New Dell Vostro V131

I will do this when mine comes in. I remember doing roughly the same thing on my V130...

 

I own the Celeron version, and I love it. Video playback is a non-issue (tried youtube 720p, Netflix, Hulu, etc--connected to 1080P Projector via HDMI). The V131 is perfect for my needs (Word, WebSurf, and Video). I replaced the HD with a 60GB SSD. Now the laptop flies, and it's silent too--which was one of my biggest complaints I had for an ultrabook I bought and returned.

 

CPU-Z on my V131 shows the socket as 988B rPGA

 

Yeah, me too. I always try to remind other people, but I will forget for myself.

 

Well my V131 came in and Dare I say it... I'm not 100% impressed so far. I knew the "battery bump" would make the machine taller but overall the computer has a much bigger footprint than the V130. Its taller, wider, thicker, etc... The speed boost is nice and the battery improvement is great too... but still... I was hoping they would be comparable in size. The V131 feels like a behemoth. The V130 feels more like an ultrabook (I had an SSD in mine) than the V131 ever will. I guess though, using a full size processor makes that much more of a difference.

I will post some pics up earlier if at least one person is interested in some size shots...

 

I followed your steps and "muted" the blue hue and found it to make the viewing angles worse. I decided to keep the original setup just because its brighter and in my opinion, looks fine.

I could have done it wrong though... when you lowered the blue by 9 did that make it a around the 65% area? I used keyboard clicks, so I wasn't sure if that was correct but it seemed harsh against the blue hue.

 

I attached a screen shot. So it starts off on the right side, so you do 9 clicks backwards for blue. You should be right in front of the letter N when the screen is maximized.

And gamma is 1 click down. The screen has a bit of washout, but thats the screens characteristic more than it is the color adjustment. I really wish they provided a Samsung Panel. Then this laptop would be perfect.

I understand your disappointment on the thickness of the laptop and I slightly agree. I just don't think Dell ever advertised this laptop as an ultrabook. It was the reviewers and consumers who decided to call it an ultrabook. For work, depending on my requirements, I'll probably carry this laptop or my Acer Travelmate 11.6" which is a real workhouse for productivity.

The positive thing about the laptop also is that in full power save mode, the fan stays completely off. This is a nice touch when I'm only working in MS Word or Excel. Yet I can still feel a draft coming out of the vent. I'm guessing it's the isobaric chamber design at work. The rear doesnt bother me that much since it is transparent when the screen is open, plus it provides as a solid means to gripping the laptop.

 

Awesome, Thanks!

As for the ultrabook... your right, it was never labeled as one but it was always seen as a "poor mans entry"... even though the V13 came before the ultrabook craze (Grandfather to the V131).

I didnt know that about the power save mode... That will be great when taking notes in class and I don't want to be bothersome with a fan hum.

Does anyone know what size battery or model number the flush one is? I looked everywhere online and can only find replacements for the 6 cell stock "US" one. I know other countries had the 4 (or 3) cell option...

Thanks again.

 

I've got a V131 with the A04 bios and there is always a fan-like sound from the computer, even in power saver model at idle. Does anybody know what this is?

I've got another question for V131 owners. Did yours ship with the 65W or 90W power brick? Mine was invoiced with the 65W brick, but it shipped with the 90W brick. When I talked to Dell about it they said the 90W would charge the laptop faster.

I've done a lot of benchmarks on the V131 and I've seen in hit 62W for a second or two before settling below 60W, even when we are talking about full CPU+GPU+battery charging. So I suspect the Dell rep was giving me wrong information about the 90W brick charging the laptop faster.

Anybody have insight into this? I'm thinking of asking for the 65W (as an exchange) brick since it'll be easier to travel with. Is there any reason to keep the 90W?

 

I got the 65W with mine (I think, model PA-65TH or something). What I miss is the typical Dell cable wrap-around feature. This brick looks just like any other.