Dell Latitude D830, worth it?

I found one (Dell recertified) for $265 with $15 shipping. It doesn't say what video card, NVS 135m, 140m or Intel X3100. Were any of these Nvidia GPU's problematic or prone to failure? Is this a decent price for this laptop?

Specs:

Windows XP Professional
Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 1.8GHz
15.4"
1GB DDR2
60GB HDD
DVD/CD-RW Combo

 

The GPUs in those laptops were 8-series, so yes they're prone to failure. My wife has one...they're built like a tank and her's is a good 3 years old. Try to verify condition before buying.

 

Thanks Greg, did your wifes machine have a GPU failure? Are they soldered onboard? I emailed Newegg and asked them what GPU it has. If it has the X3100 i'll buy it. I think Newegg only sells mfg recertified.

I did ask them if this is Dell recertified.

 

Any D_20/30 with the Nvidia GPU are going to die. Cross your fingers it has the Intel Crestline GPU (X3100).

 

its a nice machine, very solid but if it has the nvidia gpu its probably not worth getting.

what are you planning to use it for?

 

I would install 7 and use it for the basics, web, email, Live TV. I read some of the reviews and some who bought refurbs from Newegg weren't sent power supplies etc. So this tells me it's not Dell recertified but a private company who inspects them. I think i'll pass on this one.

 

Yeah I was seeing all the ones on Newegg. Kinda shady how they don't tell you which GPU as that is the make it or break it for Napa/Santa Rosa platform..

 

I've not heard of the 140M's being problematic. Just the 135M's.

And yes, they're awesome. Just picked up one off of eBay this evening for $160, T7700, 1gb RAM, 80gb 7200rpm HDD, Intel X3100, DVD burner, etc. Will go very nice with my existing unit.

Wouldn't worry too much about Dell "certification" or not -- I've done practically everything short of pouring foreign objects into mine, 5,000+ power cycles, dropped on concrete, 300+ times through the TSA security, 15,000+ hours of use, yet my unit remains rock-solid.

 

AFAIK the 140M is based off the G86M, and all G84M/G86M cores had the bad substrate material which causes the GPU to desolder itself.

 

Yeah the 140M and even the 135M in the D830 application seems to be less susceptible. Perhaps because the superior cooling system in these laptops reduces the magnitude of thermal cycling?