Review Dell Vostro 3530

• Processor
  13th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1335U (12 MB cache, 10 cores (2 P cores & 8 E cores), 12 threads, P cores 1.30 GHz to 4.60 GHz, E cores 0.90 GHz to 3.40 GHz, 15 W)
  13th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-1355U (12 MB cache, 10 cores (2 P cores & 8 E cores), 12 threads, P cores 1.70 GHz to 5.00 GHz, E cores 1.20 GHz to 3.70 GHz, 15 W)
  13th Generation Intel® Core™ i3-1305U (10 MB cache ,5 cores (1 P cores & 4 E cores), 6 threads, P cores 1.60 GHz to 4.50 GHz, E cores 1.20 GHz to 3.30 GHz, 15 W)
  Intel® Processor U300 (8 MB cache, 5 cores (1 P cores & 4 E cores), 6 threads, P cores 1.20 GHz to 4.40 GHz, E cores 0.90 GHz to 3.30 GHz, 15 W)

• Operating System
  (Dell Technologies recommends Windows 11 Pro for business)
  Windows 11 Pro
  Windows 11 Pro National Academic
  Windows 11 Home
  Ubuntu® 22.04 LTS, 64-bit

• Graphics Card
  Discrete:
  NVIDIA® GeForce MX550, 2 GB GDDR6
  Integrated:
  Intel® UHD Graphics
  Intel® Iris® Xe® Graphics

• Display
  15.6-inch, FHD 1920 x 1080, 120 Hz, anti-glare, non-touch, 45% NTSC, 250 nits, in-plane switching

• Memory *
  4 GB, 1 x 4 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz
  8 GB, 2 x 4 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz, dual-channel
  8 GB, 1 x 8 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz
  12 GB, 1 x 4 GB + 1 x 8 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz, dual-channel
  16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz, dual-channel
  16 GB, 1 x 16 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz

• Storage
  M.2 2230, 512 GB, PCIe NVMe QLC, SSD
  M.2 2230, 1 TB, PCIe NVMe QLC, SSD
  M.2 2230, 256 GB, PCIe NVMe, SSD
  M.2 2230, 512 GB, PCIe NVMe, SSD
  M.2 2230, 1 TB, PCIe NVMe, SSD
  M.2 2280, 512 GB, PCIe NVMe, SSD
  M.2 2280, 1 TB, PCIe NVMe, SSD
  M.2 2280, 2 TB, PCIe NVMe, SSD

• Color
  Carbon Black
  Titan Gray

• Microsoft Office
  Microsoft Office 30-day trial
  Microsoft 365

• Home and Small Business Security Solutions
  McAfee® Small Business Security 30-day free trial
  McAfee® Small Business Security 12-month subscription
  McAfee® Small Business Security 36-month subscription
  Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 security
  Optional Windows 10 Hello - Fingerprint Reader
  Support of Absolute Persistent Module BIOS agent v2
  OpenXT validation required
  SafeGuard and Response, powered by VMware Carbon Black and Secureworks
  Next Generation Antivirus (NGAV)
  Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
  Threat Detection and Response (TDR)
  Managed Endpoint Detection and Response
  Incident Management Retainer
  Emergency Incident Response
  SafeData
  Mechanical camera shutter (only for computers with a aluminum chassis)

• Optical Drive
  No Optical Drive

• Slots
  1 SD-card slot
  1 wedge-shaped lock slot
  1 M.2 2230/2280 slot for solid-state drive
  1 M.2 2230 slot for WLAN, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth

• Dimensions & Weight
  Aluminum :
  Height (Front): 0.61 in. (15.52 mm)
  Height (Rear): 0.69 in. (17.50 mm)
  Width: 14.11 in. (358.50 mm)
  Depth: 9.25 in. (234.90 mm)
  Weight (Maximum): 4.28 lb (1.94 kg)

• Camera
  1080p at 30 fps FHD RGB camera, dual-array microphone

• Audio and Speakers
  Stereo speakers, 2 W x 2 = 4 W total

• Chassis
  Exterior Chassis Materials:
  Aluminum exterior shell
  Color options:
  Titan Gray
  Touchpad:
  Titan Gray: Precision touchpad

• Wireless *
  802.11ac 1x1 WiFi, Bluetooth® wireless card
  Realtek RTL8852BE, 2x2, MIMO, 1201 Mbps, 2.40/5 GHz, Wi-Fi 6 (WiFi 802.11ax), Bluetooth® 5.3

