Dell Inspiron 17 7778
Specifications
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Average of 8 scores (from 11 reviews)
Reviews for the Dell Inspiron 17 7778
Gigantic convertible. A 17-inch convertible? Why not? Anyone preferring the stationary use of Windows 10 in tablet mode should be absolutely happy with this somewhat unusual combination. However, the Inspiron also does a good job as a conventional office machine - only the keyboard could have been of a higher quality for this price.
Source: Computer Shopper Archive.org version
We don’t know if the consumer market has been crying out for a 17-inch 2-in-1, but if so, would-be buyers now have access to one. However, it’s worth repeating that the Inspiron 17 7000 isn’t just a hybrid PC, it’s a legitimate desktop replacement, a trait that helps justify its larger-than-typical display. Even the $900 version of this machine packs an impressive arsenal of components, including a GeForce 940MX GPU.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/06/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: PC World Archive.org version
Overall the Inspiron 7000 package is quite effective, though it’s questionable whether a 2-in-1 format makes sense on a device this size. Still, it’s nice to have that as an option. Because the 17-inch form factor has become a lot less popular these days, we were unable to compare the Inspiron 17 to same-size competitors. But we have to say, it felt great to be back in front of a massive display, and though the panel Dell uses is only 1080p, it is crisp and looks superb.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/27/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Digital Trends Archive.org version
If you deeply desire a 17-inch laptop with a reversible hinge, we’re pretty sure this is your only option. Enjoy. The Dell Inspiron 17 7000, ultimately, is a stretched out version of a less expensive, smaller laptop. The result is more of a novelty than anything else. If that’s what you want, go for it – but make sure you’ve considered the problems with toting a 17-inch laptop everywhere you want to go.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/22/2016
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: PC Mag Archive.org version
As the world's first 17-inch 2-in-1, the Dell Inspiron 17 7000 Series (7778) makes history—but it's unlikely to change the face of the category. The 2-in-1 concept that makes so much sense for smaller laptops is cumbersome when magnified to this level, especially when it's taken to its fullest Tablet extent.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/18/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Foreign Reviews
Source: Connect - Heft 11/2016
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 10/01/2016
Rating: Total score: 79%
Source: c't - Heft 21/2016
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 10/01/2016
Source: Webnews.it IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/10/2016
Rating: Total score: 81% price: 84% performance: 80% workmanship: 78%
Source: 01Net FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/20/2016
Rating: Total score: 58% performance: 80% display: 60% mobility: 30%
Source: Notebook-Center.ru RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Large display; powerful hardware. Negative: Short battery life.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 09/14/2016
Source: Ixbt RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Nice screen, good keyboard and touchpad; excellent battery life. Negative: Weak speakers; not enough plugs; slow HDD.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/29/2016
Source: Ferra.ru RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Compact and lightweight; good sound system; good screen; good design. Negative: Short key travel.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/09/2016
Comment
Model: The Dell Inspiron 17 7778 is an unusual high-performance 2-in-1 convertible laptop with a large 17-inch screen. Compared to other 13-inch and 15-inch laptops under the same Inspiron series, this 17-inch laptop is equipped with more powerful hardware specifications. The Dell Inspiron 17 7778 comes with an Intel Core i7 (6th gen) 6500U CPU, 12 GB DDR4 RAM and a dedicated Nvidia GeForce 940MX graphic card with 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM. Supporting Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel Smart Cache and Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, the CPU can be boosted to a maximum speed of 3.1 GHz. Moreover, RAM is upgradable to a maximum of 16 GB by replacing the 4 GB RAM module by a 8 GB one. As for storage, it is equipped with a 512 GB SSD for high speed data transfer.
The Dell Inspiron 17 7778 is equipped with a 17.3-inch (43.9cm) FHD Truelife LED-Backlit Widescreen Touch Display with Wide Viewing. The Truelife display is a glossy-type of display, which delivers richer color contrast images at the expense of usage in bright environment. A convertible 2-in-1 laptop with a 17.3-inch display is definitely not common in the market as the usual convertibles are a lot smaller in screen size. The big sized convertible laptop might not be very convenient for users who are on the go, but it is definitely good for indoor users such as home user or office user.
As for operating system, it runs on Windows 10 Home 64-bit and it comes with Microsoft Office 30 days trial and McAfee LiveSafe 12 Month subscription. Audio features of the laptop include stereo speakers, subwoofer and two microphones with Realtek ALC3234-CG audio codec and MaxxAudio Pro for high-quality audio input and output. The laptop also features a 4-cell battery with 56 Wh capacity, capable of delivering up to 7:25 hours of battery life under normal usage, according to Dell. For safety and durability, the Dell Inspiron 17 7778 is tested for reliability to survive short-term heat condition of up to 65°C/149°F. The hinges of the laptop are also able to stay in tip top condition after opening and closing the lid for 20,000 times. This ensures a higher reliability, which can be noticed when using this laptop. The hinges feel stable and even seem to hold their strength with rougher usage. This is very important for a convertible laptop.
As for connectivity, the laptop has the usual Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi built in. The Chiclet keyboard with backlight is quite common in all Dell laptops. It is good for general usage and typing. For input and output, the Dell Inspiron 17 7778 features an HDMI output, three USB ports, an headphones / microphone combo jack and a 3-in-1 memory card reader for SD, SDHC or SDXC cards. There aren't many convertible laptops above the 13 inch size, but for a 17 inch model, the Dell Inspiron 17 7778 is truly remarkable. If for some reason, a person needs a 17 inch tablet + laptop, this laptop is definitely a good choice. However, for the majority of users who do not need a touchscreen and tablet functionality on a 17 inch laptop, there are many other choices to look at.
Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam
The Dell Inspiron 17 7778 is a convertible 2-in-1 laptop with a big 17-inch display screen. It is rather uncommon for a convertible to have a 15-inch screen let alone a 17-inch display. With that, it is suitable for users who require their devices to be convertible but seldom carry it around. The convertible 2-in-1 laptop features a 360-degree strong hinge, allowing the convertible to be used in different modes: laptop mode and tablet mode. The base can be folded 360 degrees which places the keyboard on the underside. The keyboard will be automatically disabled after folding. Amazingly, in all modes, the hinge manages to hold up the screen firmly with very minimal shaking.
On the back of the lid, the Dell Inspiron 17 7778 features a shiny silver-matte brushed metal finish. The base also features a metal-like finish. The metal finish case does not capture fingerprint which is an advantage. For the edges, they are designed to be rounded, which is quite common for Dells’ laptops. The exterior of the laptop is considered very plain and simple with only a Dell logo and trim strip on the upper edge of the lid. The convertible laptop measures at 22.6 x 412.5 x 277.5 (0.89 x 16.24 x 10.93 in) and weighs at 2.77 kg (97.71 oz / 6.11 pounds). With this kind of dimensions, it will be hard to carry it around on a regular basis.
The Dell Inspiron 17 7778 features an Intel Core i7-6500U processor, NVIDIA GeForce 940MX graphics adapter, 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB Solid State Drive storage which is big enough for a big media library. It is not common to have a discrete graphic adapter on a convertible. However, since the Dell Inspiron 17 7778 is generally larger in size, a discrete graphic adapter responsible for 3D rendering or casual game rendering is expected from this convertible. For display, the convertible laptop features a 17.3 inch 16:9 touch sensitive IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixel. The pixel density is noticeably lower than other laptops in the market at 127 ppi mainly due to the large screen size. The screen texture is glossy which delivers high contrast and bright output.
As for connectivity, although it is a bigger laptop, there is no Ethernet port available. Users have to rely on Wi-Fi which is powered by Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 (a/b/g/n/ac) adapter. It also has Bluetooth 4.2. Apart from that, it also has 3 USB ports, made up of USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports. The convertible laptop runs on Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit and has a HD Webcam and IR sensors for Windows 10 face recognition functions and optimised video calling experience. The face recognition function is a lovely inclusion as it is probably the future of all Windows based devices.
Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam
Series:
A leading brand for laptops and computers in the world, Dell, designs and manufactures laptop in different categories to fulfill the computing requirements of different users around the world. The Dell Inspiron 17R constitutes one of the latest products from Dell – it is expected to be capable to meed the needs of consumers on a sophisticated desktop replacement laptop. A 17 inch display is the perfect size for those who prefer to use their laptop as a desktop replacement. While it’s actually made of plastic, they’ve successfully put a nice-looking brushed metal finish on its lid and keyboard tray. In today's desktop replacement market with a wide range of choices from low-end to high-end laptops, this laptop has a clear advantage – it offers a variety of hardware configurations. This laptop can be purchased with either Intel’s i3, i5 or i7 processor. Thus, it proves to be a better choice as consumers will get the best value for money with their purchase.
However, being a desktop replacement means that the battery life isn’t going to be great. Such as what are typically expected for a 17 inch laptop, this laptop doesn’t offer long battery life as well as portability since it is also bulky and quite heavy. Besides, its low quality display is another huge let down because the screen quality could be much better if it came with a full-HD display instead of the current 1,600 x 900 pixels display. It isn’t the laptop for those who want portability and ultimate gaming performance. But if you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop for a desktop replacement with multimedia capabilities, the Dell Inspiron 17R is a great-value option.
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX: Mid-range laptop graphics card based on the Maxwell architecture. Compared to the older 940M, the MX now also supports GDDR5 graphics memory and maybe slightly faster clock speeds.
Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
Intel Core i7: The Intel Core i7 for laptops is based on the LG1156 Core i5/i7 CPU for desktops. The base clock speed of the CPUs is relatively low, but because of a huge Turbo mode, the cores can dynamically overclock to up to 3.2 GHz (920XM). Therefore, the CPU can be as fast as high clocked dual-core CPUs (using single threaded applications) but still offer the advantage of 4 cores. Because of the large TDP of 45 W / 55 W, the CPU is only intended for large laptops.
6500U: Skylake-based ULV dual-core processor for thin notebooks and ultrabooks. Offers an integrated HD Graphics 520 GPU and is manufactured in 14 nm.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
17.30": This display size is a standard format for desktop replacements (DTR). The DTR laptops are heavier to carry, need more power, but texts are easy to read and high resolutions are no problem. DTR are mainly intended for stationary desk use, where weight and energy hunger don't matter. In return, you enjoy the advantages of high resolutions (more details, better legibility).» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.
2.77 kg:
With this weight, a laptop is rather heavier than average. Devices in this range shine more with screen size and performance than with mobility.
Dell: Dell is a U.S. manufacturer (based in Texas) of computer hardware founded in 1984 and is one of the largest international manufacturers in terms of both market share and notebook models. Its product line includes desktops, notebooks, storage systems, monitors, servers, printers, consumer electronics and peripherals. Dell offers laptops that are suitable for various applications, such as business laptops, gaming laptops, ultra portables and workstations. Dell's business laptops from the Latitude and Precision series are an option for professional users and businesses.
In 2023, Dell had an approximate 17% market share of global PC sales, ranking #3 after Lenovo and HP.
For gaming enthusiasts, Dell's Alienware brand is for gaming notebooks.
73.43%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.