Dell Latitude

[Pab]

We've just won a Dell Latitude laptop and I'm wondering whether it's worth keeping it.

My thinkpad is about 2.5 years old so I'm thinking about updating it anyway. Keep the Latitude or sell it and buy something else (probably another Lenovo)?

Here's the spec of the Dell...

Latitude 14.1” E6400
2.80GHz Intel Core2Duo P9700
4GB 800MHz Memory DDR2 (2X2GB)
14.1" WXGA
160G 5.4K SATA HDD
256MB Nvidia Quadro NVS 160M
8x DVD+/-RW
Backlit keyboard
6Cell 54WHr
Bluetooth 370
Intel Wireless5300
Latitude 3Yr Basic Warranty -NBD
90W AC Adapter

[crossdaz]

We've just won a Dell Latitude laptop and I'm wondering whether it's worth keeping it.

My thinkpad is about 2.5 years old so I'm thinking about updating it anyway. Keep the Latitude or sell it and buy something else (probably another Lenovo)?



Looks good to me - why go through all that hassle and extra expense? If you sell it then it will be considered second hand even if you haven't opened the box?

[Pab]

Yes, the spec is pretty good. Certainly good for the money!

I guess my question was more about whether Dell Latitude's are good quality machines, particularly compared with a Thinkpad.

[crossdaz]

Yes, the spec is pretty good. Certainly good for the money!

I guess my question was more about whether Dell Latitude's are good quality machines, particularly compared with a Thinkpad.

Overall, Dell's are fair value for money and reliable. I've had a dell desktop for 3 years and it's been fine. Yes, I've trashed one hard drive but it lasted 2 years of heavy duty use, was a third party component which is used in many other machines and went a week before the 2 year warranty expired :)

I've never owned a Latitude but it is their business brand and should be a decent quality machine.

[SneakSMS]

Dell laptops have a tendency to last 3 years and 1 day (well, at least my last 2 have after I bought 3 year warranties with them). But good machines apart from that.

[derren]

I have had a thinkpad for a long time now - its I guess 10 years old althrough its rarely used. Its obviously slow compared to todays machines. I have had a few laptops since - mainly acers and asus.

Now even through the thinkpad is now a bit long in the tooth its still going and the build quality is just exceptional. 2 newer acers have died and the thinkpad still chugs away. There not great looking machines and my 10 year old does not look to different to todays machines but I think there great.

[Comspec]

That particular model of Dell laptop is reasonably hardy, and I get very few in with actual hardware faults. For the price they actually cost, they are a fair deal (even moreso in your case lol).

It is susceptible (as are all laptops tbh, but this one maybe moreso) to overheating, if you use it directly on a bed, or even your lap........ just the way the internal cooling fans are located really.

I'd advise you to keep it, as it wouldn't fetch what its really worth if resold, and it is a decent little lappie. Just use it on a table, or on a tray (which again, ALL laptops should be used anyway) and you'll have no problems with the overheating.

A little tip for you too.... every now and again, with the laptop switched OFF, give the sides and bottom a little vacuuming (use the small brush-type end) and this will help your cooling fans not to block up (which they invariably do on all machines), and this again will ensure you don't overheat.

A decent prize, so enjoy :)

[Pab]

Thanks for the info guys. That's useful information.

I built the same machine on the Dell site and it's about £1,300 + vat, so it's pretty good. I think I'll probably keep it :)

I've been an XP user for some time. However, this comes with Vista Biz and, I assume given the info on the Dell site, the option to upgrade to Win 7 Pro for free. The new laptop will become a client on a SBS 2003 network, but i know nothing about W7 & SBS 2003 compatibility.

[computer storm]

Hi Paul,

It should work ok, with out any problems, I have had windows 7 connected to my domain for quite a while and have had no issues. And I know your system is well upto date.

[Page]

Don' waste your time.

Now you have it use the thing and be productive.

Laptops are now cheap and cheerful. Unless you have a particular requirement it will do the job - easily.