QUICK TAKE
A well-balanced budget notebook with enough performance to satisfy most needs.
The latest generation of the Dell Inspiron 15R (the N5110) features Intel?s ?Sandy Bridge? Core processors and your choice of surprisingly powerful integrated graphics or AMD Radeon discrete graphics for gaming, all wrapped in a stylish notebook with a reasonable price tag. Keep reading to find out why the Inspiron 15R is one of Dell?s best-selling laptops.
Our?Dell Inspiron 15R?(N5110) Specifications:
- Intel Core i5-2410M processor (2.3GHz, 3MB cache, 2.9GHz Turbo Boost)
- 15.6-inch 1366?768 display with LED backlighting
- Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
- 4GB DDR3 memory (1333MHz)
- 320GB 5400rpm HDD
- Intel HD integrated graphics
- 8X Tray Load CD/DVD Burner
- 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11n wireless, and Bluetooth
- 6-cell Li-ion 48WHr battery and 9-cell 90WHr battery
- Dimensions: 14.7 x 9.6 x 1.2 inches
- Weight: 5.84lbs
- MSRP:?$889.98
The starting price of the Inspiron 15R N5110 is only $499 at the time of this writing but that includes a slower Intel Core i3-2310M processor, less RAM, a smaller hard drive and only the standard 6-cell battery. The point here is that Dell offers a number of different configurations of the new Inspiron 15R.
Build and Design
The updated Inspiron 15R N5110 features a number of design changes compared to last year?s Inspiron 15R. The overall look is essentially unchanged with a clean and sleek exterior, but at its core the 15R remains a budget laptop with a mostly plastic construction. The new 15R uses a hinge-forward LCD lid design that Dell first used in the premium Adamo series. I?m sure Dell designers will say it?s a way of reducing the size of the screen bezel with a 16:9 ratio widescreen display. However, as far as most people are concerned, it just means the back of the notebook sticks out more behind the screen.
Build quality is generally pretty strong for a mostly plastic notebook, but you?ll notice some minor flexing in the plastics if you firmly squeeze the notebook in your hands or press hard on the keyboard while typing. The main chassis, while reasonably strong, has a ?hollow? feeling which makes you think there is some unused space inside this black box. Speaking of black, that?s the standard color for the Inspiron 15R. You can select an optional ?Fire Red? or ?Peacock Blue? for an extra $35 when you order your laptop from Dell, or you can choose a more artistic lid for an extra $60. Honestly, I feel like customers should be able to pick black, red, or blue at no additional cost and the artistic lids should be half their current price ? but that?s just my opinion. At least with the new ?SWITCHable Lids? you can buy a fancy screen lid at a later time if you want.
One additional (and probably unintentional) benefit of the new ?SWITCHable Lids? is that the screen is slightly more protected from exterior pressure. The new screen cover offers moderately more protection for the LCD than the old 15R, which means ripples don?t show up as easily on this screen if you press on the back of the lid.
Anyone looking to upgrade the RAM inside the Dell Inspiron 15R will find the process is very simple.? There is only one access panel on the bottom of the notebook secured by a single Phillips head screw and some plastic retention tabs. Remove that one panel and you can add or replace to the system memory. Unfortunately, removing the hard drive requires almost a complete disassembly of the notebook chassis.
Ports and Features
When it comes to budget 15-inch laptops, Dell has a history of packing their notebooks with enough inputs and outputs to keep any tech enthusiast happy. The new N5110 is no exception. This Inspiron 15R features two USB 2.0 ports (one of which is an eSATA/USB combo port), two ?Super Speed? USB 3.0 ports, HDMI and VGA-out, audio jacks, and Ethernet. It also featured a SDHC-card reader and a CD/DVD optical drive.
Front: Activity lights
Rear:?Kensington lock slot, Ethernet, USB 3.0, VGA,?power jack
Left: One USB 2.0, HDMI-out, USB 2.0/eSATA combo port, media card slot
Right: Optical drive, audio jacks, USB 3.0 port
GENERAL
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Packaged Quantity1
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Notebook typeHD display, Midsize, Budget
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ManufacturerDell, Inc.
