Dell Inspiron 17R 5737: A Detailed Review of a Classic Laptop

Introduction

Are you looking for a reliable, large-screen laptop that won’t empty your wallet? The Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 might just be the answer for you. In a market saturated with ultra-thin and unbelievably expensive machines, sometimes what you need is a solid, dependable workhorse. The Dell Inspiron series has always been known for striking a balance between affordability and functionality, making it a popular choice for students, home users, and professionals who need a larger display.

This article delves into the details of the Inspiron 17R 5737 model, offering an in-depth look at its design, performance, features, and overall value. If you’re considering a large-format laptop that offers a good blend of screen real estate, usability, and price, then the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 should be on your radar. It offers a compelling combination of screen size, features, and price, making it a solid choice for users seeking a versatile, large-format laptop.

Design and Build Quality

The Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 presents a fairly standard aesthetic. It isn’t designed to turn heads with flamboyant features but instead focuses on providing a functional and durable chassis. The overall look is professional and understated, making it suitable for a variety of environments, from a classroom to a home office.

The laptop primarily utilizes plastic in its construction, which helps to keep the cost down. However, some models might feature aluminum accents around the keyboard or trackpad, adding a touch of sophistication. The plastic doesn’t feel cheap, but it also lacks the premium feel of more expensive laptops. The focus is on functionality over luxury.

In terms of dimensions and weight, the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 is undoubtedly a large laptop. Its dimensions reflect the sizable screen, and it’s not particularly lightweight. This isn’t a laptop you’ll want to carry around frequently. It’s more suited to being placed on a desk or table and used as a stationary workstation. Portability is not its strongest suit, but the large screen more than makes up for it.

The ergonomics of the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 are generally well-considered. The keyboard offers a decent amount of key travel, allowing for a comfortable typing experience. The layout is standard, so users should be able to adapt quickly. The touchpad is adequately sized and responsive, supporting multi-touch gestures for scrolling and navigation.

Regarding durability, the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 feels reasonably sturdy. The plastic chassis is resistant to minor scratches and bumps, but it’s not designed to withstand significant impacts. Proper care is still essential to ensure the laptop’s longevity. For a budget-friendly laptop, the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 is well-built.

Display

The Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 features a generous seventeen point three-inch display, providing ample screen real estate for multitasking, multimedia consumption, and even light gaming. The resolution usually comes in options of sixteen hundred by nine hundred or nineteen twenty by one thousand eighty. The higher resolution option will be beneficial for users who require sharper image clarity.

The panel type used in the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 is typically TN. While TN panels are generally less expensive, they can have limitations in terms of color accuracy and viewing angles compared to IPS panels. However, for everyday tasks like browsing the web and working on documents, the display is adequate.

Image quality is decent, with reasonable brightness and contrast. Colors may not be as vibrant or accurate as on more expensive laptops with IPS displays, but they are still acceptable for most users. Viewing angles can be a bit restrictive, meaning that the image quality may degrade when viewed from off-center positions.

The display of the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 is suitable for a range of tasks. It’s well-suited for web browsing, allowing you to comfortably view multiple tabs at once. Video playback is enjoyable, thanks to the large screen size. The display is also adequate for photo editing and light graphic design work, although professionals might prefer a display with better color accuracy. For gaming, the experience will depend on the graphics capabilities of the specific configuration.

Performance

The Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 was available with a range of processor options, including Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors. The choice of processor will significantly impact the laptop’s overall performance. The Core i3 is suitable for basic tasks, while the Core i5 and i7 offer more power for demanding applications and multitasking.

The laptop also comes with varying amounts of RAM. More RAM allows you to run more applications simultaneously without experiencing slowdowns. For most users, eight gigabytes of RAM is sufficient for everyday tasks, but sixteen gigabytes may be preferable for more intensive workloads.

Storage options for the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 typically included hard drives. The size of the hard drive varies, offering ample space for storing files, documents, and media. However, hard drives are generally slower than solid-state drives. Some configurations of the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 may have included solid-state drives, or allow for upgrading to one. If possible, opting for a solid-state drive will dramatically improve the laptop’s responsiveness and overall performance.

