with and give just the right amount of flex and feedback. The touch pad is spacious as well, and responsive to the touch. Its matte surface gives just the right amount of grip necessary when scrolling. 

Connectivity is good overall with some nice extras thrown in. The back houses a VGA port and a USB port. Although placing connectivity on the back of a laptop is a bit rare these days, Dell had to do so to accommodate the two connections. The right side features another USB port, microphone and headphone jacks, and the DVD drive. The left side finishes things off with an Ethernet port, a HDMI port, a USB port that doubles as eSATA, and the media reader.

The Dell Inspiron i14R-2265MRB is a worthy choice for professionals seeking a laptop at an affordable price. It leaves no stone unturned in the features department, has a professional look, and offers plenty of connectivity and performance.

Next: Toshiba Satellite A665-S6050 >>
 

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