Dell Inspiron 3525 - Ryzen 5 5625U, 8GB DDR4, 512GB SSD, 15.6" 120Hz IPS - $629.99 - 10% (YMMV) = $566.99 + 15% CASHBACK

Unfortunately, I returned mine. Hardware is great with 120Hz but was not really happy with build quality and battery life (sure I could switch to 60hz but IF IT HAS 120 I WILL USE 120). Otherwise a pretty hot deal if you are looking for a budget laptop.

1226 wrote: ↑ 2 monitors sure but they'll display the same output. Pretty sure most people want separate distinct displays.

DisplayLink supports extend mode, this is the default setting for a DisplayLink display.

from https://support.displaylink.com/knowled ... on-windows

There are three configuration modes:

1. Extend mode: This is the default setting for a DisplayLink display. The display is an extension of the Windows desktop, and will be extended to the right of the main display. Moving the mouse off the right hand side of the display will move it onto the extended screen.
2. Mirror (also known as clone or duplicate) mode: The DisplayLink display mirrors the content of you main display. Note that in mirror mode, both displays must have the same resolution, which may not be optimal for the display. This can make the desktop look streched or scaled and there could be black borders around the image on the screen.
3. Primary or Replace mode: The DisplayLink is the main Windows display. Replace mode extends primary mode by also disabling the laptop or tablet screen while connected to the DisplayLink device. This mode is used if wanting to use your laptop with the lid closed.

considering to buy this replace my current laptop

does this support external 4K / 60hz monitor?

need to run some memory-intensive app, does this support 2*32G = 64 G memory?

andyhejob wrote: ↑ considering to buy this replace my current laptop

does this support external 4K / 60hz monitor?

No, the HDMI 1.4 port does not support 4k 60 Hz output

The USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port is only for data transfer

andyhejob wrote: ↑does this have an M2 2280 SSD and a SATA SDD together?

Yes, you can install a 2.5" SATA SDD

Instructions are in the service manual

Inspiron 15 3525 Service Manual PDF

maritrunks wrote: ↑ I have this laptop and I can confirm Dell includes the 2.5” HDD bracket, screws and connector already in the laptop. Just open the bottom panel and you have access to the drive bay with the necessary hardware to install the drive

Dhanushan wrote: ↑ DisplayLink supports extend mode, this is the default setting for a DisplayLink display.

from https://support.displaylink.com/knowled ... on-windows

There are three configuration modes:

1. Extend mode: This is the default setting for a DisplayLink display. The display is an extension of the Windows desktop, and will be extended to the right of the main display. Moving the mouse off the right hand side of the display will move it onto the extended screen.
2. Mirror (also known as clone or duplicate) mode: The DisplayLink display mirrors the content of you main display. Note that in mirror mode, both displays must have the same resolution, which may not be optimal for the display. This can make the desktop look streched or scaled and there could be black borders around the image on the screen.
3. Primary or Replace mode: The DisplayLink is the main Windows display. Replace mode extends primary mode by also disabling the laptop or tablet screen while connected to the DisplayLink device. This mode is used if wanting to use your laptop with the lid closed.

Interesting, what's the catch? I guess the cost?

1226 wrote: ↑ Interesting, what's the catch? I guess the cost?

More costly, adds lag/latency and more CPU overhead (full screen 4k video)

thanks @Dhanushan for the reply, it looks Ryzen 5 5625U supports 4k @ 60hz, but dell doesn't build a port to use it in this laptop?

anyone has experience between 4k @ 30hz and 4k @ 60hz with movie watching and programming work? is the quality very different and is 30hz bad for health?

This laptop supports [email protected] I'm using it with an external 4k/60hz monitor.

andyhejob wrote: ↑ thanks @Dhanushan for the reply, it looks Ryzen 5 5625U supports 4k @ 60hz, but dell doesn't build a port to use it in this laptop?

anyone has experience between 4k @ 30hz and 4k @ 60hz with movie watching and programming work? is the quality very different and is 30hz bad for health?

musicalmd wrote: ↑ This laptop supports [email protected] I'm using it with an external 4k/60hz monitor.

thanks for your info, can you share how to connect? As @Dhanushan advise the HDMI 1.4 port does not support 4k 60 Hz output

