Dell Latitude D430 User Review

The Dell Latitude D430 is Dell's current ultraportable offering that features the Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) Core Solo, ULV Core Duo, ULV Core 2 Duo, and a host of other technologies in order to create one of the smallest 12.1" machines that still maintains a respectable amount of battery life and computing power. With so many questions and details to cover about ultraportable notebooks, continue reading this full review!

Price & Model Specifications

The D430 starts out at a not-so-light $1,199...which is actually an amazing price to me given ultraportables usually carry a premium price for their slim designs. From the Dell Outlet, the D430 is regularly available for around $1000 and may include some upgraded hardware.

My specific unit was configured as follows:

• Intel Core Solo U1400 Processor (Santa Rosa, 1.2GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, Ultra Low Voltage)
• Microsoft Genuine Windows XP Professional
• 12.1" WXGA Display (1280 x 800)
• 1GB DDR2 533MHz RAM (upgraded to 2GB aftermarket)
• 80GB 4200RPM Toshiba 1.8" HDD
• External D-Port CD-RW/DVD-ROM Optical Drive
• 802.11a/b/g WiFi, Ethernet, and Modem
• 6-Cell 42Whr Battery
• 3-Year Next Business Day At-Home & Gold Technical Support Warranty
• Dimensions: 11.6" W x 8.25" D x 1" H
• Weight: 3.2lbs (with battery, without optical drive)

Brand new, and without my extra warranty upgrade, this configuration of the D430 would cost $1,640 before taxes. With my warranty upgrade, the system would cost about $1,800-$1,900 brand new. Additionally, the single-core D430 is only available in the Large Business section at www.dell.com.

The Small Business section (where consumers can purchase from too!), only the dual core variant is available. A similarly dual-core configured laptop costs about $1,650, so there is virtually no price difference between a U1400 laptop and a U7600 laptop.

I got the single core version because I needed a lower cost machine, and this was the lowest I could get. I purchased the warranty upgrade only to take advantage of the 15% off Latitudes at the Dell Outlet coupon, and paid $883 for the entire package. Not bad for almost 50 percent off!