PROCESSOR / CHIPSET
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CPUIntel Core i5
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Number of CoresDual-Core
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Cache3 MB
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64-bit ComputingYes
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Chipset TypeMobile Intel HM67 Express
CACHE MEMORY
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Installed Size4 MB
MEMORY
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Max Supported Size8 GB
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TechnologyDDR3 SDRAM
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Speed1333 MHz
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Form FactorSO-DIMM 204-pin
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Slots Qty2
STORAGE
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InterfaceSerial ATA-300
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Optical DriveDVD?RW
RAM
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Memory Speed1333 MHz
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TechnologyDDR3 SDRAM
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Installed Size4 GB
ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS
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Humidity Range Operating10 – 90% (non-condensing)
DISPLAY
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LCD Backlight TechnologyWLED backlight
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Resolution1366 x 768 (HD)
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Widescreen DisplayYes
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Monitor FeaturesTrueLife
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TypeLED
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Diagonal Size (metric)39.6 cm
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Display Resolution AbbreviationHD
AUDIO & VIDEO
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Graphics ProcessorIntel HD Graphics
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Memory Allocation TechnologyDynamic Video Memory Technology
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Integrated WebcamYes
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Capture Resolutions1280 x 720
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SoundStereo speakers, microphone
HARD DRIVE
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Spindle Speed5400 rpm
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TypeHDD
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Capacity320 GB
INPUT
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Typekeyboard, touchpad
COMMUNICATIONS
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Wireless Protocol802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth
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Wireless ControllerIntel Centrino Wireless-N 1030
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Wired Protocol10/100 Ethernet
OPTICAL STORAGE
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Drive TypeDVD-Writer
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TypeDVD?RW
PROCESSOR
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CPU Type2nd Gen Core i5
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Processor Numberi5
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Generation2
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ManufacturerIntel
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Clock Speed2.2 GHz
CARD READER
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Type8 in 1 card reader
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Supported Flash MemoryMMCplus, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card, xD-Picture Card
BATTERY
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Capacity48 Wh
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Cells6-cell
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Technologylithium ion
AC ADAPTER
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Output65 Watt
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSION
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Interfaces2 x USB 3.0
USB 2.0
USB 2.0/eSATA
HDMI
VGA
LAN
Headphone output
Microphone input
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Memory Card Reader8 in 1 (SD Card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, MultiMediaCard, xD-Picture Card, MMCplus, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
HEADER
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BrandDell
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Product LineDell Inspiron
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Model15R N5110
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Packaged Quantity1
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CompatibilityPC
MISCELLANEOUS
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Included Laptop Accessoriespower adapter
SOFTWARE
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Microsoft Office PreloadedIncludes a pre-loaded image of select Microsoft Office 2010 suites. Purchase an Office 2010 Product Key Card or disc to activate preloaded software on this PC.
NETWORKING
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Data Link ProtocolBluetooth, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n
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Wireless LAN SupportedYes
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Wireless NICIntel Centrino Wireless-N 1030
SYSTEM
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Notebook Typenotebook
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PlatformWindows
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Hard Drive Capacity320 GB
MONITOR
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Diagonal Size15.6 in
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
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Width14.8 in
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Depth10.2 in
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Height1.4 in
AUDIO OUTPUT
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Compliant StandardsSRS Premium Sound
MAINBOARD
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Chipset TypeMobile Intel HM67 Express
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
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Weight5.51 lbs
POWER
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Min Operating Temperature32 ?F
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Max Operating Temperature95 ?F
OPERATING SYSTEM / SOFTWARE
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OS Provided: TypeMicrosoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition
VIDEO OUTPUT
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Graphics ProcessorIntel HD Graphics
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Graphics Processor SeriesIntel HD Graphics
VIDEO MEMORY
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Memory Allocation TechnologyDynamic Video Memory Technology
NOTEBOOK CAMERA
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Integrated WebcamYes
SUSTAINABILITY
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5.1
GENERAL
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ManufacturerDell, Inc.