Discussion about The $200 DERE D17 FHD 14" Atom Laptop

Original Deal Post

I got this about a week after ordering. Overall this is fantastic value for $210 or so.

The highlights for me:

  • AUO FHD screen, it is only TN but it is the same as the ones used in certain Elitebooks, in fact I checked pricing and the HP spares cost for the screen is more than the cost of this laptop.

  • Free USB2 -> 10/100 dongle.

  • Win10 Pro activated (!!!)

The cons:

  • the Atom x5-Z8350 is a moderate performer. I would say for my use having an Edge window open and Chrome and say a few RDP sessions is about the limit.

  • Youtube FHD performance isnt good, 720p60 is ok though.

  • Sound isnt good thru the spks as they are on the bottom so they face your desk. 3.5mm isnt too bad though but a bit trebley. I'm using a USB dac.

  • The wifi is an SDIO realtek 2.4 single band 1T1R at only 150 but that's what I expected. Cant be stuffed replacing it and it seems SDIO 2.4/5ghz units arent too common.

  • Battery life isnt good at between 3-4hrs but fine really for a 2nd laptop.

  • Ports are skimpy w/ just 1 x usb2, 1 x usb3, 1 x micro hdmi, 1 x micro sd, 1 x 3.5 and power but liveable.

  • Usb jacks are tight.

  • Camera is terrible.

  • Charging is v. slow due to the low amp power adapter.

Middling:

  • keyb is that island chiclet thing. Touchpad is ok but its basic, no scrollers and apple pinching.

  • pg up, home end keys are a FN modifier w. cursors but this is expected.

  • 1.4kg is probably getting up there but its ok.

The puzzling:

  • Havent found a way to change the screen brightness…no hotkey exits.

Comments

  • What is this?

  • +1

    x5-Z8350 but 3-4 hours battery life sounds like a huge tradeoff. The power management / drivers must not be optimised or they really skimped out on the lithium battery.

    You can use an Autohotkey script too if you want to make your own KB shortcuts for brightness..

    https://pastebin.com/WRa85U6Z and https://autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7854

    • Or, you know… pin the Brightness Setting to your Notification Shade.
      Takes 2-clicks to adjust the brightness from anywhere.

      The real puzzling thing is the performance AND battery life.
      Looks like Intel gave these away for free, and the company threw it in a cheap screen and chassis.
      Overall, not a good daily driver. Maybe good to give to some kids to use/break. Or use in a home project (eg IoT).

  • Do you know the voltage/current of the power adapter?

    • +1

      5v 2,5a

      • Ooo thanks, that might make the battery life a non-issue to me…

Login or Join to leave a comment