Dell Inspiron IM5030-874B3D

Dell Inspiron IM5030-874B3D

Available for purchase at Best Buy, the Dell Inspiron IM5030-874B3D ($429.99 direct) bears the attention to design detail and functionality that typify all of Dell's laptops. But, in accordance with its price, you'll have to sacrifice a fair amount of performance to get them. This Inspiron will suffice for basic tasks, but if you need much more than a serviceable secondary or tertiary system, you'd be better off spending a bit more money on a more powerful model. All black and coated with a smudge- and fingerprint-repelling textured design featuring a heavy circle motif, the IM5030-874B3D is attractive, if generically so. The keyboard comprises low, flat, squarish keys that feel particularly stiff beneath the fingers, offering only a passable typing experience. Weighing just under 5.5 pounds, the laptop is on the light side, weighing more than the 5-pound Gateway NV50A02u ($449.99 list, 4 stars) and Acer Aspire AS5742-6475 and the 5.4-pound Sony VAIO VPC-EB33FM/BJ ($629.99 list, 4.5 stars), but less than the 5.8-pound Asus K52F-A1 ($679.99 list, 3.5 stars). Like our most recent Editors' Choice for budget laptops, the HP Pavilion dv6-6013cl and the Acer, the Dell has a 15-inch widescreen.