I use an hdmi-hdmi cable. The refresh rate is 60hz

andyhejob wrote: ↑ thanks for your info, can you share how to connect? As @Dhanushan advise the HDMI 1.4 port does not support 4k 60 Hz output

musicalmd wrote: ↑I use an hdmi-hdmi cable. The refresh rate is 60hz

Are you sure it's the same laptop and your output is in 4K? On the Dell product page linked at the start of this page it pretty clearly says HDMI port only supports 1080p output.

andyhejob wrote: ↑ thanks for your info, can you share how to connect? As @Dhanushan advise the HDMI 1.4 port does not support 4k 60 Hz output

AMD could be using this 'ol trick to support [email protected]

But @Dhanushan is right, technically the bandwidth of HDMI 1.4 cannot support [email protected] 4:4:4. If @musicalmd is truly running it at [email protected], it's running in 4:2:0 mode.

carsncars wrote: ↑ AMD could be using this 'ol trick to support [email protected]

But @Dhanushan is right, technically the bandwidth of HDMI 1.4 cannot support [email protected] 4:4:4. If @musicalmd is truly running it at [email protected], it's running in 4:2:0 mode.

thanks for your info
it is getting more technical now, what are 4:4:4, 4:2:0 and their difference?

UnderKitten wrote: ↑ Unfortunately, I returned mine. Hardware is great with 120Hz but was not really happy with build quality and battery life (sure I could switch to 60hz but IF IT HAS 120 I WILL USE 120). Otherwise a pretty hot deal if you are looking for a budget laptop.

Please describe the battery life you found lacking.

UnderKitten wrote: ↑ Unfortunately, I returned mine. Hardware is great with 120Hz but was not really happy with build quality and battery life (sure I could switch to 60hz but IF IT HAS 120 I WILL USE 120). Otherwise a pretty hot deal if you are looking for a budget laptop.

That's too bad, I'm using this laptop right now and love it! Yes I know the build quality isn't like a thinkpad but the price isn't like a thinkpad either! With the 15% rakuten cashback, this is HOT!

Are there any more codes to for discount?

I think you are right. It's YUV 4:2:0. I used several laptops that supports HDMI 2.0 and don't notice any difference

carsncars wrote: ↑ AMD could be using this 'ol trick to support [email protected]

But @Dhanushan is right, technically the bandwidth of HDMI 1.4 cannot support [email protected] 4:4:4. If @musicalmd is truly running it at [email protected], it's running in 4:2:0 mode.

jontom wrote: ↑ Are there any more codes to for discount?

Nope, tried dell student, uni, and news letter, none of these works.

andyhejob wrote: ↑ thanks @Dhanushan for the reply, it looks Ryzen 5 5625U supports 4k @ 60hz, but dell doesn't build a port to use it in this laptop?

anyone has experience between 4k @ 30hz and 4k @ 60hz with movie watching and programming work? is the quality very different and is 30hz bad for health?

This a budget laptop, Dell did some cost cutting by including a HDMI 1.4 port.

HDMI 1.4 has maximum video bandwidth of 8.16 Gbit/s (4096 × 2160 at 24 Hz, 3840 × 2160 at 24, 25, and 30 Hz, 2560 × 1440 at 60 Hz, or1920 × 1080 at 120 Hz)
HDMI 2.0 has a maximum video bandwidth of 14.4 Gbit/s. This enables HDMI 2.0 to carry 4K video at 60 Hz with 24 bit/px color depth.
from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

30Hz refresh rate is not bad for health. 4K video quality will be reduced but would be okay from programming work.

Is 4K 30Hz Good for Movies?
https://pointerclicker.com/is-4k-30-hz-good-for-movies/

andyhejob wrote: ↑ thanks for your info
it is getting more technical now, what are 4:4:4, 4:2:0 and their difference?

rtings has a good article on this

Chroma Subsampling
4:4:4 vs 4:2:2 vs 4:2:0
https://www.rtings.com/tv/learn/chroma-subsampling

andyhejob wrote: ↑ thanks for your info
it is getting more technical now, what are 4:4:4, 4:2:0 and their difference?

Here's an excellent explanation: https://www.rtings.com/tv/learn/chroma-subsampling

TL;DR, it's a way to reduce the bandwidth required to transmit a video signal by subsampling (essentially, discarding some data). This may or may not be noticeable depending on your use case.