Overview
The Inspiron line offers a lot of bang for your notebook buck.
The sub-$1000 notebook market is one that we rarely cover here at PC Perspective. It's not due to a lack of interest from us, but rather from notebook manufacturers.
Generally, companies are only interested in sending out their latest flagship products, which leaves us without much of an opinion on the notebooks that most people actually walk into a brick and mortar retailer to purchase.
Today, we're looking at one of these more mainstream notebooks which can be found with a quad-core 8th generation Intel processor for under $900—the Dell Inspiron 13 7373 2-in-1.
Dell Inspiron 13 7373 2-in-1 | ||||||
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MSRP | $879 (Configuration as reviewed) | $1049 | $1149 | $1299 | ||
Screen | 13.3” FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS touch display | |||||
CPU | Core i5-8250U | Core i7-8550U | ||||
GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 | |||||
RAM | 8GB | 16GB | ||||
Storage | 256GB SATA | 512GB SATA | ||||
Network | Intel 7265 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.2, Dual Band 2.4 & 5 GHz, 2x2 | |||||
Display Output |
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C |
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Connectivity |
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C |
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Audio | (2) tuned speakers; audio processing by Waves MaxxAudio® Pro | |||||
Weight | 3.2 lbs ( 1.45 kg) | |||||
Dimensions | 12.91-in x 8.5-in x 0.61-in (309.6mm x 215.7mm x 15.51mm) |
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Battery | 38 WHr | |||||
Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
It's worth noting that while writing this review, these notebooks have been consistently available for under MSRP. The base configuration we are reviewing of the Dell Inspiron 13 7373 is remarkably well equipped and at the time of writing was available for $749. Considering that the $999 entry level model of the 2018 XPS 13 still comes with a paltry 4GB of system memory and 128GB SSD, this is a great value. For most consumers, including myself, I look at the 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD option as the sweet spot price comparison point between notebooks.
Upgradability is at the level we expect from most modern thin-and-light notebooks. By removing the bottom of the notebook you can gain access to change the storage device installed in the M.2 slot, but virtually nothing else—meaning that it's important to configure the notebook with the amount of RAM you'll need at your time of purchase.
From a design aspect, the Inspiron 13 7373 isn't quite as remarkable as it's flashy sibling the Dell XPS 13. You won't find an ultra-thin bezel equipped InfinityEdge display, a variety of color choices, or a carbon fiber palm wrist. However, what you will find is a solidly built notebook that is unoffensive in every way.
Unlike Inspirons of that past that you may be familiar with that had suspect build quality, the Inspiron 13 7373 is made mostly of metal and retains a premium feel. Even the hinges, which can be a major weak area on less expensive notebooks, are quite sturdy on the Inspiron.
The 1920x1080 IPS display provides a great balance between high resolution for the size without having to rely on Windows display scaling too much. Personally, I find a 1080p resolution at this size to be usable without any scaling, but yourmileagee may vary. You also gain a significant battery life performance from not putting in a higher resolution display that requires display scaling to be usable.
The larger bezel sizes around the display allow the webcam to be in a traditional position in the top center of the display rather than some of the more odd locations Dell has utilized for modern XPS notebooks. Additionally, the webcam also supports visual Windows Hello authentication, a feature I have grown to love on Windows notebooks and don't want to go without.
Despite the more barebones aesthetic of the Inspiron 13 7373, both the keyboard and trackpad are excellent for a lower end notebook. The keyboard is reminiscent of the great chiclet keyboard on the XPS 13 but actually seems to have a bit more key travel making it a more enjoyable experience.
Similarly, the trackpad of the Inspiron isn't covered in glass like other premium notebook offerings, but I tend to prefer the matte texture it has over most glass trackpads—althought time will tell if this texture polishes smooth with extended use.
As far as inputs are concerned, the Inspiron 13 7373 isn't the most extensive we've ever seen but the connections available provide a lot of utility.
In addition to one Type-C USB 3.1 Gen 1 port (capable of display output), you'll find a full-size HDMI connector and two USB 3.0 Type-A connectors. Additionally, there is an SD card slot, something that's a bit of a rarity these days but great for people who take lots of photos.
Personally, I've become a fan of charging through USB-C and I'm disappointed to see Dell using a proprietary barrel connector for the power input on this notebook. I feel that being able to use commodity chargers via Type-C Power Delivery instead of having to rely on notebook specific chargers is a great move forward for the industry, and the lack of Type-C charging makes the Inspiron 13 7373 already feel a bit dated.
Thanks for covering this
Thanks for covering this price point, interested in picking up one
I have the Kaby Lake
I have the Kaby Lake semi-upgraded version of this machine (i7-7600U, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) and I love it. Looks like Dell didn’t take too many chances with the design – your review unit appears identical to mine. Similarly small-capacity battery, too, but 5 hours is plenty for me. That USB-C port supports power delivery, which may come in handy down the road should I need a new charger.
Fortunately for me I got it pre-RAM price bubble and even pre-SSD price bubble so my notebook cost me a whopping $900.
Why is this Intel SOC based
Why is this Intel SOC based laptop only being compared to other Intel based laptops. Let’s begin comparing things to the competition at some point in time.
This is a non review if the review does not attempt to compare with any similar laptops with the competition’s SOCs/APUs inside.
That 620 graphics haw does it compare to Vega integrated graphics?
But can it run Meltdown?
But can it run Meltdown?
It can very well run meltdown
It can very well run meltdown and make Linus T compose some of his creative prose(##$%$, Intel, WTF you ##$$%$# &^**%) ! And also that Intel 620 Graphics, get over here, Rover, it’s feeding time!
Hey AMD has just announced its Ryzen Desktop Processors with Radeon Vega Graphics and I do hope that ASUS/Others will be offering Laptops with some Desktop Raven Ridge SKUs Inside instead of systems with thermally castrated SOCs inside of TabTops like these from Dell. But Dell is the best friend that the big chip monopoly’s money can buy as was proven in the past!
Hey look at the websites failing to report any AMD news because they are too busy writing sponsored content!
1.45kg and only a 38Wh
1.45kg and only a 38Wh battery? Now that is decidedly meh-range.
Ryan mentioned testing Ryzen
Ryan mentioned testing Ryzen mobile and a “performant” cpu as well as GPU. Any word yet on this review.
Based on other sites, other than lackluster launch graphics drivers, Ryzen mobile looks pretty outstanding, going toe to toe with kabylake-r but with 2x the GPU performance.
I think is going to address
I think is going to address this one next!
AARHG
The bezels are
AARHG
The bezels are disgracefully thick.
Are they really putting a
Are they really putting a wifi adapter in a 2018 laptop that was released Q3 2014? Wow…
I bought this notebook for my
I bought this notebook for my wife under the condition that the rep demonstrate that it can be charged via USB Type-C because it has that stupidly fragile dedicated power. He demonstrated that it could–at least through the Dell dock they had available. You might want to check to see if it will let you do that as well.
It will … but make sure to
It will … but make sure to use the Dock_DL_Win_A00_Setup-2FYHH driver, the newer ones are completely smegged up.
Good info. I’ll keep that in
Good info. I’ll keep that in mind.
Does the 8GB model support
Does the 8GB model support NVMe SSDs? The spec page on Dell says up to a 512GB NVMe SSD but there seems to be some confusion online whether it does or if it’s limited to the 16GB model.
Is it possible to upgrade the
Is it possible to upgrade the battery?