Graphics capabilities also vary depending on the configuration. Some models feature integrated graphics, which are sufficient for basic tasks like web browsing and video playback. Other models include dedicated graphics cards, offering better performance for gaming and other graphics-intensive applications. The specific GPU model will determine the extent of its gaming capabilities.

In real-world usage, the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 performs well for everyday tasks. Web browsing is smooth and responsive. Office productivity applications run without any issues. Multimedia consumption, such as watching videos and listening to music, is enjoyable thanks to the large screen and decent audio quality. Light gaming is possible, depending on the graphics configuration. Multitasking is also handled reasonably well, especially with sufficient RAM.

Ports and Connectivity

The Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 offers a variety of ports to connect peripherals and external devices. These typically include USB ports, both USB two point zero and USB three point zero, allowing you to connect external hard drives, flash drives, and other devices. There’s an HDMI port for connecting to external displays, such as monitors or televisions. An Ethernet port provides a wired internet connection for faster and more reliable network access. A headphone/microphone jack allows you to connect headphones or a microphone. A card reader is also included, enabling you to transfer files from memory cards.

Wireless connectivity is provided through Wi-Fi, supporting various standards for connecting to wireless networks. Bluetooth capabilities are also included, allowing you to connect wireless devices such as headphones, speakers, and keyboards. The presence of an optical drive, specifically a DVD drive, is something to consider. This allows you to play DVDs and CDs, which may be useful for some users.

Audio

The speaker quality on the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 is adequate for everyday use. The built-in speakers provide sufficient volume for watching videos and listening to music, but they may lack the depth and clarity of more high-end audio systems.

The headphone jack performs well, delivering clear audio through headphones. This is ideal for users who prefer a more immersive audio experience or need to listen to audio without disturbing others.

The microphone quality is suitable for video calls and recordings. It captures audio clearly and accurately, making it suitable for communicating with others online.

Battery Life

The Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 is equipped with a battery that provides reasonable battery life for a laptop of its size. The battery capacity varies depending on the specific model.

Battery life estimates vary depending on usage scenarios. Web browsing typically yields a decent amount of battery life. Video playback consumes more power, reducing the battery life accordingly. Productivity tasks, such as word processing and spreadsheet editing, offer a balance between performance and battery life.

Charging time depends on the battery capacity and the power adapter. Typically, it takes a few hours to fully charge the battery from empty.

Software and Features

The Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 typically comes with Windows pre-installed. The specific version of Windows depends on the model.

Pre-installed software may include trial versions of various applications, such as antivirus software and office suites. These applications may be useful for some users, while others may prefer to uninstall them and install their preferred software.

Special features of the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 may include a backlit keyboard, allowing you to type comfortably in low-light conditions. Webcam quality is also worth noting, as it can affect the quality of video calls and recordings. Special cooling solutions may be implemented to prevent the laptop from overheating during prolonged use.

Pros and Cons

The Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 offers several advantages. Its large screen provides ample space for multitasking and multimedia consumption. It is a versatile laptop. It also generally offers a good price-to-performance ratio.

However, the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 also has some drawbacks. Its portability is limited due to its size and weight. The display quality may not be as good as more expensive laptops with IPS displays. The battery life is also not exceptional.

Alternatives

If the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 doesn’t quite meet your needs, there are several alternative laptops to consider. Other laptops from different brands or from the same Dell Inspiron series could be an option. These alternatives may offer better performance, better display quality, or longer battery life, but they may also come at a higher price point.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 is a solid, versatile laptop that offers a good balance of features and price. Its large screen makes it ideal for multitasking, multimedia consumption, and light gaming. While it has some limitations in terms of portability and display quality, it remains a compelling option for users seeking a large-format laptop without breaking the bank. The Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 is a good buy for students, home users, and professionals who need a reliable and affordable laptop with a large screen. If you need a dependable machine for everyday tasks and multimedia, the Dell Inspiron 17R 5737 is certainly worth considering. It’s a good laptop for the right user. Now, what are your thoughts? Feel free to leave a comment or ask questions below!