The Dell Inspiron i5559-7080SLV is a mid-range touchscreen laptop that features Intel’s brand new 6th generation processor. Aside from being a good notebook for just about every type of user, this Dell can also be considered an entry-level gaming laptop.
Review
Dell has begun rolling out laptops fitted with 6th gen. Intel processors just a few weeks after these were announced. They’re one of the first companies to quickly integrate the new technology in their device, and the Inspiron i5559-7080SLV makes no exception.
Processor
This 5000 series laptop I’m reviewing today is fitted with the new Intel Core i7-6500U processor, which comes with a promise of performance and power efficiency. It has 4 megabytes of available cache and a thermal design power of just 15 Watts, making it ideally suited for mobile devices craving for battery life.
System Memory
System memory of 8 gigabytes is adequate for a laptop in this price range (just under $900 at the time of this review) and can be upgraded to at least 12 gigabytes. This amount will likely be enough for most users in need of a multi-use device to use around the house or office, since it can handle even the most demanding programs without any issues.
Storage
Storage space is abundant, but storage speed is lacking. At one terabyte, the average diligent user won’t feel the need to delete some data in order to “make room”. Such situations may occur when gathering large files or establishing media collections. Anyone buying this Dell should invest in a high speed solid state drive.
Graphics Card
The Dell Inspiron i5559-7080SLV comes with an entry level dedicated video card. It’s better than an on-board solution, since it offers discrete graphics computing, but don’t set your expectations too high. The AMD Radeon R5 M335 GPU comes with 320 processors, a clock speed of 1 gigahertz and a memory of 4 gigabytes. It sounds pretty neat on paper, but in the real world this unit won’t play the newest titles unless their setting are dialed down to low. Since this model was recently launched, results from benchmark tests are yet to appear.
Display
The screen features a full HD display, as anyone would have expected. The one thing that makes it special is Intel’s new and exciting RealSense technology, which will significantly improve user input by introducing gesture control into the equation. Controlling what happens on the screen by gesturing your fingers in mid-air is no longer the “exciting innovations of tomorrow”. It’s here. And this notebook has it. You can read more about RealSense on Wikipedia or by checking out Intel’s official product page.
Design
The design of the Dell Inspiron i5559 is, I think, more elegant and refined compared to previous models from the same series. Not even two years ago, cheap-looking, flimsy-feeling laptops were released at surprisingly high prices. That’s not the case anymore: it seems Dell realized a better looking and functioning device will sell better when paired with higher end hardware specs. This laptop features much more toned down elements, discrete keyboard/track pad combo and slightly rounded edges. All these elements add to a more pleasant user experience.
Learn more about this notebook on Amazon.com
Battery life and portability
A true mystery. I couldn’t find any official data about the battery’s performances, except the standard wattage figures. However, users have reported satisfactory times of up to 6 hours, which is pretty acceptable for the purpose and intent of this laptop. However, considering this thing weights 5.4 pounds, carrying it around is a no-no for most folks. It’s just too bulky to ever want to leave the house or office with it. It will perform on a desk as a desktop replacement unit/office laptop/home media center or college laptop.
