Decent all around. The Inspiron 15 3542 is an inexpensive allrounder-notebook. Thanks to a powerful Core i5 processor and dedicated GeForce graphics card, even gaming is not out of the question. The battery life is very decent as well.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-Inspiron-15-3542-2293-Notebook-Review.129452.0.html
Space key was registering strokes reliably on your test machine?
The specs section claims the power adapter has a weight of 348 g, whereas below the picture it says 234 g. I wonder which it is.