- Average user rating:
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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17 out of 17 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Not perfect, but better than most"
Pros: Size, portability, display
Cons: Pointing device, support
Summary: This is a computer designed for road work. If you're looking for massive display space or gaming, don't buy it. If you're constantly fighting the battle of grabbing your laptop screen a split-second before some goofus body-slams a airline seat into full recline, this IS your computer.
While part of my work as a trade-magazine editor involves soft-proof of pages and other graphics tasks, the majority of what I do involves text editing and email. The smaller-sized display is great for both. And, the fact that it's more-reflective than other screens is a matter of personal taste -- I often work outside in bright sunlight, and I've found the 700m to be one of the easiest to read, and the reflection factor is greatly reduced by the intense brightness of the display.
The touchpad does feel like a cheapo plastic addition. I added a $20 USB mini-mouse, which I prefer to any touchpad/mini-stick laptop configuration, and disable the touchpad for anything but checking email.
My CD-drive door latch broke after about 10 uses, and the email-only response I got for tech support was a bit disconcerting. It took three separate emails to convince a real person that I needed a new drive. (The automatic "let me guess your problem" doesn't help, Mr. Dell.) Once someone understood my problem, the drive arrived via air express the next day.
OK, it's not a wow design, and the long-life battery sticks out. But this is a tool, not a fashion accessory.