Technical Specifications
[table width =”100%” style =”table-simple table-hover” responsive =”true” class=”customtable”]
[table_head]
[th_column]Product[/th_column]
[th_column]Dell Inspiron i5559-7080SLV[/th_column]
[/table_head]
[table_body]
[table_row]
[row_column]PROCESSOR[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]CPU Name[/row_column]
[row_column]Intel Core i7-6500U[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]CPU Type[/row_column]
[row_column]Dual Core[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]CPU Speed[/row_column]
[row_column]2.5 GHz up to 3.1 GHz[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]CPU Cache[/row_column]
[row_column]4 MB[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]SYSTEM MEMORY[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Installed Memory[/row_column]
[row_column]8 GB[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Maximum Memory[/row_column]
[row_column]12 GB[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Memory Type[/row_column]
[row_column]DDR3L SDRAM[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Total Memory Slots[/row_column]
[row_column]2 slots[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]STORAGE[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Storage Capacity[/row_column]
[row_column]1 TB[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Storage Type[/row_column]
[row_column]Hard Disk Drive[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Storage Technology[/row_column]
[row_column]SATA, 5400 rpm[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]DISPLAY[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Screen Size[/row_column]
[row_column]15.6″[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Screen Type[/row_column]
[row_column]Touchscreen LCD[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Screen Technology[/row_column]
[row_column]LED-Backlit with Truelife[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Screen Resolution[/row_column]
[row_column]1920 x 1080[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Aspect Ratio[/row_column]
[row_column]16:9[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Touchscreen[/row_column]
[row_column]Yes[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]GRAPHICS[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Graphics Processing Unit[/row_column]
[row_column]AMD Radeon R5 M335[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Graphic Card Type[/row_column]
[row_column]Dedicated[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Graphics Memory[/row_column]
[row_column]4 GB DDR3[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]AUDIO & VIDEO[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Audio Technology[/row_column]
[row_column]MaxxAudio[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Speakers[/row_column]
[row_column]Stereo speakers[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Webcam[/row_column]
[row_column]Yes[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]NETWORK AND COMMUNICATION[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Wireless LAN[/row_column]
[row_column]1×1 Dual Band 802.11ac WLAN[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Bluetooth[/row_column]
[row_column]Bluetooth 4.0[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Ethernet[/row_column]
[row_column]Gigabit LAN[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]INTERFACE[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]USB Ports[/row_column]
[row_column]3 x USB 3.0[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]HDMI[/row_column]
[row_column]Yes[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]VGA[/row_column]
[row_column]No[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Headphone/Mic[/row_column]
[row_column]Audio Combo Jack[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Multi Card Slot[/row_column]
[row_column]Yes, SD support[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]LAN (RJ45)[/row_column]
[row_column]Yes[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]INPUT DEVICES[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Pointing Device[/row_column]
[row_column]Precision Track Pad[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Keyboard[/row_column]
[row_column]Full Size Notebook Keyboard[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Backlit Keyboard[/row_column]
[row_column]Yes[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]BATTERY[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Battery Type[/row_column]
[row_column]4-Cell Lithium-Ion (removable)[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Battery Capacity[/row_column]
[row_column]40 Whr[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Maximum Battery Life[/row_column]
[row_column]Not specified[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Other Features[/row_column]
[row_column]Intel RealSense
DVD reader/writer[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Operating System[/row_column]
[row_column]Windows 10[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Dimensions (W x D x H)[/row_column]
[row_column]14.90″ x 10.25″ x 0.95″[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]Weight[/row_column]
[row_column]5.4 lbs[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[/table_body]
[/table]
Scores, Pros and Cons
[row]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
[progressbar value=”85″ bartype=”progress-bar-info” label=”Performance: 8.5/10″]
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
[progressbar value=”80″ bartype=”progress-bar-info” label=”Functionality: 8/10″]
[/column]
[column lg=”4″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
[progressbar value=”85″ bartype=”progress-bar-info” label=”Price: 8.5/10″]
[/column]
[/row]
[list]
[li]Pros[/li]
[li type=”glyphicon-plus”]6th generation Intel processor[/li]
[li type=”glyphicon-plus”]Adequate system memory and storage space[/li]
[li type=”glyphicon-plus”]Great High Definition display[/li]
[li type=”glyphicon-plus”]Intel RealSense Technology[/li]
[li type=”glyphicon-plus”]Dedicated video card[/li]
[li type=”glyphicon-plus”]OK battery life[/li]
[li]Cons[/li]
[li type=”glyphicon-minus”]A bit on the heavy side[/li]
[li type=”glyphicon-minus”]No SSD[/li]
[/list]
Final Thoughts
All in all, the Dell Inspiron i5559-7080SLV is a good laptop to consider when hunting for fresh, future-proof devices. I think it’s a bit pricey, but if you consider Intel’s gesture control technology as cutting edge and necessary, the price becomes easily justified in conjuncture with the great hardware choices made for it.
