Dell Chromebook 13 3380 review: Robust build and good battery life, but beware the weight

We first seemed on the Dell Chromebook 13 returned in late 2015, praising its construct nice and entire-HD display, but feeling it turned into a little heavy at 1.46kg (three.23lbs).

Now we’ve the brand new Chromebook 13 3380 which, with a starting cost of £259 (ex. VAT), is being marketed essentially at the training sector. Going forward, we will predict a renewed focal point on Chromebooks in enterprise, following Google’s fresh announcement of the Chrome business working equipment — however at present there are issues getting grasp of enterprise-class Chromebooks outside of the us.

Dell is bigging up the brand new Chromebook 13’s ‘most fulfilling-in-category durability’, and it’s definitely a solidly constructed desktop. there is a sealed spill-resistant keyboard, while the rounded rubber-conclude on the perimeters of the bottom is a neat contact to aid protect in opposition t drops. although, or not it’s a pity there isn’t any identical insurance plan on the lid section.

The Chromebook 13 3380 is no light-weight at 1.61kg (3.54lbs), and it be additionally fairly chunky at 332.9mm broad by way of 231.8mm deep via 23mm thick. it will certainly take up a major slice of a scholar’s backpack — and support them to retain fit.

The Chromebook 13 has a 13.three-inch monitor with 1,366 with the aid of 768 decision. It weighs 1.61kg and runs on 6th-era Intel Celeron or Core i3 processors.

photos: Dell

there’s a light on the lid area that Dell calls the ‘activity easy’. this is controlled via an app that I had to down load and set up. as soon as in vicinity it pops up three manage alternatives that activate the mild in a single of three shades. Blue is the Chromebook equal of elevating a hand in type, pink is the shade to ask a question, and yellow (besides the fact that children to my eyes it appears eco-friendly), is the shade that suggests discussion. I could not work out a real-world use for the yellow easy, but I guess teachers can use the endeavor mild characteristic in a freeform method if they need college students to work quietly. Gimmick or beneficial tool? You make a decision.

not like the Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA the reveal would not swivel through 360 levels. instead it reaches simply a hundred and eighty levels, which ability it can be laid flat on the desk for students to share information. despite the fact, the indisputable fact that the keyboard is never hidden away skill loads of desk area is required if a number of college students wish to examine screens.

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The 13.three-inch monitor may do with a different couple of notches of brightness. Its decision of 1,366 by 768 pixels can provide ample element for viewing websites, however having an internet web page and a observe processing doc open side by side will prove a fight. The reveal is reflective, and appears a bit misplaced in its large bezel.

The keyboard is not as springy as i need, nonetheless it has been designed to withstand some serious stresses in pupil hands, and is responsive ample. I had no trouble touch-typing at normal speeds. The wide touchpad is additionally responsive.

there’s an sufficient range of ports and slots: a sizeable HDMI port, a pair of USB 3.1 ports, a MicroSD card reader and a headset jack. twin-and 802.11ac wi-fi and Bluetooth 4.0 LE cater for wireless connectivity. there is no wired Ethernet port even though.

There are four variations of the Chromebook 13 3380 purchasable on Dell’s UK web page on the time of writing, working on sixth-era Intel Celeron or Core i3 processors. i used to be sent the properly-of-the-latitude £413 (ex. VAT) model for assessment, which has a touchscreen and the highest interior storage capacity of 32GB (22.8GB changed into free on my review unit):

• Intel Celeron C3855, 4GB RAM, 13.3-inch 1,366 x 768 non-touch reveal, 16GB storage
  £259 (ex. VAT)
• Intel Celeron C3855, 4GB RAM, 13.three-inch 1,366 x 768 contact reveal, 16GB storage
  £333 (ex. VAT)
• Intel Core i3-6006, 4GB RAM, 13.three-inch 1,366 x 768 non-touch reveal, 16GB storage
  £329 (ex. VAT)
• Intel Core i3-6006, 4GB RAM, 13.3-inch 1,366 x 768 touch reveal, 32GB storage
  £413 (ex. VAT)

in line with Dell, the Chromebook 13 3380 should still deliver as a minimum ten hours of existence — an awful lot for a full college day — on a single can charge from its 4-cell 56Wh battery. right through testing I managed several durations of three-four hours operating mainstream workloads devoid of taking the battery below 50 percent, so Dell’s declare appears inexpensive.

The Dell Chromebook 13 3380 is not any light-weight, lacks a totally rotating monitor and has a slightly unforgiving keyboard, but it supplies first rate battery life and is solidly developed. The much less costly models are likely to be of most activity to faculties and colleges, which are increasingly operating on very tight budgets.

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