Dell Inspiron 11 3000 11.6" A6-9220e / 4GB / 32GB eMMC / R4 graphics $119.99 @ Staples.com

[VirtualLarry]

https://www.staples.com/dell-inspir...a6-9220e-1-6-ghz-win-10-home/product_24388699

Picked a few of these up recently. They're $149.99 at B&H right now too. Dell themselves wants $199.99 for them. Staples MSRP is $249.99.

Included some teardown pics. There is NO M.2 or SATA 2.5" connection, that I can see, although there would be room for a SATA SSD. Maybe if you were adventurous, you could take a SATA combo data+power connector, and cut the wires, and solder them to the appropriate holes/pads on the circuit board. (They are there, near the edge.)

Edit: Supports AMD Virtual Super Resolution, after Enabling that in the driver control panel for AMD, I could choose 1920x1080 under Display Properties, but it defaults to 150% resolution scale, then, so it doesn't look any different. Set that back down to 100%, and enjoy a slightly-smoothed 1080P experience, on a budget laptop. FHD for $120? Not too shabby.

Also, this particular model that Staples is selling, appears to have a wireless 2.4Ghz-only N300, or maybe N150 card in it, super-budget-cheapo. It works OK, but compared to 802.11ac, it's a bit slow. No 5Ghz SSIDs show up at all. If you take the back off, the wifi is replaceable. (But beware Dell firmware whitelists.)

Also, wanted to update to 1803 when I did updates. So that will want to update to 1809. Two big updates. Probably quicker to wipe and install 1809 fresh. I assume that you can do that, I don't know.

Another interesting thing is, in the user manual, this laptop is certified for Ubuntu, if you happen to go that way.

Edit: As you can see in the pics, there's a single 4GB DDR4 SO-DIMM pre-installed in a single slot. (Stoney Ridge is single-channel, I think.)

 

[gibster]

Wow, nice deal, I'm always a sucker for cheap laptops . Ordered one, will see if it gets delivered. Nice present for my daughter, who's been using my wife's laptop for the last 2 years or so... Little cramped on the storage if that cannot be upgraded, memory just OK. Don't know about the CPU/GPU, don't expect anything spectacular there...

On second thought, the reviews from Walmart customers are pretty terrible:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dell-Ins...torage-Windows-10-Grey-I3185A760GRY/777409234

Maybe running ubuntu on this thing makes the most sense...

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah, I put my sample one back together (well, not really sample, just the one I'm using to show customers, I paid for all of them retail), and doing updates. It seems to have come with 1703 or 1709? But the warranty date is 1/31/20, for expiration? So it was made in Jan. 2019, but came with an outdated Windows 10 version? Why?

These are ... quite slow. The CPU was pinned on both "cores", 90-92% (didn't seem to go higher, in Task Manager. Was still usable under load), downloading the Windows 10 Feature Update (version upgrade) is taking some time. Then again, I'm on my 18Mbit/sec guest connection.

Some reviews claimed to not have enough space to update Windows 10, and one review mentioned installing a 128GB microSD(XC) card (have some on order from Newegg, Samsung EVO was on sale for under $30), and then renaming the SoftwareDistribution folder, and doing a hardlink to a new directory on the SD card for it, so that Windows Update won't fill the eMMC and brick the laptop. Sounds like a good idea to me, I'll probably try it when they come in. Or maybe I could just throw in a 64GB Team Group microSD, that's the biggest one(s) I have right now for microSD cards.

I just wish that Dell hadn't been such cheapskates, and had left the internal SATA ports soldered in. They saved, what, a quarter on every unit? But by the same token, it cost them upgrade profits, for those that wanted these laptops, but wanted a data drive, or an OS SSD, or something like that.

If I get really adventurous, I might solder in a cable. Might. I don't know, maybe I should check if the BIOS is locked out, such that the SATA port would be inoperable, even if soldered in.

But I have to re-iterate, the Virtual Super Resolution, allowing for 1080P windowing, on a 768P screen, is quite frankly GREAT, and long overdue as a feature on laptops.

Great for programmers, or anyone that wants more spreadsheet cells or whatnot on the screen.

The biggest disappointment, is the barely-adequate Wifi card, that ONLY seems to support 2.4Ghz. Then again, the laptop is $120. Gotta keep telling myself that.

For what it is, it's not bad, if you are at least a semi-patient person, and know how to manage Windows Updates and Windows Upgrades, on a laptop with a 32GB eMMC (generally requires installing a blank USB flash drive temporarily to do the upgrades), and can deal with the slower wifi AND LACK OF ETHERNET, then this might be an option for you.

It's certainly LOADS more functional than a Chromebook, IMHO, and likely cheaper. Plus it's officially Ubuntu-certified by Dell.

Edit: And @killster1 , c'mon man, just because it's not an 8th-gen i3 or above, doesn't mean that it deserves a downvote. It's actually quite usable, for only $120. Pay three times that much, sure, you can get a much better laptop.

 

[VirtualLarry]

On second thought, the reviews from Walmart customers are pretty terrible:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dell-Ins...torage-Windows-10-Grey-I3185A760GRY/777409234

That's the 2-in-1 variant. That is NOT THE SAME LAPTOP as the Staples and B&H deal.

