Review Update Dell Inspiron 15R-5537 Notebook

While our last test sample was still equipped with a mirrored WXGA panel (1,366x768 pixels) including a touchscreen, we hold the model with a matte Full HD display (1,920x1,080 pixels) in our hands this time - hence operating the device with your fingers is not possible. However, many buyers will probably not mind since the pixel density, which was increased to 141 dpi, is a more than equivalent compensation. Finally, the display offers sufficient workspace to open several programs next to one another without blurry writing and symbols.

This is just one advantage of the Full HD model: The luminance makes a great leap upwards and now lies at a solid 251 cd/m² (WXGA: 187 cd/m²), subjectively spreading evenly across the entire display. We could barely detect distracting halos even with a completely black test pattern and maximum brightness. Indoors the backlight needs to be maxed out only rarely anyway. Level 7 of 11 already suffices for the common 150 cd/m².

Concerning viewing angle stability, the device admittedly comes off slightly better than other TN panels, but is not able to compete with the IPS display of the Aspire V5-573G. The contrast decreases and colors become distorted, particularly when moving the head up or down. The display proves to be slightly more tolerant towards sideways movements but once again distinct image deviations are observable at about 40 degrees and more.

Depending on the configuration, Dell installs various ULV models of Intel's current Haswell generation, in this case a Core i7-4500U. The 1.8 GHz processor has two cores and is able to reach a maximum clock speed of 3.0 GHz via Turbo Boost (two cores: 2.7 GHz). It supports the Hyperthreading technology for the simultaneous computation of up to four threads. In combination with the high "per MHz performance" of the Haswell architecture this promises respectable performance values, although the TDP of 15 Watts is far below that of conventional standard voltage CPUs (37 Watts and more).

The HD Graphics 4400 in our test sample, which is integrated into the processor, is supported by a dedicated Radeon HD 8850M. AMD's Enduro technology ensures that the graphics card is only activated for 3D applications and games, thus impairing the power consumption and therefore the battery runtimes as little as possible.

The manufacturer of the Inspiron fitted it quite generously with 8 GB main memory distributed between two 4 GB modules DDR3L-1600 in Dual-Channel mode and a 1,000 GB hard drive. On the other hand, the notebook offers few possibilities to extend the equipment afterwards - both DIMM slots are occupied ex-factory and additional 2.5-inch slots or an mSATA slot are unfortunately missing.

The relatively massive 15-inch chassis has no problems dissipating the waste heat of the economical ULV processor. Hence, the Core i7-4500U can use its full Turbo Boost over long periods of time, as long as it is not throttled by its low TDP classification. In the Cinebench R11.5, the Inspiron reaches a score of 2.85 points in the multi-thread test (CPU clock 2.5 to 2.7 GHz) and 1.34 points in the single-thread test (CPU clock 3.0 GHz). For comparison: A Core i5-4200M of the 37-Watt class computes about 15 percent faster at best.

Fortunately, the manufacturer passed on installing an artificial CPU reduction in battery mode so that the full power of the Core i7 is available even on the go. In return, the notebook slips up elsewhere: Under simultaneous load of the processor and the graphics card the CPU drops to its base frequency of 1.8 GHz - later on we will find out how this affects the frame rate in demanding 3D games.

Despite continuously falling prices, fast SSDs are still almost ten times more expensive than a comparatively big hard drive - especially for low-cost notebooks this is a definite show-stopper. Therefore, we cannot blame Dell for using "just" a conventional HDD from Toshiba. The MQ01ABD100 offers impressive 1,000 GB storage space, but due to its meager 8 MB cache and a speed of 5,400 rpm, we do not expect new performance records.

Our benchmarks with HD Tune and other programs confirm this assumption: A transfer rate of about 87 MB/s and an access time of 18.2 milliseconds are merely average for hard drives of this type. Unfortunately, Dell did not install the sister model MQ01ABD100H. As the name suggests, it is a so-called hybrid SSD (SSHD) with an additional 8 GB flash memory, which improves the access time for frequently used data drastically.

The Radeon HD 8850M is a dedicated mid-range notebook graphics card based on AMD's 28 nanometer chip "Cape Verde". A total of 640 shader units with a clock speed of 575 to 625 MHz provide the necessary computing power. Two GB GDDR5 (1,000 MHz) on a 128-bit interface serve as graphics memory.

On balance we get a 3D performance that is comparable to that of an Nvidia GeForce GT 750M. The higher clock speed of the GeForce seems to be canceled out by the greater amount of ALUs of the Radeon. The 8850 comes off especially well in very bandwidth demanding situations because the GT 750M is only rarely equipped with the faster GDDR5 memory.

In comparison to the integrated HD Graphics 4400, the AMD card is faster by a factor of 2.5 to 3; however, only as long as the notebook is powered by the power-supply. In battery mode, the GPU runs at a meager 400/300 MHz (core/memory) and loses about 40 percent of its performance (3DMark 11: P1454).

According to the good 3DMark results, the gaming performance is also quite impressive. Apart from Thief, we were able to reach smooth frame rates of at least 30 fps for all tested games. Even though maximum details and a native display resolution overexert the reserves of the HD8850M most of the time, a resolution of 1,366x768 pixels and medium high settings are usually no problem. The CPU speed, which is limited to 1.8 GHz, throttles only under a few circumstances. Those who require more power should be on the lookout for a notebook with a GeForce GTX 850M - however this is linked with a considerable price increase.

Besides the solid performance, unfortunately, we have to mention some issues we experienced during our games’ tests, as well:

• extremely low fps in FIFA 14
• stuttering menu in Dishonored
• no start of F1 2013 possible with activated Radeon
• fps drops when deactivating MSAA in Counter-Strike: GO

Obviously, these are only driver issues, which we tried to fix by updating the software. Admittedly, we were able to install a new Catalyst 14.3, but then the graphics switching did not work anymore - we can only hope for a future update.

Due to its slightly thicker case, the Inspiron 15R deals better with the waste heat of the CPU and the graphics card than the extremely slim Aspire V5. Nonetheless, the temperatures rise to about 47 °C (116.6 °F) in the middle of the notebook when the hardware is under full load for long periods. Since the wrist rest stays significantly cooler, the user should barely be affected by it.

A look at the sensors of the Core i7 and the HD8850M reveals that they also remain at non-critical values. Given temperatures of barely over 80 °C (176 °F) the notebook should not be threatened by overheating even in mid-summertime, especially since our stress test with Prime95 and FurMark already simulates a worst-case scenario. However, it should not be forgotten that the processor (1.8 GHz) and the GPU (575 MHz) run only at their respective base frequency and therefore consume less energy.