The new Vostro 3555

The Dell Vostro 3555 is AMD Llano powered laptop (powered by AMD Accelerated Processor).

It means more than just a business laptop:

AMD Llano combines four CPU cores and a discrete level GPU onto one part. The AMD graphics chip is much faster than the Intel integrated HD Graphics 3000 chip which is used by second generation Intel Core i-processors. This mean we do not need to keep two different laptops around, one makes all the expectations.

The laptop building quality seems somewhat less than Latitude models and the bios cannot be customized as much. However for overall productivity due to strong GPU this laptop won the battle over Latitudes.


Always makes me wonder how this little AMD chip is able to play the most demanding games itself!

The weak point is the screen which could use higher resolution panel. Otherwise it has good view angels and it does not have annoying reflections. Outdoors in direct sunlight delivers an acceptable picture.

The laptop upgradeable with AMD A8-3550MX APU, which overfulfil all the expectations. Here some 3DMark benchmarks:

P894 3DMark11
17021 3DMark03

 

AFAIK Fusion for laptops will be BGA soldered. Not sure about Llano and Bulldozer..

 

From other source heard the llano's are invariably socketed. So possible to upgrade. Thanks!

 

After plenty of thinking I purchased a Vostro 3555. Features an AMD A6-3400M APU with Radeon HD 6520 graphics, 3GB DDR3 memory, 320GB HDD and 64-bit Windows 7 Professional with XP mode.

The reason why I chosen is the A70M chipset, Backlit keyboard, USB 3.0 ports, and tired to wait for a normal 13"-14" AMD Llano laptop. I'm worry about the size, but what can I do? Estimated Delivery Date:09/16/2011
After delivery, I'm going to upgrade AMD A8-3530mx, 2X4GB DDR3 1600MHz, 60GB SSD+ 2nd HDD Caddy. Benchmarks will be available here.

 

I've done the updates of my Vostro 3555. The owners manual helped a lot to change the APU, but contains some unnecessary steps. However I'm not quite satisfied with the performance increase, I've expected something more.

A6 3400M 1.4 GHz +8GB DDR3 1333Mhz:
3DMark2001SE:16493
3DMark2003:14325
3DMark2011:666

A8 3530-mx +8GB DDR3 1333Mhz:
3DMark2001SE:16113
3DMark2003:15360
3DMark2011:804

A8 3530-mx +8GB DDR3 1600Mhz CL11:
3DMark2001SE:16505
3DMark2003:16087
3DMark2011:829

I'm also confused with K10Stat overclocking tool, I run my APU on 2.8GHz, but does not improve the performance results. Why? However I like my laptop, It stays cool and quiet, while I can run GTA4 on High Details.

 

Those scores aren't bad. Remember APU's focus more on GPU prowess rather than processing speed. Honestly for most people decent clock speed dual cores are more than enough, but now GPU power is being utilized more and more. Also see how much lower power consumption the entire Fusion APU uses vs an Intel + discreet GPU, how much cooler it runs and the more battery life you are getting.

 

Yes, for overall I'm very satisfied with Fusion, just the upgrade did not bring as much improvements as I expected. Maybe it need 1600 MHz CL9 RAM instead of CL11.
Do you know how could I increase the graphics memory? It use only 512MB from the 8GB system memory...

 

The 3555 has 3 usb3.0 ports... wow.. is it 1st laptop ?
wonder if it can handle 3 external usb3.0 2.5" HDDs ?
My vostro 3750 can not run 2 ext usb3.0 hdds with 2 usb3.0 ports at the same time.

 

Why not? I can handle 3 flashdrive at same time, than what difference make 3 hard drives?

 

wonder if it can handle 3 external usb3.0 2.5" HDDs ?
usb3.0 consume a lot of power, this 3555 use AMD mainboard so I dont know can it handle 3 usb3.0 HDDs at the same time or not.
My 3750 can not run 2 external usb3.0 2.5" HDDs with 2 usb3.0 ports at the same time. So I think 3350, 3450, 3550 are same.