This deal is for a traditional clam-shell form-factor, NOT a "2-in-1".

One of the screws holding this screen together popped - apparently it is just glued into a small plastic piece. When this glue gives, the entire screen starts to fall apart. After the first one, the pressure on the others quickly cause them to give as well. Within a matter of days of the first, they all popped out. I called Dell - this isn't something covered under warranty, even though I had the computer only 3 months. I took it it a local repair shop - the cost of the repair was more than the cost of the computer. My computer is now duct-taped together, and must have something behind it to keep the screen up. I knew I was buying a cheap computer - but I didn't expect screws glued into plastic to be the downfall of this laptop.

Hmm.
https://www.amazon.com/Dell-A6-9220...ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews&pageNumber=4

 

[gibster]

That's the 2-in-1 variant. That is NOT THE SAME LAPTOP as the Staples and B&H deal.

This deal is for a traditional clam-shell form-factor, NOT a "2-in-1".

That makes me feel *a little* better, I just looked at the generic specs (CPU, GPU, RAM), did not see the 2-in-1 part. But I'm almost convinced I will ubuntu it anyway, should be a bit more efficient with Linux.

 

[JWade]

its the same motherboard as the 2n1 Dell 3185. I have the a9 version of 3185. I bought the 8gb model with the 128gb emmc. If you notice the board doesn't have the sata connector. there is a version that comes with a 500gb hhd, which doesn't have the emmc. I knew this when I got the 128gb version, because no upgrading the 32gb version.

on another note, I ordered a 16gb gskill stick from newegg, works fine in it as well

 

[gibster]

How difficult is the memory upgrade on this thing? I have a spare 8GB stick, that would be a nice upgrade...

 

[VirtualLarry]

Memory upgrade is fairly straightforward, from what I can see.

Shut the laptop off, turn the laptop upside down, and remove 9 screws. The center screw has a cosmetic cover over it, use a jeweler's flathead screwdriver to lift it up.

Then use a plastic spudger / old credit-card / newegg promo gift card (that they throw into every order, for some sort of grocery ordering place, "fresh"-something), and start below the touchpad, and open that up, and work your way down both sides, and then the back side. Bottom panel should pull off, there's one flat cable connecting it, but that has plenty of give, you're unlikely to break it.

Then unscrew the four black screws in the copper heatsink, and lift that off. The APU die will be exposed, with thermal paste on it, be careful. To the side, there's s dark flap that says "DDR4 only". Lift up the flap, the SO-DIMM is underneath it. Push outward at the two clips on each side to free the DIMM, it will pop up, then simply remove it, and insert the upgraded DIMM, and press it down flat. It should "Click", if it was seated properly, and both clips should be holding it down.

Then just reverse the steps you used to take it apart, to put it back together.

Easy-peasy.

 

[gibster]

Nice, thanks Larry, can't wait to dig into this thing once I get it, lol.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Might consider replacing the wifi card while you're in there. I think it's M.2 (the service manual calls out an M.2 slot for a Wifi / BT card). Anyways, it has a black and white antenna cable, and the one that's in there isn't even a full-width M.2, it only sticks into the middle and one of the side keys.

I'm temped to try installing one of those 2242 or even shorter M.2 NVMe SSDs, and seeing if it will access, and then, if it will boot from it. Would be great news. But then, you'd have to carry a USB wifi dongle with you too, to plug in, to get wireless.

At that rate, might as well get a 128/256GB "Nano" USB3.0 flash drive with decent specs, and plug it in and leave it in, and boot Linux off of it. Or maybe off of the microSD, too.

Edit: Too make that they don't make a combo, PCI-E SSD and wifi / BT card, to upgrade a wifi-only M.2 socket card, such that one could keep their wifi (or upgrade to AC), and then add an NVMe SSD, BIOS/UEFI permitting.

4.0 out of 5 starsWorks perfect with Lubuntu
March 2, 2019
Capacity: 11-11.99 inchesVerified Purchase
Battery life too short (no more than 2 1/2 hours. With no indicator lights is a big minues.

Otherwise, If you are considering a to install ubuntu-only - this one fits perfectly.

1. Create a Windows Recovery Disk. (Vey very important)
2. download Lubuntu (it is much smaller file then Ubuntu) & install on a USB drive
3. Insert Lubuntu drive onto a USB
4. While LT "off". press Power & f12 to get to bios.
5. Scroll down & select the Lubuntu drive & follow onscreen instructions.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/a...47B5E4Q5SI7PNA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_gw_btm?ie=UTF8
4.0 out of 5 starsA very nice machine with Ubuntu 18.04, Windows 10 not so much.July 20, 2018Capacity: 11-11.99 inchesTo me the disk is too small for Windows 10. It works fine until the first large update rolls in and completely fills the disk. Yes, it's possible to do the update using a couple of usb sticks but I docked it one star that. Instead I installed Ubuntu 18.04. For me this little Dell laptop easily rates all 5 stars with Ubuntu installed. Windows 10 used 20+ gigabytes of the 32 gigabyte disk. Ubuntu only needed 6 gigabytes and runs faster to boot.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I seem to be running up against insufficient memory and CPU time, trying to run Skype in a video chat, while browsing multiple tabs with Firefox.

