Dell 3120 - Product review

As a compact computer with great capabilities, the Dell 3120 is an excellent product in its price category.

Product specification Dell 3120

After taking it out of the box, I was presented with a product with the Dell logo and a screen diagonal of 11 inches. The device with the Touchscreen weighs 1.42 kg. The Dell Latitude 3120 without touch function is also available on the market with a weight of 1.35 kg. Some will say or write that in this day and age even a 15-inch laptop can weigh that much. This is true, but the dimensions have been maintained here mainly so that the construction is robust against many influences.

Purpose of the Dell 3120

It must be emphasized that the Dell Latitude 3120 was developed primarily for learning. The model celebrated its premiere during the pandemic. Therefore, the device was designed so that a child, pupil or even a student can carry it with them without having to pay special attention.

What makes the Dell Latitute 3120 laptop stand out? The casing is gray, but mini lines have been specially laser-cut in a criss-cross pattern. This makes it practically impossible for the laptop to slip out of your hand. It really does stand the test of time.

It is also worth mentioning that the construction is resistant to liquids and dust. The rubber edges and rounded corners are able to minimize the consequences of a drop. Tests carried out by Dell in laboratories have shown that the laptop can withstand a drop from a height of around 75 cm onto a steel surface and from a height of around 120 cm onto plywood without any problems. The function of the hinges, which can allegedly be opened several billion times, has also been tested. An exact figure was not given.

Another aspect is the Dragontrail Pro screen, a construction invented by Dell that provides excellent protection for the screen against damage. The IPS-Touchscreen works without any problems with an active Dell pen as well as with pencils no. 2 or HB. The screen is very bright. Against a black background in the corners, you can see that it is heavily underlit and the white shows through slightly, but working with it is pleasant and comfortable for the eyes. It is also pleasant to watch movies with. The touch function is precise, but this is practically standard nowadays.

The two speakers on the underside work well. You can hear a slight bass, but it doesn't stand out too much. Unfortunately, there is sometimes some clattering when playing music at maximum volume. However, this is very, very rarely the case.

Additional functions - Dell 3120

There are a few more interesting features of the device that are worth mentioning. With the ExpressCharge function, you can charge the battery up to 80 % within an hour. It really works! Within an hour, the battery was charged, which lasts for six hours of normal work. Dell states ten hours on its website, but with a darker screen. Comfort is important to me. So I assume six hours of work.

Wi-Fi 6 ensures improved speed and transfer rate and saves energy. In addition, it even connects excellently to a network a few walls away, while other devices have a problem with this.

As I mentioned earlier, the keyboard resists liquids and is very comfortable to type on. The stroke is short and very quiet. You can therefore take notes in class practically silently. Some may find it a disadvantage that the keyboard is not illuminated.

The touchpad is precise and recognizes multi-finger gestures. The surface texture is pleasant and a right or left click is clearly audible.

Interfaces

The device also makes a good impression in terms of the number of interfaces. My sample had an HDMI port, two USB 3.0 ports, a port for headphones and microphone and a volume button. Versions with an additional USB-C port are also available on the market. However, the model described today did not have this.

How does the computer perform in practice?

The computer is equipped with a Celeron N5100 (4-core processor), 4 GB RAM and a type 1.3 NVMe hard disk with a read speed of 2000 MB/s and a write speed of 800 MB/s. It should be noted that the device is suitable for Windows 11, but Windows 10 Education appears in English after starting. However, to return to the core issue, namely performance, it must be said that this is good. The device works smoothly and without any problems when conducting video conferences, writing on it, creating emails, drawing, painting or watching movies. It is also silent because it has no fans. I would therefore venture to say that it is not only suitable for students, but that sales representatives can also work on this device without any problems and present their products to customers. The device is well equipped and has an attractive design for all meetings.

Dell 3120 - Summary

If you are looking for a device for learning and working, the Dell Latitude 3120 is an interesting idea. It has everything you need to work because an installed Office package is available as soon as you switch it on. At a price of €189, you won't find a NEW device on the market that is as powerful as the Dell 3120.