• Primary Battery
  3-cell, 41 Wh, lithium-polymer, ExpressCharge™, 1-year warranty
  4-cell, 54 Wh, lithium-polymer, ExpressCharge™, 1-year warranty (upsell option)

• Battery Life
  Up to 7 hours, 52 minutes*

• Ports
  1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 port
  1 USB 2.0 port
  1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C® port
  1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C® port with DisplayPort Alt Mode 1.4
  1 Universal audio port
  1 HDMI 1.4 port
  1 RJ45 Ethernet port
  1 Power-adapter port

Before working inside your computer:

Steps

1. Save and close all open files and exit all open applications.

2. Shut down your computer. For Windows operating system, click Start >  Power > Shut down.

3. NOTE: If you are using a different operating system, see the documentation of your operating system for shut-down instructions.

4. Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical outlets.

5. Disconnect all attached network devices and peripherals, such as keyboard, mouse, and monitor from your computer.

6. Remove any media card and optical disk from your computer, if applicable.

7. Enter the service mode, if you are able to power on your computer.
   
   

Service Mode
Service Mode is used to cut-off power, without disconnecting battery cable from system board prior conducting repairs in the computer.

• Hold <B> key on the keyboard and press the power button for 3 seconds or until the Dell logo appears on the screen.

• Press any key to continue.

• If the AC adapter is not disconnected, a message prompting you to remove the AC adapter appears on the screen. Remove the AC adapter and then press any key to continue the Service Mode procedure. The Service Mode procedure automatically skips the following step if the Owner Tag of the computer is not set up in advance by the user.

• When the ready-to-proceed message appears on the screen, press any key to proceed. The computer emits three short beeps and shuts down immediately.

• Once the computer shuts down, it has successfully entered Service Mode.

Removing the base cover dell vostro 3530

1. Remove the six screws (M2x5) and loosen the two captive screws that secure the base cover to the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.

2. Using a plastic scribe, pry open the base cover starting from the recesses, which are located in the U-shaped indents at the top edge of the base cover, near the hinges.

3. Pry open the top side of the base cover and continue working on the left and right sides to open the base cover.

4. Lift and remove the base cover off the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.

LET GO STEP BY STEP TO UPGRADE DELL VOSTRO 3530

1. Removing the Bottom Plate

– Ensure the laptop is powered off and unplugged from any external power source.
– Flip the laptop to access its bottom side.
– Unscrew the 8 Phillips-head screws. Remember, the ones in the top corners are captive and will slightly lift the plate.
– Start prying the panel with a plastic tool from where the captive screws lifted it.

2. Battery Removal

– To ensure safety while handling internal components, first, disconnect the battery.
– Carefully unplug the battery connector from the mainboard.
– Unscrew the 4 Phillips-head screws holding the battery in place.
– Lift and remove the battery.

3. Memory (RAM) Upgrade

– The laptop features two SODIMM slots that can accommodate either DDR4-3200MHz or DDR4-2666MHz RAM.
– Depending on the model and the type of Type-C port, the RAM speed can vary. If the laptop has a regular Type-C port, it is equipped with slower RAM. Devices with Type-C ports supporting DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery have faster memory.
– To upgrade or replace, gently release the clips holding the memory sticks and carefully pull them out. Insert the new ones ensuring they click into place.

4. Storage Upgrade

– The Vostro 15 3530 comes with an M.2 slot that can handle 2230 or 2280 Gen 4 SSDs.
– To replace or upgrade the SSD, remove the securing screw and gently pull out the current SSD.
– Place the new SSD in, ensuring it’s properly seated, and then secure it with the screw.
– Remember, there’s a metal shroud with a thermal pad inside, meant to dissipate heat from the SSD. Make sure it’s correctly placed.

5. Cooling System Maintenance

– The cooling system is relatively simple, with one fan and one heat pipe.
– For maintenance, make sure the fan blades are clean. Dust accumulation can reduce efficiency.
– If the device is overheating, consider seeking professional help to replace the thermal paste or check for any malfunctioning components.

Note: Working with internal components requires care. If unsure about any step, it’s advisable to consult with a professional or visit an authorized service center. Also, keep in mind that opening the laptop might void its warranty, so always check warranty conditions beforehand.