DELL Inspiron 13z (i13z-8864sLV) Notebook Intel Core i3 3217U(1.80GHz) 13.3" 6GB Memory DDR3 1600 500GB HDD 5400rpm Intel HD Graphics 4000

Pros: Nice weight nice screen while it worked. Dell does not charge for returning the defective computer.
(Lenovo does)

Cons: The computer lasted 9 weeks and the motherboard died called tech support 800-624-9896 and they are sending me a fedex box postage paid and they will fix the issue and they promised not to touch the hard drive

Other Thoughts: Customer service was pleasant.

Pros: Sleek and light weight.

Cons: Wireless is too bad, always gets disconnected from Internet. Even when try connecting to wireless network manually, it says network issues. I never thought Dell releases such bad laptop.. I had a very good opinion on dell lapts ant now NOT. Another con is win8

Pros: For the price that I paid I think the hardware is pretty good. I replace the HDD with an SSD. Be aware, that as this is in the Ultrabook style, normal 2.5" hard drives won't fit, you need the slimmer 7mm.

I really like the keyboard and touch pad. The touch pad is built into the palmrest, so there are no cracks for junk to build up in.

Dell has drivers on their website for Win7 64-bit, so I was able to remove Windows 8 and get Win7 going without any issues. One thing to note, I think the 2-finger scrolling doesn't work as well in Win7, but it is worth it to not have the bloat from Win 8.

The aesthetics are definitely a 5. The computer looks pretty sleek. It has not gotten hot for me.

Cons: Lose 1/2 egg for the port covers and 1/2 for the LCD.

The port covers are a joke and I leave a USB receiver for a mouse plugged in so the one cover is always sticking out. I'm sure they are either going to break off, or it might just cut them off. I think they should have gone with a more basic design, but they don't really affect anything.

The LCD has a pressure point in the lower left corner that ripples out like you were poking it with your finger when you pull on the lid to close it. I don't forse this becoming an issue, but it is just annoying.

No keyboard backlight and there isn't an option to buy a different keyboard that has one right now.

Other Thoughts: Dell has sold a number of different version of the 13z. This specific model is the Inspiron 5323 if you are looking on their website for support/drivers.

Pros: it has a nice screen and very compact

Cons: like so many others.. the wireless connection is intermittent if at all. After calling Dell support and using the computer a few times, they said, well it could be a hardware problem, but it is probably a software problem and that is not our problem, it's yours.. excuse me?? the only thing I downloaded was itunes and now they are saying a computer software issue is my problem not theirs.. I always stayed away from Dell, but thought, hey this looks like it's just what I need.. but what I need is internet... and now, dell won't stand behind a computer that is 2 weeks old... I'm shocked and so unimpressed with Dell's customer service that wasted 1.25 hours of my life, only to hear, buy our extended warranty and we'll delve further into your problem

Pros: it was average while it lasted

Cons: the laptop wouldn't boot after a month of very light use.

Other Thoughts: I bought it as a gift for my parents who live in another country because i was going to spend time with them for vacation. The day I came back home from the vacation, i got a call from my parents saying the laptop wouldn't start. It just shows blank screen. Not sure what they are going to do with it now that I am half around the globe. They don't have spare laptop so they probably need to buy another one. Good job Dell. Not buying from you ever again

Pros: I like the keyboard and the touchpad... both respond well... also the bootup time is not shabby, and for me the screen res. is fine. Sound is not too bad.

Cons: port covers... I know it's been said and you may think no big deal... I'll just rip them off... but the laptop will not look right without them, and with them... it's just a serious, serious pain.

Other Thoughts: Overall... if you're paying in the 300's for a laptop, it's a good deal... if more, save it for something different. 13.3 inch is bigger than I thought, but still mostly a travel / internet / email laptop... no gaming capability (even Civ V is too much). Would I buy again.... NO, but for the price I'm not upset about that.

Pros: Nice, light, fast

Cons: Bought for the wife as an early Mothers day gift, installed MS products and she was just getting over the frustration of Windows 8 - and then it died. Less than a weeks worth of use.
Dell is sending someone out to fix next week (prob MB failure)

Other Thoughts: Why would Microsoft redesign the mainstay of work computers to copy my phones OS. Oh, yeah - they hired the same people that launched new Coke.

Pros: Lightweight. FAST boot. 6G Memory! intuitive touch pad. not a huge amount of bloatware.

Cons: plastic port covers are annoying. When you plug in headphones, you have to tell the computer they're default in the settings to get sound thru them, and override the unit speakers. I have no idea why plugging in headphones does NOT override the external speakers automatically like every other computer?? i've searched & searched online and at Dell to figure out how to get this port to function properly, and to date, no luck.

Other Thoughts: windows 8 takes some getting used to, but just d/l a freeware program called Classic Shell, and you get the 'start' button and the Win7 menu on the desktop interface. My son LOVES the way it handles his Sims games

Pros: none

Cons: My Laptop came with no charger. I mailed the unit back on 4/24/2013 and was told you have to wait for another 2-3 weeks to get your new replacement back. I have never in my life seen taking this long to get your defective product replacement back to the client. Shame on the management not taking care of this within 10 days. Thanks, Anil Tandon

Other Thoughts: none

Pros: It was cheap given hardware configuration

Cons: Design is very bad. Have small plastic covers for USB and other ports. Which can break easily and stop closing. Thats what happened with me.
Keyboard is very had and difficult to use. Decide urself. Having lots of plastic parts creates an issue for me