Review of Dell Inspiron 13 7347

Dell has gathered quite a lot of experience with versatile consumer laptops ever since its exotic Dell XPS 1210. But Dell has also previously experimented with the design tested here in its XPS 11 with a smaller screen size.
This Inspiron 13 7347 can be used in four modes owing to its hinge that enables tilting the screen by 360 degrees. These modes allow use as a conventional laptop or a tablet due to the touchscreen, and two somewhat unusual intermediate steps that Dell dubs "Tent" and "Stand."

 Especially Lenovo's Yoga 2 Pro can be seen as the direct contender because it features the same design and an identical configuration. Users who can warm to a different tablet-laptop mix should look closer at Asus' Transformer Book T300LA. Its keyboard dock can be completely disconnected from the tablet. The just recently introduced Lenovo Yoga 3 based on Intel's Broadwell is also exciting in this context. It will, however, very likely play in another price league.

The Dell Inspiron 13 7347 does not look like a member of the less expensive consumer range, and that it does not come from the XPS line. It is allover silver and the brand logo or the keyboard's keys set black contrasts.

The surfaces are rubberized and feature a good grip. Dell does not specify the material, but we assume that plastic is used as supporters due to the dividers inside the base unit. The build is overall very good, and the gaps are narrow.

We naturally paid special attention to the hinges of the Inspiron. They are pulled tightly enough to prevent the display from wobbling too much. Dell does not show any weaknesses here, and the mentioned positions can thus be used well.

The weight of 1.65 kilograms makes the Inspiron unsuitable for holding in the hands for a longer time even in tablet mode. An odd feeling also develops on the lap because the keyboard's keys rest directly on the knees. The convertible is best used on a table or another level surface.

 

Connectivity

Dell does not install any surprises but does not omit anything essential either. However, buyers should be aware that neither a VGA nor Ethernet socket can be expected in this kind of device. There are two USB 3.0 ports on the left, one of which is powered even when the convertible is off. USB 2.0 is also installed in this laptop and finds a place on the right. HDMI and an SD-card reader are also available.

All interfaces are positioned quite far back on both sides. This will please users who want to connect a mouse.

Accessories

 

The only included accessory is the passive stylus that can be inserted into the laptop's right side. Dell also offers an active stylus that allegedly makes even more accurate inputs possible and that features two special buttons. However, it costs just below 50 Euros. 

Warranty

 

At the time of testing, we found contradictory statements about warranty on Dell's website. A one-year on-site warranty was mentioned in the product test, but it had to be added to the order for 70 Euros (~$89). This service can be extended for up to four years, but also for a steep surcharge of 250 Euros (~$319). Excluding this surcharge, the laptop would otherwise only be picked up and repaired in a workshop for twelve months.