I have the factory installation of Windows 10, upgraded to 1803 via Windows Update. I have un-installed McAfee, and still, I seem to be at ~4GB of RAM usage, just idle, and a good amount of CPU usage too.

I read some reviews stating that this laptop is way better with Linux. (It's Ubuntu-certified by Dell!) Might try that if I feel adventurous. Also read a review that said that it had persistent background CPU usage, until they did a clean install of Windows 10 without the OEM pre-load stuff.

Might try that too. It's not a horrible laptop, but the more I use it, the more I seem to run into limitations. Definitely consider upgrading the single DDR4 SO-DIMM, to at least 8GB DDR4-2400. (I have some of those in my DeskMini units, that I could have pulled and put into this laptop, perhaps I should have. Maybe I'll order another one.)

 

[killster1]

What kind of return period for these

 

[gibster]

Well, got it yesterday, upgraded to 8GB (thanks for the instructions Larry!). I don't like that there are no status lights whatsoever, when I turned it on nothing seemed to happen, so I started unscrewing it again to see if I disconnected something, then I heard Cortana . After setting up, I checked the space available - it was 12GB.
Removed McAffee, that did not seem to help much with space. Now updating Windows to 1803, we'll see how much space is left after the update. Will play with it some to see how usable it is before putting ubuntu on it. I think upgrading to 8GB helps a lot, we'll see.

 

[JWade]

what I do to help free up space is disable the recycle bin, set it to automatically delete, it frees up space too

 

[gibster]

So after updating and cleaning up the drive, 9.65GB left. I think I'll buy a 128GB mini flash drive (like this one: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147718, and leave it in permanently to use as a second drive. Also, compressing some folders under Program Files and Program Files (x86) will gain some space...

 

[VirtualLarry]

Or get a 128GB microSD(XC) card, like the 128GB Silicon Power "Elite" card, currently on sale for $18.99 - $2 promo, free shipping, @ Newegg (on their current e-mail flyer page).

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820500017

(8 hours left in sale)

As for reviews, sure that that's the same card, @killster1 ? Newegg only has two reviews for that card, and they're both positive. (I couldn't get your link to load for me.)

 

[killster1]

Or get a 128GB microSD(XC) card, like the 128GB Silicon Power "Elite" card, currently on sale for $18.99 - $2 promo, free shipping, @ Newegg (on their current e-mail flyer page).

lulz.. check out the reviews on amazon! steller
https://www.amazon.com/Silicon-Powe...V20BT/dp/B01N3TBAGE+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
43% 1 star.. id stick with MLC memory card for this situation like pro samsung

 

[gibster]

Or get a 128GB microSD(XC) card, like the 128GB Silicon Power "Elite" card, currently on sale for $18.99 - $2 promo, free shipping, @ Newegg (on their current e-mail flyer page).

Wow Larry, You ARE the deal finder! I'm just wondering which way will make access to the drive faster - the USB drive claims up to 300MB/s, not sure how truthful that is, vs. MicroSD... Has anybody run any comparisons?

 

[VirtualLarry]

A USB3.0 drive is probably faster, along with taking more power, but then again, it is an "up to", which can be very misleading. I would probably weigh brand and price more than interface, Samsung makes microSDXC 128GB cards too, for a little under $30. They claim 100MB/sec on those too. (The "U3" cards.)

I was mostly suggesting the microSDXC, because installed, it sits basically flush with the chassis, nothing stick out at all.

Edit: OTOH, if you wanted to install Linux directly to the microSD, or USB3.0 stick, the USB3.0 stick is most likely bootable in the BIOS, whereas the microSD card slot may or may not be selectable as a bootable device. (Ideally, it should be.)

 

[gibster]

So I ran some benchmarks on the eMMC drive it came with and a 64GB Extreme PLUS SanDisk microSD card I had, here are the results:

eMMC:

microSD:


Needless to say, microSD performance is pretty dismal... But since I already have the 64GB microSD, I guess I'll just stick with that...

 

[VirtualLarry]

It seems that the SATA port functionality has not been removed from the BIOS. Maybe someone will get adventurous with a soldering iron?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I discovered something a bit disturbing about the Excavator core used in this APU.

It's basically a single-core computer.

If you're seeing 53-54% CPU usage in Task Manager, it's actually maxed out.

I'm liking the "small core" quad-core APUs more and more. Even the dual-core Atom N2830 CPUs of a few years back, have more CPU grunt than this little single-module (really, single-core, dual-thread) APU.

I can't Skype and browse using Firefox at the same time. Something that I CAN do with a dual-core Atom laptop.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Finally got around to putting an 8GB SO-DIMM in this laptop.

BTW, these are back on sale at Staples. If they came with the SATA port pre-installed, I would recommend them.

 

[VirtualLarry]

on another note, I ordered a 16gb gskill stick from newegg, works fine in it as well

I wish that I had seen / remembered this, before I bought an 8GB DDR4 stick. I would have put in 16GB.

 

[ElFenix]

is this a cat core processor?