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Dell Latitude E6400 User Review

Dell whetted our appetites for the new E-series Latitudes through some "leaks" at Engadget in March 2008. Among the features which caught my attention were the 14.1" WXGA+ LED backlit display, a target entry weight of 2kg (4.25lb), an eSATA port and a backlit keyboard. Last year I ordered an M1330 a couple of weeks after launch but got bored by the wait and cancelled it, so this year I moved quickly and placed my order for an E6400 within a few hours of the launch.

The basic specifications of my Latitude E6400 are:

* Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.40GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 3MB cache)
* Screen: 14-inch 1440 x 900 WXGA+ LED Backlit (matte finish)
* Memory: 1GB DDR2-800 PC-6400 RAM (Nanya, 5-6-6-18)
* Storage: 160GB 5400rpm HDD (Samsung HM160HI)
* Optical Drive: 9.5mm thick SATA PLDS (Philips Liteon) 8A2SDVD+/-RW
* Wireless: Intel 5100 802.11a/b/g/n
* Graphics: Intel X4500HD
* UK Backlit keyboard
* ExpressCard slot
* Creative 0.3MP web camera and microphone
* Battery: 56Wh 6-cell
* Standard E series 90W PSU and optional slim 65W Auto/Air/AC adapter
* Dimensions: 335 x 244 x 33mm (including feet about 2mm long) or 13.2" x 9.6" x 1.3"
* Advertised weight: The Quick Reference Guide states "2.15 kg (4.75 lb) with UMA graphics, 6-cell battery, solid-state drive"
* Actual weight: 2.31kg / 5.1 lbs (with UMA graphics, 6-cell battery, HDD)
* Travel weight: 2.87kg / 6.33lbs (with standard 90W PSU); 2.68kg / 5.91lbs (with slim 65W PSU)
* Windows Vista Business with XP Pro downgrade

Configuration

Deciding on the configuration is part of the fun with buying a Dell. I decided the P8600 was at the right point of the performance-value curve. I'm not into 3D games so I preferred the lower power consumption of the Intel GPU.

The LED backlit WXGA+ screen was a must while the backlit keyboard will most likely come useful when I'm working somewhere where there's a power cut. The 160GB HDD was the best option on Dell's capacity/performance/value curve (I've already got a 320GB HDD which I'll move over). 1GB RAM looked the best pricing choice since I could get 2GB elsewhere for the cost of Dell's 1GB upgrade. I opted for the Express Card slot since I could, if necessary, get an adaptor to be able to use my old PC cards. I wanted a microphone and on the UK configuration the microphone and webcam come together. I wanted an internal 56k modem but this was not available as an option so I ordered a USB modem instead.

Similarly Bluetooth was not available at the time I placed my order and I ordered a USB Bluetooth device from elsewhere (fine for me since I only use it occasionally). One option I did select was the 3-year extended warranty for the battery. In my experience a battery loses about half its capacity in about 18 months.

5 comments:

Subagya said...

wow.. cool laptop..

Joy said...

Nice :)

laptop review said...

i like this notebook..i think dell is the one powerfull notebook in the world

ankino said...

Dell are great laptops. To think i will buy my next one laptop as a dell. Thanks for the great info!

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