Dell B130 Inspiron Laptop Conclusion

Performance
Before getting into the details of the B130 testing results, there are a few points to consider about the CPU in this laptop. The Intel Pentium M processor line is currently in the backseat as the new Intel Core Solo and Core Duo processor lines take center stage. However, with the introduction of these new processor lines the Pentium M line has seen quite a reduction in price. This has made Pentium M based laptops become quite attractive in terms of performance for your dollar. These CPUs provide enough processor power to handle multiple desktop applications at once, while still drawing minimal power to help extend the battery life available before needing to recharge.

Application Testing
In subjective application performance testing, the results showed that the B130 performs reasonably well. Opening three Firefox browser windows along with an MP3 player, spreadsheet file and word processor document did not cause the laptop to slow down in any way. I was also able to run an image editing program and quickly perform a number of image enhancements without experiencing any frustrating pauses or lockups. However, when running more resource intensive applications - playing a DVD movie or running video editing software  the notebook struggled and was not able to simultaneously run the applications smoothly. Choppiness in the movie playback and tedious pauses resulted, and it is clear that these types of programs show the limitations of the B130.

Graphics Testing
Testing of the gaming capabilities for this laptop was limited due to the graphics processor. The integrated Intel Media 900 graphics chip is simply not powerful enough to run any of the current generation 3D games. Attempting to play Doom 3 and RTCW: Enemy Territory was futile, as the frame rate was unacceptable at even the lowest graphics settings. This notebook is not designed to run any of the current generation games.

LCD Display
Throughout the testing the 14.1" LCD screen provided a clear, bright and accurate display of images and text. Visibility from about 30 degrees to the left or right of center was also clear, although not as vivid as other Dell models that feature brighter "TrueLife" displays. The B130 LCD screen has a matte finish that helps reduce glare, and it does a good job as long as you are not in direct sunlight. When running multiple applications, however, more room would be nice to display multiple windows simultaneously. If you like to keep a lot of applications open at once, then you could probably use the extra real estate a 15.4 or 17 widescreen provides.

Battery Life
Battery life testing showed that the 4-cell Lithium Ion battery was not outstanding, but provides adequate time before needing to be recharged. Under light usage with web surfing and emailing, the battery lasted nearly 2 hours and 45 minutes. Under more heavy usage, such as watching a DVD, the battery lasted just over 2 hours. If you want to use the B130 for more than 3 hours between charges, plan on spending the extra money to upgrade to the 6-cell battery.

Wireless Connectivity
Wireless networking was simple and easy to setup with the built-in Intel Pro Wireless card. The wireless connectivity of the B130 is one of its strong suits. Testing was performed with the wireless router stationed at the top floor of the house and the laptop used in the basement and outside on the patio. The wireless connection stayed strong throughout the testing with no dropped connections.

Heat and Noise
Finally, the subjective noise and heat testing revealed a strong point of this laptop. The cooling fan is near silent during light usage, and remains quiet even during heavy usage. The heat vent is located in the back of the laptop and does a good job keeping the warm exhaust air out of the way.

Overall, the B130 is not a superstar in any of the performance categories. It provides an adequate level of performance for everyday tasks.

The Verdict
The market for budget laptop computers is a crowded one. There are numerous other notebooks from Acer, Sony, HP, Toshiba and Gateway that will provide the same, or better, level of performance. At this price point, however, you will be hard pressed to find a similarly configured laptop computer that beats the B130 in performance and overall functionality. A very attractive LCD screen, strong wireless performance and a friendly out-of-the-box experience make the B130 worthy of a close look for anyone looking for a budget friendly laptop.

Dell Inspiron B130 Laptop Computer

Pros: LCD display; very quiet; impressive wireless performance; easy to setup and use

Cons: No useful software included; box-like appearance; weak graphics card; so-so battery life

The Verdict: Competent everyday laptop that provides excellent overall value

Rating: 4 out of 5